Holiday Happenings

Hanging out with the Coombs at the Browning Christmas Party.  We were very happy to be at the party!

We had a special visitor from the North Pole.  Carter in a whisper said, "Mom, I think it's just our dad. He talks like our dad.  I'm going to go ask him. I know it's you!"  I think the talk about how Chris gets to help Santa is going to come earlier than I want.
Kimball and Connor Jensen.  They were born 4 days apart, both 5 weeks early.  It was the first time that we've seen him since his blessing.  He's such a chunk.  And look at that hair!  He's had 3 haircuts already. And I thought Kimball had a lot of hair!
We love the snow!  We've been praying for it for weeks.  It just isn't the Holiday season without the snow.  Carter and Kathryn enjoyed playing out in the snow.  Even without good boots and gloves.  I went shopping afterwards and spent way too much on snow boots and waterproof gloves.  They are quite the rip off.  Next year they will probably been grown out of the boots I bought this year. I've decided that Kathryn will just have to have Carter's hand-me-downs and Kimball will have to suffer wearing the pink snow boots of Kathryn's.  Just Kidding!  I won't put him through that.  Or would I?

Ugliest Holiday Sweater

I don't like to play games unless I know I can win.  The Adams invited us to a family holiday party.  We were told to bring a white elephant gift and to wear the ugliest holiday sweater.  I headed to the DI and searched for something to work with.  First of all, the stuff at the DI isn't terribly "ugly." Second of all, I realized that what I found would need embellishing.  But I'm a great embellisher!

Needless to say, I won!  Kirk with his "NO, NO, HO, HO!" received 2nd place.  Mikayla got the Honorary ugly sweater.  I thought Carter's shirt was 

hilarious.  It had a whole bunch of post-it notes describing the things that he had done that were naughty. Examples: I flushed my ABC letters done the toilet. I don't eat meat.  I just like candy.  In his words, "I punched your eyeball."

My new nephew - Hayes

November 19th my little nephew, Hayes Ryan Boswell was born.  He is so adorable.  I've been meaning to share some pictures for awhile.  It's so fun to have a new baby in the family.  His big brother, Dean, is an excited big brother, even though his world was just rocked! My SIL, Kelly is a trooper and is doing such a good job adjusting to two.  I got to hang out with her the other day.  I admire her so much and love spending time with her.  I'm glad that I can share the mothering stage of life together.  It's also been such a blessing, because we have shared clothes between our kids.  In the top picture, that little blue outfit was worn by Kathryn and Kimball.

The Owen Brothers

Kimball Owen Coombs and Daxton Owen Taylor.  These two darling babies are 3 1/2 months apart and are cousins.  Daxton is the younger, but they weigh about the same!  They hung out together at Kathryn's Birthday Party.  It was too cute of a picture not to share!

Thanksgiving traditions

As a child, my mother always presented us with a new holiday coloring book on Thanksgiving morning.  I'm sure that it was to keep us busy while she prepared the fixin's. The tradition continues.  She gave Carter and Kathryn a coloring book to color in while they watched the Macy Day Parade. It entertained them for a bit, while I worked on making homemade rolls.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Chris and I started a tradition of going up to the mountains and cutting down a Christmas Tree.  Here is my stud holding up the tree.  The kids enjoyed bundling up and picking our tree.  This tree was actually the first one that we saw.  It looks so cute decorated too.

We didn't have Kimball a coat so he was bundled under my sweatshirt!

I have heard rumors that the Kapp Christmas tree farm (where we go) is coming close to closing.  Mr. Kapp, the owner, is 80+ years old and wants to be done.  What will we do in the future?  I don't think I could go back to buying one from a tree lot.  Is there anyone out there that knows any other places to cut down their own Christmas tree? 

Six things about me...

Tag!  I'm it!

Nicole tagged me to share my life in sixes!

6 TV Shows that I watch:

1. Grey's Anatomy 

2. The News (when I get the remote...Chris would rather watch Seinfeld during this time)

3. Friends (occasionally - when I'm cooking dinner - which isn't very often)

4. Word World

5. Barney

6. All the other cartoons that my kids watch.

6 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Olive Garden

2. Tepanaki

3. Noodles and Company

4. Red Lobster

5. Market Street Grill

6. PF Chang's

6 Things that happened yesterday:

1. I taught school.  I introduced the gift of birth reverence.  I loved reading about how my students use the gift of reverence in my life.  It's so touching to see what they respect and admire in this wonderful world.

2. I texted Chris a little love note.  *Suggestion from The Alaska Girl.

3. I went to the gym.  Stair Master, lifted weights, and Elliptical.  I haven't been for a week, so I'm a little sore today..

4. Kimball went to the gym day care for the first time.

5. I did some laundry. Ha! Ha! Everyday occurrence.

6. My children woke me up at least 6 times during the night.

6 things that I look forward to:

1. Everything to do with Christmas...going to see the lights, wrapping presents, the parties, seeing the kids open presents, etc.

2. Time with Chris alone.

3. When my children will sleep in their own beds without waking up!

4. Time to scrapbook.

5. Seeing Mike and Casey for Christmas.  He says he's going to clean my house for me!

6. Seeing Jeff and Melissa for Christmas.  Also my nephew Blaise and my niece Aspen.

6 things on my wish list:

1. New clothes.  Since I've lost weight I have very few clothes that fit me.  I really would love to go on a shopping spree!

2. New shoes. I have the hardest time finding shoes that don't KILL my feet when I wear them.

3. A vacation with just me and Chris.

4. A vacation with my family - somewhere fun!

5. Always want to get to Europe!

6. Peace and happiness.

I tag anyone who wants to share!  Specifically these 6 - Melissa, Brooke, Holly, Megan, Kelly, Jill, ect

Happy Birthday Kathryn

Our little sister turned 2 this past week!  She is such a sweet little girl.  I love this age because she is always saying new phrases and keeping us on our toes.  She loves playing with dishtowels and laying them out all over the house.  She loves "Carger" and "Bumble-boy" and loves when Papa paints her fingernails.  She is constantly asking for "Fru-ups pease" (Fruit snacks please)and she is the first one to the dinner table. We are so lucky to have her in our lives.

For her birthday party I threw an ice cream party.  I was going to make this darling sheet cake in the shape of an ice cream cone.  When I attempted to "shape" the cone, the cake crumbled.  So I used an idea from my SIL Melissa to make "cake balls."  This is where you mix the crumbled cake with frosting and then form balls and freeze them.  Then you cover them with chocolate.  They were adorable, but I didn't like the way they tasted.  Kathryn was all decked out in her party dress and loved having the attention on her.  We had a great time.  Thanks to all the fam and friends for being the part of the party!

Grandma Kathleen gave her this adorable Christmas dress.  We had to have her wear it for church on Sunday.  It's way too cute to save it for only one occasion.