Christmas Eve

For the past few years we have been staying home in Jerome for Christmas. We have enjoyed being home as a family and spending time with the kids. 

Total blackmail picture!!

They have been watching too many Dancing with the Stars! 

This is the first time since we've lived in Idaho that we haven't either gone home or had my mom come up. Because of the day that Christmas fell on, my mom and I decided it would be better for her to come up for New Years so she could have more time. If she had come up for Christmas, she would have had to come up on Christmas and go home the next day. No fun. So we had just our small little family this year and it quiet when the kids were in bed, but it was nice. 

We are grateful for all of our blessings and had a great year. The kids have grown and learned so much. I have loved watching them grow into their big personalities and develop their friendships with each other and with their friends. 

Jumping Taysom

Taysom's first time in the Johnny Jump! He loved it! He was so excited to be standing up on his own and be able to turn around and see all around him! 

Drewby, the Elf

This year for the Christmas play at the school, Drew was picked to have a speaking part. He was Elf #2! We practiced his lines and he assured me he was ready!

And he was! I was worried that he would get nervous in front of all the parents and families (it was standing room only), but he got up there and did an awesome job!! 

Madelyne, Drew and Aubrey

Happy Birthday, Drew!

This year on December 17th, Drew turned 7!!! He was so excited to go to school and for me to bring in root beer cupcakes for his class. He wanted macaroni and cheese for dinner and I managed to talk him out of that, but now I can't remember for the life of me what he ended up wanting. He said he wanted a chocolate cake and so I made him a german chocolate cake. 

Drew was so excited about all of his gifts! 

Most of all I think he was excited about the orange tie! It is his favorite color and he now gets to wear a tie just like his dad! 

Drew is doing awesome in school this year. He is doing great in reading and math and is learning things that I can't remember learning that young. He knows how to do some cursive writing and is getting really good at doing word contractions. And of course sometimes he is too smart for his own britches and gets into trouble for being a know it all!

Nutty!

Sam is a total nut!!

Grandma Bingham's 95th Birthday Party

My Grandma Bingham turned 95 this year! We are are so lucky to have her up here in Jerome close to us and we love seeing her occasionally and in the halls at church! This year my Aunt Ilene organized a birthday party for her at one of the churches and my grandma was so surprised! (At least that is what I heard. We were late and missed the big surprise, but I am sure she was!) 

Aunt Janice, Grandma Bingham and my grandma's cousin that lives up here in Jerome. 

Uncle Robert and Grandma Bingham 

Me, Grandma Bingham and my sister, Connie 

Mason, Grandma Bingham holding Taysom, Drew, me holding a very angry Samantha. 

 My mom and Taysom.

Grandma Bingham and Taysom 

Connie and Grandma Bingham

I am so very grateful for my Grandma Bingham! She is such a great example to me and I hope that one day I can be half the lady she is! She was a fantastic homemaker, cook and wife and I love her so much!! 

Decorating for Christmas

This year I decided to let the kids decorate the Christmas tree all by themselves. They were so excited about it! I fluffed out the branches and they did all the ornaments! It is just crazy how fast they are all growing up. 

Taysom is getting so big! He is growing out of his swing way too quickly! He is such a happy little guy and has been a great addition to our family! 

Thanksgiving 2012

Sorry, the pictures are out of order so I'll just jump around!

This year, like always, we went down to Utah. Thanksgiving this year was with the Hixson's and for the first time in a long time every single Hixson was going to be there. Here is our weekend in some of the pictures.

We took the kids to Temple Square to see the lights. Probably won't do that again anytime soon. Now that the City Creek was open it was a mad house. It wasn't as enjoyable, because of the crowds and trying to keep track of the kids. Thanksgiving weekend probably is the worst time to go, but it is the only time we are in Utah for the holiday season, so we don't have any other time to go. 

Taysom and Grandma Hixson

Grandpa Hixson holding Taysom (youngest grandchild) and Grandma Hixson holding Sophie (oldest and only great grandchild). Sophie is 3 months older than Taysom.

Drew, blurry Ryan, Spencer, Mason and McKay

Thanksgiving was hosted by Kevin and Rachel this year. The kids loved being able to play with their cousins and having lots of room to play in the new house! 

Hayden & Taysom

I have some pretty amazing nieces and nephews! During the weekend the adults all wanted to go to dinner and leave the kids behind. We had so many good babysitters! I am grateful for all of them and knew they were in good hands! 

Sarah & Taysom

Sam was in heaven with Annie's room! So many cool girl toys! If I ever could not find Sam I would head upstairs and there she was! 

Uncle Craig, Grandpa Hixson and Taysom

Thanksgiving was so fun this year and we are grateful for our families. It was fun to see everyone and to have them all there to celebrate.

2nd Annual Thanksgiving 5k

This year was the 2nd time we participated in the Utah Food Bank 5k! This year it was my mom, me, Heaven and her mom and sister, Heather. It was fun to have more do it with us and hopefully, next year we'll have even more! 

The weather was nice this year. A little cold, but it wasn't raining or snowing, so it was bearable! 

Thanksgiving Play

Mason had his Thanksgiving play at preschool the week before Thanksgiving. He was so excited to give his lines and sing the songs. Mrs. Mortensen is such a great teacher! The kids have loved her and learned so much! The play was adorable and it was great to see how much the kids have learned!

Mason is second from the left. He has the huge skate board on his shirt. He also has no socks on. We have to compromise almost every day. He wants to wear shorts and flip flops, so we came to the agreement he can wear flip flops with pants. He gets that from me...poor kid will be cold all his life!

Now he is an indian! He was so excited! He kept waving at me and signing 'I love you'. Such a sweet and tender kid! I hope that never changes!!

Pictures

Before going to Utah for Thanksgiving I wanted to try and get a couple pictures of the kids for Christmas cards. A friend of ours owns a really amazing barn and so we used that for our backdrop. The kids are getting better about taking pictures for me, but they still didn't turn out as good as I've hoped. Oh well. It is fun! These are the two best pictures of the kids.

Christmas Lights

This year Drew helped Vaughn put the Christmas lights up on the house. Vaughn told Drew he could help, but he had to stay on the ground. Drew being very frustrated said, "But there isn't any thing for me to do on the ground!" I think Vaughn was hoping that Drew wouldn't notice that! So with promises to stay sitting at all times and in one place, Vaughn let Drew go up there with him. 

Sam was so excited to go outside and play with Max. She could stay outside all day if we'd let her!

Mace Face

Yesterday, Mason took a little spill. He was walking along the back of one of the couches and went to lean over the kitchen floor to reach the kitchen bar and missed. So as he was going down his head slammed against the concrete counter top. At first I didn't understand why he was so upset, since I didn't see what had happened, but after the marks started showing up and he calmed down a little bit he explained. I think he is very lucky that he wasn't more seriously injured. 

And of course here are some pictures of Taysom.