Christmas review

Christmas Eve was spent getting our sugar cookies made for Santa. My mom, dad and Jenna came over for dinner and then the kids got to open the annual Christmas Eve present, jammies. It was actually a fun, relaxing day.

The boys were so cute watching out the window as Matt was shoveling

What a wonderful Christmas we had. Our kids are at a fun stage. The girls were super excited for Santa to come and the boys figured out how fun it is to open presents. It was so fun to watch the boys discover what was inside the box. They have been having so much fun with all of their new items from Christmas.

The morning started with presents, presents and more presents. I think Matt and I spent all morning unpackaging and assembling too many toys. I was ever so grateufl to get them all put togehter. We went to my mom and dad's for lunch and more presents. Then we spent the rest of the day playing with all of our new stuff.

Paige's favorite gifts were her BFC doll from Santa and her Project Runway fashion design set from Mom and Dad.

Kayla's favorite gifts were her Disney Princess Castle from Santa and her Barbie and Polly Pockets from her brothers.

Aiden was loving the cars he got and his learning farm. Brock loves his shopping cart and Collin is in love with his Basketball and Hoop.

Matt got a scrapbook from his younger years made by me. Matt surprised me with a laptop. I have the best hubby in the world. I am thinking he might use it more than me, but who cares.

It is sad to think that Christmas is over and we are in the last week of 2009. What a wonderful year we have been blessed with and I am so thankful for all of my wonderful blessings in my life, especially my family.

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours, we wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Mischievious

I have 3 little mischievious boys. One does something, the other two watch and are soon following suit. Yesterday, Brock decided to climb on top of the big bin that we keep some of the toys in. He got up on top and he thought he was so cool. I was looking at him telling him "no" and he would just smile back at me. I'm kind of a hypocrite, because as I am telling him "no" I am snapping a picture of him.

I got him down off of the bin and next thing I know, you guessed it, Collin is up on the bin. I did the same with him. I told him "no," (took his picture) and got him down.

Aiden kept thinking about getting up and trying a little but he never go up. Several hours later, I go in to check on my little guys and lo and behold, Aiden had climbed up. I just can't wait to see what they come up with next.

We had a fun weekend. We were finally able to do the Gingerbread Houses. We ended up with two this year, so the girls each got to make one to their own liking. I helped Kayla, and this is our creation.

Matt helped Paige, and this is their creation.

I can't believe there are only 10 days until Christmas. I did my wrapping over the weekend, so I think I am officially done and ready for the big day. I am so excited this year. The boys are going to be so fun to watch and entertaining I am sure.

And They're Off

We officially have 3 new walkers in our family. Within this last week they have really started taking off. I will catch them letting go of things and walking and then when they fall they resort to crawling. It is also fun to watch the other two catch on. If they see one of the others walking, they have to try it for themselves. It is almost a competition. I thought Collin would be the last of the three to walk, but he is actually doing the best. I had hoped they would walk by Christmas, and it looks like we are going to make it. They aren't 100% walkers, but we are getting really close.

Here is a movie of each of them walking. Aiden gets so excited when he walks that he does more laughing than walking. His laugh is so dang cute, I can't get enough of it.



Brock...........


and last but not least, Collin..........

Inspiring Blog

This past weekend in Utah, I read a story in my in-laws paper. It was about blogging women, who are LDS, that have an incredible following on their blogs. I remembered one of the blogs and just had to check it out. I scanned through and read some and then I came to a link of story that tells about this one lady's journey back after a plane crash. It is incredible. I was reading it and I was in tears. I just thought I would pass the link on to you all and hope you enjoy the story and journey of this remarkable woman.

Check out her blog here: http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

And check out her incredible story here: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/stephanie-nielson-intro-120609.html

Wild Weekend

We had a bit of a busy weekend. On Saturday morning, we got up very early. We left our house at 5:45 a.m. so we could be to Logan at 9 a.m. for my nieces baptism. We got the kids up right out of bed and put them in the car. That was all fine and dandy until right after Idaho Falls, Paige decided to get car sick. So after using several grocery sacks and awful, blizzardy snowy conditions, we made it to Logan. Paige perked up not long after getting there and getting out of the car. So after the baptism, we got her something to eat and loaded the kids up and headed for Salt Lake.

Once again we battled awful roads and awful trafiic. That is the one thing I dislike about Utah. We were supposed to be at the University of Utah hospital before 1 p.m. before the NICU Christmas party ended, but we didn't make it. We went anyways. It was kind of weird being back at the hospital. We took all to kids over to eat lunch at Primary Children's and then we went up to the NICU and saw two of our wonderful nurses who took care of the boys.

Saturday night we left the boys with Grandma and Grandpa Nielson and we took the girls in to see the lights on Temple Square. It had been several years since we had done that and the girls were very excited. It was really cold, but we bundled up and had a good time.

I can't believe how fast this month is going and I better start wrapping my presents soon, because Christmas will be here before we know it.

Thankful

I am really slow posting about Thanksgiving. It has been a little wild around here. Last week was so busy I hope I can remember everything. On Wednesday, Paige had a program at school. They sang some Thanksgiving songs and then she got to read a book to me that she had written. It was so good. The songs were really cute.

After the program, I was able to go to lunch with some friends from high school. It was so fun to get together, talk and see them again. Thanks girls. It was alot of fun.

Me, Kristen (Bond) Dunnells, Jana (Call) Freed, Leslie (Clements) Stinson

It was also my nieces birthday, and they were in town for Thanksgiving, so we took the kids bowling. It was a lot of fun and thanks to the bumpers and the ramp, I think Kayla and I had the same score.

Matt spent the day fishing in Salmon with my brother-in-law Charlie. They both had an incredible time and have decided to make a tradition out of it. They were both successful as well.

Thursday we had Thanksgiving with my family at my Mom and Dad's. It was a really nice day and we had a lot of yummy food. We ate, played some games and looked through the ads.

Collin, Matt, Kayla, Brock, Paige, Brook and Aiden

Friday morning I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and hit the sales with my sister and dad. I was able to get everything I set out for, so it was worth it. Friday night Matt's mom, Pat, Jen, Josh and Morgan came for a visit. It was fun to see them and hang out with them.

Paige, Josh, Pat, Morgan, Kayla and Grandma Nielson having cake for Grandma's birthday

We took everyone up to Green Canyon swimming on Saturday. The kids loved it. We definately need to take them more often. It was a fun time.

As I reflect on all the things I am thankful for, I am most thankful for my family. My 5 wonderful children and my wonderful, hardworking husband. I am so grateful for Matt and all he does to support our family. I definately have a busier life than I ever imagined, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I am also grateful for both Matt and my families and all the love and support they give to us.