A Year in Review {Picture Style}

I wanted to post my very favorite photos from 2010, but looking back I realized that I have so many that I LOVE. So many that bring back such great memories. So many that make me smile. So many that I had such a hard time narrowing them down. I started out trying to pick one from each month. Ha! It was impossible for me to pick just one. So here they are ... and I did try to narrow them down. But there are still a a lot and I don't care! I love them all!

we started out the year with ruby learning to walk

the kids were sick various times through out the year but we enjoyed the time spent at home together

we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday and many other fun holidays this year ... we even had a leprechaun visit our house!

the kids spent a lot of time playing in mom and dads room ... they LOVE jumping on the bed!

we enjoyed this beautiful word that we live in

we celebrated father's day ... and mothers day too!

the kids loved to stop for shaved ice ... and asked almost every day ... so yummy!

we enjoyed the summer weather and played in the water

ruby had her first haircut

collin turned 4 and started another year of preschool

we went to parades and watched the horses

we went sailing and played in the water at bear lake

sophie turned 6 and started 1st grade

we spent many, many evenings outside playing with chalk, riding scooters, and bikes {the kids learned how to ride 2 wheelers}

we went to both the county and state fair

we celebrated Halloween in style and enjoyed running through a nearby apple orchard

snow came early this year ... the kids loved it {but we did not have a white Christmas!}

mom took silly pictures of the kids

sophie won 2 awards for her reflections entry

ruby turned 2 ... and became her independent self

we celebrated the holidays with family parties, school programs, and a visit from Santa and his reindeer!

What a great year 2010 was!

I hope 2011 brings as much happiness and memories. We are so blessed.

Happy New Year!

Eight

On December 28th, Logan and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary!

It's been 8 great years!

We spent the evening together ... just us!

It was wonderful.

I love you babe!

Merry Christmas 2010

The kids were so excited for Christmas this year. They just loved every minute of celebration and family gatherings. Collin woke up every day the week before proclaiming it was Christmas Eve ... he was thrilled when it actually was! Isn't it funny how a day that is so anticipated can be over in such a hurry!

We spent Christmas Eve with Logan's family ... singing songs, running around {the kids ... not so much the adults}, opening gifts and eating yummy food. After that we went home and set out cookies for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer. Then it was off to bed. Logan and I settled down to a movie waiting for the kids to be fast asleep. Sophie struggled sleeping that night due to so much excitement and even came out while Santa was busy at work. We quickly put her back to bed before she caught a glimpse of the jolly old man! However she continued waking up all through out the night.

But even with all the excitement, we had to wake all of our kids up Christmas morning. They were less than enthusiastic about the whole ordeal in the beginning. They walked downstairs, walked over to their Santa gifts and just sat there. But it wasn't too long before they were digging through stockings, unwrapping presents, and playing with toys. Both sets of Grandparents were here for Christmas morning and it is so much fun to have them over. After the gifts were opened, we all enjoyed our yummy traditional Christmas breakfast. The kids played with toys and I tried to settle down for a nap ... however watching my kids enjoy their gifts proved more exciting than actually sleeping! Although later that day I wished I had taken that nap!

After some play time we visited my parents house for a yummy lunch. Then we went to Logan's parent house for a quick visit and back home again to play some more and settle down for the night. A busy day but so much fun! I love spending time with my family. I am so grateful for them and for this time of year that we have to celebrate together the greatest gift we have been given, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

You Capture -- Holiday Magic (Light)

friendly beasts

Last weekend {right before the wave of stomach flu hit Logan and I ... the kids all had it just a few days earlier} we went to my parents house to celebrate the season with my siblings. My mom always goes all out making it a great night. I always look forward to this family party every year. Not because of the food, the company, or the gifts ... although those are bonuses, but because of the program that is put on. Mostly by the kids ... but by the adults too. This year the kids added a new song to the mix of stories and music. They were too cute! And it was super special to see them remind us of the reason we celebrate this time of year.

Jesus our brother kind and good

was humbly born in a stable good

the friendly beast around him stood

Jesus our brother kind and good.

I said the donkey shaggy and brown

I carried his mother uphill and down

I carried his mother to bethlehem town

I said the donkey shaggy and brown

I said the cow all white and red

I gave him my manger for a bed

I gave him my hay to pillow his head

I said the cow all white and red

I said the sheep with the curly horn

I gave him my wool to keep him warm

He wore my coat on Christmas morn

I said the sheep with the curly horn

I said the dove from the rafters high

I cooed him to sleep so he would not cry

I cooed him to sleep my mate and I

I said the dove from the rafters high

Next we broke out the bells ...

and sang some Christmas carols.

Sophie even had to have a red nose {just like she did for her school program!}

Then Grandma shared stories ...

and we ended the night with gifts.

Unfortunately the next day Logan and I had to miss one of his family parties because we were still sick. We didn't get to see the kids put on the Nativity.

the Nativity Scene 2009

But we are grateful to all be healthy again ... just in time for Christmas day! I can't believe it will be here in just 3 short days!

Reflections Winner X2

Sophie's movie that she made for the Reflections Contest made it through the second round of judging ... and she won! She was judged among 8 other elementary schools in the district. We are so proud of her. She didn't really understand why we were going to another awards assembly ... but just getting another trophy made it all worth it to her.

Sophie Sings!

Sophie had the cutest Christmas program at school last week. She had been teasing us with bits and pieces of the songs she had been learning for weeks ... I couldn't wait to see the actual program. All of the first grade kids did such a great job. They put on quite a show. And cute little Sophie sang her heart out. I loved it!

before the program started ...

singing her best ...

singing "Angel in the Christmas Play"

my very favorite shot ... don't you just love her sweet angel face!?!?

there is nothing more cute!

and a slightly out of focus rudolph!

she loved being silly with that red nose on!

and last but not least ... a cute video of Sophie singing my favorite song No "L"

Gingerbread Houses

G is for Gingerbread ... or Graham Crackers!

The kids were dying to decorate these little gingerbread houses. Collin took his decorating very seriously, while Sophie was more into the frosting. Eating it that is! Which is strange ... I would have thought it would be the other way around. Collin is my little sweet tooth!

it feels like ...

Christmas!

the decorations are up

and

a reindeer stopped by

{grin}

love this time of year!