Merry Christmas!

What a fun Christmas we have had! Christmas Eve morning began by me finding my children in the pantry with their hands in the chocolate chip jar--they were being very still and quiet....sneaky kids...
Upon being caught--Bridger very non-chalantly walked away (with two handfuls). Kennedy looked at me and said: "Mmmmm" and then offered me some. Oh, and they were both standing on a chair--Kennedy standing on her tip-toes.

Then, they had baths--Kennedy got out first and was completely dressed--shoes and all--Apparently, she didn't think she was done--because she climbed back in when I wasn't looking--Bridger thought that was pretty hilarious!

Here they are drying on Bridger's bed--this is a bathtime ritual. Since their little bodies seem to reach a state of hypothermia after being extracted from the bathtub, they require a long and extensive drying out period...with lots of blankets. They kept looking at each other and giggling, I thought it was too cute!

I love my blue eyed girl and brown eyed boy!

We recieved lots and lots of snow this year for Christmas! I love it! I think it is the prettiest, except for the time I got stuck in my own driveway and the time(s) that I had to shovel it all...but I'll give a big shout out to Paul and that glorious snow blower of his! He was so kind to do our sidewalks multiple multiple times! Thanks Paul and Gwen!

We went to the funnest Christmas Eve Party with jer's family--and then we stayed the night at my parents house with all of my family. This is the last time that we will all be together for a while (since my parents are for some reason moving far far away to the sunny but humid state of Florida...) :) it was fun to have a big sleepover--Bridger was in heaven!

As expected, Bridger got a bike from Santa--he has been so excited and has been pretending that it is a snowplow...

Kennedy likes it too...

But, she got a cabbage patch doll--with yarn hair--I was so glad to see her kissing it!

But I think her favorite present was the purse with lipstick and glasses--the feather boa and beads--she loves it! Such a diva...

Bridger and his monster trucks--that kid is obsessed!!! According to him, Santa drives a monster truck--not a sleigh!

And I don't have any pictures of the nativity that we did--but Bridger got to be Joseph three times this year. I was so proud of him and I have never seen him sit so still or so quiet in my life. He had such a reverent way about him. When I asked him what Joseph is supposed to do, he said: "Rub Mary's back and kiss baby Jesus" I love how he understands the true meaning of Christmas! I love to hear him tell the story of the nativity (my favorite part is when he says: "FEAR NOT!") .

And, as usual Christmas tradition at our house goes--we watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas. In it, an older man gives a little girl the baby Jesus out of his little nativity scene. When the movie was over, Bridger said: "Next time Tommy comes over, I'm going to give him my baby Jesus. He would really like that." I was just glad to know that he was listening! And every picture of a baby that Kennedy sees is "baby Jesus" according to her. They always get a great big kiss too.

I am so grateful for this Christmas season, for our family and for all of our blessings--which are many. Merry Christmas!

My little sponge...

So, Bridger is kind of an ultra-sensitive boy....I have to really monitor the things he hears and sees. For instance, we can't watch most Disney movies at our house--the villian's are far too scary. And it doesn't help that Bridger has a very wild imagination. After watching Bambi, he was afraid of being lost in the forest...Nemo? sharks.... Mary Poppins? getting stuck in the chimney...Peter Pan? crocodiles...I think you get the point. Now, this is not to say that Bridger is a scaredy cat--because he certainly isn't scared of jumping off the top stair or doing flips off the couch...

Anyway, another problem I have with Bridger is the fact that he can memorize (in no time) lines from movies. Lately he has been saying : "Welcome to Papa Murphy's" instead of hello. Where did he learn that?? I have no idea--and that's what scares me. So, onto the main point of the story....

Last week we rented Madagascar...big mistake...for those of you who have seen it--yes, it is funny--the penguins especially. So now, don't be shocked if you hear something like this come out of Bridger's mouth--because he won't stop saying them..... :

"Mom, the penguins say: 'that sucks'. [laughter]" (yeah, that one about killed me--still in shock!)

"Darn it! Darn you all!"

"What did we do with the people? We killed them and ate their livers. Mom, that is what the penguins say and it's so funny! [more laughter]"

"I like to move it move it"

well, that is just a small sampling, but I think you get the drift. So, apparently, I am going to be stuck watching Barney (I think that's pretty safe...) for the rest of my life. Poor sheltered Bridger....

oh, and that is him asleep on the stairs the other night--I thought only cats slept like that..... :)

Christmas is finally here!!!!

I am feeling a huge sense of relief today since almost all of my Christmas chores have been finished! Yahoo!! My Christmas cards have been sent and I have all of our gifts wrapped--well, almost....

I found the cutest wrapping ideas here: http://alittlehut.blogspot.com/2007/11/gift-tag-no1.html

and the labels are from here: http://paperseed.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/free-holiday-gift-tags/

Our stocking are hung....

and my little berry Christmas trees are finally finished--it wasn't too bad--only took about 3 years.......seriously...

