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.
Monday, January 4, 2010
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!
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!
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.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Halloween 2009
We had a wonderful Halloween this year. There is something magical when you look at your kids and witness such happiness going door to door. Almost every door, Mandy and I looked at each other and laughed as our kids were so excited. This year we all dressed up. We have never done this in the past, but we felt like it would be fun to do so. We also got invited to a Halloween party at our friends The Carrolls. Mandy went as a nurse. I went as Fred Flintstone. Eli as a Astronaut, Owen as a Monkey, and Isabelle as a Kitty Cat. We had a fun time at this party. We had dinner, raced goldfishes (yes, real goldfish) and played with the kids. After, we all went Trick-or-Treating in which the kids got enough candy to last them till next year.
I almost forgot to note that Mandy made my entire costume. She did a wonderful job. I couldn't ask for a better friend. The costume was made so well, that it won first place in the costume contest this year. Thanks Honey!!
This is Eli's preschool teacher, Miss Redmond. He attends BitterRoot Elementary here in Billings. He absolutely loves school. He looks forward everyday in attending. His favorite part is PE at the end of the week. He looks forward to that everyweek. Miss Redmond is wonderful. Eli is so lucky to have her as a teacher this year.
This is Owen, fishin' at the school fishing pond at the Harvest Party.
Eli went through many costume choices this year. We wanted to be an Army guy, until we found him this Astronaut Suit. To be completely honest, I'm not even sure if it is an Astronaut suit. We found it at MRM. We told him it was and he was overjoyed. He wore this costume for the remainder of the month, everyday. He has such an imagination. He found masks, ski googles, winter hats, and gloves to use as his equipment.
I almost forgot to note that Mandy made my entire costume. She did a wonderful job. I couldn't ask for a better friend. The costume was made so well, that it won first place in the costume contest this year. Thanks Honey!!
This is Eli's preschool teacher, Miss Redmond. He attends BitterRoot Elementary here in Billings. He absolutely loves school. He looks forward everyday in attending. His favorite part is PE at the end of the week. He looks forward to that everyweek. Miss Redmond is wonderful. Eli is so lucky to have her as a teacher this year.
This is Owen, fishin' at the school fishing pond at the Harvest Party.
Eli went through many costume choices this year. We wanted to be an Army guy, until we found him this Astronaut Suit. To be completely honest, I'm not even sure if it is an Astronaut suit. We found it at MRM. We told him it was and he was overjoyed. He wore this costume for the remainder of the month, everyday. He has such an imagination. He found masks, ski googles, winter hats, and gloves to use as his equipment. Sunday, September 6, 2009
Fourth of July Celebration
So the blog thing works sometimes, and other times just doesn't work at all. Just about everyday I check my brother's blog. I am excited when he posts because I don't get to see him or his family very much. He has some of the cutest kids (next to mine of course). We have had a busy summer. This park that we are at was at the start of our summer. We went for the Fourth of July celebration. Every year a church in our city puts on this celebration for the city. They bring in a ton of vendors, playground equipment, games, rides, and one of the biggest firework shows in the state. The best part of it, is that it is all free.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the night it started to rain. I kind of felt like Noah and the Ark because it was coming down like cats and dogs. The worst of it was that it was starting to lightning. BIG OPEN FIELD + LIGHTNING = DISASTER. We ducked underneath this pavillion with no walls, got down under a picnic table, and covered up with a blanket. We were still getting drenched. We could see the lightning stiking all around us. It was very scary.
I think by far, Owen can making the quirkiest faces. He is always coming up with a new one. I caught this face just as a lightning strike hit. What a goof ball!!!
Wait a second, Isabelle just might have him beat with this face.
After the storm, everyone came out of hiding and show went on. I think the kids rode this slide 15 times. Up and down, laughing and giggling. One of my most favorite sounds in the world is hearing my kids laugh.
If you can't tell by now, I am a pretty proud daddy. I think I have some of the cutest kids ever. They are my world. I love being their dad.
Eli had a blast on the climbing wall. He was so excited to climb up hit. Luckily, he had his "climbing" shoes on. He made it about 3/4 of the way up. He loves to do these kinds of things. 
Unfortunately, towards the end of the night it started to rain. I kind of felt like Noah and the Ark because it was coming down like cats and dogs. The worst of it was that it was starting to lightning. BIG OPEN FIELD + LIGHTNING = DISASTER. We ducked underneath this pavillion with no walls, got down under a picnic table, and covered up with a blanket. We were still getting drenched. We could see the lightning stiking all around us. It was very scary.
I think by far, Owen can making the quirkiest faces. He is always coming up with a new one. I caught this face just as a lightning strike hit. What a goof ball!!!
Wait a second, Isabelle just might have him beat with this face. 
After the storm, everyone came out of hiding and show went on. I think the kids rode this slide 15 times. Up and down, laughing and giggling. One of my most favorite sounds in the world is hearing my kids laugh.
If you can't tell by now, I am a pretty proud daddy. I think I have some of the cutest kids ever. They are my world. I love being their dad. 
Eli had a blast on the climbing wall. He was so excited to climb up hit. Luckily, he had his "climbing" shoes on. He made it about 3/4 of the way up. He loves to do these kinds of things. 
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Eli and Owen - Best Buddies!!!
Eli and Owen are truly best friends. They love each other and fight with each other, but either way, they are inseperatable. They love doing everything the other one is doing all the time. I hope that it will stay this way the rest of their lives!
This picture was taken on the 4th of July. We were huddled underneath a blanket, underneath a pavilion, trying to stay warm and dry. All of a sudden, lightning came from the sky and was hitting everywhere around us. I hurry and snapped this picture of the boys, literally scared to funny faces!!
This is Mandy's most favorite picture of the boys. They are watching a movie together!
This picture was taken on the 4th of July. We were huddled underneath a blanket, underneath a pavilion, trying to stay warm and dry. All of a sudden, lightning came from the sky and was hitting everywhere around us. I hurry and snapped this picture of the boys, literally scared to funny faces!!
This is Mandy's most favorite picture of the boys. They are watching a movie together!
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