Christmas 2011

Samantha and all of her goodies.

Alex lined all of his stuff up for me to snap a picture.

Love the first look at the Santa gifts.

Alex kissing his new MP3 player.

Family photo after church at my parents house.

We had another wonderful Christmas. We opened presents with the kids at our home, got ready for church, attended my parent's sacrament meeting then had lunch and presents with my side of the family. We played and laughed and cleaned and laughed until around 3pm at which time we had to leave for the Higham festivities. We dropped stuff at home then headed to Orem for dinner and more presents. It was a great day and we loved seeing everyone. We all got spoiled by Santa and each other. Christmas night brought much puking from Samantha and a sleepless night for me, Andy and Samantha, but overall it was a great day!

Christmas building 2011

My 3 favorite guys building Kinex on Christmas day.

Andy and his BFF's

It's rare to get these 3 together - especially looking so handsome. The occasion required a picture.

When Parenting is Awesome

The other evening we got a skiff of snow that needed to be removed. Andy went outside to start and the kids soon followed. After helping Daddy for a little while they both went across the street - without being asked - to shovel our neighbors driveway. She is a widow and always appreciates the help. Surprisingly enough, the kids did a pretty decent job!! Sister Johnson brought a treat by tonight addressed to the kids saying thank-you.
Andy took the treat into Samantha and her response was, "I knew someone would appreciate us!".

Sweet, sweet, kids!!

Like mother, like daughter!

The other night at dinner Samantha was telling a story and meant to say the word combine, but instead she made up a great word - combinate!! I was so proud!! I frequently make up words and this one was right up my alley!

Alex has started calling Samantha "Sam". Not entirely sure how I feel about that.

Grandma gave the kids a fun "countdown to Christmas" this year. They get to open a present every 25 days of December until Christmas!!! The good: they have a new toy to play with every day. The bad: they are so excited to see what the new present is that they wake up too early! This morning they got some playdoh and a memory game and they have been playing nicely together all morning. It's been lovely. Until I have to get Samantha ready for school.....then not so lovely! But that wouldn't be any different than all the other days.

Guess what Alex just had for breakfast??? Pickles on a plate with a bowl of dried cranberries on the side! And he was super disappointed that the cucumber we had in the fridge had gone bad. Kid belongs in the Mediterranean!!

Sunday night

My boys. Drinking hot cocoa and watching Thundercats together. Pretty cute if you ask me.

Moochies

The day before thanksgiving we drove up to salt lake and ate lunch at moochies. It was a gorgeous day and the meatball sub was nummy.

Alex with Santa at Walmart.

Samantha with Santa at Walmart.

Testing 123

Sent from my iPhone

Forgotten Picture

I realized the other day that I never really went through all of our Hawaii pictures! I had forgotten about this picture of Samantha and I in our matching floppy hats and I thought it was really cute! Isn't that girl a babe???

Family pictures 2011

Samantha's last soccer game of 2011

Alex's birthday party

Happy Birthday Alex!

Alex opened all of his presents this morning from mom and dad and grandma and grandpa. He was such a happy kid ALL morning long! He loved getting phone calls from Grammy and Grampy and Aunts and cousins and we put together some of his Legos. He played and sang and was the happiest I've seen him for a LONG time. It was awesome! In fact, after I found the legs of one of his Lego dudes he started chanting, "Kristi Rocks, Kristi Rocks!". Smart kid! Tonight we are going to the Mayan for his birthday dinner and tomorrow afternoon is his friend party. It should be a lot of fun.
Alex, I think you are the cutest, smartest, sweetest, funniest little dude I've ever met! I'm so happy you were born 6 years ago and that you were ALL MINE from day 1! Love you man!

Samantha soccer 2011

Andy was asked to be a line-judge-flag-holder-dude for a game. As you can tell, it was fascinating.

Big smiles!

Intense goalie!

Cute girl, and silly boy falling off a chair in the back.

I think Samantha has enjoyed soccer this year. It's been fun to see them learn offense and defense and play like a sorta-kinda real team instead of just a huddle of kids. Samantha loves to be goalie and she's a fast little runner. I just wish her attention span lasted more than 5 minutes!

Alex's first day of Kindergarten! (Hallelujah!)

Alex started afternoon Kindergarten today and we ALL were excited! I requested morning K because I knew with afternoon all I would hear in the morning was, "is it time to go yet? when does school start?". Sure enough, that's how our morning went! Oh well, hopefully he'll get used to it. Sounds like he had a great day! Andy was able to take a lunch break, see Alex off, and take me to lunch. It was awesome!!
Proud of you little dude! Love you!

First day of 2nd Grade!!

Isn't she gorgeous!!???!! My big 2nd grader!

Yup, they stole the camera

And, yup, they are strange children!

Dear Samantha,

You are in time-out right now for over an hour and you are screaming and banging on the walls just like you did yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that. You have called me "awful" and "rotten", and the kicker - "a not fun mom". But guess what? Someday, you'll have a kid JUST LIKE YOU, and you will call to complain to me, and I will laugh, read you this post, and then offer words of encouragement (just like my mom has done to me). For the record: I do NOT like to punish you. I do NOT find it fun or amusing, but you give me no choice. My advice: LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!!!!

Love,
Your awful, rotten, no-fun Mom

Samantha's 7th Birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa gave her a Barbi nail design printer which worked freakishly well!
Even I did my nails!

Grammy gave Samantha a Gramps ring (my grandpa made jewelry which we love and treasure). We are going to take very good care of it!

Cheesing it ready for dinner and a movie!

Sleepy birthday girl.

This was her big gift from mom and dad - an art desk with supplies. She has loved it!! And, the desk was mine when I was a kid, so it's ANCIENT!

Playing after lunch on Saturday with the cousins.

I think Samantha had a great birthday! We love you Mantha-Moo!!