Coleton is 7

Coleton turned 7 this month. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday he was this little toe head boy toddling around with a black eye saying "ball" at everything round.
Coleton is as patient and easy going as they come. He is such a good brother. He has a way of just making everyone smile and laugh. Things can be crazy or tense and he just cracks a joke that settles everyone down. He can make anything from doing the dishes to making a bed fun. I am so glad he is part of our family!

Smooth Skating

When I was a little girl I used to spend hours on my roller blades pretending to be an ice skater. I loved skating! John and I went ice skating a few times when when we were dating, but we hadn't been since. Over Christmas break we decided that our kids were all old enough and it would be fun to try out as a family. I am so glad we did because it was so fun!! Even little Easton got the hang of it. Coleton was a bit timid at first, but in true Coleton fashion, he got the hang of it quickly and was off to the races. Hailey had been ice skating once before for a party, so she was already a pro:)I am so happy that my kids love it like I did!

Christmas 2011

Our Christmas began at 4:30am when Hailey and Coleton came into our bedroom to see if we could get out of bed yet. Being the awfully mean parents that we are, we made them wait until 6:30am. So for 2 whole torturous hours those two waited patiently, giggling in Hailey's bedroom.

John told the kids that Santa had found our house. Hailey was so excited, she couldn't wait another minute! I think Coleton was ready to go back to bed, and I am not sure that Easton was even fully awake at that point.

Santa brought Easton a "Motorcycle Bike"

Coleton got a 3DS....apparently a DS just isn't good enough for the boy:)

Hailey got a whole lot of Barbie stuff. I have to say that I love that she still likes Barbies. She didn't even like them until she was 8 but she loves them and I love that we haven't graduated to wanting ipods and laptops yet.

After a quick opening gift time, we hurried to get ready for church. Lucky John had to speak in Sacrament Meeting the week before Christmas for our ward conference and on Christmas. Such a lucky guy! I loved driving to church and leaving as a family. I had forgotten what that is like and I never even really think about it but it was so nice on Christmas to drive together!

We broke every Sunday rule we have at our house, but hey it was Christmas. Here are the kids playing outside enjoying their new toys. It was such a nice day and so weird that leaves were still on our trees.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

We love the holiday season, especially all of the fun traditions that we do as a family. There is just something special about being together! One of our favorite traditions...building gingerbread houses.
Here are our masterpieces:

My pathetic house.., In my defense, I was busy helping the kids, then threw mine together.

Here is John's perfect house. He is so funny about these. He never wants to do it, then he takes his sweet time and his always has to look perfect.

My little non-conformist decided he really wanted to eat his.(I don't know anyone that actually eats these, but whatever makes the child happy.) What was so funny to me is that he hates eating anything new. It usually includes screaming to get him to try something for the first time, but for some reason his house was irresistible!

Easton's final product....delicious!!!

Another one of our favorite traditions is venturing downtown to the temple grounds. The lights are stunning, the nativities are awesome and just walking around the temple with family feels peaceful and sacred.

We also spent time with extended family. I didn't do a great job of taking pictures at these events, but I did get one that is a little funny. Every year my grandma has a breakfast for my dad's side of the family. There are quite a few great grandchildren. We decided to attempt a picture with great grandma and the kid-o's that were at the breakfast. This is the best we could do. Apparently there are so many different personalities in the bunch. Everything from jokers(notice the bunny ears) to covered faces to escape artists!

On Christmas Eve, we always get to open 1 present and SURPRISE it is always...NEW JAMMIES! There is just something cozy about new jammies!

And of course, we have to leave cookies and milk for the jolly fat guy....and as Coleton reminded us this year..."Seriously, leave the man a napkin!"

Easton's Preschool Program

Easton did great at his preschool program this year. He is doing so great in preschool this year. He loves his friends and is happy to go! I was expecting a bit of silliness from the child during the program, but he did really good. He even looked a bit nervous in front of all of the people.
This is his cute friend, Morgan.

His part was "And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St Nickolas came with a bound."

Thanksgiving 2011

John's company was a corporate sponsor of a race on Thanksgiving morning. John and I of course had to run it. :) It was John's first race. He did great even though I think he wanted to kill me for talking the entire race. Apparently, he doesn't appreciate my encouraging remarks.

After the race, we enjoyed Thanksgiving with John's family. The boys played a game of football. John's nephew plays for Lone Peak High and it got a little rough between the two of them. John sustain the biggest, ugliest bruise I have ever seen. Of course, he would never let his nephew know. (Way to tough!!!) And John may have totally taken Richie out once or twice. (OOPS! It wasn't tackle John!)

Principle's Pride Take 2

Hailey earned her Principle Pride Award this week. She received the award for "excellence in reading and math." Unlike Coleton, she actually cared about the award and even wore a dress for the occasion. Her good friend Raegann got the award on the same day. They were super excited to be together. Way to go Hailey!