Tidbits of Today!

Josh - enrolled in loan originator classes (yea!)

Lindsey - ran for 27 minutes at a 4.8 speed

Caden - brought home a Level 4 book from the library and has no problem reading it

Hyrum - read us a story out of the scriptures for FHE; he taught us that when Jesus comes to earth all the animals will be nice :)

Ty - exercised to Mom's kickboxing video

and some random fun pictures

Caden hanging with Mom while the other two are napping

Ty and Hyrum "shootin' the bad guys"

he literally was hiding here and I found him like this!

Ty showing off his "undies"

Our Resolutions!

Ty

- to poop in the potty :)

Hyrum

- to wear underwear at night :)

- be able to identify all the letters of the alphabet

- improve writing my name

Caden

- to make more friends

- enjoy lots of target practice with Dad

- to be happy

Lindsey

- to study the scriptures daily, and study the material for lessons on Sunday

- to workout 3x a week

- to RUN 5 miles during the Ogden Marathon Relay

- to do housework for atleast an hour a day.. not including dishes :)

- to pay off our last creditor, and pay down the Explorer to 1/3rd of what we now owe

Josh

- to pay off the business credit card

- to pass the loan originator exam

- be successful as loan officer so can spend more time at home

Ringing in the New Year!

Josh surprised the boys and brought home a small fish tank and several gold fish. They have been so excited and love taking turns feeding the fish. Caden named a couple but there are enough that I don't think he really knows who is who. Ty loves just watching them and says he is talking to the fish. Caden and Hyrum convinced Josh to take them back to the store so Caden could buy another fish with his hard-earned money! They came home with a rather large goldfish.. which has led Josh to believe we need a bigger tank. Josh has enjoyed the fish as much as the boys! The other night I was getting ready for bed, and kept waiting and waiting for Josh to come get ready as well. After I ventured out to see what he was up to, there he stood, in front of the fish tank. Just watching them eat! He is such a animal-lover. He always tells me that he doesn't see dogs as dogs, but as part of the family. Well, I guess that goes for our fish too!

Later that day Josh's mom and 2 youngest sisters came for a visit. It was wonderful! Miriam babysat the boys so Josh and I could go on a date! Wasn't that so sweet of her? We went to dinner and a movie with some friends. Afterwards we just sat around and talked, it was such a nice relaxing night!

Caden, Hyrum, and Ty couldn't wait to show us what they did with Grandma Miriam, Livi and Adrianne. They had so much fun! Here are my little artists!

Caden has really enjoyed his art class at school, and has

talked about becoming an illustrator!

Hyrum never used to sit and color, but he has really

started to enjoy it!

Ty loves his "Lion King"

I think that Miriam's favorite part of the trip was being able to pull out Caden's tooth! He was so cute! He got one of those free bank calendars from Grandma Stott, and after his tooth was pulled he went and wrote it on his calendar. Marking the day with pride!

Christmas in Vernal

Christmas morning... and the kids slept til 7:30! It was wonderful! I give all the credit to the long drive home from Ogden. Caden and Hyrum came to wake us, Ty was content with his stocking! I love to wake up and see the joy on their faces, and hear the excitement in their voices, so happy that Santa had come. (If only every morning I could wake up to such peaceful, happy boys!) We opened presents and I would say that Santa did fairly well this year. Except I would advise that he screen movies before he purchase them! Ty loved the "beach car" (Jeep) and truck with horse trailer. Hyrum also loved the Jeep, and his toy hunting gun. Caden's enjoyed his art easel, and CD player.

After breakfast, Josh went back to bed (he had to work that night) and I am sad to say it turned into a pretty average day. I wish we could have visited with family some more! Though I know we are blessed that we still live close enough to spend the holidays with family. I'm pretty sure that between all of us, I have the hardest time when we can't spend our holiday with family! I am such a home-body, I jump at the chance, and it has been an adjustment for me. But I feel that the 5 of us have become closer. So for that I am grateful! Overall it was a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas with the Roberts

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with the Roberts! Before everyone arrived, Josh and I were able to get a way to go see the horses. We wanted to go riding, but unfortunately we couldn't because we coudn't get to the saddles. Still it was nice to sneak away to see them! After everyone arrived we had a wonderful dinner,which as usual, was full of entertainment! Afterwards we read/acted out the Christmas story. I have always loved the family tradition of acting out the story of Christ's birth! But I think I love it even more with the grandkids!! Even though it isn't perfect, and there is usually some resistance, I feel that they bring such a special spirit! Another favorite family tradition is my mother's caramel popcorn! It was delish! Thanks Mom and Dad for always reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas and teaching us to enjoy being a family!

It was wonderful to spend time with family! The boys especially loved playing with their cousins. Caden and Hyrum were so excited to see Carly, Eden, Aspen and Lincoln, couldn't get enough of them, and so sad when we had to leave.

It was a kinda crazy Christmas Eve, after all the festivities, and opening presents, the boys opened pajamas from me and Josh. We packed up and drove 3.5 hours back home to Vernal so Santa could come. Although it made for a very late night, it was such a nice drive! I love riding with Josh when the boys are asleep so we can just talk, and it just be us! I love moments like that when Josh and I can enjoy being a couple again! We made it home about midnight, and luckily the boys didn't wake up enough to want to see if Santa had come yet!

Christmas with the Chambers

We had a marvelous time spending the night before the night before Christmas with the Chambers. We had a fabulous dinner and enjoyed great company! Caden, Hyrum, and Ty couldn't wait to wait to open presents, and have a sleepover.They loved spending time with their aunts and uncle, and Grandma and Grandpa. We also were able to see Grandma Stott, Ann and Jody. The boys were spoiled and loved every minute of it. Grandma gave them these adorable dinosaur puppets, Tonka trucks and some slippers. Grandma Stott gave them their most favorite gadgets... flashlights and scissors. What more could they possibly need right? I must admit that Josh and I were spoiled as well! Josh got Larry Miller's book on cd, and warm things for work. I got some adorable decorations for our house, and some yummy lotion. I wish I would have pulled out the camera so we could have gotten a picture with everyone! But I didn't think about pictures til the morning, so we just have the boys. Caden was quite tired and onry and wouldn't hardly smile.

Thanks Miriam, Lillian, and Kelly for a wonderful Christmas party!

Snow and Santa!

Here are just a few shots of the fun we had this December.

The boys loved decorating the Christmas tree they picked out. Infact, they had their "own" decorations that the others couldn't touch. Ty became attatched to the little snowmen and called them his babies. I don't think a day went by that they didn't rearrange the ornaments. It was a little annoying, but hey, its there for them to enjoy right?

The boys saw Santa a couple times. These pictures were taken at our ward's Christmas party. I just love how excited they are to see Santa and the things they say! Caden told Santa he wanted " ummm.. a TV and a Mario game." Hyrum said "just cars and trucks." And Ty pointed to his cheek and said "I Ty."

We have had a ton of snow! And the boys have loved every minute they could play in it. These pictures are of the first snowfall that was more than a smidgeon. I only have pictures of Ty because he stayed close while I shoveled. Hyrum and Caden ventured a little further and climbed the huge mountain of snow with the neighbor kids. Josh thinks I am crazy, but I swear the snow is so different here (compared to the Wasatch Front). It doesn't clump together at all! And it is almost sandy, which I know sounds crazy. But I should know cause I have shoveled plenty! The boys don't seem to mind though! I love that they enjoy playing in the snow, and don't stay huddled inside all winter!