Christmas Day!

GK didn't sleep well on Christmas night. We brought him in bed with us at about 1:00 A.M. So we didn't get much sleep that night. GK and Patrick were both up at 6:30 but they stayed in bed for about an hour. GK was so cute when he saw the tree, he pointed and said WOW. He wasn't in to the presents at all. He picked one and was happy with that. Why do we teach kids to be spoiled? Well it is fun! We made him open a bunch more but we did save a few for when he gets bored with these ones. We had German Pancakes for breakfast because the big breakfast wasn't until 12:00. It was really fun to watch GK get a hang of the whole Christmas thing.

Vickie and Scott have quite the spread for Christmas breakfast. They were so sweet and invited my parents and brother to come. There was so much food and it was so good. I wish I could eat that every day! (notice no Patrick..)

We opened presents and had some candy. Poor Alyssa was so tired, she woke up at 4:00 A.M. and was paying the price dearly by early afternoon. (still no Patrick..)

Then GK had to go down for a nap, he was SO tired poor kid! I went to my Mom and Dad's house. I missed Wendi and Dennis and their family but I made it just in time to see Dane and Jodi and their family. Peyton and Riley are so cute! They are really good kids. They were in a hurry for Dane's big Birthday party. It was nice to spend some time with my parents and Dave before Dave is back in Vermont. (Where is he?)

Poor Patrick was sick with the flu all day! He missed Christmas breakfast and all the presents from his family. All the screaming, wild, happy, enthusiastic kids on Christmas day! Poor Patrick had to spend all day in bed. Wait maybe that was what he wanted all along...

Christmas Eve

We had such a fun Christmas Eve. Patrick only had to go to work for a few hours so we had lots of time to play together! GK found his new favorite hiding place, he crawls under here all the time. Patrick will even climb under there too to check in on him!

Then it was off to the Astle Family Christmas Eve Party! Uncle Reynold and Aunt Fawn were in charge of it this year and they did a great job, we didn't run out of any food! My favorite is the potato leek soup! Carson was a sweetheart and played with GK most of the night so we could visit with family. We had a talent show and a pinata. The kids were really cute, you could see the excitement in their eyes!

Temple Square

We made it to Temple Square for Family Home Evening last night! I really didn't think we would but I am so glad we did. I was crazy in thinking that if we didn't go on the weekend it would be less crowded.. Crazy! And I was crazy for not using the bathroom at Wingers, the lines were really long. But we made it and GK was so fun. We didn't use the stroller because they can be so hard to direct in a crowd. GK loved to run around like he'd been bit by a dog with rabies! It was fun to chase him around. The lights were so pretty, and my favorite tree was all lit up in red (again my favorite). It is the bottom left pic. in the collage. It wasn't too cold, but the air quality was really bad. I am so glad that we made it though! It really feels like Christmas now!

Lights from the Car

We had high hopes last week to see the lights at Temple Square, but Brandon was working late so we looked on KSL and they will give you addresses in your city or zip that have really cool lights. We had just as much fun and got to stay warm! We all found a new favorite Christmas song called Dominick The Donkey! It is pretty fun!

Hand Dipping!

Every one in Patrick's family always talks about the times when they use to dip chocolates. I have never seen it or been invited, I have tasted some of the caramels, centers, and even had some of the chocolates. This year Vickie really felt she needed to pass the trade on and I was so excited. First Michelle and Vickie made the centers: penuche, mint, rum (artificial & real), cherry, orange, lemon, and caramel. I think I may be forgetting some... Then we all got together and rolled them into little balls. They are so good plain, I ate way more than Vickie knew.

The room, the chocolate, the centers all have to be at a certain temp. It was really a lot of fun! I had an inch of chocolate all over my whole hand. I ate it off, I think 3 different times. DON'T worry, I washed my hands really really good in between. I was not very good at writing the letters on top of the chocolates. Vickie is really good at it. I need a lot more practice.

Patrick was so good to watch GK all weekend for me. I thought it would take Saturday morning and afternoon. (On Saturday night we had our annual trip to the Old Spaghetti Factory, it was so good and I wish I had taken pictures because Jason, Adam, and Patrick had gone to Cabela's and bought the same style shirt. It was really cute!) But we were dipping all day Sunday too. It is really hard work, your back gets pretty tired from leaning over. I had chocolate everywhere! I was a mess. I am so glad we did it, I hope we continue dipping!

Some Happenings

I think GK has more fun with his Dad than he does with me.. I'm pretty sure of it! WHile I was in Vegas they had a fun time, but I know they worked hard too!

When I got back I swear GK had grown up SO much! I think this picture captures how big he is getting.

GK and Patrick got the tile ALL finished! SO we were able to get the Christmas Tree out and decorate for The Big Day!

