Christmas Traditions and Memories!

Christmas 2008 was great!!! The kids were so excited and fun to watch as they experienced Christmas this year. I love them so much and am grateful for them.

Every year we act out the Christmas story, reading from Luke 2. It's fun to see the kids dress up and be reminded of Christ's humble entrance into the world. This year we did it at Grandpa Fisher's since he was feeling well enough to have us. Then, we sang Christmas carols, the kids opened pajamas, and we drove around town and looked at the lights.

Tay is pumped to be Mary; Kaydeh's a wiseman


The whole acting group; singing Christmas tunes


More singing; my girls love their PJ's


Jeep with Trex; more girls in PJ's


On Christmas morning, we woke up and saw what Santa had brought. The kids were excited. Then, we went to my mom's to open more presents and see what the Tribe got. After that, we visited my in-laws and had good visiting and present time there. Next, we went to "Grandpa Great's" house again to see what he got. We are so blessed!

Kin got a desk; she loves doing homework
and art projects, so she was very excited!

Tay was excited to get her very own
Barbie house (small but big to her).

Trex got a basketball and hoop. We were
so excited that he knew what to do -
what a natural!

Other Christmas morning pics:

Kiana and her haul; An excited MahLee


Smiling Dal and Mom; Kait and Koda enjoying cereal


Dad opening gifts; we're not sleepy!


Ready for combat; Jeep opening Jazz tickets!


We love Grandpa! Dad, Grandpa, Mom


Four generations!


The Spauldings w/ Grandpa Great

Later that night, we played Monopoly. It was L-O-N-G but fun. Kiana, Daezia, MahLee, and I combined to try and take over the world, but it didn't work. Jeep, Kaitlin, and Dalaki won. Boo!



The rest of the week was more fun, games, and family time. I love spending time w/ so many loved ones. On the weekend, we were able to visit with so many other loved ones, too, including: Josh & Heidi (and family), Rachel & Jason, and Charis & Bobby - just to name a few!


Hopefully you all had a Merry Christmas! Have a great New Year, too!

Ward Party

Even though it was a week-and-a-half ago, I had to post pictures from our ward party.
The girls were especially excited to see Santa Claus.
ONLY THREE MORE DAYS!!!

Our family!

Kin's a little shy but says what she'd like.

Tay is so excited!

Trex doesn't know what to think.

Me with my girls.

Sick of being SICK!

If you have a free minute, please send me some positive thinking because I'm in such a negative place right now. I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago w/ my usual/annual sinus infection. My body couldn't quite kick it, so this weekend was probably the worst of my life. Everything hurts - especially throat, chest, stomach, head. Plus, I can't really breathe or sleep. (I know - poor me...poor me). Also, I feel no motivation to do anything (It took a lot just to get me on the computer even. Now you know I'm sick!) My poor husband and kids! Enjoy your health - those of you who have it, and thanks for "listening"!

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

I just love looking everywhere and being reminded of Christmas and especially CHRIST. It's a great time of year, and I'm thankful for all the memories we're making this year!

DECORATING THE TREE: I have to tell this story! So, Kiana, Kaitlin, and my dad picked out a great tree for us out west. It was a little large (tall and fat) for our old, small front room, so Jeep decided to "trim" it. The bottom was a bit chubby, and he thought he'd just take off a few inches from the bottom. A few minutes later, he came back in w/ the cutest little tree (a good foot below the ceiling - WHOOPS). He asked if I was mad, and I was too busy laughing to answer him. It worked out well, though, since the kids could better help me decorate (which I had to "fix" later). It's all good. :-D

The girls loved decorating!


SALT LAKE AND TEMPLE SQUARE: On Saturday, we headed up for our annual tradition of going to Salt Lake the first weekend in December. We did a little shopping, visited Temple Square (which the kids LOVED), stayed at my cousin's house, and went to Robbie Fisher's baby blessing. It was a fun but quick weekend!

P.S. Thanks, Marina, for letting us stay w/ you!

Enjoying the lights!




We took Daez to help (which she does so well),
and we got to meet Kiana and her friend, Whit,
up there. It was so fun to hang out and laugh!


Kiana & Whit


Our family in front of the temple.


Kinley, Alissa, Carly, and Tay -
good friends!


Baby Robbie on his blessing day
w/ his mom.


Kin listening to my iPod
(She seems so grown up)


Me w/ my closest-in-age, girl cousins:
Rachel, Marina, and Nisha

I'm Thankful - Part 2

Well, it's taken me a week, but here is my Thanksgiving update! WE WERE SOOOOO EXCITED TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO HAVE THANKSGIVING AT OUR HOUSE!! I have so much to be grateful for.... I don't even know where to begin. Here's a quick list and some pictures.

Thankful for:
Jeep, Kinley, Tay, Trex (I could list a ton of people so I'll shorten it), parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, friends, cousins, the Gospel, scriptures, music, my home, a new sink, a pantry, books, good smells, weekends, holidays, the Atonement, rain, running, computers, blogs, e-mail, I could go on and on and on!

Pictures:

Cute kids on Turkey Day!

Cutting up and testing turkey!

Adult table

Kid table

SISTERS!

Our family

"We love hosting dinner!"

Most of the tribe @ Aunt Rhonda's house

Playing SPOONS (Loud but fun!)

Jeep's brothers, and families, got to
come up later in the weekend.
It was GREAT seeing everyone and taking a group picture!

Us, again!