My little elf

We drew names this year with the kids but Em wanted to still get all her brothers and Dad something. I was helping her wrap her gifts last night and she said "I feel like an elf, I have always wanted to be an elf, and I even had a dream about it and it is coming true, This is the best christmas ever. I just want to squeeze my family as tight as I can." So cute. Love you Miss Em.

Tile

With all the rain this week Chris hasn't been able to work, at least at his job. I have found plenty for him to do around the house. We were given a bunch of tile from our neighbors and what a perfect time to lay it. We are slowly finishing our family room. Last year we put in a wood stove which has been so nice.








The tile goes all the way to the back door and today he is going to put it down the hallway. Next on the list is beadboard for some of the walls. I can't wait.

Oh Emerson.

We went an had family pictures taken over Thanksgiving with Summer, Tim, Taylor and his family. So of course Taylor and I had to goof off. I have this picture on my fridge and the other day Emerson saw it and laughing she said "so you've moved on to another guy? What.??????

Oh my Eme lou.

Snowman on a stick

Emerson is having a Dance Party tomorrow and we wanted to make something cute to give them. I found this idea on the internet and thought it would be fun to try. The marshmellows are covered in white chocolate.

Thanks man you saved my life.

Soooo I just found out that my kids are scared of me. The other day Kaige went over to a friends house after school, later that night that friend came over and when Kaige opened the door he handed Kaige his jacket (which is his Peer mediator jacket that I DON"T WANT TO REPLACE) and Kaige said (quietly) Oh man thanks you saved my life.
Love ya Kaige.

Lights

Chris, the greatest husband ever put up christmas lights for me. It took him most of the day and he finished just in time to make it to the frosty run (for winterfest) If you want to see his great work you'll just have to drive by.

Emerson and Slatin both performed Saturday at winterfest. Sorry no pictures. But they did a great job.

Christmas Party

Over Thanksgiving we had our family Christmas Party. Summer and Tim were in charge this year.

We had an ugly sweater contest and most everyone came up with something.

Ellie and Taylor

Kendra and Sam


Tim and Summer (oh wait Where's Summer's sweater???? oh that's right she didn't have one)

Kade and Becky. Kade one the prize hands down. And the sad thing is he is planning on wearing these pants to church. Poor Becky.

Chris and Keri ( my tree had an extension cord hanging from it to plug in to the wall so I could light up)

The theme this year was homeade gifts. We each drew a name and had a certain amount to make something for that person. It took alot of of thought and work and I think the gifts meant more. Summer had Taylor and about 5 years ago he had drawn a picture for her and she saved it and found it this year and made it into a plate for him along with a blanket.

Kade had my dad and he found an old picture of my dad and his brothers added something to it and framed it. It really touched my dad.

My Dad had Zak and made (along with a little help from my mom) these awesome knee lenght shorts along with tube socks. Growing up my mom made most of my brothers shorts and they were long and he would always wear them with tube socks. He also gave him a gift card. Maybe a little cheating.

Taylor had Kendra and Ellie had my mom and they made them Benches
Zak had Kade and made him this quilt with a picture of his idol Frank Meir

I had Ellie and We made her a picture of the temple

Chris had Summer and made her a bench. I did not want to part with this bench. But Because I love her so much she got it.

Kendra had Heather and Sam had Becky and they got darling bags. My mom had Tim and made his a super cute stocking with gift card. Tim had Chris and made him these things to hang his guitars from. Super nice and Chris is excited. Heather had me and made me a cute picture hanger. Becky had Sam and gave him a year supply of baked goods with a cute cookie jar filled with mint brownies. It was really fun. Thanks Summer and Tim.

Advent Calendar

I have been wanting to do an advent calendar for awhile and I came across this idea. I took a plastic shoe holder and made this. Nothing fancy but boy do I have some excited kids. They can't wait until tomorrow. Next year I will make it cute but this year I was lucky to get it up in time.

Thanksgiving Day

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family. Most of my brothers and Sisters were there. After Dinner the men helped the kids make Marshmellow guns while we made clay ornaments.

The kids gathered all of Grandma and Grandpa leaves and made a HUGE fort to hide in while playing war. (It brought back memories of growing up and making leaf houses with all of the leaves in my parents back yard)

I am so thankful for my family and the love we have for each other. Later that afternoon we headed over to Jill's to visit with Chris's family and parents. It was nice to visit with those who came.

Football Game

EARLY Friday morning Summer and I headed up North for the Tigers Football Game

We invited a bunch of boys to go with us.

It was Cold.

After a sad loss we had to hike back to where we parked and on the way the boys decided to roll and slide down the hill


Some where still pretty upset with the loss
The ride up and back with 6 boys

Especially the back seat.

This poor kid could barely breath. It was BAD. I told the older boys they needed to hold it and Colton said. Yes Please, can you Please hold it, I am dying. It was bad
The best part of the trip

Lincoln Logs

we bought these Lincoln logs at a yard sale on Saturday and the Slatin is in heaven. He loves to build things and these have kept him entertained for hours.

FHE

Monday we spent FHE playing with friends. We played Speed

Threw the football around

and attempted to play midnight football