Max Powers

This year Santa brought us our very own, unique, Elf on the Shelf.  He came with a movie and a poem about how he works and the kids were so excited.  It took us FOREVER to decide on a name, and I didn't think we would ever agree on one, but the kids finally agreed on Max Powers.  Max Powers has been a lot of fun to have around the house and is sometimes very mischievous. Here are a few of the things he's done since he got here:

Mr. Piano Man

Just "popped" in to say hello!

Mission: Impossible

"Santa, they're on to us!"

Snow Angels

Max Was Here

Be Good!

Egg Nog anyone?

Let's get hitched

Calgon take me away!

Evil Canival

Merry Christmas 2012

Grizzlies

Kadence got invited to go to a grizzlies hockey game with her friend Tawni, I didn't think she would want to go, but she was so excited and couldn't wait.  Tawni's parents picked her up around 3pm on Saturday and she didn't get home until 2am!  They spoiled her rotten.  They took her to dinner at the Olive Garden then went to Hollywood Connection to see Santa and ride all the rides.  She LOVED the hockey game and said her throat hurt from screaming so much, she was so excited the "bears" won and is already begging us to take her to another game. When I asked her what she asked Santa for she said she asked him for something special.   Wendi (Tawni's mom) sent me a picture of Kadence on Santa's lap and it was too cute not to post.  So grateful for my kids friends, love them almost as much as my own kids!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Today we loaded up the kiddos and headed to Joe's Valley to find the perfect Christmas tree.  It is absolutely breath taking up there, the water was so glassy and the views were amazing.  It didn't take long to find the perfect tree, so after cutting it down we hunted for pine cones, took a few pictures and shot Rory's sniper rifle.   Here are a few pictures of our great day:

Beautiful Joe's Valley

Our Perfect Christmas Tree

Family Pictures 2012

This year between Kinlee cutting her hair and all the other crazy things in life, we never got around to getting our family pictures taken.  So, on Thanksgiving I asked Rory's cousin Danae if she would take some pictures of us for our Christmas cards.  She did a fantastic job, and ended up taking pictures of almost everyone there.  I'm so glad we ended up getting some pictures done, I have had family pictures taken almost every year since I was married, it is a fun tradition that I hope to continue for many years.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  There is nothing better than eating a ton of yummy food with the people you love.  We enjoyed the holiday with Rory's family this year and got some adorable family photos.  The kids played basketball and wrote a play on the stage of the stake center.  We adults visited and stuffed our faces.  The kids made some cute Thanksgiving crafts in school that I thought it would be fun to share.

Connor made two place mats.  One is a turkey that breaks down the characteristics of a story they read in class.  The other is a cornucopia that says things he is grateful for.  Here is his list (spelling and grammar has not been changed):

I'm grateful for my mom she's so nice to me.
I'm grateful for my dad he helps me do whats right.
I'm grateful for my sisters they like to play with me.
I'm grateful for my dog because he is so funny.
I'm grateful for my cat she's so cute.
I'm grateful for my family they are so kind to me.
I'm grateful for America because I'm free.
I'm grateful for my bunnies because they are so cute.
I'm grateful for my cousens they are so kind to me.

Kadee made a couple of very cute scarecrows and a cornucopia that has fruits and vegetables.  Written on each fruit/vegetable are the things she is grateful for.  Here is her list:

sister
mom
dad
cusins
bruther

I'm sooooo grateful for my amazing family.  It is always so nice to spend time with them and I am so blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kinlee dressed herself in this picture, the things around her
  wrists and neck belong to Connor's Build A Bear

It's so hard to do her hair cute with her bangs cut SO short.
She is ready for Thanksgiving in her favorite Minnie Mouse Shirt

Disney on Ice

A couple months ago the kids and I counted all the change we had saved in a jar that sits on our dryer and had enough to buy tickets to Disney on Ice.  I would have just bought the tickets for the kids, but I thought it was a good way to teach them to save and about the value of a dollar.  They were so surprised at what it costs to go to something as simple as a show.  Kadee said she thought the debit card was free money! 

So today we were finally able to use our hard earned tickets.  Last night was PTA movie night at the school, so we weren't able to head up to Salt Lake until this morning.  We got up bright and early and were just out of the canyon when Kinlee threw up all over her clothes, carseat, blanket, etc...  We stopped at a Kmart and Rory ran in to buy her a change of clothes while I got her cleaned up.  After that little detour we were running behind and I was worried we weren't going to make it in time, but we did with time to spare.  The kids loved the show, even Kinlee.  She doesn't EVER sit through ANYTHING and she was mesmerized.  She loved Mickey Mouse and was constantly clapping and trying to sing along.  

Waiting for the show to start at Energy Solutions Arena

Mickey ears!

After the show we decided to eat at one of my favorite place, The Olive Garden.  As we were walking in Kinlee got sick again, but managed to miss her clothes completely.  I thought she was just car sick so we went in and got lunch and headed home.  By the time we were home Kinlee had a high fever and diarrhea, I felt so bad for taking her out when she was so sick.  Hopefully she will be feeling better soon, tomorrow is the Primary Program in our ward and I will be so sad if we have to miss it.