Christmas 2011

So I am finally getting around to blogging about our Christmas. Just a warning, there is a lot of pictures, sorry, but it is my scrap book, so they are my memories. The kids all woke up around 5:30 so we were mean and made them wait while Dave and I showered, then we made them bath while I made some breakfast to take to my moms, and Dave start a fire. They were very patient to wait until we said to go in the living room where the presents were. We started opening around 7.

The Stalkings Santa had all filled up for the kids to discover.

And they found them!

Before the kids came in- The tree all set with the presents Santa left.

Caden is big enough to go to primary and be a cute little sunbeam, so as our tradition goes, he got his first own little set of scriptures in a case to take to his new big boy class. He is so proud to tote them around at church.

Yea, a new razor for dad!

Briggs would have been totally happy with a box of crayons!

A gun!! Still not deciding if this was a good idea or not! At least now its an actual gun we can take away when he doesn't behave. Instead of before when he would get mad and pull out his imaginary hand gun and shoot you. He got really upset when we would pretend to take away his finger gun!! like really mad!!

Twix even got her stalking filled with carrots. She loved them.

Cadens little train set that he absolutely loves!!

Yes, Santa got each of them a whoopee cushion in their stalkings! We are definitely going to have to have a talk! :)

Kaylee was so excited to get her own art set. It even has her name on the front of it.

Sage's stalking had these cute lollipop dog treats.

After opening presents at our house we made the long journey to my parents house (across the street) We had a huge delicious breakfast and opened some presents from grandma and grandpa. Then we went to our church then came home and went back to grandma and grandpas to meet up with the rest of the family and exchange cousin gifts. My parents are great to do such a big yummy breakfast for every one! We sure are lucky to have such great family!

Aspen cuddling with grandpa!

Yummy food!!

At our house... the kids with their most anticipated gift. Yes, we finally broke down and got ourselves a wii Nintendo. The kids have so much fun on it. Grandma Snyder got them the just dance kids and they love it. They are getting pretty good at it. Even Caden dances to it. Briggs likes to watch and dance too. Dave and the kids also spoiled me to death and got me a kindle fire that i love! I do have to limit myself on the books and apps I get for it, but we love it. The kids love it because sometimes I let them play some games on it. Dave probably loves it because I don't steal his school laptop near as much now. I definitely didn't deserve it, but I do love it!

After spending some time at my parents we went to my Grandma and Grandpa Smiths house to show her the cute church outfits she got the kids. Enjoyed a little visit there. Always fun to see them! Caden just loves to see his great grandpa Smith. He gave him big hugs again.
Then we went to grandma Snyders and visited and had dinner and exchanged gifts. We were in such a hurry and packing up presents to take everywhere that I forgot to grab and bring my camera so i didn't get any pictures there!! darn it!!
Thank You to everyone who made our Christmas special this year! We love you!!!

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas eve was pretty layed back this year which was really nice. During the day, Daves best long time friend, Dan and his wife Deej came to visit. We haven't seen them for a long time and it was great to see them! It was so nice to relax and visit with them. It was a super nice day, be were able to go outside and hang out. The girls wanted to so uncle dan and aunt deej their pony Twix. Deej used to show minis and had some really nice ones, so they were excited to show them. I kick myself that I didnt get any pictures!


That night we had dinner and made Santa some cookies, then read a Christmas story and then Kaylee told us the Nativity story and showed us the pictures. Then tucked the kidos in bed and kissed them all good night!

Listening to Kaylees story

Kaylees note to Santa

The rest of it. It says: To Santa from Kaylee Thank you for bringing us toys Evry year. I (heart) U Santa! you are the best! I Love you so so so much.

Aspens picture. Shes so funny, she only draws when she wants to and she obviously wasn't in the mood and just scribbled something with a heart. Actually I think the heart was from her and the scribbles on the other side is Cadens Thank you note.

They got the stalkings all layed out ready for them to be filled. Complete with one for Sage and one for Twix.

Santas notes, Cookies and milk.

