"Families are as diverse as individuals. The activities they do together vary, but one thing is true for all of them: "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time." Whether family members get together for scheduled outings, sharing interests, or serving others, these gatherings strengthen relationships that can be eternal."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas Eve Clothes

Blake, Lauren, Hayden and Chase
Hayden's picture taking skills.
Chase's picture taking skills.
I was soooo impressed with this picture taken by Blake!
I love Blake's orange pop mustache in all these pictures!

I love to match my kids for the Holidays!  I don't know why.  Something about seeing my kids in cute, matching clothes just makes my day.  Then, of course, I have to take their pictures and then they want to take some pictures too!

Waiting for Santa!


There's nothing in the world that will get you ready for Christmas and feeling the Christmas spirit than waiting in line for 2 hours at the mall to see Santa- 2 days before Christmas!  YES I DID!  Me, Hayden, Blake and Lauren stood in line at Chandler mall for 2 hours just to the jolly old man.  We got to the mall at 9:45am.  Santa was suppose to be there at 10:00am but did not arrive until 10:10am.  Then, their camera kept breaking.  Anyway, long story short the "elves" that worked there were terrible at their job and had a brilliant idea of making another line with those that just wanted to take a picture with their own cameras.  The problem with this brilliant idea was that they only asked people at the front and back on the line and not the 100 or so of us in the middle.  Well, needless to say this was the worst idea and probably mistake they had made.  Most of us could have cared less to have the "mall camera photo" and just wanted to see Santa!  This created many problems and some fighting (no punches, but lots of elevated voices).  I'm pretty sure those "elves" will not be back next year.  After, I took the kids to McDonald's and then we went to Cinnabon to get cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning.  As I'm driving home I realize that I don't have my cinnamon rolls.  I call Cinnabon and they are still there.  However, I am not about to go back and park, get all the kids out and go back in the mall to get my cinnamon rolls.  I ask the girl just to credit my card back and then she offers to bring them to me???? What???? It ends up being perfect because she lives on McQueeen and Riggs and says she will just call me when she is on her way home from work and I can meet her.  GREAT!  I was so excited and impressed that this sweet girl would do this.  I even made up a little package for her complete with candles and some free movie tickets.  Well.... 4pm rolls around, 5pm, 6pm..... She never calls.  What a bummer!  Oh, well - maybe I will still stop by the mall and tell Stephanie at Cinnabon---Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Huber Family

Huber Family- 2008

This is my sister and her cute family!  She just had these pics done.  She commented the other day that she only likes to look at blogs that have pics and even more when they have pics of her and her family!  So, hopefully she likes this post and maybe, just maybe, she will leave a comment!

Temple Lights!

Temple Christmas Lights 2008
Brylee, Hayden, Kaden and Chase
Hot Chocoate in the back of Grandpa's truck.
Branson, Ella, Lauren and Hayden
On the 21st we went to see the Temple lights with Grandpa, Grandma, Sam, Scott Heywood family and the Huber Family.  We had a great time and the lights were so pretty.  We usually get hot chocolate afterwards but, since we went on a Sunday we brought the hot chocolate with us.  It was so good.... especially the chocolate dipped candy canes that Julz brought.  (Blake fell asleep before we left so Brian and Blake stayed home.)

Cookies With Grandma

Grandma and the grandkids decorating cookies!
We are having so much fun!
The Naked Chefs! (Brock and Branson)
Chase working on his masterpiece.
The final product!
Hayden wants to make hers perfect!
Great job Hayden!
Blake wants his to be just right!
Well done Blake!
Lauren is just happy with the sprinkles!
...and some leftover MnM's.
The kids had so much fun making cookies with Grandma on the 20th.  It is a tradition they look forward to every year.  They wear their matching aprons and have a great time with their Grandma.  They roll the dough, cut them out, bake them and then frost and decorate.  The mom's go shopping or wrapping or whatever during this time.  I went and did a little shopping and then came back and watched the fun.  All I can say is... I'm glad I watched.  I may have eaten one of these cute creations my kids made had I not seen exactly what went in to making them.  A few playing trips outside, a few sneezes directly into the frosting, a few fingers in noses and then toppings picked up and placed on cookies....Yum- Gross!  Anyway, the kids had a great time and look forward to next years cookie making!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Chase's School Christmas Party

Making Christmas Trees.
Making Bookmarks.
Making Ornaments
The finished product!

Chase had his class Christmas party on the 18th.  They made Christmas trees out of ice cream cones, a bookmark, a card and ornaments.  They also had a book exchange.  I was amazed at how many projects they got done in just an hour!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Hayden's School Christmas Party

Hayden and two of her friends Kate and Kobi decorating gingerbread houses.
Eating snacks and getting ready for the book exchange.  
Hayden loves her new book, Lost and Found.

Hayden had her class Christmas party on the 18th.  They watched Polar Express, made gingerbread houses, ate snacks and had a book exchange.