1st Snow

January 10th marked the first snow in Clinton. Crazy? Yes. Two winters into it and I am still not use to not having snow!

School was canceled for two days, and the kids had a blast sledding all over the yard and down the street.

Notice the amount of snow we received. Four inches and school was canceled. It blows my mind. I only ever remember one or two snow days my ENTIRE time in school. But you have to remember the snow plow around here is a John Deer tractor with a blade rigged to it. Not very effective! Kiah, Allee, and Pierce
Our sweet neighbor, Miss. Lynn. She took on our kids as her own grandkids. They absolutely love her because she will do anything with them.
Like pushing their sled down the road, just to see if it would work.

Yes, this is our monster storm! I don't know how we survived!

I know this is a late post, but when we got back to Missouri from Utah, we opened the presents Santa had left for us here. The kids LOVED having Christmas again. The kids got a new tent. Pierce got a new Curious George movie and a scooter. Allee got the Pixo's maker she had been wanting. Santa also brought our family Super Mario Brothers for the Wii. Derek got a bobble head and Santa brought me some perfume and new clothes. Our second Christmas was very fun, and it was fun to see the kids faces light up when they opened presents they thought Santa had forgotten.

Resolutions

I will admit that I am not the best when it comes to resolutions, nor am I the worst. Usually my wonderful goal oriented husband will sit down with me and we will go over our goals from the previous year, take inventory on ourselves and set new goals were needed. I have definitely made strides in many categories including family prayer, going out to eat less, and adding to our savings account. Completing a goal or two, or just improving on the past year makes you feel such a sense of accomplishment.
In 2010 our family made a very substantial goal. Reading The Book Of Mormon TOGETHER. That means that Derek, myself, Allee (5 at the time), and Pierce (2) all had to sit together at night and read.

I am ecstatic to say WE DID IT!!!

It was amazing for our family! It opened dialogue about who the prophets were, what they taught and all the amazing stories inside from Nephi to Captain Moroni. We pulled out our gospel art pictures and were able to retell the stories for some family home evenings.

Our family could tell such a difference the nights we read. Allee and even Pierce reminded us that we needed to read. Bedtime went smoother most nights (lets be real, they are still kids), there was a closeness between us, and most importantly the Spirit was brought into our home (some nights more than others!). Allee learned to read by taking her turn reading.

Taking this challenge has been one of the most amazing experiences for our family. We were all so proud when we read the final chapter.

So, now what? 2011 has brought our family a new goal: Reading the Doctrine and Covenants. We are ready!

This Is The Season

Allee, Pierce, and I decided to fly out to Utah a little earlier than Derek could get off, so on Dec 17th at 3:00 in the morning we left our cozy beds to catch a VERY early flight. I was nervous about traveling with these two by myself, but there were spectacular. Allee is at a great age where she can mostly take responsibility for herself, and Pierce was happier than I could have hoped for being woken up so early. Pierce slept the entire flight to Utah, almost 3 hours. Allee watched movies on the iPOD and colored. She even had to sit by a stranger and did fantastic. I was so proud of them!

The kids were excited to get to go see Santa, so Stephanie and I took a trip to the mall. (I can't tell you how much I loved being able to just run to a store and it only took 10 minutes to get there!) Pierce was very excited to see Santa, even though in this picture he looks completely bored out of his mind. He asked for a firetruck, a ball, and 3 Mickey's (whatever that is). Allee asked for an American Girl doll, Pixo's, and pink shoes. Afterwards they went and played on the softplay with Livie and had a blast.

EVERYONE needs a picture taking a bath with cousins. They played so well together and Allee and Pierce loved spending time with Olivia.

Derek and I got the kids these fun glasses. When you look at lights you can see the shape of snowmen or snowflakes on the lights. They were a huge hit with kids and adults alike.

Christmas Eve: Derek had come the day before and it was fun to have the family all together again. Dave especially loved having a brother around the place. We made gingerbread cookies and the kids loved squeezing amazing amounts of frosting on them and covering them in M&M's. I am sure Santa was on a sugar rush all night.

Opening Christmas pajamas from Gra and Papa. The kids always look forward to this part of the evening. I love the look on Pierce's face. He won't smile for the camera EVER! It drives me a little crazy, but I am sure this stage will pass (right?!)

After putting on PJ's, the kiddos watched Polar Express, for the fifteenth time. That was their favorite movie the whole trip. I think it may have been because Aunt Christy loves the hot chocolate part, and everyone wants to be like Aunt Christy!

After the kids went to bed the adults played games, visited, and laughed. It was a wonderful evening.

