Aren't we just lovely?

We haven't had a family picture for a while and it's been a while since we took these.  Some were in September 2010 and the top one was Thanksgiving time.  Both times were quite windy (slightly maddening), but at least we got it done and the pictures turned out just great!

Primary

Glad that's over! Last November I was called to the Primary presidency and I was in charge of an activity.  I stole all my ideas from the internet because most know I am not creative.  It was a PJs party where they came to get to know their new Primary teacher.  Upon arrival each kid got a bingo game with facts about the leaders. They had to go around asking us which fact belonged to us. We had a huge matching game with fun facts about their teachers, we at cinnamon rolls in our PJs, then divided into groups for 3 stations.
P-Prayer they decorated a prayer rock
J- Journal they received a scripture journal to write in each month this year,
S- Scriptures - read the scripture in Matt. about loving your neighbor and played the game "do you love your neighbor"
We had a great turn out of kids and teachers so I think it all went really well.  Thanks to all those who helped prepare and execute the activity, couldn't have done it without tons of help.

Prince Charming

As I was helping Caden get ready for school one morning we had just finished brushing teeth and combing hair when we had the following conversation (as close as I can remember anyway):
Caden: Now I want some motion on.
Lisa: Motion? what is motion?
Caden: Ya know, Daddy always puts it on right here [lifting his chin up and pretending to spray something on his neck].
Lisa: Oh! Cologne! you want to put some of dad's cologne on? 
Caden: Yeah, so I can smell good [very 'matter of fact' like].

He's only 3! This kid, although those who know him may not realize it, can be a total charmer.  Sometimes he will come really close to me face to face and say with the most sweet and sincere voice, "mom, you're so beautiful" while he tucks some of my hair behind my ear.  You just have to hear it, sometimes I almost burst out laughing because I can't believe how he swoons me.  Then one Sunday we were sitting together on a chair in the foyer at church and Caden spotted a friend of ours from the ward, Sarah who is about 8 years old, walking down the hallway toward us.  Caden stopped what he was doing and watched her come toward us, then once she was about to pass us Caden said "hey Sarah" in the most casual, nonchalant way.  It reminded me of when you would pass your crush in the hall in high school and you would try to act super cool and casual when you said hi to the person that you know would make you blush.  I seriously think everyday that I am dealing with a teenager, not a 3 year old. What am I going to do when he IS a teenager?  This kid is so funny sometimes I just can't help but brag about him. I was even laughing about it while I was proofreading this very post. 

Lights

Yes, we braved the cold, packed the kids, and ventured downtown to see the lights on Temple Square.  My brother was in town for only 2 full days so we were lucky we could go do this as an entire family.  We even got to witness a proposal.  No, not my brother's, but some other lucky gal & guy.  [sigh]

Sleep Over

Caden had his first official sleep over with his 2 Aunts Shelley and Lynette.  He was extremely excited he planned out where everyone would sleep and what they would do.  Since I have to play "catch up"  (don't judge) this picture and this sleep over happened sort of a while ago, but it was on the most magical night of all, Christmas Eve.

Christmas Shopping Yet?

I heard something a while ago that I thought was a great idea.  I can't remember who told me, so sorry for not giving credit, but a friend of a friend, who is a mom follows this simple rule of thumb when buying Christmas gifts for her kids:

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to wear, &
Something to read.

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with trying to figure out what I should get for my kids.  I'm not a shopper or necessarily a spoiler so having this as a guideline will keep me from feeling guilty that I don't get tons of gifts for my kids and can help keep things fair.  Christmas is now really far away so hopefully now that I have written it down somewhere I will be able to remember it when it comes time to shop (oh, the dreaded shopping).