Merry Christmas!

I have not been this excited for Christmas for a long time. I think it was exciting for the Lilos, even though they still don't really understand Christmas. It was a relaxing Christmas day. We had no agenda and no where to be which was really nice. The Lilos opened their stockings first and we could have stopped there and they would have been completely content. Miss Leah found a couple of things to fill her hands with and was unwilling to give them up. She was content watching Landon open all the gifts. He is too busy to stay playing with one thing for too long. He went from toy to toy all day, while the bug was content with her tooth brushes, ball, and dog. It was so much fun. We were also able to conference call with my whole family including Erik and Kristen who are serving missions. It was a wonderful Christmas.

Jer was Santa's helper around the neighborhood this year.

The Lilos and their stockings

It took us a half hour to get through their stockings. Obviously the tooth brushes were a hit.

The bug trying to carry all her goods.

The busy lilo man.

The bug watching Landon open up some gifts.

Landon and his train.

The bug with her Dad watching Landon open more presents.

The Lilo man busy with the garbage.

The bug watching...again.

They were spoiled!

A family picture with all of us in our Christmas pajamas.

The lilos in their Christmas outfits.

SNOW!!??....kind of

We woke up Tuesday morning to snow! At least it resembled the snow that we used to get in Utah, but it wasn't near as abundant. It really has not felt like December because we are still having really nice weather here in the vista. I wish that this would have come on Thursday night for Christmas eve, but I'll take what I can get. It was perfect because as soon as the sun came out it was gone. :) No shoveling or sprinkling "ice melt" all over. You can't beat the weather here.
This is the back yard. It almost covers the ground.

Here is the front. We almost needed a window scraper for the car:)

This is us in the afternoon playing outside.

Work Party!

Jer's work had a pot luck christmas get together last week. I think that the Lilos found thier new favorite place to play.
They enjoyed rides on dads chair.

The lilos and their partner in crime Crew.

The kids enjoying a new form of cornhole.

Landon showing everyone his muscles, man is he strong:)

Does this make me a mean mom?

Over the last week my kids have gotten into some awkward positions and instead of rushing to their rescue, I take a picture. Of course I help them afterward, but I do find a little humor in the situations.
The most recent was tonight. Landon was trying to get a toy out of the toy box and got high-centered. If you notice the Bug is in no hurry to help him either.

This gives you a better angle.

This is the bug and her friend Maddie playing on one of my decorative boxes.

This is what happened a little earlier when the bug was playing on the box. Oh dang it.

Christmas Past.

I was going through some pictures and found these Christmas ones from last year. I can't believe how little my babies were.

Christmas PJ's.

The Elfman in his Christmas outfit from grandma. It's tough being so handsome all the time.

The bug in her outfit. So pretty:)

These were definitely the best gifts that we have ever received. Love them!

Phoenix Baby!

Phoenix Baby! We spent this last weekend up in Phoenix and it was fabulous! We went to the temple, did a little "real" shopping, and ate at some fun restaurants. It was nice to have some new food options. The only complaint I had about the weekend is that it wasn't long enough.

This is the night before we left. The lilos were on our bed helping us pack.

The cutest bug EVER!!!!

Landon was the captain for this trip. He LOVES the steering wheel!

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory which was a nice treat, but it's not the most kid-friendly place to eat.

The bug loves her friend Lexi.

Landon was being the little drummer boy while waiting for the check.

After the Cheesecake factory we went to see the lights at the Mesa temple. They said there was over 60,000 lights. The Lilos were impressed and kept pointing and saying, "ooooohh."

Here's the whole gang.

Before we headed back south towards Mexico we went to the Rainforest cafe for lunch. This is the place to eat with kids. There were animals all over the place and we sat right next to a fish tank. Landon cried every time the fake thunder and lightning started. Seeing the fake animals seemed to make it worth enduring.

They loved all these big fake animals.

Landon pointing at the monkeys.

The restaurant was in the mall so we did a little shopping before lunch. Dad bought the bug a new cat and Landon a dog. The bug would not give up either of them. They had to sit with her at lunch. Her dad spoils her:)

Happy Turkey Day!!

It was weird not to be home for Thanksgiving. The Fishers were nice enough to have us over for dinner along with the rest of Jer's co-workers. Kathleen put a lot of hard work into the table decorations and the turkey. Everyone brought a couple of side dishes to share and we had more than enough to eat. We enjoyed a really nice thanksgiving dinner with lots of yummy food, football, and enjoying the nice vista weather.

The table is set for the feast.

A closer look at the table settings.

I made some turkeys for the kids. I think they turned out pretty cute:)

Our little family.

Landon loving playing in Matthews room. He thinks he is one of the big kids.

Leah getting a free ride from her buddy Crew.

Does it start this young?

So the other week when I was at the store we had a little shoplifting incident. I use one of the car shopping carts and once I get food in the basket I can't see the Lilos. It's really only a problem when we are checking out and they are able to reach the candy. Most of the time I am able to push them out of arms length, but this particular time I was not quick enough. Landon happened to be the one closest to the candy and was pulling as quick as I could put them back. I thought that I had it under control tell the cute little bagger asked him about his candy. I asked her is she would had me the half malled candy bar so that I could pay for it. We finished checking out and I got to the car, unloaded the groceries, loaded Landon, and when I got to the bug realized that she had a candy bar that was not paid for. I was not in the mood to unload Landon, head back into the store, stand in line and pay for the .60 cent candy bar. Needless to say I left and the next time I was at the store I took the candy bar with me and paid for it. I just didn't think that I would have to worry about these types of things for another couple of years. Anyway, I now check my kids before I leave ANY store.

"I Pitty the Fool!"

I love this man! He keeps life very interesting. This is what his hair cut turned into yesterday. Don't mess with Mr. T:)

Baby it's cold outside!

This is our new getup for our morning walks. It finally got cold enough that I broke down and bought the lilos some hats and gloves. The gloves only make it to about the end of the driveway, but the hats make it through most of our walk. Thier trilled, can't you tell:)

The Park!

The weather has been so nice here in the Vista. We try to get out and go to the park as much as possible. The lilos love the park and there is a brand new one down the street from us. I keep forgetting to bring my camera, and the time that I do bring it, the batteries were about to die. So here are just a few of the pictures that I was able to snap before my camera died. It's hard to get the kids to look at me with a million other things going on around them. We don't really play on the playground, we just run around thinking we're huge like the other kids.

We love going down the slide! We just haven't figured out how to go up the stairs to get to the top once we go down.

She got some speed on this one.

Landon and the discovery center.

Da bug and her Dad.

Landon thinks he is huge swinging on the rings. The bug was not a big fan.

This is an unofficial sand box in the wash that we made an official sand box for the lilos!

It's a sad day when we have to leave the park.