Catching up a little bit, we were able to spend a long weekend up at the cabin for New Years.  There was just a little bit of snow on the ground... enough to justify getting all bundled up to feel it crunch under your boots.  Caleb, you can go play in the snow next year!We just relaxed...Read books...Stayed up too late...Happy New Years 2010!

"God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving toward the house of peace and joy.  This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on this journey.  The God of love who gave us life sent us His only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but can trust that He walks with us...

Can I just say, I am a COOKIE person!  I love cake, pie, ice cream, and candy, but most of all I love cookies!  So I get a little excited when this day rolls around each year.  It's quite chaotic with all the kiddos underfoot, and this year they really wanted to help (can't blame them, but yuck), but we managed to get it all done.  These are my favorite Christmas cookie recipes, and a few pictures of all the fun.  

Last night we set up the tree and put out a few decorations. Noah doesn't really remember them from last year so they were pretty much all new and exciting to him. He loved the house with 25 little doors counting down to December 25th. I explained that we would get some chocolate candies to put in each door, and then he could eat one each day until Christmas. His eyes lit up and he said, "That's a GREAT idea!" He loves chocolate... 

Noah loved his "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" pumpkin that Cory carved for him while he took his nap today...Trick or treating with Aaron and Brynn.Don't you wish your UPS guy was this cute?Sit back and enjoy the loot! No pictures to post of Caleb this year... poor little guy is sick and had to miss out, but he had fun having his Nana and Bompa all to himself for the night while we went out trick-or-treating.

Lots of pictures to share.  Hope your Easter was filled with good food, family, friends, and the hope of our Savior.  

Nothing says love like sugar, fat, and chocolate topped with pink sprinkles... Yes, donuts are my lOvE language. Hope your day was just as sweet!

Lots of pictures and catching up to do! Here is our group shot from our New Years getaway to the cabin with Cory's family. Some people worked on puzzles... Some people played with playdoh... Some people took naps... Some people played with the wildlife... We all woke up to a winter wonderland on the very last day! So Uncle Dustin took Noah out sledding... Can you tell Noah LOVED it??? I love that we live in the desert, but are only a couple hours drive from all this fun stuff! Great memories made.  

I finally took the time this evening to go through my Christmas pictures.  One thing I got this year was a sick kids Christmas sandwich.  Sick kids... CHRISTMAS... sick kids again.  Sheesh.  When my kids are sick I always tell myself to be consciously thankful for their health when they get better, and not to take it for granted again.  So while I loved all the get-togethers and celebrations of our Savior's birth, all the festivities left me a little drained this year.  Good thing it's not all about me, right?  

We snapped a few traditional family pictures in front of the tree before we headed off to our Christmas Eve church service. Then we had a nice family dinner and opened our gifts to each other. While Noah was unwrapping this gift, he kept asking, "What IS it? What IS it, Mama?" When he finally had it unwrapped, he squealed with delight, "A new box!!!" When he found out the "new box" actually contained a mini wooden airport, he was even more delighted. Nana and Bompa came over for some dessert, and we had fun showing them our new treasures.

We woke up bright and early and headed over to Cory's parent's house.  We were greeted with Christmas music, a crackling fire, and a yummy breakfast.   Noah opened this gift from Uncle Dustin and Aunt Michelle, and Cory was a little too excited about it. We saved the special gift that Cory and his dad had built for Noah for last, and he was so excited when he saw his new train table! From there we headed over to my parent's house, and my sister read the Christmas story, while the little ones listened carefully. We were so excited that Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jenna came too!Kaelyn got her first cell phone, and it instantly made her look three years older. My extended family all met up at my Aunt Debbe and Uncle Bob's house, and Noah got to watch the train go round and round under their tree until his heart was content. We made one last stop at Cory's extended family gathering, and then crashed in our beds to sleep in heavenly peace.

We had our annual Christmas baking day at my mom's house yesterday.  It has evolved into quite an event, with all the women in my family gathering together and bringing along oodles of children age 3 and under.  Somehow we manage to be quite productive, even while breaking up toddler fights and chasing wandering ones back into the fold.  I've had a couple of friends ask about our bear claws, so I was careful to take some pictures of the process as we made them.   Here is the recipe, and yes it is quite lengthy and involved!  Anyone up for a baker's challenge?

This weekend we did a couple of really fun things with the boys and our families.  On Saturday, we drove down to Tempe Town Lake for the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade with Cory's family. The wind coming off the water was really chilly, but stopping by Starbucks on the way home for a salted carmel hot chocolate warmed us right up! On Sunday, we went to my parent's house for dinner and then walked to a neighbor's house to check out his backyard train set up. Very impressive!Then we walked back to their house to watch the Survivor finale (so glad the good guy won!) and ate some hot apple crisp together.

It feels good to get some Christmas decorations up.  I've been slowly putting up my favorite unbreakables as the days of December rush on by me.  This year, Noah was old enough to help me decorate the tree, so I didn't have to do it all alone like years in the past (Cory always gets out of it somehow).  Here's what Christmas looks like at our house:Added a new stocking for baby Caleb this year...A couple new ornaments for the tree too...Traded out my traditional ribbon for berry garland...Presents are wrapped, but not under the tree. We put them up nice and high for maximum toddler torture.My kitchen table centerpiece, leftover from the women's Christmas dinner (real wreath cancels out artificial tree)...Have you heard the part of the Christmas story where Mary and Joseph perched baby Jesus on the roof? Me neither.

Just got home from our church's annual women's Christmas dinner.  I think it gets better and better each year, and I love starting out the Christmas season this way.  I usually hostess a table for the women in my family and some close friends, but this year I stepped back and just helped out with the centerpiece.  We went for a rustic, cozy Christmas feeling in our table decor.   What I love about the Christmas dinner: 

Last night, some of the girls in the family got together for dinner.  We made these cute little snowman gift tags too.  It felt good to be "crafty".  It's been a while! Thanks for having us over Aunt Trudy!

I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I could eat turkey with cranberry sauce on a homemade roll at least once a week, I love the colors that run through all the decorations, and just hanging out with family and friends with no real agenda is so relaxing.  Intentional thankfulness equals a happy heart.   Noah loves his Bompa.My sweet cousin in law, Rilie (who has a bun in her oven!)Caleb, so worn out from all the festivities, crashes in some comfy arms. Here's the Christmas decorating committee (not for hire). One of our holiday traditions is decorating our grandparent's house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. The boys and I had to miss out this year because Noah had a fever today. Notice the studly cop who stopped by to make sure everything was legal.

Isn't he the cutest little Lego boy you've ever seen?

1. He is patient and gentle. 

Here buddy, let me show you why you want to find eggs... Jelly Beans! Now you've got the hang of it! Next year Baby Aaron can join in the fun...

Noah loved opening his presents.  His favorite thing was to tear the paper off in tiny little pieces.  He's learning how to ride his new red tricycle.