Once there was a snowman... and some snow dogs too!

All winter long the girls could not WAIT for the snow to come so they could build a snowman with Daddy. Well, Daddy did not disappoint! He took the girls out to play in the snow SEVERAL times during his Christmas break. They built three snowmen, two snow dogs (which they really got a kick out of riding), and made many snow angels. Emma's favorite thing was snow ball fights (i.e. picking the snow up and throwing it at the nearest person).

Christmas Pictures

Ok... so my kids are RAG-A-MUFFINS and I accept full responsibility for being the horrible mother that doesn't even brush their hair every day (that's not the worst of it... I'd like to retain some dignity)! That being said, this first picture was taken on the evening that we put up our Christmas tree. Krista loved helping put the ornaments up and enjoyed dressing up in them even more. She wore that Santa hat almost every day for two weeks!

Our Christmas was wonderful this year (last year). We alternate whose family we spend Christmas with and this year it was the Wrights. I love Daniel's parents' house at Christmas time. My mother-in-law has tons of decorations she puts up, and the house is always full of wonderful aromas whether it be from yummy food or her holiday candles she adores so much. They also own more Christmas movies than you probably realize exist. It's always fun to see how many we can get through each holiday season. But my favorite part is sitting by the oversized fireplace and listening to some member of the family play Christmas carols on the piano. Then only down side to staying the night at their house on Christmas Eve is that Daniel's 10 year old brother still likes to get up at--or before--the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. This year we told him he couldn't wake us up until 6:00. He came around at 6:07, outraged that no one had set their alarm! I was worried about trying to arouse Krista because she is NOT a morning person. But Dan just said, "Krista do you want to go see what Santa brought you?" and she JUMPED out of bed with a HUGE smile on her face. We took that as a yes.
Each year I hope that Krista is old enough to get in to holidays and special occasions. Well, I think she understands about Christmas now (although she kept asking when Jesus was coming to our house to open His presents)! She even talked to Santa Clause! I thought she was going to have a heart attack doing it; I've never seen a child get so nervous in all my life. And Emma is, by nature, such an enthusiastic child that she just mimicked everyone else's excitement. I had so much fun watching the girls on Christmas morning that I didn't even want to open my own presents. I love the magic of Christmas and the opportunity we have at that time to think of our Savior and share His love with others.

Christmas Sunday

I got the girls "Christmas dresses" for the first time last year. I thought they looked pretty darn cute!

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

Well, if you all are like me, you were very busy during the Holidays. I feel bad that I neglected my blog so badly, although it wasn't the first time and it won't be the last. I just thank all of you who stick with me through it all! Anyways... We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Dan played his annual football game with his brothers and then we went to the Wright's where we tried to control our portion sizes because 2 hours later we were due at a thanksgiving feast with my family. I didn't take many pictures, but I couldn't resist getting a shot of these two.

If you can't tell, Emma is on the right and her cousin Bella is on the left. Everywhere these two go, they are confused for each other or thought to be twins, if they are together. We thought it was too funny when we showed up and they were wearing similar outfits with matching vests!

As I mentioned, we had TWO Thanksgiving feasts (it's a good thing I had on my stretchy pants). My parents, brother, and nephew were in town, so we got the whole Pearson clan together since we don't often get to see them on Thanksgiving. My mom and siblings made one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I've ever had with ALL the things I love!

During the break the Pearson girls (minus Anna--we missed you) went to see Twilight, and I must say, it did not disappoint! And on Black Friday, I got to enjoy my annual shopping trip with the Wright girls (minus Lisa--we missed you), and I must say that it did not disappoint either! I just LOVE family!!!!!!

Emma's 2nd Birthday

Well, As promised, here are some pictures from Emma's birthday. Sorry it took so long, and I know probably no one is interested any more, but oh well!

We had a nice little party on Emma's birthday with Daniel's parents and brother. At the time, we thought Emma was allergic to eggs--a story for another time--so instead of trying to find an egg free cake recipe, I just made some Pillsbury Orange Rolls (go me!). Unfortunately, I forgot birthday candles, so Dan improvised by lighting one HUGE candle and sticking it right in the middle of Emma's roll. A little unorthodox, but it did the job (and made for a pretty cute picture).
My Mom, Dad, brother and nephew, Jonas, came to town to meet my sister's new little baby, Levi. Jonas' birthday is a few days before Emma's so we had a nice little combined party for them. It was such a cute party thanks to all of my creative family members. My sister Jennica painted all the kids' faces (and Nana's too; isn't my mom so pretty!) and the little ones had a blast with the balloons and zinger's and just with each other. Emma really scored as far as presents go... she was in 7th Heaven!

(These two are BEST buds. Although Tate is a couple of inches taller, Emma is just over a month older than him and they've been buds from the beginning!)