Christmas Treats

Yesterday I spent all day making my Christmas treats. Christmas wouldn't be the same for me if I didn't have these as part of the celebration. I chose to only make four of my favorites this year. I found Pandora Radio and put in a classic Christmas song and then enjoyed LOTS of fun Christmas music while I baked. Ellie wanted to be part of the fun so she grabbed her stool and jumped in to help smash the graham crackers and Oreos and help stir together the peanut butter bars. She was so cute cause as she was stirring she was singing along with the Christmas songs, I loved it!

here's my big helper decked out in her cute apron

The best part of helping, getting to lick the yummy stuff.
No worries I made sure that knife made it to the sink instead of back in a bowl.

My other big helper (helper used in the loosest of terms) She helped by emptying my Tupperware drawer.

And of course the yummy treats!

Chrismas Card

Since I'm not doing Christmas cards this year I thought I'd share what they would have been had I been sending them.

So consider this my card to you all this year. I hope that the spirit of Christmas touches each of your lives this year and may we always remember our Savior and his gift to us.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

My love to you all.

Happy Birthday Quinton!

Happy 7th Birthday!!!

I can't believe he's already 7! Where has the time gone. I'd have to say that Quinton is my easiest kid. Granted he does have a few quirks that cause some issues, but on the whole I'd say he is by far the one who is the easiest to get along with, he' obedient (most of the time), he's a great helper, he's aware of the needs of those around him, and he's a great cuddler. I am so grateful to have him as part of our family.

Since he had a party last year, this year we just had Ryker (cousin) over to spend the night. We watched Night at the Museum- Battle of the Smithsonian, had popcorn, and stayed up late. Then when they got up he got to open his presents. He loved everything he got and has been pretty good about sharing.



He originally wanted to go bowling for his birthday but that didn't work out. But he was stuck on having a "bowling" birthday so when asked what kind of cake he wanted he said a bowling cake. So that's what I did. If I'd of been experianced in Fondant I may have done a whole bowling lane but I'm not so this is what I came up with and he was happy.

Sunday evening we had the rest of the family over to sing and have cake and ice cream together. Thanks to all who made Quinton's birthday a special one.

The gang enjoying the cake.

We love you Quinton and are so happy you are part of our family, Happy Birthday!

Las Vegas here we come,

(well Todd any way)


I am SO excited to say that Todd has a job offer from a company in Las Vegas and has accepted. Prayers are answered. It's so hard to believe that our time here in Rexburg is coming to an end. I could swear I just got here and unpacked. Luckily there are great deals on flights from Vegas to Idaho Falls so I can come back often and others can come see me. This is a bitter sweet thing for me. I have my two awsome sisters here as well as their families and also some amazing friends. But how can I be sad that Todd has a job, I can't. I am really excited for him and for us. The boys are excited because I told them it's almost always warm there and that they can wear their shorts for longer there. I think when the time actually comes to go I'll be hearing different story about leaving cousins. I have loved it here much to my surprise but look forward to a new adventure. The kids and I will be staying while we try to sell the house and hopefully Todd can find us a great place to live there in the mean time. I am so proud of Todd for all the hard work he put into school and for all the efforts made to find a job that would be good for him and for our family.
But we're not gone yet so no tears for now.

So Cold!

I tried to take the kids up to the temple grounds to get some pictures so I can up-date my frames of them on my wall. But it was SO cold out we couldn't stay long and so I don't have much to choose from. Burrrrrr. But here's the few I did get and I think they'll work out. Except I can't decide on a "group" one. Any favorites?

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a one year old to sit still and look at the camera at the same time? IMPOSSIBLE!!!
my hat's off to you Lynne!

more Halloween

This was my first year to go out trick-or-treating with my kids. Last year I had a newborn, year before I manned the door. This year we decided we would all go and leave the treats on the door step for everyone who came by. We ran out of candy so fast. While we were out we saw car loads of people coming into our neighborhood to trick-or-treat, that would explain why we ran out of candy so fast. The kids had a great time out and about. I think we need to work on our "knocking on the door" manners. We'd get to a door and after they'd knock, they'd ring the bell and then peer in the windows to see if anyone was coming. If they didn't see any movement right away they'd ring again. Sorry friends.

Anyway, my sister came over so we could see her kids in costume and take a few pictures.

The whole crew minus a super cute ladybug (Taylee) who was at a ward Halloween party.

I'd say this is the cutest zebra and frog that ever was.

Our Vampire and the super tough Batman (Ryker)

And miss Tinkerbell Ellie (sorry mom she didn't wear the shoes out, want to keep them cute and clean)

birthday girls

We celebrated two birthdays at our house yesterday. Ellie's birthday (the 27th) who turned 4 & Holland's birthday (the 28th) who turned 1. Luckily Ellie doens't mind sharing a party with her sister yet so we did the double whammy.

I made the girls a tutu, hair bow and stitched a their letter to a shirt, as well as ordered these cute leg warmers. (Baby legs has the cutest ever). Got to have that birthday outfit and of course had to coordinate with the party colors. : )

Cute miss Ellie

Sweetheart Holland

Ellie could hardly stand to wait to open her presents so as soon as everyone got there she tore right into them. Thank you to Grandma's and Grandpa's as well as my wonderful sisters for spoiling the girls. They loved it!

Holland didn't actually open any gifts. We gave her one and as soon as she got some paper off she was happy just to play with that. She was in heaven with all the wrapping on the floor.

After presents we headed for the cake. I also made the girls birthday crowns. Ellie couldn't wait to get hers on, I don't know why she looks so solemn, funny girl.

Holland's only lasted a second and I barely got the picture taken before it was off and on it's way to her mouth.

Holland LOVED the frosting, she never even got to the cake. She was one hyped little girl that night after all that sugar.

I did a lollipop theme for their party. I started planning this back in May or so. I had envisioned a few of Ellie's friends as well as cousins but ended up only having the family come. So I didn't get to do everything I'd planned but enough to still have some fun with it. I'd purchased the paper lanterns from Michael's dollar section during the summer. I used those for lollipops as well as candies that we hung. I had three more lollipops that didn't even get to make it to the party as well as some tissue pom poms. I didn't even get a banner made~oh well.

But here is what I did do. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Let's just say my morning didn't start out great. It took THREE attempts to get the cake to come out of the pan. SO frustrating!!

Finally it worked out. Two lollipops.

Had to do the cupcake toppers, and wrappers.

This is what the insides looked like. Exciting I know.

I made lollipop cookies, I finally got the hang of rolling them out by the second batch.

This was a last minute idea. I was also going to do dipped marshmallows but didn't get to it, oh well, next time. The popcorn balls were the favors to take home. They were lime, teal, and pink.

Happy birthday girls, we LOVE having you both in our family. It's been so fun watching you grow and do all those fun girly things. We love you both.