Lucky 7

Sam and I celebrated 7 years of marriage on December 27! How did we celebrate? Well, we took Chase to the InstaCare because he is suffering from his 3rd ear infection in 8 weeks, we waited forever at the pharmacy for prescriptions, and we played with the kids. An anniversary on Sunday doesn't allow for too much excitement! We will be having a date night soon to celebrate.

Now for the gushy stuff: I am so grateful for Sam. He is such an amazing husband and father. He definitely makes up for places where I lack, and I like to think that I do the same for him. We have a great time together, and I am so lucky to have him in my life. XOXO

Christmas 2009

Christmas finally came! We had such a wonderful time visiting with family, opening presents, eating yummy food and watching the kids enjoy the magic of Christmas. We were spoiled, as always. We are so blessed to have such giving families.

As a family this year, owe tried to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and it was so awesome to see Halle appreciate the Savior's birth. I am so grateful for Christ's presence in our lives.

Here's a little photo summary of our Christmas:

Making cookies for Santa...

Decorating Gingerbread Houses on Christmas Eve night...

Reenacting the Nativity.... (Chase makes an adorable shepherd)

Checking out stuff from Santa... (Sam showing Halle how to use her new IPod)

Chase loved this toy!

Laughing... (Sam gave Devin a Snuggie! Hilarious!)

Spending time with family...

It was a wonderful day! I hope that we can keep the spirit of Christmas in our home year-round.

We Love December!

We have tried to fit as much fun as possible into our December, and my blog took a backseat. I don't think I've ever gone a month without a post, so I promise to be better about posting. Anyway, we've had a great month. We try to do something fun a couple of times a week. It has been so fun to watch the kids enjoy everything that Christmas time has to offer. We are looking forward to a fun-filled week ahead... The Las Vegas Bowl (Sam's going), Christmas Eve party, and of course, Christmas! It will be so much fun to watch Halle and Chase. There's nothing better than a kid on Christmas. We can't wait!

Here's a few photos of what we've been up to:

Making Gingerbread Houses

Visiting Santa

Thank goodness Santa shows up to the ward Christmas party, so I don't have to stand in line at the mall!

My kids look totally enthused. At least I got Santa to look at the camera.

Going to Family Gatherings

Michael (Sam's Brother), Sam, and Chase... Oh, my goodness! Chase isn't looking at the camera. That's a first. :)

Watching Halle at her Dance Recital

Halle & her friend, Mallory

We love December!

If you build it, they will come

In-N-Out Burger opened today, and we love the place so much, we just had to make it to opening day.  We waited about an hour. (Well, Sam did... He stood in the cold, while the kids and I went to a nearby Kohl's and then swooped in just in time to order.)  We felt a little like vultures, staring people down and waiting for a table.  The food was oh-so-great, and the Diet Coke was first class.  (In-N-Out has the best Diet Coke around.)  It was super fun!

Chase is 1!

Chase is one!  We celebrated his birthday with our families with pizza, presents, and cake.  It was a great party!  Chase loved getting new toys, and Halle loved "helping" Chase open his presents.  I can't believe our "Little Monkey" is already one.  It has been a quick year.  Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate.  Here's a few photos of our party:

Chase loved his cake!  I think these photos tell the whole story:



We love Chase so much.  He is such a little sweetie.  Here's a few facts about Chase on his first birthday:

1.  He loves his daddy.  He loves to watch out the window for daddy to come home every day.

2.  He loves Curious George.  I don't know if this is good or not, but he'll sit and watch about 15 minutes of Curious George.  It's pretty funny.

3. He can walk.  Just like his older sister, he learned a week before his first birthday.  He's pretty quick!

4.  He hates baby food.  Whenever I try to feed him with a spoon, it ends up being a mess.  He'll only eat if he can feed himself.  He loves goldfish, peas, fruit, and Cafe Rio kids quesadillas.

Happy Birthday, Chase!  We love you!

Halloween Fun

Despite everyone in the family fighting sickness, we still managed to have a fun Halloween.  We loved events like visiting the pumpkin patch, watching Halle at her pre-school parade, attending trunk-or-treat at the church, and of course, dressing up and eating lots of candy.

Our very own "Punkin" at the Pumpkin Patch.

Halle in her preschool class waiting for the performance to start.  

Halle dressed up as a flapper girl this year.  Our awesome neighbor, Michelle, made flapper outfits for Halle, Quinsi, and Emilee.  They turned out so cute.  Thanks, Michelle!

Chase was a monster.  He loved wearing his monster head.  We even got him to say "roar" a couple of times.  (Although it sounded more like "raaa.")

My kids and I at my parents house.

Happiest Place on Earth

We just got back from a fantastic family vacation!  It included all of the musts: thrills, fun, relaxation, laughter, late nights, and sunshine!  We started in St. George at Sam's grandma's condo for a few days.  We love going down there to swim, shop, and eat at In-n-Out.  Chase took his first unassisted steps at the condo, which was a thrill.  From there, we drove to Southern California for a day at the beach, 3 days at Disneyland, and the BYU/San Diego State game.  It's was so nice to spend the week together without any distractions of regular life.

Here's a little photo summary and commentary of our trip:

THE BEACH

Our family at the beach.  We went there when we arrived at California, but the weather wasn't great, so we didn't get in our suits.  We still had fun playing, though.  (I tried through the whole trip to get a good family shot, but Chase is always checking something else out... I think it was a bird this time.)

Chunka getting his toes (and pants) wet.

After a long car ride, Chase was so thrilled get out and get dirty.  What a cutie!

DISNEYLAND

We loved meeting the characters...

And riding the rides...

and meeting Tinkerbell's fairy friends...

and playing...

and being with family...

and watching parades...

and cheering on the Cougars...

and spending time with Grams and Papa...

(My parents joined us for 2 days in Disney and the football game.  So nice of them to come help out!)

and experiencing everything Disney has to offer...

(This is what Sam chose for our lunch one day.  A GIANT turkey leg.  It was good!)

and smiling...

When it was all done, we played so hard, we were all tuckered right out!

Party in the USA

My mom spoiled the girls with a night out last night at the Miley Cyrus concert.  She bought us tickets months ago, and Halle has been not-so-patiently waiting for the big night.  She LOVES Miley Cyrus.  So, last night my mom, Bethany (minus Audrey :( Missed you!), Halle, and I headed downtown for the concert.  We had a great time.  I haven't heard that much squealing in a while.  My ears are still recovering.  

Halle and I before the show

Halle and Grams

Halle waving to Miley in her new, favorite shirt  grandma got her.

Thanks for the tickets, Mom!  You're the best!