Christmas 2011

We had a very festive house this year, especially thanks to Mark. I've always wanted to hang up colorful lights inside and I told Mark about it and one morning he surprised me by putting them up all around the main floor. I got some bows to go with them and it's been a fun addition to our decorations.

 

 

 

Here's our Christmas tree this year with presents underneath.

 

This one big present didn't fit under the tree. Daddy spent a few hours building it on Christmas Eve, I've always wanted a train table and wooden train set for our kids and I found a great deal this year so we got one. We got some Thomas engines to go with it, so that makes it even more fun.

 

This is a beautiful flower arrangement Mark got me last week. It smells like a fresh Christmas tree (without all the hassle) and I've loved it.

 

Here's the family room after "Santa" came.

 

The girls are enchanted by their big Christmas present. Yay for Santa! Joy didn't open any other presents because she just wanted to play with the train table. If we tried to hand her a present to open she would say "don't like presents". It was very funny (we opened her presents for her).

 

So much fun, they've played with it all day!

 

A new cuddly friend for Grace.

 

We had a lovely Christmas day. We started with a devotional in our room before we went downstairs. We were able to bear our testimonies and share the Christmas story from Luke and other scriptures from Isaiah. Then we got a fun surprise. Mom and Dad had been downstairs making breakfast for us and it was almost all ready when we came down to open presents. We opened presents with them and then had a wonderful breakfast all together. I love my family and I love living here in Boise. I'm so grateful for my Savior and for the Gospel. I love my sweet husband and dear children. I hope you all had a beautiful day too.

Love,
Aubrey

December

We've had a fun month this last month and before I get to posting some Christmas pictures, I thought I'd post some other pictures from the last month.

 

I thought this picture of Grace was adorable. My kids love olives!

 

The girls got to decorate a gingerbread house at Nana and Papa's house and they used some nice candy (like chocolate orange sticks). So we decided that this house would be an eating house and we put it on the kitchen table to pick at for awhile. It didn't take Joy long to discover the house and start sampling. :)

 

 

 

She liked the house a little too much, so we didn't leave it there for long.

 

This year, the girls got their own 5-foot tree to decorate with colorful ornaments and lights. That way I can have my nice tree and they can have their fun tree. Although with two puppies and a two-year-old, my tree didn't look very nice most of the month :)

 

BethAnne had her first clogging performance at the Festival of Trees, right before Thanksgiving. Here she is in her cute outfit. She is doing pretty well with clogging and she's really enjoying it. I'm glad we stuck with it and I think we'll continue for awhile.

Hi All My Sweethearts!

It was fun to get excited phone calls - and hugs - from my wonderful grandkids - and their wonderful mothers! I had such fun making the pillow cases! We're having a really nice holiday season - not too rushed, and just cozy! Here are some pictures I took of the girls when they helped me rake leaves a few weeks ago. Love you all! and hope you love the season!