Christmas Day!

The kids were so tuckered out from all the Christmas Eve events that they slept in later than usual. It was almost 7:00 and everyone was still sleeping except me. I couldn't take it any longer so I snuck out of my bedroom and gently woke up Kate. Then she as I imagined woke up everyone else. We all went downstairs and the kids were thrilled to see that santa had come! The kids were so excited and grateful for their gifts. Everyone got exactly what they wanted and then some. Jason got some balls. He loves balls and couldn't be happier.

Luke got a basketball hoop. He LOVED it. He immediately sarted shooting. When he misses he shouts "almost" and when he makes it he runs up to you and gives you a high five.

Kate wanted a princess scooter so bad for so long. So that's what we got her. Unfortunatley her passion for the scooter faded by Christmas. However she also got a sleeping beauty doll and a Belle doll that she was passionate about!

I got Steve the Apple TV which he loves. He got me some super cute boots that I wanted really bad. I am so grateful this holiday season for all that we have. My family brings me SO much joy. They are the greatest. I'm grateful for the gospel, for Jesus and his perfect example, and for the spirit this season brings. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve!

This year Christmas was wonderful! The kids are at a fun age and everything about the holiday felt magical. They were beyond excited about the whole Christmas experience. We spent Christmas Eve at the Edington's. We started off the evening by eating a big delicious meal. The munchkins of course had on matching pajamas and looked as cute as can be!

Then all the kids dressed up and acted out the nativity for us narrated as always by Grandpa Edington. Kate was an angel. Luke & Jason refused to participate, so they just watched.

We played Christmas songs on chimes with spoons. Last year this event was a source of contention and was banned from any further Christmas Eve's. The crowd insisted on a second chance we broke out the chimes without permission and proved we are capable of carrying a tune!

Then it was time for the beloved family Christmas skits. Steve and I put together a pretty hilarious Julia Child's Christmas cooking show. Steve had his hands behind his back and I had my arms thru his shirt. Steve did all the talking and I did the hand gestures. The crowd was laughing so hard they were crying. We won first place in the competition.

Steve also did a musical number with his little sis Kelli.

It was too much excited for Jason and he zonked on Grandpas lap.

The kids then went outside for the annual Christmas pinata. They got lots of candy and fun little toys. Then the night was finished off in good old fashioned tradition of Great Grandma Deaver reading the Night Before Christmas.

December Randomness

This is our gingerbread house. The kids had a blast making it. They especially enjoyed eating the candy during the process. It went something like this, a candy for the house and then a candy for them.

Here is a picture of Kate in her "Christmas princess dress",

Let it SNOW!

Mt. Charleston which is about 40 minutes from our house got LOTS of snow so we packed up the kids and headed for the mountain. During the car ride Kate and Luke rambled on how they were going to make a snowman and snow angels. We got there and and an entirely different set of events occured. They liked it for all of maybe 2 minutes. They both started crying that they were cold. Kate kept saying repeatedly, "My hands are freezing" (and yes she had mittens on). There was so much snow and it was so soft that you would just sink in it. Steve attempted to take them on a ride through the snow on a boogie board, they screamed the whole time. Jason also hated it! I set him down for 10 seconds and then he screamed for 10 minutes. They were so happy to get back in the car and eat cups of snow and marshmellows. Sounds like we had a miserable time but Steve and I somehow actually enjoyed it! It was SO beautiful and entertaining to see the kids experience snow.

Chocolate Factory Fun

We went to Ethel M's chocolate factory. The chocolate was delicous and the cactus garden Christmas lights were VERY exciting!!! Fun was had by all.

Are we there yet?

After spending almost 2 weeks at my parents house in California which was lots of fun, the kids LOVED every second of it we were finally headed home. We missed Steve and were excited to be seeing him soon. I packed up the car and kids and we were on the road by 9:00 AM. We were driving along snacking on popcorn and listening to primary songs per Kate's request when all of a sudden my car stopped accelerating. I lost all power I had just enough momentum to get us onto the shoulder of the highway. I looked around me and this is what I saw...


I knew my options were limited. I checked my oil it was a little low but nothing crazy. My engine temp was normal and nothing seemed obviously wrong. I called my brother who is a mechanic for suggestions. He said sounds like you ran out of gas. My gauge said I had a little over a quarter tank left. He said maybe my gas gauge got stuck and try getting some gas. I of course do not have triple AAA so it was up to me to figure it out. I called the closest tow company and they said they would bring me 2 gallons of gas for the low price of $52.00 and they could have someone out to me in about 45 minutes. It was a very long 45 minutes my kids were looking at me like I was crazy.

Kate kept telling me "come on mom, lets just go home" The guy finally arrived and put the gas in to my tank. I crossed my fingers and attempted to start up the car. No luck, nothing happened. Now what? Now I had to get my car towed to the closest auto shop that was open on Sunday and had a mechanic on duty. That would be a place in victorville and that would cost me $138.00. One problem Mr. Tow Man couldn't fit me and ALL my kids in the passenger seat of his tow truck so I would need to get someone to come pick us up and take us to the auto shop. Several hours later my kids and I were eating McDonald's in the local Walmart of Vicorville. It was a frightening experience. I tell ya it was white trash at it's finest. I got a call from the mechanic with some of the best news I have ever heard. My car was up and running and it only cost me $45.00. Yeah!!! I was so happy me and the kids wouldn't have to spend the night in Vicorville. I put all three kids in my double stroller and ran as fast as I could back to the auto shop. By 3:30 we were back on the wide open road. My kids are awesome and did pretty good considering the circumstances. We finally arrived home at 6:30 PM and found this sitting on the counter...

We were all so happy to see Steve especially me. I missed him SO much

Science Center

My Mom and brothers took the kids and I to the L.A science Center. They have an ecosystems exhibit where they explore what it's like to live in different parts of the world, very cool. The kids had lots of fun and we saw some really cool things.

Kate made us some delicious lunch.

Luke and Jason played with Grandma. We had the entire toddler area all to ourselves.

So gross! These gut suckers are chowing down on this fishes innards.

Super cool aquarium

Luke and Grandma

Jason feeling the ice wall in the Poles exhibit

The Beach

We came down to Southern California to visit my parents and siblings for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was delightful and delicous but that's not what this post is about. It's about the BEACH!!! We (our family + Cousins & Aunts & Uncle Matty) took the kids to Santa Monica Pier. It was fun! The kids were having a blast playing and chasing birds. We were having a grand time but it was kind of crowded and we temporarily lost Kate. We found her in like 3 minutes but it was scary so we decided to take our party down to the actual beach where there was more space and less people. It was Jason's first time at the beach and he LOVED it! He kept putting his face in the sand and then he would look up and smile ear to ear. Luke and Kate loved it too.