"Belle is my fabrit"

If you ask Nate who his favorite Princess is, he will definitely tell you Belle and this is probably why...

Belle gave him a big smooch right on the forehead,

which he wore the entire day around Disneyland.

He was a little bit silly and giddy afterwards too :)

Bed Head

...this picture makes me smile...

New Year's Eve

Bowling Night

During Christmas break we went bowling with my family. The scores were pretty close but I think Cade ended up taking the win!

The kids had fun too. They got to bowl and be entertained by their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles in between turns. Nate was a bit grumpy because he wanted bowling shoes so bad and they didn't have any in his size. He will still remind me every now and then that the next time we go to the "bowling center" he is getting shoes.

Snow Day

Easy target

After Christmas, we got to visit Robert's family in Show Low. The kids had a blast playing in the snow and it was warm enough that they even took off their jackets. I noticed Nate walking back and forth across the yard. He had found a pile of snowballs that someone had made and enjoyed having a non-moving target to throw them at.

Family Photos

A few months ago, my friend Tricia and I decided to take family pictures for each other. I think we got the better end of the deal, although photographing Nate is not an easy task. So, I am finally getting around to posting them! Thanks Tricia!

What most of them looked like...

Crafty Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas in our own home for the first time. It was a little different than Christmases past but it was really nice. On Christmas Eve, we had lunch with friends, the Stevens, and spent the afternoon chatting and playing. Then the kids got to paint while I made Christmas dinner. The girls each painted a ceramic baby Jesus and Nate painted a watercolor nativity. They really enjoyed this (and so did I, as it made for a peaceful Christmas Eve). Then we watched "Joy to the World" to help us remember what Christmas is all about.
 

Santa definitely found us at our new house and Christmas morning was fun and busy as we headed off to church. The kids sang a few songs with the primary children in sacrament meeting, even Nate, while Robert sang with the choir and I played the piano. It was a great Christmas and we felt very blessed to have each other to celebrate it with.

Great to be 8

Carter turned 8 years old yesterday! She is growing up! She really excels in school and loves to read (this might be an understatement). She is an excellent writer as well. Carter loves to imagine and create and craft and plan....anything. She likes lists :) She also likes to dance and sing. Someday, she would like to visit France. She is looking forward to getting baptized next week.

Here are some of her favorites:

Food: Egg Sandwiches

Color: Purple

Animal: Elephant

Thing about school: Science

Movie: Tangled and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2

Song: Dynamite
Treat: Hershey's Chocolate

And finally, here is a little something she wrote a couple weeks ago that I thought was sweet:

About My Family

Five words: Families can be together forever

Four words: Have a fun time

Three words: I love you

Two words: Best friends

One word: Home

Piano Recital

This was Gabby's first piano recital to play in. Kind of amazing since we haven't been real consistent with her lessons. She usually says, "Mom, isn't it about time for me to have a piano lesson?" We'll be better this year! She did great though and played "Jolly Old St. Nicholas".

Carter played two songs, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "If I Won 10 Million Dollars". She has done so well and loves having a piano around that she can practice anytime she wants.

Festival of Trees

Both of the girls took a field trip to the festival of trees with their classes. They got to walk around and see all of the uniquely decorated trees and then vote for their favorite. They both liked this one behind Carter best...a Christmas palm tree decorated with Hawaiian themed ornaments and a pineapple on top.

We thought it was funny that they had two trees decorated with Cowboys and Cardinals, the great rivalry between my Dad, Brother and Robert! Ha!

101 Dalmatians

It's play time again! Last night was the opening night for 101 Dalmatians. The girls are Dalmatians of course, part of the group that gets rescued and makes up the 101. They have been singing Cruella DeVil nonstop, it may be permanently stuck in their brains!

O Christmas Tree

Got the Christmas lights up Thursday, watched A Christmas Carol with the kids last night, chose a tree today and got it decorated, went to the annual light parade tonight...we are officially feeling merry.

9 years!

Love this guy!

Trick or Treat

We took some pretty cute trick or treaters around the neighborhood last night...Mad Scientist Carter, Nate the Gnome and Hula Girl Gabby. Nate really got the hang of things this year and I think it might be his new favorite holiday (and he did actually smile and have fun!). 

Line o' Dinos

3 Lil' Pumpkins

The kids had lots of fun painting pumpkins this year, as always. They actually gave them some thought and designed them on paper first. Here they are, hard at work...

and the finished product!

3 more lil' pumpkins

Girls Night

It was so fun to spend some kid-free time with friends (because we figured out that there would be 21 kids between us all!). Lots of laughing and catching up and well, it's always a good time hanging out with these girls.