December Happenings

 As I'm sure it was for everyone else, our December was a little bit crazy, but full of lots of fun Christmas traditions.  We didn't quite get everything done on our list (like those darn Christmas cards or sledding), but it was a great Christmas season.

Here are our amazing gingerbread houses.  This year I made notes about which recipe was good, since I made the same mistake as last year... I must say that Dave and I could be professional gingerbread house thatchers, and Steven is an amazing brick layer.  Just check out his chimney.  The girls each did their own house and did a wonderful job!  Lots of work for mom, but so much fun. Eric and Elise both decided to take a nap during gingerbread house decorating.  What sweet little angels!

Steven's, Brinn's, Dave/April's

Brinn, Dave/April, Meg

Eric thinks the world of his big sisters.

And a few pictures from Christmas morning.  I love having pictures, but I usually get too caught up in the events to take a lot.  Christmas was so much fun this year.  Eric LOVED opening presents.

I didn't take pictures, but we had fun sewing our own ornaments this year that were different symbols of the Savior.  We also had our little Christmas pageant and the big Rockwood pageant.  Elise got to be baby Jesus both times.

2 Months!

I can't believe that Elise is two months old already!  She is getting so big so fast.  She is such a sweet little girl who is content most of the time.  It has been a big blessing in my life that she has a pretty easy-going temperament.  She is smiling a lot now, especially if you will hold her and talk to her.  She loves to be held facing out so that she can see the world, and sometimes just wants to lie down and have some alone time.  Her hair is growing back in and right now she is sporting a nice little mullet. :)  She has beautiful blue eyes with lashes.  She loves to look at the light or the fan.  She is a pretty good little sleeper most of the time and actually slept 6 hours last night!  I love my sweet little Elise and seeing her grow.

Pumpkin Time

For family night this week we finally carved our pumpkins.  Eric inherited my dislike for dirty hands, so after one venture into the pumpkin, he liked watching and directing.  He did try to help carve his, though.  The girls are finally to where they can do theirs by themselves, and both did a great job.  Meg's is a creepy Garfield and Brinn's is a monster face.  Eric wanted the big pumpkin with a train, so I helped him with that.  One pumpkin is really enough for me, so mine is the traditional, easy pumpkin face and Dave did the two fancy pumpkins, one for him and one for Elise.  Hers is the mummy because she likes to be wrapped up. With wassail and oreos for our treat, it was a wonderful evening together. I love these parts of the Halloween season.  The only thing left on  my list is to make doughnuts.  Maybe tomorrow...

Trying to get the stem back on.  He was sad mom broke his pumpkin.

Meg hard at work.

Elise is overseeing the whole affair.

Eric LOVED seeing his pumpkin lit up.  After seeing it once he pulled the stool over to the light switch so he could turn the lights off...not so fun for those still carving.  He points out every pumpkin he sees.

Top: Brinn, Meg, Elise
Bottom: Mom, Dad, Eric

Brinn's Pokemon Birthday Party

Normally Brinn wants a Halloween birthday party.  This year she wanted a Pokemon Party.  Pokemon is big around here.  So big they have banned it at the elementary school.  Just one of those fads that circles back through, I guess.  But I know nothing about Pokemon.  That was Steven's thing growing up, not mine.  Thank goodness for Pinterest.  I think the party was a success.  We played some fun Pokemon themed games and Nel and I made an awesome pinata.  I was grateful it was a nice day and we could spend most of the party outside, because 13 nine year olds is a lot of noise...

Playing "Catch 'em All" with the pokemon they created. (soldier man game)

Out awesome pinata in action

Eric enjoying the party

Pinata time...

The guests: Joshua, Ava, Janie, Ashlee, Kaleb, Korbin, Emmalee, Lila, and Brooke (plus Owen)

Elise's Blessing

This last Sunday, Dave gave Elise a beautiful baby blessing.  We are so happy to have this sweet little angel in our family.  Thanks, mom, for the beautiful dress (I wish I knew how to take a better picture of her in it)!