These are the pictures Allee drew for Santa. She left these and a whole heap more right near the fireplace so Santa could see them when he came down the chimney. She is so thoughtful and a wonderful little artist. She always makes us smile and feel the joy and excitement Christmas brings.
Christmas Morning

In Allee's stocking Santa brought ear rings, some chapstick, new gloves, chocolate milk, and Reese's peanut butter cups.

This was Allee's favorite present. Santa brought her an American Girl doll. She was so excited and loved that it looked exactly like her. Her exact words,

" I LOVE IT!"

She also got some new clothes, a scarf hat and shirt from Dave and Steph, Junie B. Jones books from Gra and Papa, shoes from Mom and Dad, and a fancy sequin scarf from Pierce.

Santa brought me a gift card from Victoria's Secret, a Diet Coke, and mint Millano's.

Derek got cuff links, an iTUNES gift card, and a Coke.

He also got some new shirts, pants, shoes, and ties.

I got this fabulous scarf.

Santa brought Pierce a ball, firetruck, and this really cool tool set.

This is the look of someone who is annoyed he has to wait for batteries.

Pierce also got some new clothes, a fire station from Gra and Papa, and a quiet book from Dave and Steph.

Derek got Pierce his very own Book of Mormon with his name on it. Pierce loved that it had, "THE LETTER P"!

New shoes for Pierce as well. Notice the goggles from his tool set. He loves to wear them!

After opening presents we went to Great and Grandpa's and had omelets and opened some presents there. Great and Grandpa gave Pierce pj's and a car, Allee got a game and some lotion and perfume.

Christmas Afternoon with the Carlsen's

Allee got some nail polish and lip gloss, Pierce got a transformer, and Derek and I got a new calendar. We ate a delicious ham lunch and then Derek got his sisters and mom to play a game from Minute to Win It. It was hilarious to watch them put Vaseline on their noses and use it to carry cotton balls down the hallway!

We had a wonderful Christmas and we were all exhausted by 4:00. We felt very blessed to be able to spend time with our families.

New Years

I really did takes pictures of New Years Eve, I promise. I have no idea what happened to them!!

We spend the evening with the Frandsen's and their new (1 week old) bundle of joy Owen. We played Rummycube had yummy food, and enjoyed spending time together. The kids played the Wii, built tents, and watched Despicable Me.

Thanks Frandsen's for spending New Years with us even though you had a new baby! We look forward to it every year.

Sledding

We went sledding New Years Day with the Carlsen clan. Our kids LOVED it. We went down the hill over and over again. Every time the sled stopped Pierce said, "Do it again?" We were there for two hours and probably could have spent another two there. It was so fun to see Derek take Allee down and Pierce on my lap.

A sleep over with the cousins is a must. Dave and Steph gave into Derek and decided to have one giant sleepover. The kids slept upstairs and the "adults" slept on blow up mattresses in the family room.

All was going well and Allee and Livie were sharing a room, they were very quiet and Steph decided to check on them. They had gotten into my makeup and it was EVERYWHERE! I had to leave the room and laugh before I could go in there and yell! Eyeliner was all over their foreheads and in Livie's ears. Foundation was an inch thick on Allee's chin, and lipstick was rampant! It was one of those moments that you were mad, but you knew the next day you would be laughing about it!

Matt and Corinne came up to visit with us and after a long evening we went to bed.

Dave and Derek however were up half the night wrestling and trying to master the art of "blue dart".
FIRETRUCKS!

Katie's boyfriend Cody knew Pierce loved firetrucks so he arranged for Pierce to climb inside them and check them out at his dad's station. The kids loved seeing the trucks up close.

Then Cody took Katie up in the ladder truck and proposed. We are so happy for them!

Our traditional dinner at P.F. Chang's!

Afterwards we always go to Temple Square.

The lights are breathtaking every year.

It is a great reminder of why we celebrate Christmas and all the beauty and magic that surround us.

We are so blessed to be an eternal family! I love these three so much and count my blessings that they are mine.

Great and Grandpa

Pierce and Grandpa

Pierce and Great

Allee and Great

Allee and Grandpa

Before we left we spent a little more time with Great and Grandpa. Great always forms a special bond with each of the great-grandchildren and Pierce loves Grandpa. We miss them very much and are so glad we could spend Christmas time with them.

GOING HOME

On the ride to the Salt Lake airport. These two are such goof balls. Gra and Steph took us back and we are so thankful for all they did for us while we were in Utah. We had a wonderful time full of family and friends. It was just what we needed.