LET THE DRESS UP GAMES CONTINUE........

 I thought this might change in the New Year.  I guess I was wrong!  They are pretty darn cute though.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

 For New Year's we had the McNees family at our home and played games.  It was a fun night.

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 Dylan and Jake had fun playing the Wii and some board games.

 Joey and Tate tried really hard to keep their little eyes open.

 Dylan succeeded in staying awake to welcome in the New Year! He was so excited to go outside and bang on some pans while the fireworks were going off.

 He also gave great hugs and kisses at Midnight.

 But poor Tate succumbed to sleep.  Here is his cute face at Midnight.  At least he looks peaceful!
                                 Happy New Year.  I hope it is a great one for all!

TEMPLE SQUARE......

We had a fun night going to Temple Square with the Lewis Family a few days after Christmas.  It was a   warm 46 degrees which is unseasonably warm for this time of year.  We had dinner and then rode on Trax, which the kids loved.  

                The Clan all bundled and having fun!

 "Oh Tate." He is always making us laugh! He loved Trax.

 Temple Square is beautiful as always.  I loved this scene this year.

 We had to buy hot chocolate.  Not because it was cold, but because it did taste really good.

 The Clan again in all their glory!

 Daddy and his boys.

The kids were tired after walking around Temple Square.  I thought Tate would fall asleep on Trax but he was still keeping those little eyes open.  Perfect night to see the Temple lights.

ON WITH THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES....

  Santa did not bring the "two front teeth" or the six teeth that have been missing.

 Christmas was wonderful and we made some great memories.  We loved going to Church because it helped to remind the boys of the true meaning of Christmas.  We also loved spending time with family.  We left that afternoon and went to visit the Rowley family in Southern Utah.  It was a fun filled Holiday

 Dylan reading books to a few of his cousins.

We stayed in Southern Utah for a few days playing with family.  We went bowling and also saw the movie "Tin Tin." When we arrived home it was freezing at 58 degrees.  I am so grateful for a wood burning stove that kept us warm for a few days until the new furnace was going.

Christmas 2011......

             

The Classic photo before we see what Santa has brought. 

             The long awaited for Tron disc

            Dylan's wish was "Jetbug" from Lego Hero this year
                            
Dylan was hilarious how he lined up his gifts as to display them.
                     
Tate had requested a jump rope from Santa and he does know how to use it.

  Daddy had always said he wanted a "little leg lamp."

And the stockings were hung....

                                         

   by the chimney with care (with a tooth in Dylan's stocking).

                                     
the kids were all snug in their beds(Tate asked all day to sleep in Dylan's room).

                               

When what to my wondrous eyes should appear but a tooth fairy and eight tiny reindeer .

                                            

And of course Sparky, our little family elf, with a note from Santa and the tooth fairy.

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      The gifts Santa left this year. The boys requested that we have Christmas downstairs this year.

Christmas Eve......

                            
 On Christmas Eve we had the Green Family at our home.  We ate pizza, decorated sugar cookies, and played some games.  The kids also acted out the Nativity. Dylan and Ellie were the main participants(the only cooperative participants we should say). As you can tell they were Mary and Joseph. After everyone left we continued our family tradition of loading the kids in the car and going to the Nativity reenactment that we love.  The kids were asleep when we arrived home and we waited for Santa to arrive.  We had been following him all night on the NORAD site. The kids left out cookies and milk for Santa and Dylan left his lost 6th tooth in his stocking hoping the tooth fairy would come with Santa.

The Green Family Party

Dylan was very specific this year when he asked for his gifts.  He waited a long time to sit on Santa's lap at the party(he was the last one) and it was fun to watch his anticipation.  

Tate asked Santa for a Tron disc.  He is so excited for Santa this year!

                                              The kids singing songs with Santa.
                                                        Aunt Liz with Santa.  Uncle John and Aunt Liz have had this family party for many years and we always enjoy going.  Thank you for helping us make memories with our children.  We love traditions!

Oh Christmas Tree.............

 The Christmas tree upstairs; The way Mommy likes the tree decorated.

                                                   

The Christmas tree downstairs; the way the boys like a Christmas tree decorated.  The boys were so upset when we decorated the Christmas tree upstairs because I rearranged the ornaments (it would have looked disastrous if I hadn't ).  Mike thought it would be fun if the boys could decorate a small tree downstairs.  I saw this little Charlie Brown tree on sale and brought it home.  The boys had a blast decorating THEIR way and it did become my favorite tree.  I am glad we started this tradition.

           In school Dylan learned about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world. He came home from school so excited to tell us about how other countries celebrated the Christmas season.

THE POLAR EXPRESS

  The top five memories of the North Pole Express aka: The Polar Express
    1. Singing with the elves on the train
    2. Running to catch the train
    3. The HOT chocolate
    4. The beautiful view from the train. Skies were blue and it was sunny.
    5. We had to convince Dylan that is would be alright to miss his spelling test at school.