Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I love Christmas! Growing up, my mom would get Christmas music out pretty early. I am thinking late Sept. early Oct. sometime and I loved it. It made the Christmas season last so much longer. I got my Christmas music out early this year, too, but the season came and went so fast. We had a wonderful Christmas though and the kids were so happy with what they got. We don't like to focus a lot on gifts at Christmas time. They got a few things, but we really spent a lot of time each day talking about the birth of our Savior. The boys are getting old enough now that we can have some good conversations and feel the spirit while we are talking. It amazes me how quickly they grasp concepts and are able to gain a testimony at such a young age.
Christmas morning Kevin got of work at 6:30 and came home to wake us up. I was awake and couldn't wait for him to get home. They ran out and were super excited to see that Santa really had come. After we got done opening presents, Kevin went and slept for a bit while I got the kids dressed and packed so we could go to Sheridan. We went to my grandma's and spent the rest of the day visiting with family. Then we went down to my parent's home and had fun opening presents there. All the cousins had a wonderful time sharing toys and playing. It was a really fun weekend. We also had the privilege of being able to be their for the blessing of my brother and his wife's brand new baby boy, Quinton Weston Bangerter. He is so sweet and welcomed into his family by two big sisters. Congratulations to them!
We rang in the new year with my family all coming to Billings. It was a super fun weekend filled with lots of laughing and spending time together. The cousins enjoyed playing while the grown-up enjoyed visiting and playing some games together as well. I am so blessed and love it when I have a house full of people I love.
We look forward to a wonderful year in 2010. We have set some goals personally and as a family and have every hope of achieving them.

Eli's Holiday Program for Tiny Tunes and school

We have a lady in our ward that teaches music classes. She invited Eli to be a part of the group called Tiny Tunes. It was not his favorite thing in the world, but it sure was cute getting to watch him be a part of it. He was able to have three performances and each one got better and better. He doesn't want to do it again this spring, but Owen really wants to be in it and I think it would be great to have them do it together. So we will see.
Eli also had his holiday program for school. He did a great job with it and looked so handsome in his tux. It is so fun to have him be in school and get to watch him be in different things. I made some Santa cupcakes for him to take to school on the last day before break. The kids loved them and Eli loved taking a treat to share with his class. He was super excited for the 2 week break to begin, and so was I!

Isabelle is ONE!!

I should have posted this before Thanksgiving, but that is ok.
Isabelle turned one on November 11. All day on her birthday I kept reflecting on the last year and how much a baby changes is 365 days. She is taking a few steps on her own, definitely crawling everywhere, eating just about anything she wants and can put in her mouth before I catch her, laughing at her brothers, wanting to be in the middle of everything they are doing, and "helping" mommy in anyway she can, espically unloading the dishwasher and carying off the silverware to unknown places. She is super busy but super snuggly. She laughs and plays and is super smart. I am so blessed to have her as my daughter. Happy birthday, Isabelle!

Thanksgiving

It has been a few months since the last posting. Time goes so fast anymore. We had a wonderful opportunity to go to Utah for Thanksgiving. Kevin saved all his vacation so we could spend 9 days with his family. My sister and her family also live close by so we were able to spend some time with them as well. It was a very eventful week and we were able to have some late nights playing games and visiting. Thanksgiving day was spent with family and eating (lots!) of yummy food. We ended the day with the boys writing their Christmas wish list to Santa Clause. We assured them that Ernie (our families personal elf) would know we were at Grandma's and Grandpa's house and would get their letter to Santa. He was kind enough to get their letters and leave them a little gift. All three of them got their new ornament for the tree and Eli and Owen got new ear phones for the ipod and zune. They were pretty excited. Of course the next morning we had to venture out and do some early morning shopping. We didn't buy a lot, we both just enjoy being out in the crowds. Kevin's parents were very kind and volunteered to keep the kids for us. That made things a lot easier and enjoyable. We finished the week off just being with family and then headed home on Sunday. Vacations are fun, but it is always nice to be home and back on schedule.