Exciting Times!

My little Buddy Boy is sure growing up! It seems like yesterday that he was 3 years old and telling complete strangers his name was Peter Parker, trying to climb walls, wearing capes or his Spidey costume EVERYWHERE! He was the stinkin' cutest kid ever! He still is (and sweetest, I might add).

CARTER turned 8 this month. What an important birthday it was for him! He is now a proud Cub Scout. He is loving being a part of the program and takes it very seriously. Last night he was awarded his Bobcat badge at Pack Meeting. He looks so cute in his uniform!

He was also BAPTIZED a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints last Saturday. What a wonderful experience it was for all of us. I am so proud of him for CHOOSING THE RIGHT!

The Spirit of Christmas

We hope your family had a very wonderful holiday season! Our family made many exciting memories, unfortunately my camera broke at the beginning of Dec. and after just buying a fridge and printer for our computer, the camera will have to wait. I am saving up for a really nice one because I am tired of the cheap ones breaking on me. So lets hope we had enough fun that it will always stick out in my children's minds throughout the years.

We spent the month watching Christmas movies, going to the Festival of Trees, In-N-Out Burger, shopping for Sub for Santa, making many fun crafts, writing love notes to one another and putting them in each other's stockings to read on Christmas morning, taking Carter and Lexi to The Forgotten Carols (AMAZING)! Before bedtime each night we would take turns hiding the three wisemen in a different room in our house so they could find them and by the time it was Christmas Eve they were with baby Jesus (not the true story, I know) but the kids really enjoyed it and it will be a tradition we will do for years to come.

Paul and I really tried to focus most of our activites on service and Jesus Christ. It was truly a wonderful feeling to feel the spirit that filled our home this year! My children enjoyed it so much and commented many times on how this was the best Christmas ever!

I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ! My heart is so full when I think of Him, His life, His Atoning Sacrifice, and His love for me and my family!

We love you all, Merry Christmas!

GNO

I always look forward to Girl's Night Out. My sister and I thought it would be fun to take our girls to Disney Princesses On Ice. We took Trax downtown and met my sister at the Gateway early so we could go to dinner first. We ate at Applebee's and then headed to the Energy Solutions Center. Lily and Taylee weren't sure what to expect since they had never been to one before but it didn't take long after they saw the first princess come out onto the ice to realize how great this was going to be. They squealed and clapped in excitement at everything, and sang to all the music , commented on which princesses they thought looked the prettiest, and were in awe with the ice skating. It was more fun for me to watch Lily and see the sparkle in her eyes as she watched it. What is it with little girls and Disney Princesses? I think it is a mixture of they are beautiful, can sing, wear frilly dresses and crowns, they are kind, in love with a handsome prince that saves them in one way or another, a little magic, and it helps that they have happy endings. What little girl doesn't want that?

My sister and I came to a sad realization though, our nine and half year old girls are growing up. Although they enjoyed the show, the magic wasn't there for them like it was for their 4 year old sisters or like it had been for them in the past. They commented on which "princesses" were wearing wigs, or why they were lip syncing to the songs, or that when the princes kissed the princesses- they really didn't kiss. So we will have to think of some more age appropriate activities for them next time and leave the princesses for the younger ones.

It was a fun evening. I am so thankful for my gorgeous "princesses", Lexi and Lily and for the time I get to spend with them. I feel so blessed to have them in my life and am so thankful to be their mother and friend.

Here are a few pics. They really didn't turn out well hence the reason why I want a new camera. I need something that takes good pics indoors with low light, has a good zoom, and the sports feature. If you have a good one let me know, I need some suggestions.

Trick-or-Treat

October came and went too fast. We had our fun family trip to Minnesota at the beginning of the month and then the rest was filled with Halloween Festivities. We went on a Witch Hunt in Gardener Village, went to a couple Halloween parties, trunk-or-treats, carnivals, and a pumpkin patch. We made a lot of fun food and treats, watched our favorite Halloween movies, had some great fhe, and of course, went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood for awhile and then went to Paul's sister's to do some more with them and my brother's family met up with us.

Lexi the Pirate

Carter the Ninja
Lily as Minnie Mouse
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Our Trip

At the beginning of the month, our family took a vacation to Minnesota to see Paul's brother Mike and his family. We told the kids that it was a 22 hour drive and we would visit them for two days and then drive back home. We surprised them on the day we were leaving with telling them we were actually flying which meant we could stay there for 5 1/2 days. They were ecstatic! They have all flown before but Lily was just a baby and was anxious to experience the flight.
We had a wonderful time there even if the weather was bad. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins that they didn't mind one bit and we didn't have a problem finding things to do. Some of the highlights were of course, seeing them and being with them, going to see a Minnesota Twins game, seeing their new baby boy Mason, going to the Mall of America where Lexi got to pick a doll at the American Girl Store as an early birthday present, visiting the Green Bay Packer Store, and seeing the gorgeous scenery. What a beautiful place it was. So green, trees, trees, trees, and lakes. We even crossed the Mississippi River.
Thanks for the great time Mike, Shantel, & kids!