Santa

Our little town's King's which is a little department store had Santa this year. We decided to take the kids there instead of fighting the mall crowds. Taylor is usually my social bug and she was so shy. She brought a list she had made at school and gave it to him and I could not get her to smile. I think she may have been a little tired.

Then there was Bridger and he was not shy. He walked right up and hopped on Santa's lap. He started telling Santa how he wanted a play gun for hunting and camo boots. This kid is so into hunting like his dad. I also think he is a handsome little guy.

Gingerbread Houses

A tradition we started last year with the kids. Jaman and Taylor teamed up and Bridger got stuck with me. I am not so good at these. Jaman likes doing this but can you tell he loves pictures. He is such a smartie pants sometimes.

These two were so good and so serious....................................and then there was Bridger and I and lets just say I am terrible at these and really all he cares about is eating the candy. Thank goodness it isn't a competion or I think we would lose. I love Christmas and all these fun traditions you get to do with your kids. I always try to have all my Christmas shopping done by December 1st so we can spend the whole month with no stress and spending time with the kids. It also gives you the chance to focus on what Christmas is all about.

Tree Day

I always look forward to this day. I love love going out with our little family to find a Christmas Tree. The kids love it too. We went the same place we did the year before. Trees are getting less so next year I think we may try somewhere new. There is just something about bundling all up and being out in the snow and mountains with your husband and kids. We had to go on quite the hike. Coming down I carried Bridger and the saw and Jaman drug the tree and had Taylor on his back. It was quite the site. Lots of falls, laughs, cold hands, but sweet memories.

Our tree and been cut it is on the ground. Jaman is always so patient with me and letting my find a good full shaped Christmas tree. I am pretty anti charlie brown so I love that he keeps hunting until I am satisfied.

Making Wishes

Here she is making wishes with her friends.

Here she is with her cake she had that night when Jaman, Bridger and I celebrated with her. Some things about Taylor at age 5.
We love her so much. She is such a smart girl. She loves school. She loves to write and read. She is constantly making some kind of art. I always find her in her room at her desk coloring. She has such a good heart. She loves to be everyones friend at church and school. She is our social bug. She would love (and so would I) her hair to grow. We just recently had blood tests for reasons why. Still waiting to hear back. She as of lately will go and clean the whole basement just to surprise me. Her favorite color is pink. She loves to help in the kitchen. We love her so much. We have loved the 5 years we have had her in our life and can't wait for more. We love you Taylor.

Taylor Turns 5

Taylor turned 5 in November. It fell on a Wednesday. It makes it hard to ask family to travel during the week when everyone works so she said she would love to have a friend party. I like to try to do every other year with the friend thing but since family would not be coming I wanted her to have a choice. Being pregnant and sick I was not up to doing much entertaining and games so I opted to have a movie party and it was so easy and the kids loved it. We had lunch and then each of the kids were given tickets to purchase popcorn, candy and pop at the concession stand. My friend Christie volunteered to help so she helped the kids get their treats. I laid out painters plastic in the family room so if there were any spills no carpet was harmed. We watched a movie, had popcorn cupcakes (really marshmallows) , opened presents and wa-la. Happy daughter and Happy kids equals a Happy Mom.

Movie and Presents

Birthday Morning

Of course the morning of her birthday I had to go and wake her for school. Any other day she is always up and at it. We all snuck down and sang her Happy Birthday. She had a hard time waking up. She came up stairs to find lots of balloons and was still having a hard time waking up.

So we broke out her presents to open before she headed off to school. Once she got those she was waking up.

Halloween

Thankfully Taylor was well for Halloween night and we were able to take them trick or treating. She wanted to be a witch again. I think she was one 2 years ago, but she wanted pink accesories. She also had a fun Halloween party at pre-school that day!

Halloween Party

Jaman was in charge of our ward Halloween Party. He is the young men's president and was given this assignment. The young men presidency didn't want to have any decorations so I took it upon myself to volunteer me and the rest of the primary presidency to decorate the gym. The night came and Taylor had a fever so I went to decorate and then came home and got my boys dressed up and out the door and spent the night with Taylor in PJ's watching movies. She was sad she had to miss out on the food and games but was fine when I told her we would have a movie party. I love that Jaman is willing to dress up with the kids each year. They LOVE it. Bridger ended up digging in our dress up box and wanted to be a pirate this night. I think he makes a cute pirate.

Bridger and Hadley

I love love having wonderful next door neighbors with kids the same age. We always switch one day a week and have pre-school for Hadley and Bridger. Bridger adores her and they are such great friends. This day we let them dress up for Halloween and I had a little Halloween party for the 2 of them.