Gingerbread Houses

We were walking through Wal-Mart when Gavin saw these Gingerbread house kits at the end of an isle.  We were almost done with our 1 1/2  shopping trip and I was exsausted of telling the kids NO at every single thing that they wanted.  So when Gavin asked I sighed and told him yes.  He started to  protest, when he realized that I said yes!!!   What a nut!! 

Finally after a week of the kids begging to make them, we finally found a night that we could dedicate to Gingerbread houses.    I am so glad that Paul is the "fun" parent, because things like gingerbread houses, carving pumkins, and coloring eggs, are just not things that I love. 

After we glued the house together, we hoped in the car and ran to Junction for a hot chocolate while the frosting dried.  When we got back we finished decorating them.  The kids had so much fun.   I think that it might become a tradition at our house!

I was teasing the kids and out of the blue Amy says  "Don't tease me, I'm doing my best work here!"

Gavin didn't want anyone to copy his design!  Hmmm there aren't really many options with what we have to work with!

 Next year I think we need to get Sarah her own house to decorate.  We finally had to go put her in bed so she wouldn't keep taking all the candy off everyone else's houses!

Putting up the Tree

The kids were so excited to put the tree up this year, and to decorate the new house.  And I must admit so was I!!! The extra room felt so nice!  I love to watch the kids put the decorations on the tree.  Abby is trying to tell everyone where to put the decorations.  Gavin is tring to put as many as he can on, even if they are all in one spot.  Amy is just ignoring Abby's instructions, and Sarah is taking them off as fast as Gavin is putting them on.   After it is decortated we love to turn of all the lights in the house and enjoy the twinkling lights of the tree.  I love the feeling of excitement that Christmas brings!

Thanksgiving

Every year I am so grateful for all of my many blessing.  It seems sometimes I have more than I deserve.  I am so grateful for my wonderful husband who works so hard for the things we have.  I love him so much.  I am so grateful for my sweet children.  In each child I see so many great qualities.  They bring so much happiness to my life.  I am grateful for my parents.  I know I gave them a lot of stress growing up but I always new that I was loved and they were proud of me.  I am grateful for my sisters and my brother.   I know at the end of the day they will always be there for me.  I am grateful for my home.  I am grateful for my friends.  I am grateful for the gospel in my life.  I have called many times on my Heavenly Father for guidance, for comfort, and for help.  And to him I thank him for all that he has blessed me with.

"We are unaware of the hosts of blessings that we receive from day to day.  It is extremely

important that we have a spirit of gratitiude in our hearts."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Trick or Treating

I always have a vision for the kids' Halloween costumes,  like all dressing up like characters from a movie, cowboys and indians, or a fun theme, but to my disapointment eveyone wants to pick their own costumes.   And ususally I don't love what they chose!  It is one of those things that I want to control,   But I am working letting go....a little.

This year Abby dressed up like a nerd with her friend Myndi.

Gavin chose this Army costume.  I tried so hard to get him to wear real camo, but this costume was much better......mmmm. 

  

Amy found this dress at Wal-mart.  It took some thinking but we finally decieded that she would be a country western singer! 



We had a bunch of old costumes that we could choose from for Sarah, but when we went downstairs to get them I realized that Maggie had taken ALL of them to try on for her baby.  Thank goodness for great friends.  I called Priscilla and she had this cute pumpkin costume that would fit Sarah.



We went Trunk-or-Treating up at the town building, and then took the little girls to a few more houses, while the big kids went with their friends all around town.  We had TONS of candy!  

Once again I didn't think that Sarah would even care about going Trick-or-Treating but she was so cute.  She wanted to go to every door with Amy and Hadlee. 

Abby and Myndi 



Paul and Sarah at the Trunk-or-Treat

Carving Pumpkins 2011

One of the things that the kids love to do is carve pumpkins. It is something that we have been doing since the kids were just little. They love to pick out the design that they want, and then Dad usually gets to cut them all out! What a great guy!

Sarah was NOT happy that she didn't have her own pumpkin.  I didn't think that she would care, but next year I will be sure to get her one too!



Sarah turns Two!

I can't believe that my little baby turned two!  She is such a sweet little baby, and little terror!  Sometimes at the same time!  It is so cute to see how her brother and sisters take such good care of her.  She loves them so much!

She loved eating her birthday cake!

Sarah had so much fun opening all of her presents.

She loved this little car!  Gavin, Abby, and Amy pushed her all around the house. 

Amy's first day of Preschool

Amy couldn't wait until it was her turn to go to school.  This is her last year of preschool.  I can't believe how fast she is growing up.  She has one best friend at school.  It is a little boy names Corbin.  My goal for this year is to expand her circle of friends.  Even if it is just from one to two.  Good luck this year Amy and enjoy your last year of preschool.

Amy and her new backpack.

She would hardly turn around for a picture!  Sometimes she can be such a pill!