Happy Birthday, Christmas, New Years!!!

 Wow, Christmas has come and gone, JJ turned 5, and here we are in 2011. We were super busy in December, so I've gotten behind on just about everything. I think I did a dozen loads of laundry over the weekend, and I'm still not caught up yet. JJ went back to school, so I'm hoping that since we will be back on a schedule life wont be so chaotic.

 

The kids enjoyed eating their breakfast on the little table.

 One of my family traditions growing up is we made a new ornament every year. The kids really love to paint, so they each painted their own gingerbread man.

 Cheese!!!

 

JJ's Christmas program at preschool! He had a Santa painted on his thumb, he was worried about it getting ruined, so he stood there with his thumb up almost the whole time.

 On Dec 18th the kids and I went to the Lucia. My sisters family participates every year. The kids enjoyed visiting Santa, playing with their cousins, and dancing around the Christmas tree.

 

Silly Face!!!

 JJ's such a good brother, always making his sister happy, here he's "reading" her a story.

 

JJ had one homework assignment over the holidays: Make a Snowman. His teacher prepared a cute little bag with the buttons, coal, carrots, raisins, and a scarf. So cute! 

 

One of JJ's friends couldn't make it to his birthday party, so they dropped off a gift before heading out of town for Christmas, He got a Play dough Burger Builder. Doesn't it look yummy!!! Ha! Thanks Maverick!

 

Do you see the determination?

 

Mmmmmm! Sugar Cookies! The kids always like helping with these!

 

On the 23rd we went to Temple Square. It was great family time!

 

We spent Christmas Eve with the Pratt's. Here are the kiddos in their Christmas Pjs!

 

Eva on Christmas Day, she got this dress up, crown and purse from Grandma Julia. Thanks!!!

 

Happy 5th Birthday JJ!!!  Opening his scooter from Grandma and Grandpa Pratt. Thanks!!!

My family came over for dinner to celebrate the December birthdays, but mostly JJ's birthday. Thanks everyone for helping make JJ's birthday special!

 

On the 27th JJ had his very first friend party. He had fun, but he soon wanted to just be alone. He said his favorite part was the pinata. Go figure!

 

JJ popping a wheelie on his scooter. He got very comfortable on the scooter really fast. He zooms around the basement so fast it scares me.

 

 JJ got two light sabers for his birthday. It's funny when Eva comes at you with one!

 

My little fashionista. Ha! Eva wants to wear a "Crown" aka headband and a flower every day, sometimes she gets a little carried away!

 

So I got all my Christmas Decorations put away, then Target had all their Christmas decor 75% off. I am in charge of Festival of Trees for 2011, so it's the perfect time to get the decorations. Here is a sneak peek at what our tree will look like. I couldn't help myself, I had to put it together, to make sure everything looked good together.

 

New Years Eve we went to our friends Brijesh and Reena's house. They had bought some fireworks, here JJ is hiding his face from all the smoke.

 

Bubbles! The kids love to get a straw for every meal, but the especially love when they can make bubbles!

 

New Years Day we all went up Big Cottonwood Canyon for a little tubing. Eva and I spent most of the time in the car, she does not love the snow. Thanks to Spencer for my Kindle I red in the car while we waited. JJ loved tubing with his Spencer. He was disappointed when it was time to go.

 

Sunday we celebrated Spencer's birthday with the Pratt's. Becky and Grandma Grimshaw were able to join us, which was a special treat. The kids loved playing with Aunt Becky. When Eva prayed she said, "I'm thankful for Becky", how cute is that!

 

Last night while I was making dinner Eva was pouting, she wanted me to hold her, the next minute she was passed out on the floor...

Ok, so now I am caught up on the blog. Whew! Spencer is so supportive of my efforts to preserve memories of our little family, bless his heart! So I will continue to post a picture a day(weekly of course) through out the year. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

My how time flies...

Where has the year gone? Spencer and I were talking about how we only have two Sundays left this year. Aaahhh! The new year is upon us. And soon my JJ will be 5. Double Aaahhh! The holidays and birthdays have been keeping me busy, so here are the last 10 days of photos:

 

BATMAN RETURNS

We have unexpected visitors to our house all the time. 

 

The kids made a mega mess one day, it started out by playing "restaurant" they got out the toys for all the kids who came to eat. 

 

Thursday we went to the mall for the Christmas Concert, the kids enjoyed playing in the Dinosaur play area after.

 

Once there was a Snowman! 

JJ made a snowman mask and got dressed up in white.

 

On Friday we celebrated JJ's birthday at preschool.

 

Saturday Eva and I went to a dance program, she was very excited to see Santa, she drug me across the auditorium when I asked he if she wanted to see him.

 

Sunday we went for a walk, it was a great day for December.

 

Spencer gave me a DSLR for my birthday. I was playing around with it on Monday. It's been a long time since I used an SLR, I've got a lot to figure out!

 

On Sunday we celebrated the Pratt December birthdays: Jason, Myself, John, JJ, and Avery. A gift JJ received was broken upon opening, so I returned it to Target and let JJ pick out a toy. It took about an hour, he ended up picking out the toy story bucket of soldiers.

Busy Thanksgiving

Well life has been crazy. So here are about two weeks of photos:

 

The kids are getting so excited for Christmas. Eva wore this around for two days straight.

 

This is Eva's "why can't I go to preschool" face.

 

This snow capped mountain was beautiful. The picture did not do it justice. Now that we've had plenty of snow and freezing cold temps it doesn't seem so splendid.

The kids have been enjoying painting lately.

 

There's my smiley JJ!

 

JJ is so creative, he wanted an oxygen mask, so he taped a cup cake baking cup to his nose. Looks good to me!

 

Eva and Shoomp.

Thanksgiving started off with my Mom's family. I made a turkey and 4 dozen rolls. Later we went to Glen and Maryann's. I bakes 4 Pumpkin Pies for their house. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. At Glen and Maryann's house Eva fell in love with Chelsey's dog "Shoomp". Shoomp is a good dog, Eva wasn't the afraid of him, thankfully! Usually she gets scared of dogs, and I end up holding her all night. 

 

Congrats to Jeff and Sarah, who were married on Friday!

 There's my boys sledding!

 

Eva LOVES wearing dresses these days, she loved wearing her Christmas dress to church.

 

Monday was decorating day for the Festival of Trees. This year our theme was "Music Making Memories", we did it in honor of my Mom. My Mom is an amazing person, she's had a lot of trials in her life, but she always had music to brighten her day, and she would brighten our day when she'd burst out in song. Our home was filled with music, laughter, and yummy food. Especially at Christmas music takes me back to my childhood, "performing in the ballet", singing Jingle Bells as fast as Barbra Streisand, listening to music as we made countless treats for ALL the neighbors, ect... 

I love you Mom!!!

p.s. our tree was in a bidding war and sold for $1160. which goes to Primary Children's Hospital. 

If you get a chance to go, our tree is located on aisle M #8. Read some of the stories if you get a chance- it's very heartwarming!

 

I've been dying to put up the Christmas tree this year, I think JJ's enthusiasm is wearing off on me. I was excited to get it up.

And finally, many thanks to Lily and Avery for the Advent Calendars, JJ and Eva loved them. JJ said he wanted to sneak another chocolate, I told him I'd know if he did, because a day would be missing. We'll see what happens. Happy December to you all!