I think I have posed this poor little kid WAY too many times. He loves to sit in the weirdest places! And he LOVES to play with his belly button!

It was hard to leave Las Vegas, especially knowing that Snow was on it's way. If only Vegas was warmer I might have stayed. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! YAY!!

Can't Wait Till Next Year!

On Christmas Morning Patrick and Gk woke up first. Then they woke me up and Santa Came!

He spoiled us rotten, though Gk really would have been happy with the wrapping paper.

And I think we could have just put a bow on Gk's head.

He just realized that she existed! He will look at her and just laugh!

It is so cute!

Here he is attacking her. I think they'll be the best of friends some day.

We had the annual Finn and Hattie Christmas Breakfast.

Jason and Jennifer were able to make it (they came before the storm)

Scott and Vickie are always so thoughtful to invite my parents and brother to breakfast.

The whole day was filled with family, food, and presents.

Gk has been the best gift I could ever get!

I am so grateful to the amazing boys in my life! 

They have changed me forever, for the better.

Sometimes it is hard to keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind

I know it will get harder when Gk gets a little older

but when there are so many amazing people it is easy to remember just how important family and good friends are!

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve we get together with Patrick's Mom's Family.

We have a lot of fun. Every year we rotate who is in charge and it was our year!

The nice thing is that we didn't have to travel very far.

We have to have it in a church building because there are so many of us.

The bad thing is that we live kind of out in the boonies and not everyone got right directions

Sorry! But we were glad that everyone made it safe.

We always have soup and breadsticks for dinner. It was delicious!

I just absolutely love McKell's CHEESEY smile.

I can't look at this and Not Smile!

I Love You McKell!

Benton is such a Babe!

He is so handsome.

After dinner we have a talent show.

LeAnne always plays Winter Wonderland, she is a good sport.

It is fun to watch the little kids put on the show, they are growing up so much!

For the longest time these little guys were the "babies" of the family.

Ralph always reads the Christmas story in Luke and Reynold reads Tommy's prayer.

We conclude our party with a pinata.

I think it is the kids favorite part and Gk even got in on the action!

When we got home we watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and opened up our Christmas jammies!

Gk hardy slept all day but he was still really good! I think he had the best Christmas Eve Ever!

Naughty Santa!

Naughty, naughty, naughty Santa!

Uncle Dave!

On Sunday Morning my big brother Dave got in town to celebrate Christmas with the Family!

He was here in February last so it has been a long time since we've seen him

and it was Gk's first time meeting him!

We had a delicious dinner and Kathy Conder came over for a visit!

(Gk just loves her! She makes him the cutest blankets!)

A lot of people say that Gk looks like a cabbage patch doll

With his round face and blue eyes I agree.

The day after Thanksgiving I tried to find one that looks like him but I couldn't.

The first one that I got was a little boy with blue eyes and brown

 hair.

I still had it in my parents attic, so I made my dad get out all my old toys that I am making them keep for some reason.

But I found my little Cabby.

Then we went downtown to see the lights.

It has been a long time since Dave has seen the lights.

I think he was disappointed. They don't light 'em up like they use to.

But it was still fun. I like how they have all the nativities.

Patrick was making sure Gk could see baby Jesus.

But Gk was more interested in something over there!

Thanks everyone I really wanted to go downtown.

The weather was perfect! 

And the lights were beautiful!

Santa! and Festival Of Trees

We are so lucky!

 Santa came by our house on Friday and G.K. couldn't have been more excited.

He must really be a good boy, 

Santa never came to my house just to say "Hello" and get a picture taken with me! 

I know Gk looks a little possessed, but he was really exited.

Once Santa held him, he calmed right down.

I Love Santa!

On Saturday Jenn My Mom and I all went to the Festival of Trees.

There are a lot of trees. It was fun though.

I love that all the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital.

My favorite tree was a glass one

(it looks like the ceiling in the Bellagio)

Anyway Thanks Jenn and Mom.

Ginger Bread

My sister Jodi is the best! Every year (for about the past 15 or so years) she gets everyone together to make gingerbread houses. She doesn't just get us together she makes the ginger bread and all the frosting for how ever many people will be there. This year she made us dinner too. We always have so much fun. The Graham's are so sweet, they sure know how to party~

This is Jodi holding G.K. for me while I am decorating my house.

Riley and Kaycee with G.K.

Riley with her house

Kaycee with her house

We were just being silly. Juli started it, Riley took a picture and Juli was making the weirdest face (I had to promise not to post it or else I would have.. It is awesome!) so we all wanted to make a funny face.

These two are Pro's!

These are all the houses that we made. There were a few that weren't decorated yet. 

Mine is the one on the back row on the very right.

Thanks Jodi~! It wouldn't be Christmas without this!