Santa

We also had the opportunity for the kids to see Santa at Brylee and Boston's school. I love wonder in Brendan's face in this picture!

The Roof

We love our annual trip to The Roof...and this year wasn't an exception! Ben's parents host this for us every year for Christmas. Great food, beautiful views and good company!

Time to partay...

 We had our Christmas party this year at our church. It turned out quite lovely! My sister Shauna even braved it with pneumonia, what a trooper!

 My Mom gave us some really nice, BIG gifts this year. Unfortunately our hockey table was broke and they didn't have ANY in stock...boo! So we ended up ordering a climber dome for outside instead. Which the kids will LOVE when it warms up! I told the kids to smile liked they loved me and I just LOVE Quinn and Addi's face! I do feel very loved...but no so much by my own, he, he!!!

 The little kids played unwrap the candy bar with snow gloves game and the older kids/ adults exchanged white elephant gifts.

 Carter got one.

And Addi the other one...she is just a little proud!

The REAL Santa Claus

 We made our annual trip to the Ogden City lights to see the REAL Santa Clause! It did not disappoint...it was as magical as ever!

This is Brendan's first time seeing the "real" Santa and he did just fine until...

 Santa's beard touched his face!!! Brendan hates anything fuzzy near his face...poor guy!

 

 The reason for the season!

Another one of my favorite traditions!!!

Buddy the Elf

We finally gave in and got an Elf of the Shelf doll. It has been a ton of fun for us this year. His name is Buddy although I often call him Elfie or Alfie (Buddy doesn't stick for some reason for me) so he is an elf of many names! Here he is on his best pose yet...on a date with Bry's beautiful barbie!!!

O' Christmas Tree

 O' Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches...(I'd say pretty lovely indeed)

This year we picked out the most BEAUTIFUL tree!

 Decorating is so much fun!

One of my most favorite things about the holiday season!

Happy Birthday Boston!

 Birthday breakfast...a yummy cinnamon roll!

 

 Love this look!

 That's a fancy cake there mister!

 What a stud!

I can't believe that you are already 6 years old! You are growing up too fast and I am so proud of you! He is already reading and spelling super great and is loving learning in Kindergarten.

We love you Bostie boy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My cute little pilgrim Boston!

 

I am very thankful for my family, extended family, health, our home, Ben's job, and our Savior. I had a wonderful holiday spent with family, the only one who was missing for dinner was Logan. Other than that, I think it was as perfect as it gets! I love them all, even if they sometimes make me crazy!!!

Tubby time

 Brendan LOVES tubby time. It's his favorite lately!

 He is growing up so fast. He is pulling himself to everything and trying to walk around things. He can stand on his own for a couple of seconds. Were has the time gone!?

Best friends are we...

my Grandpa and me!

 

My Dad came and stayed with us for a month and Brendan got really attached! He loves when Grandpa sings him songs and snuggles him, and he misses him already!!!

Our finished basement!

We finished our basement in April of this year and we have LOVED it VERY, VERY much!!! It has given so much extra room. Ben did almost all the work in it himself (with the help of our wonderful neighbor Brad) whom we cannot thank enough for sharing his vast amount of  building knowledge! I am so proud of Ben, this is such a wonderful accomplishment! It turned out better than I ever imagined!!!

 The family room, looking both ways. And the cute little cut-out window to the kids playhouse. And I love the sconce lights!

 The entrance to the kid's playhouse, under the stairs. It turned out perfect and we all love it!

 The hall leading to the future bathroom, Brylee and Logan's room.

 Brylee's huge room, she even got a big walk in closet!

 Lots of room to play in here!

Logan loves his new room! I couldn't get him and Carter out even for a picture!

 

It's so pretty I can't even bring myself to hang pictures, even six months later!

Happy Birthday Carter!

 Carter's birthday started out with a breakfast of his choice. A raspberry filled, powdered donut of course. The Hostess shutdown is going to devastate some people in this family!

He got to go to a special lunch at McDonald's too.

 Opening presents with everyone.

And who could forget my crazy Carter scaring the life out of poor Quinn with this mask! It was sad but it made me laugh too!

 Happy Birthday to my sweet, crazy monkey boy! I can't believe that it has been four years since I brought you into this world. I am so glad I did, I love you so much. You complete us!!!

I think this was his favorite present. He LOVES balloons!