Present Time

After a crazy busy day we had a little time as a family to open Nash's presents. He was so excited to get more presents after getting so many great ones from his friends. From all of us he got a Batman shirt, a Smurfs 2 blue ray, and a spiderman that crawls on the wall. He had wanted this for Christmas but we were certain that he would not mind getting it a week early! Cannot believe this sweet boy is 5! Where does the time go? Thanks Nash for bringing so much happiness into our home. You are so loving and such a hard worker. We are so lucky that you chose to come to our family!

Nash's 5th Birthday Party

This year Nash decided that he wanted to have a party at Airborne. He made a list of who he wanted to invite and we set it up on his actual birthday. After school we quickly made our way to Airborne. Nash was nice enough to let Gray, Luke, and Harlee come to his party! Along with his lucky siblings, 7 out of the 9 friends that he invited were able to come. They had so much fun jumping. Nash was so brave to jump off of this big platform into a pit of foam. Guess braveness comes with age! After jumping for a little over an hour, we made our way into Nash's party room. The kids ate pizza and then Nash opened his presents. He got so many nice things- what a lucky boy! Then we had some batman cake which was Nash's choice! What a fun time! So happy that Nash has made so many great friends and I love watching him interact with them.

Nash's Birthday at Preschool

For Nash's birthday he asked me to bring snowman donuts to his class to share with all of his friends. I called his teacher and she said that would be great. She said that I could have Nash help me pass them out. This was just about the cutest thing. Mrs. Cheri is training them well. Nash would ask each student "Would you like a donut?" to which they each would answer "Yes please!". Once everyone was given a treat they all said "Thanks for sharing!" It was so polite and so cute. Nash was given a special birthday crown to wear and was celebrated all day. What a cute experience!

Booger

Several times a day due to cold season, I hear "Mom, here is a booger!" Gray has fished out a treasure from his nose and proceeds to hand it to me. I always tell him to go get a tissue but he refuses. If I have failed to mention it, our Gray is a little on the lazy side. It is so much easier to hand it to me than to go get a tissue. So GROSS! One of the many perks of motherhood. Thanks Gray for all the green presents!

Gray's Preschool Christmas Program

Last night was Gray's Christmas Program. He is going to preschool with Miss Kayley who was Nash's teacher last year. Since Nash refused to even go to his Christmas program last year, we had pretty low expectations for our Gray! He made us so proud. He got up there, sang, danced, and did a great job. My favorite was when they did "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus". He did all of the actions! We were so pleasantly surprised. Great job Gray! We sure love you! *Love all his expressions!

All talk!

I got a text on Thursday asking me if Luke, Harlee, and Nash would like to speak in Primary. Who does that to a mom? I am guessing that everyone knows that these kids are not writing their own talks! It turned out to be good! They had to talk on I Know that Jesus Christ will come again. They all did such a good job. Luke was super nervous at first but once he practiced several times he was calm. He did a really great job. Harlee read her talk while Nash held up pictures to go along with what they were saying. They practiced a ton and did such a great job. I love to watch them conquer fears that I still have. I remember when I was Harlee's age I was asked to speak in primary. I got up to the microphone and saw my mom sitting in the back. I started to cry and just ran back to be with her. They are all so much braver than I was and I am so proud of them. *Had to post this second picture featuring Gray! He loves to steal the spotlight in all the pictures. Such a funny kid.

Love Family Night!!

We had such a great night as a family. I just LOVE being surrounded by all these little ones I get to love. We made chicken strips and fries for dinner and decided to eat in the basement. We all got in our pjs, took our plates, and went down to watch Elf. Such a funny movie! Nothing sounds sweeter than their little laughs. I am a blessed lady. I am so grateful for these moments away from the busyness to enjoy time together.

Nash's Polar Express

"We get to go on the Polar Express train!" said Nash several times a day for the last week. Friday they were told to wear their pajamas to school and they were going to ride on the polar express train. I tried to tell him that it might not be a real train but my dreamer boy would not believe me. He did come home to tell me it was so fun but the train was just made of paper. So glad he still had fun even though he did not get to enjoy a real train ride. Love this cute boy!

What???

I really should not be shocked at this point, but the words that came out of his mouth today really took me by surprise. We were in the car waiting for the kids to come out from school and the movie "Annie" was playing. Gray came and sat up front by me. He then proceeds to say "This movie sucks!" "What did you say?", I asked him. To which he responded again, "This movie sucks!". You have to feel like Mom of the Year when those great words come out of the mouth of your three year old. Can't wait to hear what he says next! Maybe I can wait... *By the way, this is the way that Gray said he smiled in his preschool picture yesterday. Cannot wait to see those pictures I paid $25 for! Awesome!

They did not even miss us...

I would venture to say that the kids did not even miss us while we were gone. Hailee was the best! She took them to do so many fun things. They went to Airborne, to play at Carson and Brody's, to spend time with Mimi and GP, to Thanksgiving Point to see the reindeer, and many other fun things! She was so great to make the time so enjoyable for them. So grateful for her!

Kid Free trip to the SG

I must admit that I never thought this would happen. In all the years since having kids, Joey and I have not been away for more than one night. We decided that we needed a break and planned a few nights together in St. George. Hailee was so sweet to watch the kids for us! We left on Thursday after Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family and did not come back until Sunday afternoon. It was wonderful! We enjoyed the drive down talking and listening to good music! The days down there were spent relaxing, Joey working a little, shopping, eating out, visiting Joey's parents, and loving the warm weather. Joey and I both decided that if he could find a job down there we would move there in a second. We love it down there. We had such a wonderful time! I am so grateful to be married to my best friend. There is no one that I would rather be with! Such a great weekend! *Joey does not look to happy in these pictures but he promises he was excited for the time away!