Big thoughts from a little one.

Today we were talking about some deep subjects. We started out talking about what to do if someone tries to take you. Kayla piped in and said, "Yeah, like we would probably know if they are a stranger because they will have sharp teeth."

Later we were talking about how blessed we are to have all of the comforts around us and Neeley mentioned the people of Haiti. For the rest of the night Kayla kept mentioning things that people there wouldn't have. She went through the basics like food and water. Then she branched out to things like toys and TV's. She said "They don't even have doors!" And to that Neeley said, "Yeah and the bad guys could get in their houses without doors." Then it was Kayla again, "They probably don't even have milk and their bones break!"

Big thoughts for my little one's. I am so thankful that tonight their biggest problems are what is on the menu for school lunch tomorrow, or what kind of shoes they should wear for school. When I think of what I have to be thankful for, I couldn't imagine anything I may be lacking. So as you go about your day count a few of your blessing, but definitely watch out for people with sharp teeth!

Dad's in the Kitchen

When Dad's in the kitchen, there's only a few things that could be going on. Jer inherited many wonderful things from his mom but cooking is not one of them. Actually he is the resident breakfast chef but beyond that anything he does usually involves a pizza pan and the oven. I don't mind this so much because he does the dishes most every night and many other times in between.

Recently he branched out and made mac-n-cheese for the first time. Truth be told, I think he could make just about anything but he learned at an early age that knowledge brings responsibility. Like the time when he cleaned the windows so well, it became his regular job. So for him, mac-n-cheese was really taking it on.

However, the best thing he does in the kitchen is put the kids on the fridge. It all started when they used to put his lil' sis Nikki on the fridge to tease her. Now we do it for fun. The kids all love it but Kate is still a little unsure of it. She keeps her arms up in the air the whole time she is up there and is sure happier on the way down.

Merry Freakin Christmas

Some Christmas' are more memorable than others. This one will go down in history but not for what I would like it to. Finding Jeremy out on the kitchen floor after hearing a thud at 3 in the morning is just the tip of the ice burg. What started out as just Jer being sick turned into each and every one of us being sick. Add a few mishaps like 2 bottles of sparkling cider literally exploding in the freezer, along with sleepless kids throwing up in the night and you have a merry flippin holiday in-deed. Then of course comes the news of the day. UUUUGGGH! More than I can wrap my tired weary head around.

Before this ALL went down we were able to sneak in some joy. Christmas party at my sister Janell's house, Christmas eve party at Grandma Dopp's house and Grandma and Grandpa Grayhair coming to our house to see the girls come out on Christmas morning were definitely highlights worth remembering!

Thank goodness for new pillow pets and blankies to keep us snuggie through it all! And thank you for the generosity of many this Christmas. What a wonderful season of giving (except for germs of course)!

Lilah spent the day glued to her pillow pet and the family room floor. I have never seen her sit still for an entire 3 days.

Even Kate enjoyed her new pillow pet and some down time.

Both Neeley and Kayla still had smiles despite it all. With their new MP3 players that play music and movies, who could blame them.

I couldn't resist this shot of Dad making his famous Christmas breakfast of "La Cosa".

Even though they sat out in our driveway for a half an hour before we got out of bed, we were so glad G&G Grayhair braved the cold to see the girls come out on Christmas morning!

Neeley can sure put on a good surprise face for the hairbows she helped to make!

Kate spent the morning trying to steal candy from the others. Maybe Santa will bring her some next year.

Neeley and Lilah had fun opening Kate's gifts. They cared much more about them then she did. Kate, she was hunting candy of course.

Mrs. Clause x 2

I saw Grandma kissing Santa Clause.

Lilah looking out for lil' sis

What started out as Neeley and Kayla singing Rudolf, turned into a kids sing along. It was really cute to see them all add themselves one by one!

Light it up!

Going to visit the Christmas Village in Ogden brings back memories of Christmas Eve as a kid. We would always start the night out with a candle light dinner of my mom's homemade potato soup and fairy rolls. Then we would get all bundled up and go out around the town to see the lights. This year we went to visit the lights with Nikki and Clint's family and Grandma and Grandpa Bruce and Marlene. It was so fun to see all of the little houses full of elves, ride the train and of course remind Santa what we want for Christmas.

Jolly

What would the season be without a visit to Santa? This year even Lilah and Kayla were brave enough to sit on his lap. Kate, however, was ok with it until she turned around to see who was holding her. Neeley asked for a pillow pet and an mp3 player. Kayla a pillow pet and just about anything else under the sun and as for Lilah, she wants a pillie pet and some aqua sand. Kate, she'll be happy with diapers.

Oh Goodie!

One of the highlights of the season is getting together to bake with my sisters. This year we had a small crowd but we still managed to talk the day away, eat Cafe Rio and make a few treats to share and take home. All of the other kids are grown so it was just my girls hanging around under foot. Janell, JoAnn, Mom and Katie & Haliegh (my nieces) were the only "sisters" able to make it. Oh, and I guess we let a few of the men in on it. Who else would carry our loot for us?

Frosty & Gingie

We have been busy making merry at out house.

Family home evening has been a fun way to celebrate the season. This week we talked about the wise man and the foolish man. Then we built our houses on the rock. The girls sat for 2 hours building their gingie houses. I have never seen Lilah so giddy. After all it does involve her two favorites: candy and mess. It looked so fun, Jer and I couldn't resist getting in on the fun!

For dinner I just couldn't resist making these little frosty biscuits. They were so cute we hardly wanted to eat them. They did taste delicious with a hot bowl of soup though.