Camryn and Kenzi fun

Camryn and Kenzi are such dear friends. They play together so well. Camryn had lots of ideas this past weekend of all different things to play with Kenzi. Kenzi loved every minute! This was their Littlest Pet Shop playtime:)

Leadership Conference in Nashville

My friend, Becky and I, went to the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference in Nashville for three days. We left in a blizzard and both flew through Chicago, and had NO delays. WOW! We were so grateful! I just moved up to the Manager level in November and was able to attend the Manager's Reception at the Wild Horse Saloon. The had yummy food and line dancing and some groups singing. It was fun:) See the cowboy hats in that they gave us? Each one had chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon and 3 antique brads. I wonder who had that job of adding those awesome embellishments to each hat!! We learned SO much at Leadership with days full of classes, ideas, good food, and friends:)

Fall Family Pictures

Happy New Year!

Kristie had little crafting party for New Year's Eve. After all, what could be better than crafting til midnight???? They made such cute stuff! Thank goodness for good friends!

Christmas morning!

When everyone wakes up in the morning, the kids watch Frosty upstairs while we take showers and get ready for the day (very quickly!). Then we take a picture on the stairs, and then turn the oven on to heat the sticky buns and then we read Luke 2. Then we take turns opening presents:) Gramma and Papa come over at 11am and we have our ham and au gratin potato dinner and then open gifts (or vice versa) then we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eat the angel food cake that mom makes. This year mom and dad made a trip to the emergency room after leaving our house because my mom's blood pressure was WAY too high. Everything turned out fine (no line to wait in at the ER on Christmas day!). Then Nana and Grandpa and Becky were supposed to come over at 5pm but instead, David and Danielle came too, from Pittsburgh, and surprised us!! NICE SURPRISE!! We had our white elephant exchange and had appetizers and played games. It was a great family day!

Christmas Eve 2010

Kenzi bought Carson headphones and a game.

Camryn was reading her card in a whisper to Kenzi before Kenzi opened her gift (TWINS!)

Callahan made his own box with quite a bit of duct tape:) Go green Cal!

Callahan bought Kristie a beautiful necklace and matching earrings.

Carson bought Kyle two movies:)

Kristie bought Camryn things she HAD to have from Target...gloves, erasers and a new bag for school:)

Kyle bought the Home Alone movies (which he had being DYING to have!) for Callahan.

Carson "drew" this awesome car on Scott's Ipad!

I love Christmas Eve! Our kids draw names and they each buy a gift for the person who's name they got. It is so fun to see all the thought that goes into picking just the right gift. Also, this year, they each were asked to write a letter or a card to the sibling they bought for. After so many years, they should have a collection of loving thoughts from each other. I was taking pictures getting teary as I watched them each read their special letter. Also the kids give us their homemade gifts:)

The Great Cookie Bake!

We started a new tradition this year thanks to Jennie and her family! My mom came over and we baked the day away! We made chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch cookies, spritz cookies, and Christmas cookies. My mom's little spritz cookie make was not cooperating. Kristie had to stand on the chair and hold it with my mom to make each cookie. Needless to say, that baby went in the trash at the end of our day! Later we dipped pretzels in chocolate and added sprinkles:) FUN!

Nativities in Kirtland

This was Callahan's favorite one (above).

This one is made of recycled Coke cans in Kenya (Coke in Kenya?????!!!)

This one is made of recycled newspaper!

My mom and the kids and I went to Kirtland to see the display of Nativities. They were so fun to see:) In the school house they did a little scavenger hunt with the kids. Then in the visitor's center, they had a room where the kids could dress up and reenact the Christmas Story. This was Kenzi's favorite place:) The missionaries took us on a little tour. I love the Whitney Store! You walk inside and are taken back to another time in history. The love the smells, the items in the store, and especially the spirit that is there!

First Snowman of the Season

Callahan and Kenzi tried to make a little snowman, but the snow wasn't cooperating. I thought they did a great job, considering.....