Annual Smith Christmas party

On December 23rd we had the annual Smith Christmas party that my Grandma and Grandpa Smith have done since before my time! Let me just tell you how awesome and Amazing my Grandparents are to us!! We love them. The kids have so much fun at this party- just as I did when I was a kid. Its a little bigger now and a little more crazy but the kids sure look forward to it. We had it at the Hunting club again this year. We had a great dinner then sang a few songs, then the jolly ole feller showed up! He sat each kid on his lap and asked them what they wanted for Christmas and gave them a gift.
These pictures are all out of order, but its the best i can do :)

This was the gift Briggs got- a soft fluffy doggie that he loves! He cuddles it and has to sleep with it.

Caden sitting on Santas lap. It was cute, when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas he just pointed to the present he was holding and said "this!"

The train book he got from Santa that he absolutely loves!! It also came with trains and a mat that he can drive the trains on.

The kidos patiently waiting for Santa to come.

Caden opening his present

A train book!!! with trains!!!

Briggs giving his doggie hugs.

Aspen with Santa - she asked for a doll

Briggs on Santa. He did really good and didn't even cry.

Kaylee on Santa. This time she asked Santa for a Wii!!

Kaylee got a horse that you can play with and dress. She was super excited!!

There is my super cute Grandma and Grandpa after sitting on Santas lap.
We sure love you Grandma and Grandpa! Thank You for all you do for us!

Look how cute my grandma is, telling us all how much she loves us, and looking closely you can see my grandpa smiling, I think he agrees.

Aspen got a cute little horse with a play stable. She loves it!

School Christmas Sing

The elementary had their annual Christmas sing at the school right before the kids got out for Christmas break. It was super fun to have 2 kids in it this year. The girls were so excited for it. They started learning the songs and practicing since the end of October. They sang them and sang them practicing at home that Caden learned them and started singing with them. They did super good! They did the actions great and sang every song so good. I was super proud of them. Especially Aspen who has never done this- She did much better then at Halloween! Which I was very glad!! The pictures aren't very good, but its the best I got!

Kaylee up on the top left with 2 of her very best friends- Keira who lives across the street and Arlee- her BFF for the last 5 years! We love all those girls!

Kaylee on the top, but 2 rows under her, almost right under her is Aspen, looking off to the side.

Really bad picture, but cant figure out how do delete it.

Caden was lucky enough to go sit with his best buddy Corby to watch the program. His dad was nice to keep tabs on him for me! :) Thanks guys!

Ok, I wont lie, I bribe the kids to sing good! So after they did so good we went to lunch and let the kids play.
Here is Briggs and Aspen going down the slide.

Right before we headed to lunch, I went to get Aspen from her class and Santa was there so I got to see her sit on his lap.

A little better one of Aspen, but still not great.

After lunch, we headed in to Trafalga for the rest of the afternoon. It was great- Not crowded. The kids had so much fun! I even talked my sister Krista to come and bring her kids. My girls LOVED the rock wall. They did it most of the time. It is really big and tall and by the end the girls were both so close to the top- only like 2 more pegs, but they wouldn't ever get all the way to the top, but they had so much fun!

Aspen climbing

Kaylee almost to the top, with her teenage cousin Kole too scared to go any higher!! :) jk, he made it to the top.

More Kaylee- this was on the harder wall.

The older cousins Kole, Kale, Kandice and aunt Alexa were nice enough to go on the frog hopper with the girls. (until it said they were all to heavy :)

Kaylee and Aspen

Caden finally decided he would try the frog hopper. He was terrified the whole time! He made the saddest face! I expected him to start screaming and crying but he never did. Just his horrified face. I was sad and funny at the same time. They have a play place for the little kids and thats where him and Briggs spent their time, and in the arcades pretending to shoot guns.

You can kind of see his terrified face, but this picture doesnt come close to how dramatic it really was.

Briggs doing his dancing moves

Aspen getting pretty high on the rock wall

Kaylee and Aspen having a blast on the frog hopper

We had a super fun day and were so glad Krista and the kids came! I am so proud of my girls and how dang good they sang, even though I know they were scared!! Love you to pieces girls!!

Decorating for Christmas

Well, I am way behind, but I'm going to try to catch up. Here's a few shots of us decorating the tree, getting ready for Christmas.

Aspen putting the star on the tree.

Aspen and Kaylee were fighting over who got to put the star on the top, so they both had a turn.

Kaylees turn to put it on

Then Briggs thought it looked fun.

All done. The kids all did so good getting it decorated. The decorations didn't last long or stay in place with Briggs and Caden around! Most of the decorations ended up on the floor or the top of the tree.

The girls hard at work.