The rest of Christmas

The day after Christmas was Grandparent Christmas. We had a yummy breakfast at Grammy Ann's house, followed by presents.

Emma and Parker enjoying breakfast with their cousins.

Olivia having some quiet time with a good book!

Back at our house for presents with Grammy Sally.

Emma was excited. This year she didn't need any help unwrapping her gifts. 

Christmas was hectic this year, but fun nonetheless. We did a lot of traveling, eating, spending time with family, and cleaning up wrapping paper. The kids had a lot of fun, and it did our hearts good to see them smile so much this year. It makes all the stress of planning and traveling well worth it!

Christmas Day at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house

On our way home from the Polar Express on Christmas Day, we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter's house. Here Grandma and I were hanging out and talking. She told some great stories!

Aidan outside with the boys flying helicopters.

Parker and Emma traipsing around the yard.

Olivia was OBSESSED with this dog! She wouldn't leave the poor thing alone. Here she is trying to give it a drink of water from a cup.

Olivia and Great Grandpa playing football.

Christmas Eve at the Polar Express

In front of one of the trains.

Olivia eating one of the cookies we got, along with super yummy hot chocolate!

Relaxing and enjoying the ride while we wait for Santa.

Here he is!!

Parker holding up one of the special key chains and bells we got. We also received commemorative mugs.

All tucker out after our busy day.

Aidan, however, wasn't tired, so Matthew took him back out to the activity center where he hung out with Mrs. Claus! 

 

 

It was a really fun trip! We also ate two great meals in the dining hall, along with sleigh rides, sing a longs, and some time in the Christmas village. It was a long trip, but well worth it!

Where do you like to hang out?

For Olivia, it's the bookcase!

Aidan's first piano recital

Aidan waiting anxiously for his turn.

He was nervous, so he took his book up with him. He did GREAT! He played all his songs with no mistakes, and was very brave in front of so many people!

Walking back to his seat.

Aidan with his teacher, Riley Cluff, and the other students she teaches.

Olivia enjoying the after recital treats!

Parker turns three!

Aidan turns six!

Thanksgiving

 Second time ever making a turkey. It was yummy!

 

Pumpkin pie...so good!

Happy kids

How Do You Color?

In your sun glasses of course!

Halloween

Doesn't that look good? I usually use my bread maker, but since it was for our Halloween feast, I decided to go homemade. It was pretty tasty if I do say so myself!

Our main course, Ghoul-osh. Cooked in a witch's cauldron, of course!

I couldn't find a Halloween tablecloth that I liked, so I went with black and got these cute plates at Target. Where I also found this cute spider web cupcake holder.

Yum!

Brotherly love!

I think this picture pretty much says it all!

Talking to Grampy Grenon who called to wish us a Happy Halloween!

Ward Halloween Party.

Mesquite's Fall Festival...

...costume contest...

Best. Costume. EVER. This kid was a Lego Star Wars character. Genius!!

Parker "being scary."

It was a great Halloween this year with so many fun activities!

Seven

Best decision I ever made!

Stay-cation

Our plan for the second weekend in October was to be in Utah. BUT, then Emma got hit in the head, Olivia started running a fever, and we decided to call it a sign and stay home! As you can see from the above picture of Olivia's forehead, that fever turned out to be chicken pox. Something we didn't know when we decided to go to the Children's Museum. I hope no one got sick!!! We didn't know until a few days later that she was suffering from break through chicken pox, having recently gotten her vaccinations. Oops :( Anyway, since we weren't going out of town, we thought we'd still try and do something fun for/with the kids.

Lunch...Aidan was less than enthusiastic about his lunchables.

Fire-person Emma, to the rescue!

I LOVE this picture. When Aidan and Emma are actually getting along, they are seriously the best of friends!

Parker loved the trains!

Shopping with Aidan...

...pushing the cart all by herself. What a big girl!

Emma, always the cashier.

Parker, being his silly-willy self.

We timed our visit just right for the kids to get to touch the sea life. They loved it, even though Parker screamed EVERY time someone touched something. They asked him to leave after about the 5th time. :)

Electricity, baby!

Music Man!!

Art time...

...the last thing we did before heading home...

...that, and me yelling at the kids. Hey, what can I say, it's what I do best. :)

All and all it was a fun day!