Birthday Party

Jessi had a great time at her party. We just have had few girlfriends over from church and school. We had 7 girls come and it worked out okay. They all played nicely together and were very well behaved.

We played pin the tail on the horse. Horse bingo, and musical chairs. MJ and I were busy with the actual party so there aren't many pictures.


Then we had spaghetti (hay), carrots and apples. Jessi wanted a horse theme and she came up with the menu. It worked very well and no one complained that they didn't like what we had amazingly!
Then we had cupcakes.


Finally presents were exchanged and the girls played a card game while we waited for parents to pick up their girls.


It was a very enjoyable party for everyone. I'm grateful that MJ was able to help or I would have been a little overwhelmed.
Happy Birthday my sweet, spicy girl!

Cupcakes

The boys and I made cupcakes for Jessi's party while she was at school to prepare for her party on Saturday.

Jessi's 6th Birthday

Jessi turned 6 at the beginning of the month but we just had her birthday party on Saturday. Her birthday was on a Saturday this year and she was super excited to have a little party with some of her girlfriends but she got sick the day before and we had to postpone it. She was a really good sport about it, she must be getting more mature in her old age. So for her birthday we had some cupcakes and ate some take-out form Shin's (her favorite restaurant). She also received another American doll for her birthday and is super excited to have her two dolls be able play together since they are best friend. (Kit and Ruthie).
Here she is opening a few gift on her birthday and the day after.

To infinity and beyond!

Tanner likes to fall asleep in our bed. MJ found him there one night in his Buzz Light Year PJ's with Woody and couldn't resist a picture. Tanner stretched right as the picture was taken.

MJ's Birthday

This year for MJ's birthday we were able to leave town for an over night getaway. Jessica kindly watched the kids for us and MJ and I went up to Oakland. We were able to go to dinner and attend the temple and then have a relaxing evening and morning without the kids to worry about. It is so nice to have family so close so that we can do this and not have to worry about the kids.
Then when we returned we were able to go to a movie together in the theater too.

The kids and I made a cake for MJ on new years day while he was able to take a relaxing nap. The kids really enjoyed getting "into" the cooking.




We are so grateful for the wonderful husband, father and friend that MJ is to us and for how hard he works so that we have what we need. We love you MJ!

Finally finished December!

I finally have caught up for posts from December. Horray!!! Now I am only a month behind again as we are almost through January.
More to come.

Christmas 2010

We went to MJ's parents' house to open gifts Christmas morning. We were mean to the kids and made them eat before we opened presents. We even covered their eyes so they couldn't wee Santa stuff as they came in the door. After we ate our yummy cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole, the chaos began.

Santa Loot




Hunter was pretty happy until we wanted him to open presents.

Then he had no reaction until he had had enough, then he let us know.

He loved climbing on all the presents.

I enjoyed watching him.

He was trying to stand in this little bus and ride it.

He got a little frustrated toward the end and it ended in tears.

(I think he looks like Ethan, his cousin, in this picture)


The boys posing on a present as they watch Jessi open her gifts.


Tanner loved opening his gifts. He was so animated. I wish I could have captured in all on the camera.


Jessi too was so excited for all her presents.


"Santa" got the kids this trampoline for Christmas, it is now set up in our play room until the weather warms up a little. They love it!

After all the gifts were opened and put away, we headed home to try to fit it all in the play room. Not an easy feat. MJ made some delicious pies, Vicky made a wonderful turkey and we all enjoyed the rest of the wonderful meal with Auntie Rain, and her family at our house for Dinner.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas too and enjoyed the family time together to remember our Savior's birth.

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas eve this year we went to MJ's Aunt's house for the traditional Mexican dinner and gifts. The kids still got their gifts from everyone but the adults tried a white elephant exchange and I really liked it. Thanks to Auntie Rain and family for hosting us and the wonderful meal and visiting that followed.

Tanner was super excited about everything this year. It was like it was his first Christmas that he really knew what was going on.


Hunter on the other hand was more interested in opening a drawer than opening his presents but we got a few cute shots of him.


Jessi loved everything that she received. She loved everything "girl".


Thanks you all for a wonderful night.

After we returned home for the evening the kids put out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.

