Ho Ho Ho

It was Matthew's turn to put the angel on the tree this year. Thankfully, Kylie is fake crying in this picture - she is finally past the stage of throwing a fit over the angel, and has a sense of humor over her past behavior. Hallelujah.
We did all of our usual holiday activities. In fact, we baked way too much this year. I didn't think it was possible to out-bake all the treats from last year, but we did. Our tummies are still paying the price.

Kylie had her first gymnastics meet in December. It wasn't a 'real' meet, just a practice one with another gym, but there were real judges that gave the girls advice along with their scores. It was really cool. This is Kylie in her warm-up uniform before signing in. Isn't she adorable?

This is her entire team, levels 3-7. Kylie is one of 8 girls on level 4. Can you spot Kylie in the picture? She has a meet in St. George next weekend - I'll post video if I can get my computer to cooperate.

We drove through the lights at Thanksgiving Point again this year, and then stopped for hot cocoa at the cafe. They had reindeer out by the water tower, and the kids were in awe over them. Matthew kept asking which ones they were, and when Santa was coming to get them to pull his sleigh.

Here is our tree on Christmas Eve night. I love when everything is done, and the house is quiet and peaceful.

The kids left quite the list of demands for Santa on Christmas Eve. They wanted proof that he really exists. Santa left a letter with all the answers to their questions, plus a picture of Rudolph on my camera. Kylie no longer believes in Santa, but she still plays along for Matthew.

This one is for you Mom. I think Matthew liked the present you gave him ;)

Kylie liked hers too - Thank you for spoiling them.

My favorite part of Christmas every year......

I admit to spoiling my kids. Seriously, they had a hard time making Christmas lists because they already have everything they want. So, even with all the 'stuff' they get, their favorite presents every year are the little things they pick out for each other. They write each other sweet little cards telling how much they love each other, and then they pick out some little $2 toy, but they really put a lot of thought into it. I may only get to have 2 kids, but I really think I got the 2 sweetest ones.

Thanksgiving

Aren't my mom & dad cute? We spent Thanksgiving down south at Boris & Coco's. Now we'll find out if my mom really reads my blog ;)

I was able to get a half-way-decent picture of the kids for our Christmas card, but most turned out like this.

We spent time playing with cute cousins,

causing trouble,

and just having fun.

We even had a pinata,

and a little baby shower/lunch for my sister, Alli. She is having boy #2!

Matthew practiced riding a bike without pedals,

while Kylie fed horses.

It was a great Thanksgiving. We wish we could hang out with our cousins all the time - We miss them!

October

A few highlights from October (aka - times I had my camera).............

I love that my kids are off school for half of October. It's perfect weather, and there's plenty to do. We started our track break with our annual trip to the favorite Pumpkin Patch.

They had a new and improved corn maze this year. It was bigger, with more turns, and much more fun for the kids now that they're a little older.

We took a little road trip to St. George to visit my family. My parents treated us to Tuacahn Theater. We love Tuacahn, and Little Mermaid was great.

The plays are so good that it's even safe to sit these two crazy kids next to each other and they'll behave.

We came home from St. George and had fun playing with friends at Planet Play - don't you love the glasses on Kylie's bff?

I had to include this because Kylie's face is hilarious. A little too much fun playing in the leaves?

Here is a normal one, so you can get that other one out of your head :) Kylie is starting to look a little too grown up for me though :(

We became a four-eyed family in October. All four of us now require glasses.

Soccer season ended at the end of October. Kylie was awesome as always. She only has spring season left to choose between gymnastics and soccer.......her schedule can no longer fit both.

Kylie and her friends making Halloween treats from Grandma. Love the rabbit ears.

This is what happens to Kylie anytime she has too much sugar. Seriously. Halloween is a scary time of year around here.

Matthew's class performed the 'Thriller' dance for all the parents. This is his best zombie face :)

See how much Matthew likes to have his picture taken? This is during the Halloween Parade at school. Me: "Hi Matthew! Smile!" as I try to catch a picture. Matthew: "mumble, mumble" as he waves his hand and continues looking the other way. You would never know from this picture what a mommy's-boy he really is. Whenever I don't have my camera pointed at him, he will run to hug me, yelling "Mommy!"

Kylie, on the other hand, cannot have her picture taken enough.

Here we are getting ready to Trick-or-Treat. Halloween night was fabulous - nice and warm. Matthew made it to the next street before bailing out. He is not a big fan of candy, so he gets bored after a few houses. Kylie and her friends however, were among the last ones out.

*If you are a Star Wars fan - yes that is a Boba Fet helmet with a Jenga Fet outfit. Matthew decided to be Jenga, but then at the last minute decided he liked the Boba helmet better. I was surprised by how many people knew he had both on......they all look the same to me!