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and John Denver??? Well he makes his yearly appearance in our home--we never actually listen to him, but it's a good memory. On our first Christmas, I asked Jer to pick out some Christmas music at the store--he was by himself--and returned home with John Denver--I was thinking more along the lines of Frank Sinatra, but it makes for a funny story
Finally got all of my nieghbor gifts done...

And Santa was even able to arrive in the big red firetruck--in a blizzard. When he pulled in it was pretty bad, but by the time he got out and we ran to him we could hardly see anything! But, the kids got candycanes, so they were happy. And Kennedy's scared of Santa, so she was really happy---to wait in the car---

There's Jer (in blue) and Bridger (in red)--but I'm not complaining...I love a white Christmas!

The kids have been eating on their Christmas plates--every time Kennedy starts crying, Bridger sings: "you better not pout, you better not shout...." It's kind of funny, becuase Kennedy just gets mad :)

And here's our cute little Charlie Brown Christmas tree! I love how wispy it is--and it's our first real tree--we just might make it a yearly traditon (although the light thing is kind of a pain...)

And here is my Christmas quilt--I was able to finish it after Thanksgiving, so we have been enjoying it for a while. I love it!!! It's so pretty and soft--I might just keep it out all year long.

Oh, and here is when we actually bought the tree. Bridger wanted to help tie it to the roof, but he wasn't quite big enough, so instead he kept saying: "That looks great guys. I think this is going to work perfect. This looks good. Good job guys." and so on and so on...silly boy!

products from the sweatshop

Here is one of the quilts I have been working on--It's for Kennedy for Christmas. I love how 70's it is and I love the ric-rac!!! I have been sewing like a mad person lately--I have a few other projects too (but I can't post pics quite yet)

However, after my Christmas sewing season is over, I am packing my machine away for a long time....

I have been trying to work on my quilting skills--and I was so proud of myself for producing flowers--it's not perfect, but that's okay, I still think it's kinda cute!

our wonderful christmas cards

well, I have given up being my family's photographer--I mean, I don't mind working for free--but really, is this as good as it gets? I like to think I have pretty cute kids (at least most days...) :)--but in these pictures, I have one child that looks like he's being electrocuted and another that can't hold still for two seconds--so I only ever get half of her face. Seriously, I am having major problems.... Let's not even go into the fact that when I asked to get a picture of them together all h-e-double hockey sticks broke loose. I asked for a hug--doesn't it look more like a strangle??? What sinister children I have.....

This is just going to have to do, because "santa" is on a tight schedule. Oh, and I just have to say that I am loving Kennedy's fur coat--she loves to wear her "pearls" with it and I think she looks like the cutest little old lady--especially with the way she hobbles around the house!! Too cute.

Thanksgiving

Wow--I am so thankful for soooo many many things. I know I am so blessed and I try to realize just how much every single day. I don't know why I am so blessed--but I try not to ask questions :)

First I am thankful for my testimony--I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and for his love for me--I could go on and on about this, but I'll just keep it short and sweet.

I am thankful for my family--my parents and siblings (who we have a lot of fun being with--they are all great aunts and uncles--and I really wish some of them weren't moving....) I am so thankful for my in-laws--Jer has two wonderful parents, sisters, brothers and the cutest niece and nephews!!! I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful examples.


I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband--and two of the most adorable children I have ever seen (yes, I know I am biased, but I think that's allowed...). We also have a pretty cute cat--even if he is scary big and bites me sometimes... :)

I have wonderful friends and neighbors and I am so blessed with freedoms-comfort-work-health-strength-peace of mind and happiness. Happy Thanksgiving!

Coldplay!!!!

We went to the Coldplay concert on Saturday night and it was so fun! Wow--they are so good--I can still hear the music in my head (literally--it was that loud....I must sound old right now...)

Anyway, we drove up and had dinner with my sister Rebecca and her husband Dave (are you enjoying my photoshop skills??? Yes, at least now we have a picture of the 4 of us, as cheesy as it may look....)--we ate at Z Tejas--it was sooo good--a must-go place if you've never been there.

Later, we ran into Jer's sister and her husband--they were sitting underneath us And then, sitting no more than 4 seats to the side of us were our good friends and neighbors--Adam, Sinika and Lindsay--I laughed forever about that--what are the chances?

Anyway, the concert was a blast!! Their music and lyrics are amazing--and I wish I had just a fraction of their energy! Next thing I want to see---Wicked.

Cute Kids!

The other day we went up to the U with Jer--he had a class so we waited for him outside his building. (And I'm sure this must have jinxed the Y---dangit!) Anyway, Bridger and Kennedy had a blast playing in the bazillion leaves--it was fun, but so hard to get a good picture! Those kids just won't sit still!

Prime example: Bridger is showcasing his famous "forced smile" while Kennedy gets mad at me for trying to pose her in an awkward position...how do the pros do it? I'm guessing they use lots of sugar....