Merry Christmas 2014!

 We took these pictures a couple weeks ago when we had the kids start wearing their Christmas clothes to Church so they get more use then a one time Promenade. They are so hard to get pictures of all together. Especially since at the time Audryn was just starting to walk and we have 8:30 church so we had to do them after the block when everyone was tired, every time we would put Audryn on her feet she would walk off and when we put her on her tummy she would crawl off, It was so funny.  The kids got their official certificates from Santa today letting them know they had made the nice list. Adelaide is asking for an easy roller and her two front teeth which she actually might get they are so close to cutting you can see them through her gums, She lost her eighth tooth last week. She has a mouth full of gums poor kid.

 Audryn wants a Baby brother or Sister for Christmas which she won't be getting. She is in love with babies, Our ward has had an influx of them lately like 7, so in relief society she goes from baby to baby oohhhing and ahhing over the babies, One of the ladies asked her is she wanted a baby and she clearly said Yes. My friends have been giving me a hard time since. I am still loving the baby I have. SHEESH

 James is also asking for an easy roller for Christmas, he also wants real pixie dust so he can fly and opted to write a letter to Peter pan rather then Santa Claus asking him to come and take him to never land on Christmas eve because he does not want to grow up. Oh my sweet boy I so don't want you to grow up. Needless to say he won't be getting some of his wish either.

We have had a wonderfully busy and focused Christmas Season. We have loved every minute of it. I can't believe it will be Christmas tomorrow. How time flies. Any ways We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. 

Baby Shower

 One of my dearest friends is having a little girl after three little boys, so another friend and I threw her a baby shower. It all turned out so cute, We did Pink Ombre as the theme as our friend is just so excited to have pink in the house now. So all the decor was pink in varying shades, we did clothes lines with pink clothes hung and then roses and the tissue pompoms. I made a Vanilla bean cupcake and a Lemon cupcake (which turned out really well) It all looked so cute and we had such a fun time at the shower. I love throwing Parties so fun!

Introducing the good Behavior Boxes

So We have been having a little trouble with some extra attitude at our house. The kids were loving their chore chart, but I was not being very good at paying them I just forget come the end of the day, or a poor behavior would happen and their money would get taken away, it was becoming a bit of a problem. The kids know that I expect them to pick up after them selves and what their chores are, they need to make their beds, and pick up their toys, help unload the dishwasher and clear dishes after meals, They need to brush their teeth when the get up and put their Jammie's away, etc. But their attitudes were getting just too much for me, so we mixed things up, the kids are doing so well with this we have been at it for about 2 months  We took pill boxes and decorated them and put numbers on them when the kids are choosing the right or behaving they get an instant reward that can't be taken away, I am not really one for instant gratification per say but for my little kiddos the extra boost right away for a job well done has made a huge difference in our home. So the boxes are filled with money, a small treat, tally tokens, tv tokens and ipad tokens, The kids earn tally's to go on outings, and they have to have a token to watch 30 min of tv or 30 min of ipad, Sometimes I offer TV or Ipad for learning or other purposes but they don't beg me everyday any more to watch tv, they only come to me if they have a token, we start the show and timer and everyone is good when it is over. I do love expectations and clear simple communication, it makes home life so much more peaceful. I also have a special treat token which means they get to pick something out of the candy bucket, So loving the Behavior boxes.

MMM Yes it has been awhile!

 Ready for her debut in the snow! Audryn was so anxious when the other kids were getting their snow gear on to go out and play in the freshly fallen snow, so I pulled out her snow gear and decided she should join the fun. She loved it until she got a snow ball in the face of course. These pictures are from Thanksgiving, Doug took off a little early the day before so he could take the big kids sledding, Here are my snow angels. Such good troopers all three of them.

 Doug had to share his birthday with Thanksgiving this year. He got to have a birthday breakfast and we did birthday festivities then we switched gears and did Thanksgiving. I know I have a picture of our thankful turkey we made? Audryn loves her grandpa, she is really very social, sometimes I think she has more friends then I do.

 Doug Opening his birthday presents. The kids got him winter gloves as he can't find his old ones, and a superman bath robe because all great men should have one of those. LOL I gave him Pants his favorite kind. A pair for every working day of the week.

 Audryn eating her first thanksgiving meal, she was around last year but didn't get any. She did pretty good, although honestly she always does she love strong flavors and fruits and veggies. Daddy even let her have some of his cream soda. Big stuff.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, We truly have so much to be thankful for, Mainly each other.