Jessi's December Art work

Home again Pre-Christmas

After we arrived home we were able to have a wonderful week before Christmas. We decided to decorate gingerbread cookies this year instead of houses. I think I like it better. MJ was a great designer and the kids did great at decorating. Here are some pictures.

Hunter liked MJ putting frosting on his cookie. It kept him entertained while the others decorated.

He enjoyed the cookie too.

Tanner and Hunter love to lick the beaters, Jessi was kind enough to let them this time.

Decorating, hard at work.

Daddy having fun with frosting with Tanner.

Jessi getting frosting from dad.

Hunter couldn't miss out on the frosting either.

He thought it would be funny to fill in where she lost a tooth on the way to Kennewick with frosting. But as Jessi was swallowing it, her next tooth fell out.

MJ wanted to make sure we knew where the teeth were missing from.

While driving home, Jessi lost her first tooth. It was 3:15am somewhere in Oregon. I had forgotten the tooth pillow that I used as a kid so I asked my amazing mom to come up with something for the following night. She found this perfect fairy fabric and pulled this pillow together just in time for Jessi to use it. She LOVES it!

Final products.

Final products.

Kennewick Trip December 2010

We were lucky to be able to go to Kennewick the week before Christmas for a few days. It was a great visit and as usual I didn't take pictures of a lot of things, but too way too many of the things that I did take pictures of.
We drove through the night Thursday and arrived late Friday morning. Over all the kids did well, but we have decided that Hunter is not a car baby like the other two were and still are. He had a rough time staying contained in his seat.
Once we arrived we were able to spread out and enjoy our visit. We were able to see all my siblings and took a tour of my brothers new house that they designed and did most of the work on. It was GORGEOUS! And so big. I would love the space, but I have a hard time keeping our little house clean.
On Friday we were able to go and visit with my Grandparents. They enjoyed only having 3 kids to try to keep out of their decorations instead of all 11! I liked that we had more than 2 adults to each of my kids:) That meant that we each got a chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa.
MJ and David put up the outside lights while we visited and then we all helped get the tree up. I don't know how they do it every year alone. It took all of us at least an hour to put up the tree and get the lights on, that wasn't even the ornaments!
We had a great time and I'm glad that the kids got to serve their great grandparents, and the best part is that they remember them more now. Since we are so far away, I worry that they will forget time spent with them.
Of course here are some pictures.




Saturday we woke up to snow falling on the ground and a lot more that had fallen over night. The kids were really excited and it was hard to keep them in the house until the adults were ready to go out with them. They had a blast and didn't want to come in. Here are the pictures in no particular order because I am feeling lazy.

Tanner couldn't hold still long enough for most of the pictures. He loved the snow. He was feeling warm from all the running and I had a hard time keeping him covered. He even filled his hat with snow a few times just for fun.

He loved helping Uncle Joe shovel the neighbors steep driveway.

The kids got to ride on Joe's sled a little bit too.

Here are Kathryn, Melissa and Chris braving the snow. I don't know what Chris was thinking with no coat and shorts so I had to take a picture.

The kids attempted a snow man but the snow wasn't cooperating, they gave up and just made snow balls. Jessi made a snow angel but I didn't get a picture.

Joe snow boarding down the little side hill.

Jessi posing for the camera. Ready to throw snow at me.

Jessi wanted to help shovel the driveway too, so she grabbed the broom that they had used to brush off the cars, and went to town. Grandpa traded the broom for a shovel for her.

I think she enjoyed sliding after the shovel more than the actual work of shoveling.

Hunter didn't really care for the snow. He was not able to move much and it was nap time. I came out the door to find him face down in the snow, with Jessi standing next to him, not helping him up. He only stayed out a few minutes and then went inside and Aunt Kathryn helped him out of his clothes and into bed.

He didn't really know what to think of it all.

Grandma with the kids.

David has a 4 wheeler that he uses to shovel the road, driveway and anything else that needs done. He also took off for about and hour and did a few in the neighborhood while we played.

Also Saturday we were able to go to the temple with my second youngest brother, David, for his first time. I think there were only 2-3 people in the entire session that weren't there specifically for him. It was a really neat experience and I look forward to it again in 7 more years when all of my siblings will be able to be there. Joe stayed home and babysat my kids this time.

We had a great time visiting and playing games with everyone and look forward to the next time we are all able to be together again. It was even worth the 30+ hours to get there and back.