I Love Christmas!!!

We wanted to get the kids something big for Christmas vs. a bunch of little things that take up room we don't have. :-) So Tyler approved the idea of getting a swing-set for the kids! I say "approved" because he works so hard to make our front and back yard look nice, and we both knew that getting a swing-set could ruin the grass a little. But we decided that grass can always grow back. :-) I'm so happy that the kids can go in the backyard whenever they want and swing and play, while I can be in the house folding laundry or making dinner.

Thank you so much Wes & Cody for staying up late on Christmas Eve to help build it!!! We couldn't have done it without you!

Christmas 2009

Christmas Morning:

Christmas Dinner @ Great-Grandma Jones':

Me & Tyler's cousin Ashley

We were joking how we never get pictures taken of ourselves because we're always the ones taking them.

Grandma Jones - she was so good to have so many people at her house. I'm so grateful for my grandparents and Tyler's grandparents and their diligence in bringing the family together no matter how much work that entails or how many people it involves. Family is their first priority, and I am so grateful for that.

Grandma Jones has this blue shed in her backyard that I absolutely love! It makes the perfect backdrop and we are definitely taking our next family pictures here!

More Christmas Fun!

What would Christmas be like without decorating sugar cookies with Grandma Jones, picking yummy navel oranges at Great-Grandpa Chambers', being surrounded by family, making molasses popcorn balls, and acting out the Nativity? I honestly can't imagine Christmas without all of these things. But I do wish we also lived closer to my family so we could make cookies with my dad & sing Christmas songs while my mom plays the piano.

Decorating Cookies:

Picking Oranges:

Family & Making Popcorn Balls:

The Nativity:

Christmas Eve gifts:

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Jones for the new p.j.'s!

Cooper's shirt says, "What Santa doesn't bring me, Grandma will!"

So true!

Merry Christmas Eve!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

A Caroling we go...

We always look forward to our annual caroling trip with Great-Grandma Jones. Everyone gathers goodies together to make plates for her neighbors and friends, and we walk/drive around the neighborhood singing carols and delivering the treats. Another great opportunity to bring the family together and spread Christmas cheer. It was fun to bundle up (which doesn't happen too often in AZ) and the kids had a lot of fun!

Cooper was so excited to hang out with his second cousin Glen Allen.

They were pretending to be dead on the doormat.

The Jones Fam

It was fun having Sean & Jaimie in town for the holidays.

I wonder what she's wishing for?

Just Plain Worn out

It was Sunday evening and we had just returned home from having dinner with the Jones' Family. I was on the computer for a minute and I turn around to find Tyler like this...

Bless his heart. He was so exhausted. Sundays have been long with tithing settlements, but he has not complained one bit, and I know that we are being blessed for his service and sacrifice. A normal Sunday for Tyler is from 5 a.m. (Bishopric Meeting) until 4 p.m. (after the normal church block and other meetings) I'm so grateful for his example and obedience.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Kristen! Happy 27th Birthday to you!

Since Tyler won't post for my birthday. I guess I will toot my own horn and post for my own birthday. (Hey, somebody's got to document it, right!?)

I had a WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, FUN, FANTASTIC, EXCELLENT, EXEBERATING, COOL, BESTEST birthday ever! I got up in the morning and found that Tyler and the kids had put up some decorations...

My biggest request was to go out to breakfast. (I love breakfast "meals"!) So we went to Liberty Market - where you get a $10 credit on your birthday. Then we hopped over to Joe's BBQ and I got some free lunch To-go - you get a $10 credit there too! Then we came home and put Addi down for her nap. We skyp'd my parents and they watched me open my presents. (I still think it is so cool that we can do that...thank you technology!) Then we had received some coupons in the mail for some free bowling games if you paid for the shoe rental, so of course we went bowling...

Look at that form! Hot!

Addi insisted in having her fingers in the holes while we carried it over to the lane.

Afterwards, the family headed over to Cooper and Ella's gymnastics "preview" where they got to show us everything they have learned so far. I have been sitting and watching them in all of their classes, but with Dad being there I was shocked at everything they were doing! (I'm glad they felt like needed to "show-off" for Dad. It was special.) Cooper climbed up half of the rope by himself (which reaches all the way to the ceiling). Ella was doing cart-wheels out of no where. It was really fun to watch them.

And once the clock struck 5 p.m., my prince charming picked me up in his shiny, white Chevy, and took me dinner and a movie. The only word that describe my day is perfect. Simply wonderful. Simply delightful. Simply perfect. Thank you honey! You are the BEST! I LOVE YOU!

Riparian Walk

Every year we have full intentions to go see the luminaries at the Riparian Preserve by our house. But every year we seem to lose track of the day and totally miss it! Not this year! We had it posted all over the house and we met up with our friends Tim and Monica and their kids. It was so beautiful. I lost count of how many candles were lit. It was amazing and so peaceful-looking. I'm so grateful to live in a community that offers so many wonderful venues. It was a great night with the family.

Nope, the one on the right is taken,

but the one on the left will be available for dating in 16 years (after his mission).

Ready for the Cold

I was at the mall letting the kids see Santa...which by the way, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Santa ask the kids whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas? Cooper answered, "Jesus!" And Santa told him he was right! While we were walking away Cooper asked, "Does Santa believe in Jesus?" and I said, "Yes!" Thank you Santa for being a good example for my kids!...

At this point you might be wondering why I am in this picture? Addison was so excited to see Santa, but of course (just like Cooper and Ella when they were this age) as soon as it was our turn, she wanted nothing to do with him. The only way she would go near him was if I was holding her. So for the 3rd time I got my picture taken with Santa too! :-)

So back to my story...we were at the mall and we walked past Gap and noticed they were having a big sale on all of their sweaters. Tyler was due to get off work soon so I called him and told him to meet us at the mall so he could get some new sweaters. While we were looking around in Gap, Cooper started doing a little shopping of his own and came across this hat and shoes. He needed a hat to wear outside at school, and he needed a new pair of shoes, and they were both on sale so how do you beat that? And as an extra bonus...they matched! :-)

Picture with Santa - check

Winter clothes - check

New Christmas P.J.'s

There's something about Christmas and the holidays that motivates you to go out and buy warm, comfy, new p.j.'s? Well, my kids are lucky that they have WONDERFUL grandparents and great-grandparents that love them and are always thinking of them when they're walking in the p.j. isle at the store. :-) These p.j.'s are compliments of Great-Grandma Wagner from CA. Thank you Grandma! We miss you and love you!

Ella sipping on her hot chocolate. I love this time of year!