Snickers and Christmas Breakfast

The girls had a great time over at the Traditional Thomas Christmas breakfast. Here is Meg getting a princess doll.

Isabel getting spoiled.

Mattison getting spoiled too.

Some of the cousins with Mattison

Aunt Shelly with the girls.

And the big surprise of Christmas was the arrival of Snickers the puppy. The girls wanted to have that cute puppy from Aunt Shelly, but it was just too cute so Nanna got to have it. Lucky for the girls, Nanna is so smart she knew where to find another cute puppy. The girls didn't even mind.

Here is Mattison holding Snickers.

And here are the girls when they first saw Snickers. Can you tell that Mattison is so excited. She told me she almost cried. Meg told me "I just don't know why I get to have a puppy".

Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas with a busy day with cousins and family. Here is Isabel with a big Christmas thank you Santa smile. Mattison in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.

Meg opening her Diamond Castle Barbie that she had been asking Santa to get on Christmas.

Isabel with cousin Ethan who follows her around like a puppy. She likes it though.

Me with my favorite talk on the phone SIL Janae. I'm so glad she's here so we can go out to Los Hermanos and to a movie.

The kids table at Christmas dinner.

The 3 year old cousins Jyllian, Ethan and Meg. So far they haven't even fought. Although, last night I noticed Ethan's hair looked a little short in one area and he told us Meg cut it. She wasn't here to defend herself, so we will be doing some investigating. Merry Christmas Ethan, you just got yourself a new haircut!

Snow

It has been snowing a lot since we have been in Utah. I don't even remember the last time I was here with this much snow. The girls have been loving playing outside in it. We'll see how long they love it.

Overwhelmed...

Self portrait in early Novemeber...I couldn't even smile back then...I can now...most days

I am so overwhelmed...I need to express to my friends and family how much I love and appreciate all of you. I've never been one who likes to ask for help. I have never been one who wants service or accepts it. I am one who likes to be independent and strong. It's just the way I am. However in these last few months I have found that I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. I have received that help in so many ways. I have felt your prayers...it is what has helped me get out of bed in the morning. It is how I have been able to function in the middle of the day when I didn't think I could go on. I have been the recipient of so much service. Daily phone calls, notes and cards, emails, unexpected dinners, plates of goodies, car pools and babysitting for the kids are just some of the things I needed. I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord and I know that he personally knows me by sending family, friends and even long lost friends that I haven't talked to in years to find me and serve me. I am truly humbled. You have strenthened me. You have lifted me up when I couldn't do it myself. I will forever be thankful for having you in my life. I am a better person because of you.

We love self portraits

What's this you ask?

This is what happens when you have a "late-over" with friends. Really it's the little ones who enjoyed the popcorn throwing. Thank heavens for vacuum cleaners. It was totally worth it for the fun.
Here are the late -over- goers who decided to become zombies with ketchup as blood. Mattison took the ketchup upstairs and they all came down like this. It did scare the 3 year olds.

Earlier in the week we went to the park and Isabel gave piggy back rides to her friend Gracie who had a sprained ankle.

And last but not least, the girls decided they were having a bad day and needed to eat ice cream by the wall. This is something they learned from Grandma Lott. Apparently she and my sister Karen used to enjoy ice cream together. I personally never remember doing it, but my kids enjoyed it. Notice there is no Kristen enjoying it? That would be because that ice cream is vanilla. I might as well be drinking beer than eating that stuff. If the ice cream isn't brown, don't even offer it to me.

Festival Of Trees

While we were in Utah we went to the Festival of Trees. There are hundreds of trees decorated to sell for charity. They have all kinds of themes with them too. Here we are standing with cousin Ethan.

This is the Pez tree. Isabel really did not want her picture taken (obviously, you can tell by her frown).

The Disney Tree.

Retro toys tree.

Of course the Princess needed her picture taken by the princess tree.

We had a good time and got some yummy scones and fudge there too.

That cute puppy and 3-D movies

Of course the girls wanted me to post a picture of them with Aunt Shelly's cute puppy. It was named Bella, but the girls decided to change the name to Poppy. It is currently living with Nanna and so the girls loved spending time over there with it. I think they are still trying to convince Santa that it would be a good thing to have.

We went to see Bolt in 3-D while we were there. Of course I had to snap a few pics because that is what I do. Snap pics, and blog. Obviously Meg is into the movie here and not into me taking pictures.

Isabel looks concerned while Mattison is a overly excited.

And so the pics begin...

Yes, I have returned to Vegas and have found my cord to download the pics. So be prepared over the next few days for some oh so fabulous posts with pictures. First up is me being a freaking SUPERSTAR (you know you are when your child runs after you cheering). Of course this is me riding my old banana seat Schwinn bike. These days my booty takes up more room on that good old seat--still, I am a SUPERSTAR (the running girl, remember?)

Mattison exhausted from playing teeter-totter with cousin Ethan.

Isabel riding the old skateboard. She has some mad skills on a skateboard.

And finally Miss Meg riding my old tricycle. My booty didn't even try that seat.

Finally Saw It

So my mom and I decided to "live on the edge" and catch a late night showing of Twilight. Loved it--yes I did. Edward--yummy! The best part about the show was the fact that my mom and I were the only two people in the whole stinking theater. The projector dude even came down and welcomed us to the theater. How nice was that. What else can you expect in Orem, Utah on a Tuesday night?

Other news--still no cord to download pics, but when I get back into town be prepared for quite a picture show. We have been enjoying our time up here doing lots of fun things with family. It has been nice to get away from some of the craziness (wink, wink). See you soon my Vegas buddies!