Christmas.

We had a great Christmas. I didn't take many pictures. I guess I was trying to just enjoy it. We did video alot of them during the opening of their presents so maybe that is why I wasn't thinking to take pictures. Anyway. I think they were happy and Santa brought them everything they asked for and more!

This little guy is hard to get a good pic of. He pulls funny faces and runs away from you constantly. So here he is with his eyes closed and strapped into his high chair.

The day after Christmas we went with Rich's family to The Peak and let the kids run around and play and it was so much fun. Our sister in law Jade works there so we got to be there all by ourselves and hang out! There is so much to do. Trampolines everywhere, a bungee jump thing, a zip line, etc....Saige mid jump.

Greyson was so brave he just walked over to this "pit" and jumped in. It is a big pit full of squishy foam. And it eats socks...

Brooklyn and Marli jumping.

Misha on the rope swinging away.

We had a wonderful Christmas vacation and are sad for it to be over!

The Nutcracker.

I decided it would be fun to take the girls to the Nutcracker and I had never been myself so Rich very kindly said he would take us. He definetly didn't enjoy it as much as we did but it was very fun! Not the best picture of us in this next one but...we parked pretty far away and had just had a long walk.

I think Saige looks beautiful in this next picture. I wish the flash hadn't washed them out so much but I think I have pretty cute girls!

Can you feel Rich's excitement? He was a good sport!

Field trip to Christmas village.

Misha's preschool took a trip to the Christmas village before they got out for Christmas break and the kids were excited when a surprise visit from Santa happened while we were there!It was so so So cold that day. Look at his little red face. I tried putting mittens on his hands but he wouldn't leave them on so his fingers were freezing too!Misha and her friend Braden from school who we car pool with.

They sang a couple of songs to Santa that they had been practicing at school.

You know Dasher and Dancer.....

but RUDOLPH is who came home from preschool the other day...

isn't she cute? Merry Christmas! We are getting excited around here for the big day!

Love this...

I read this on Cassie's blog and really Love it!!!

"How do you think of your children? On any given day, would you say your children are a blessing or a burden? Here is a challenge to you…How are you?”…“How is the baby?”…“How are your kids?”… We all hear these questions every day. Do you know a mom who always answers something like this: “Well, I haven’t killed my 2-year-old yet, so I guess that’s good.” Or, “I’m just exhausted,” or, “Things are absolutely crazy – I am so stressed out!”Maybe that frazzled, haggard, bewildered mommy is someone you know. Maybe it’s you. I know I’ve been there. Here is my question to you today… are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Those babies that we dreamt of and prayed for, that we had so much fun choosing names for, that we counted the days to meet… are they burdens to us now? Those homes that we were ecstatic to move into… are they burdens now? That husband that we couldn’t live without, that we picked out the wedding dress for, that we cried and ached and waited by the phone for… is he a burden now? That job you needed, you wanted and prayed for, that provides food and clothing for your family… is it a burden now?Sometimes it seems to me like a mantle we as moms must carry. We must be tired, we must be stressed out; we must be harried and frazzled, we must be lucky just to make it through the day. Are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Are we tired? Absolutely.As moms, we know about the 2 a.m. feedings, the nightmares, the wet beds, the midnight curfews. Do things get a little stressful between PTA meetings, dance class, the T-ball game, and dinner on the table at 6? Sure they do. Are husbands always a joy when they get home from work? No way. Is scrubbing the potty, doing the laundry, and cleaning the high chair tray the greatest thrill we’ve ever known? Of course not.So how do we look past the burdens and see the blessings of our families and our homes? Do you know any women who would give anything to have a baby to nurse at 2 a.m.? Anyone who would love to have those clothes we are sick of washing, or that house we just can’t keep clean. Do you know any women whose husbands aren’t coming home?I challenge you to joy, to smile, to persevere. I challenge you to bear your burdens as blessings and watch as they multiply. And the next time someone asks you how you are, throw off that identity of stressed out, frazzled mommy, find your smile and answer, “I am blessed!”

Thankful...

I was just looking through pictures on the computer and I just am overwhelmed with my feelings for these 3. I am SO thankful that I get to be a mom and even though at times these 3 can drive me crazy.....I wouldn't trade them for anything in the whole world. They give more meaning to my life and fill my heart up with more love than I ever thought was possible. I want more than anything else to raise them the best I can and hope that they can overcome where I fall short. I love all the funny things they do and say and all the pictures they draw for me and the hugs and kisses I get. They make me want to be better, to do better. I just wish they weren't growing up so fast because I am realizing what a short short time they get to be little....and all mine. Someday they will grow up and move away and even though I am sure there are good things that come with that, It also makes me sad. So today I am thankful that they are still little and that I get to tuck them in at night and that Misha still wants me to snuggle with her and that Saige wants a story every night and they want a song and that Greyson still sleeps in a crib and that I can sneak in every night and watch them sleep....and realize how much I love them...even if it was a hard day....I am thankful for these 3.

Fall program and Halloween!

Misha did her cute little fall program at her preschool last week and they got to wear their costumes. You can't see her very good. Since our kids are tall they always get stuck on the back row.Greyson was cute and had to clap after every song. What a music loving little guy he is! Wonder where he gets it?!

She was SO excited that Grandpa Kenny and Grandma Mary Ellen came and brought Porter and Marli with them!

Rich had another gig so he missed out on Halloween with us and I had to single mom it all weekend. Here they are all ready for the halloween carnival at Saige's school Friday night.

Here is the actual halloween day photos. Can you guess who Saige is? Taylor Swift is one of her Favorite singers!

And Misha is Hannah Montana or Mylee Cyrus. We could never decide actually which one she was being but since they are the same person.....

Cute little pop stars don't ya think? Saige has asked me a few times, "Mom, do you think I could be famous someday?"

And let's not forget the littlest one. Greyson was a cute little Scarecrow. He wasn't too sure about the "straw" or the "nose" but he humored me and actually left it on for the most part. We got alot of comments about "Oh, HOW CUTE!" So I guess it turned out ok. He really was SO fun this year! Especially trick or treating. He was loving running around and getting candy. It was fun to watch him figuring it all out!

And now that he has discovered "Candy".... I think we are in trouble. He really likes it! That is a bag of m&m's in his hand. The only way he would hold still for the picture. He is running around constantly lately. You cannot get him to hold still for a picture. Too many things to do and make messes of!!!

Halloween afternoon we went up to Rich's parents and they had a fun little Halloween party for them and dinner. They love going to grandpa and grandma's house!!!

This is Dalton and Ashton my cute little nephews/pirates! Their costumes were adorable! I didn't get a picture of Marli and Porter. They were cute too though!

His favorite thing....Going up and down the stairs...

It was a fun weekend but we hope Daddy gets to be with us next year!!!!