Today I'm Grateful

One of my New Years Resolutions is to be more grateful for what I have. Too often I find myself thinking, "if we only had a bigger house/car/paycheck/etc.," but I have so many things in my life that make me smile. Most of all, my beautiful babies! They are bigger now, and just as adorable, but I love to look at their tiny features of when they were just new. You are welcome to check out their adorableness and ohh! and ahh! all you want. I love these two!

Oh, and if you are looking for one more reason to smile, check this out. It's a clip on a new documentary about babies. Seriously, so cute!

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.