Christmas

The kids were super excited for Christmas morning to come. They woke up just after 5 o'clock and were ready to go see what Santa had brought for them.

Elly had notes for both of them with a treasure hunt leading to their big present from Santa. They found them hiding in the dishwasher.

Chloe was so excited to find her baby Jesus in a manger waiting under the tree. That is what she had been asking for ever since the primary program. She also got roller skates, and a sewing machine.

Tanner couldn't have been happier that he got the LegoMindstorm he had been dreaming of. He also got an ipod docking station and some other cool stuff. Both of the kids got pogo sticks from Santa and they haven't stopped bouncing on them since. They have competitions with each other and with themselves to see how many times in a row they can bounce without stopping. I think Tanner's last record was like 1490. Chloe was up to about 78-lol. Also a word to the wise there is a weight restriction on the pogo sticks for a reason Landon tested one of them out and crashed through the Christmas tree and the door to the washer and dryer-breaking the door and almost knocking down the tree-oops.Landon got a 1,000 piece puzzle of Fenway park and has been putting it together ever since. He also got a meat slicer and some new church apparel.I was spoiled and got a Acer Tablet. It's actually for the family and to be honest sometimes I have to fight the kids off to get a turn on it.After we opened presents on Christmas morning we were able to just hang out until it was time for church. Landon didn't have meetings for once, which was nice for all of us. He made waffles for breakfast-which we all love.After church we went out to my Grandma's for Christmas dinner. My sisters and their families came too. It was nice to eat and spend time together. My Grandma gave Landon and I a really nice quilt for Christmas-one of our very favorite gifts. We put it on the bed as soon as we got home.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we just kind of hung out. We didn't go anywhere for Christmas this year, so it was kind of nice just to stay home. Though I can't say that we were just relaxing all day long either-we were actually pretty busy. We made a bunch of stick horses with my mom and dad to give out to a few kids and that took most of the day. We also got ready and delivered a second secret Santa. The kids made a gingerbread house and we drove around and looked at a few Christmas lights. Then the kids got to open their pjs and ornaments. This is one of our Christmas traditions they get pjs and a new special ornament each year. This year Chloe got a panda bear ornament and Tanner's was "Wally" the redsox mascot. They were both pretty excited for Christmas to come, but they were both actually in bed and asleep before ten o'clock.

Meet Our New Puppy-Beckett

So you may have heard rumors that we were getting a new puppy. Well here he is-Beckett. The cutest little guy ever! He is a cocker spaniel (white with buff spots or freckles-he even has some freckles across his nose just like the rest of the family) Just in case anyone is wondering where we came up with the name Beckett. He is named after Josh Beckett from the Redsox. It was between Beckett and Boston and the kids liked Beckett best. You can't tell we have a few baseball fans living here can you?

Christmas Party

Yesterday we had our annual Christmas Party. It was super fun. All of my sisters and their families were there along with my Dad and Mom, Grandma, and Uncle Brad and his family. It was nice just to spend time together and eat lots of yummy food. The kids had a blast playing with all of their cousins. Santa Claus even made an appearance and brought all the kids hats or mittens. While Santa was visiting his beard slipped down a little, Chloe quick as a whip picked up on it and yelled out the name of the Santa impostor-lol. She doesn't miss a beat! We also decorated sugar cookies and the cousins and sisters did a gift exchange. Then we ended off the day by delivering our secret Santa items to the family we had chosen for this year. What a fun and busy day. I love my family and am so glad we can get together and do things like this :)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The kids had a free dress day today and they could wear Christmas attire. Chloe wanted to be Mrs. Claus. Tanner chose just to sport his Santa hat.

Gymnastics

Family Pictures 2011

My sister-in-law took our family pictures. She did a great job. I love them. Would you believe it if I told you that I just got them back yesterday and I already have 8 x 10 prints hanging up, and am waiting for an 11 x 13 one in the mail. I also have finished all my Christmas Cards using them and am just waiting on those to ship as well. Yep I think I am pretty excited about them.Thank You so much BRENDA!

More Cousins

Cousins

Our Elf-Elly

After seeing Taryn's Elf on the Shelf and hearing about others that have them. We decided that we were going to try it out. Chloe was super excited when we told her about it, and she kept asking us all sorts of questions the night before our elf was to arrive. She could hardly wait. She showed up a few days ago and it has been really fun for the kids. Tanner likes to help-if you get my drift ;) Yesterday while we were in church the elf (ELLY) moved spots and brought a magical snowflake. Chloe was pretty stoked about that. So excited in fact that she spontaneously and without being asked cleaned her whole room and got ready for bed all without help or anything-that has never happened before! Her reasoning was that she wanted the elf to see her room. Well this morning when Chloe woke up the elf was in her room and she even had a little treat for Chloe. While I was in the shower Chloe cleaned my room and made my bed. WOW all in the power of the elf-LOL.

Student of the Month-Service

On Friday Chloe got the student of the month award for SERVICE. She was so excited! We are so proud of her. She really does care about others and is always trying to help out. Today we were putting together some bags for the 2nd grade classes and she told me that we should make some kind of like this for the homeless people but with food and stuff like that in them. Thanks Gram for being at the assembly when I couldn't and getting a picture for us.

Nativity

Last night was our ward party. The primary did a program and the kids were both part of the nativity scene. Chloe was an angel and Tanner was a wise man. They did a great job! The program went really well and helped to bring the true meaning of Christmas.