Dead Rat!

Luke brought us a dead rat in an old plastic container last night and Cordell wanted to know how it got in there. Sylvia told us she and Ethan found it. "We put it out for the vultures," she exclaimed.
"You didn't touch it did you?" I questioned them.
Ethan said, "We were just petting it."
"You should never touch dead animals, they could make you sick!"
"It wasn't dead. It was just sleeping," said Ethan very matter-of-factly.
Oh there is never a dull moment at this house!

I guess this is why I always have the kids wash their hands when they come in from playing outside...

While in UT we...

Had a yummy dinner of fondue, shrimp and steak to bring in the new year

Watched people fly (in a flight simulator)

Had fun with Grandpa

Went bowling-since there was no snow for sledding


Used grandpa's potters wheel

Tried to get a picture of all the kids...you see how well Ethan and Briana were NOT cooperating?

Haircuts

Visit with Grandma and Grandpa Great. This is a white hair comparison.

Ice skating for Preston and Sylvia

Tractor riding...we also did the zip line but unfortunately didn't get pictures.

Cousin and Grandma time

Lights at Temple Square
As you can see, we had a wonderful visit. It is always great to see family and make memories! Thanks for making the effort to get together everyone!!

Fun Gifts Received

Leg Warmers made by Aunt Liz




A great book to learn of all the fun places around us!

Matching fairy skirts made by mom

New jammies

Scrub cap from Preston

Hero Factory guy

The infamous "moo-moo" that serves as a pillow and friend
There were many other gifts, thanks to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. These are just the few we got pictures of. Thank you so much for your love and gifts! We feel very blessed! It looks as thought I took the most pictures of Briana, but this was the year she was really enjoying herself at Christmas time, so I couldn't help but take lots of fun pictures of her. The other kids move too fast to catch them in action. We also really love the Christmas cards we got this year and put them away carefully in our binder to look at in years to come:)

Fun Things In December

Flour bin intruder! If I leave the elastic off the cabinet, this is what Briana finds and has a great time doing it! Unfortunately, mom hates the mess.
Story time with Sylvia. Dr. Seuss is one of their favorites!

Briana finally has enough hair to do pigtails...barely. She actually just has a really good mullet.
Ethan used the Christmas stockings as socks on his feet...such a funny guy!
Sylvia lost her first tooth, and then another one a couple of days later. Crazy! She's not even in Kindergarten.

Santa's Lap

This is the first year none of the kids screamed in the presence of Santa. At least the 3 older kids...I was too chasing after Briana to even try to have her sit on Santa's lap.