Playing catch up

I don't know how I got so far behind on my blog, so here is a little back tracking:) Carter turned one Dec. 14th. I really cannot believe how fast the year went. We just love and adore this little guys so much. Brigitte's birthday is the 12th and so they got to celebrate their birthdays together. Jonathan's parents were able to come and so it was a fun family evening. Carter was very unsure of all the attention. He did enjoy the frosting on his cake, but he did this while eyeing everyone with a very serious look. My pictures turned out grainy and not very good so that is why there is a collage:)

And then Christmas. Jonathan was able to take three weeks off for Christmas and we LOVED every minute of it. We were able to go to the gym together in the mornings, he was able to surprise Rylee by showing up to read to her school class, I got to help out with Rylee's school Christmas party, we got to watch Gavin's school musical performance (even though Gavin hid behind the bleachers:), We went to the botanical gardens to see lights, we drove around to see the houses on the Tacky Lights Tour, Rylee and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet, Jonathan and Gavin saw the Polar Express at the Imax, we went to see the live Nativity at the Richmond zoo (always a favorite:), we had some wonderful friends over for a Christmas Eve party, Jonathan was able to sign his contract for our first job in Indiana, and we played, played, played!!!!! The kids got some wonderful presents and we really had an amazing Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. I love that people and generally more kind and compassionate. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, I know that He lives! One last thing, we got a big kick out of our kids Christmas letters this year so I am posting them:)

Rylee: Ipad, blanket, doll bed, princess fishing pole, hot chocolate, a giant TV, sewing machine, princess hiking boots, a piano and makeup (yes she is 7)

Gavin: excavator, helicopter, truck that carries cars, legos, pizza, gold fish crackers, hiking boots, vacuum (me: "why?" Gavin: "to get all the bacteria out of our carpet."), carpet cleaner, the movie "fighter jets in America" (me: "Is that a real movie?" Gavin: "I don't know but you'll find it."), a high speed train that goes by itself, and a sewing machine:)

I sure do love these muchkins!!!!!

Thanksgiving

Warning: LOTS OF PICTURES!!! :) So this Thanksgiving was WONDERFUL!!! My sister Leslie, her husband Gabe and their adorable little baby Kobe came to visit this year. We had A LOT of fun. I miss living close to family. We were able to chat, play games, eat, go bowling, chat and eat some more. Leslie was able to meet Carter for the first time as well. We had our yummy Thanksgiving meal with Jonathan's brother Jared and his beautiful wife Brigitte and her sister Megan (it was the holiday with sisters:). I made my first turkey, which turned out very good--super yummy!!! We had more rolls than we could eat, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing (I made this from scratch and it turned out really yummy). We also had a pumpkin roll and Brigitte made her famous banana cream pie. It was all sooooo yummy!!! We just love spending time with family. So these pictures are all out of order, but that's all right:)

I took the kids to the park and Carter was ready to get down and join in the fun--too bad all he wanted to do was eat the leaves:)

This boy LOVES to swing!!!!

Richmond has a Christmas parade, the sun was pretty bright so this isn't the best picture, but the kids LOVED it!!!

The fun starts when daddy gets home!!!

Rylee and Kobe--this little guy was so full of smiles!!!

Sweet Kobe!!!

Carter--not sure why the sad face:)

Kobe the elf:)

Carter helping mommy with decorations!!!

Gavin and Rylee helping put the ornaments on the tree!!!

Carter and Kobe, they are about 7 months apart. This was the best picture that I could get of the two of them. They look more like brothers than Carter and Gavin:)

The Thanksgiving crew:)

The kids table:)

The table!!!

The food:)

And lots of Carter:)

Family pics

My friend Alicia (http://www.aliciahphotography.com/) took these wonderful pictures of our family, it had been way too long:) Like usual, I'm not liking myself in any, but the rest of my family looks great:) Enjoy:)

Halloween and Rylee's 7th Birthday

I'm a little late getting this post up, but better late than never:) Since Rylee's birthday is the day after Halloween it's always a fun and busy time. For Halloween this year Ry was a mermaid, Gavin was a knight, and Carter was a bumble bee (for the ward party and trunk-or-treat) and he was a monkey for trick-or-treating:) His bumble bee costume was adorable, but huge so he will probably wear it next year as well:) We love our ward party with all the yummy chilies and cornbread. This year our ward out together care packages for some of the troops serving over seas since our Bishop is in the military and had been over there a few times, I believe.

Gavin's preschool had a fun parade with all the kids dressed up in their costumes. It was so fun to go and watch him. He is loving school and his teacher.

Rylee's school also had a halloween party. They were not allowed to dress up, but they still got to eat goodies. They have a rule at the school that parents cannot bring in treats on their child's birthday so I signed up for the Halloween party, close enough. I made these super cute owl cupcakes. Rylee had a pajama party for her birthday. She has been begging to have a sleep over, but I'm just not ready for that so we compromised. We had 5 silly girls come over for pizza, princess cupcakes, and the classic princess movie, Sleeping Beauty (which only Rylee wanted to watch:) The other girls just wanted to play:) Over all I think she had fun and that's all that matters. On Rylee's birthday a friend of mine watched Carter for me and I was able to go to Rylee's school and have lunch with her, I will definitely have to do that more often--she loved it!!! And so did I:) I just can't believe that my baby girl is 7!!! Here is to another wonderful year with our princess!!!