Sledding

Last Saturday, we were bored. We wanted to do something, but had no money and no really good ideas. But, we had just gotten a good 3 inches of fresh powder the night before, the sun was shining and we did have snow clothes, so we called up Grandpa and took the kids sledding. Aidan's action shot-he loved sledding! I don't know how many times he went down, and then trotted back up the hill.
Grandpa and Aidan. We were so happy that Grandpa came with us! We had so much fun with him. He was so good to help haul Aidan's tube back up.

Aidan thought he was some sort of extreme sledder. I think this is the first time we have ever taken him sledding. What slacker parents we are!

Jeremy, Lydia and Wyatt. Lydia had so much fun! You could hear her laughing all the way down the hill! Every time a sled was open at the top, she'd jump into it and wait for someone to take her down. Wyatt was a bit less enthused with the concept. We kinda had to stick him in the tube with someone and then go. Jeremy got the ingenious idea to bring a rope so he could pull the kids in the tube up from the bottom. It really saved arms and legs. I even went downa few times. I forgot how exhilarating it is to rush down in a sled! And I always made it the furthest. All in all, a very fun time. We promised Aidan that we will go again before all the snow melts. I figure we have until April to make good on that promise!

Happy 2011 Everyone!

We had a good time welcoming in the New Year! We decided to throw a little family party and we had a fun time! There was lots of food (of course, what party is complete without good food?), fun decorations, lots of games . . .
The kids and the "boys" played Wii downstairs. Upstairs, we had a mean Scrabble game going on!
And then when midnight came, we toasted with sparkling cider. . .
Silly string, noise makers, poppers . . .
And midnight kisses. Everyone but Lydia made it to midnight. It was a really good time.

On New Year, we took the kids and went to Green Canyon to go swimming. No pictures, but it was a lot of fun. The babies are really getting the hang of swimming. That night, we had 3 very tired kids, and a very tired mommy and daddy. Happy New Year! I hope yours is full of happiness, fun and love!

First Cavity

Aidan unfortunately had a little tiny cavity and had to get it filled. (No, no baby teeth have fallen out yet. Aidan is anxiously waiting for that. Every single one of his friends have lost teeth except for him and he is feeling a little left out.) Anyway, he thought what anesthesia did to his smile was pretty funny.

Merry Christmas 2010!

Oh, Christmas! We had a really fun Christmas this year. The kids are at the age where things are totally magical and their enthusiam is so contagious! Christmas Eve dinner and FHE at my parents house. My silly little chickens posing for the camera. Please note Lydia's adorable Christmas hairbows! Yes, I made them myself!
I just love this picture of my mom and Liddy. I think they look so much alike! And-a better pic of the bows too!
As always, we had a delicious dinner (the most looked forward to dinner of the year-prime rib, shrimp cocktail, spinach salad, twiced baked potatoes (Julia's specialty), rolls and creme brulee. Yum!) and a nice FHE where we are able to talk about the meaning of Christmas. This year, we did a simple candy cane craft and explained to the kids what the colors of Christmas were and Grandma and Grandpa gave them a voice recorded book of the real Christmas story. It was a sweet and simple evening. And then come the jammies! The start of the Christmas present opening frenzy! The jammies on Christmas Eve tradition started with my Mema, and I am so so glad that my Mom has continued it for her grandchildren. It truly is one of my favorite traditions ever! The kids look happy with their new jammies! Grandma always picks out the softest, cutest ones!After dinner, FHE and jammies, we went home to get the hyper, excited little ones tucked in to dream of sugarplums. After reading our scriptures, setting out cookies, and kisses, the kids fell asleep surprising quickly and then Santa and Mrs. Claus went to work! This is what our living room looked like after they had come and gone!

Christmas morning-PILLOW PETS!!!! The kids have been wanting one of these since July, and they never ever wavered in which ones they wanted. Ace got a penguin, Wy got a monkey (he calls it an "oo-oo, ah-ah") and Liddy got a lady bug. They still sleep with them every single night and carry them around everywhere.

Aidan's long asked for BatCave. Wyatt got a Thomas the Train set (another long asked for present) and Lydia got a cute little doll house. Among lots of other things. When you start your Christmas shopping in September, you forget about everything you got early! So, my kids were a bit spoiled (however, they deserve to be-they are the best kids ever!)

After our Christmas morning frenzy, Mom, Dad and Julia came over to our house for MORE presents and brunch (cinnamon rolls and mini fritatas-Christmas is full of good food!) I don't have any pictures of that-but I did get a sewing machine!!! YAY!!!!

After brunch, we hurry up and get ready for our 3rd Christmas frenzy of the day with Jeremy's family.

Jeremy (in his new shirt) and the babies.

Lydia being helped by Aunt Angela and cousin Kaleb. She got some of the cutest PJ pants I have ever seen. Jill-Mom made all the grandkids and all the boys PJ pants, in coordinating family prints. We were the doggie family. The kids love theirs and wear then until I make them put them in the wash because they are covered in stink and breakfast! A huge part of the gang! When all the Barnes' get together, there is a whole lot of us!

After presents, we get another yummy dinner, and then almost too tired to walk, we go home and relax. Christmas was such a fun time this year. Lots of family, lots of food, lots of fun, lots of love. Everything that Christmas is supposed to be.

Cookies for Santa

Aidan was very concerned that we give Santa cookies. He was convinced that he would starve if we didn't. So, Christmas eve morning, we baked up some sugar cookies and let the kids go to town with the frosting and sprinkles. What resulted was a very fun, memorable mess that will definately turn into a Barnes family tradition. Ace hard at work.
Wyatt was surprisingly into this. Actually, not so surprising. If it has to do with making a mess, he is your kid.
And sweet, sugary Lydia. I think she worked on this one cookie the whole time. She kept frosting, sprinkling, then licking it all off and starting again. This cookie did not go on Santa's plate. Even Jeremy got in on it! He is a master froster. Before bed that night, each child got to choose a cookie to place on Santa's plate, and Aidan placed it on the piano bench next to a big glass of egg nog and a note for the man in red (that Aidan wrote himself!). And of course, it was the first thing they checked in the morning-empty glass, only crumbs left and Santa himself wrote back! If I learn to scan, maybe I'll add it in later. Oh, the magic of Christmas!

Aidan the Christmas Elf

Every year, Aidan's school puts together a big Christmas program that all the kids perform in and the families are able to watch. It is so fun! The kids really know their songs and they do actions and everything, and you come away feeling just a little bit happier about the crazy Christmas season. Aidan's grade were Santa's elves. They even provide the costumes! Isn't he cute?
The rest of us waiting for the program to start. The littles did really well waiting and then watching. They loved the music and when Santa came on stage, they would scream, "HO HO HO!" They loved watching their big brother.

On stage. The first graders sang "Up On the Rooftop." I think they did the absolute best of the whole entire school. It was such a fun program!

Christmas Decorations

I love to decorate for Christmas! (I think it comes from my mom.) Our house was no exception this year! Our house. Jeremy takes such pride in putting up the lights. He did a fantastic job this year.
My Willow Tree Nativity. I got the creche this year for Christmas. I think the collection is completed. I just love my sweet little Nativity set. I always get excited thinking about setting it up every year.

I made this stocking board to display our cute stockings. Mom helped me make them last year from some fleece blankets we found for $5. I also have a matching tree skirt. They hold a lot of goodies! Santa has a hard time filling them up to the top!

And the grand finale of the tree! I really loved our tree this year. It managed to be both beautiful and fun at the same time! If only the kids would have kept their hands off of it!