Christmas

Well it is amazing. Every time I get my blog caught up I turn around and I am behind again. So after enjoying reading about all of my friend's holidays, I decided it was time to get my pictures posted.

We decided to go to Rexburg to Jason's Mom's house for Christmas to that we could see Heather and Andrew and Jon and Daryn (sorry you two couldn't make it because of the weather). The kids were especially excited to play with Heather and Andrew and Mikele needed her "Buddy" fix (Uncle James is so great with her!) We had a great time relaxing, eating and enjoying everyone's company.

On the way home we went through Brigham City and met up with all of my family for a yummy dinner at Maddox. It was so good! Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Hobbs. The roads were not that bad just slushy and any time someone passed us on the freeway our windshield would get sprayed with dirty snow. The wipers were not working that great so we planned to pick new ones up after dinner. Well about 10 miles outside of Brigham one of the wipers popped off and so we had no wiper services the rest of the way. Brock was convinced we were going to crash because we really could not see out the front window. It is all about the memories!

So you have to love the print on Grammy's new office chair. Mikele picked it out. Jason tried to get the boring black chair but after Mikele burst into tears declaring that the black one was boring and that Grammy needed the pretty flower chair Jason gave in. At least Grammy will always think of Mikele when she sits in her chair!


Kassie was all about the unwrapping. She was excited about what was inside too but she quickly moved on to the next gift that needed to be unwrapped!


Heather is pretty popular at our house. We were glad we were able to spend some time with all of you!

So Santa was sure to bring Jason and Brock legos. As my sister-in-law said, "Who doesn't like legos?" Brock got the castle with the good guys and Jason got the troll war ship or in other words the bad guys. They had a nice little war after they finished constructing there sets.

Santa

So we did are traditional trip to the mall. Kassie still not a big fan of Santa. Then on then on the Tuesday before Christmas, Santa made an unexpected visit. I answered the door and with his robust "Ho Ho Ho" Santa startled me. He thought it was pretty funny.

Candy Making

So my amazing Mom drove through a snow storm to get to my house so she could take Mikele shopping for her birthday and make Christmas candy with me. Mikele had a blast shopping and came home with a beautiful sparkly pink purse and new cloths including cute tall black boots that I am totally jealous about.

When the girls got back we made candy including: peanut brittle, toffee, fudge, pecan rolls, white chocolate covered pretzels, coconut balls and chocolate dipped caramels. Yummy!

Catch up Time

Well I am a little ok honestly A LOT behind on my Blog. So I am going to be making quite a few posts today. I will put the post date as the date of the actual event so make sure you scroll down and check out all the great pictures and events that have been keeping my family busy over the last month! I believe there are 7 posts since Kassie's birthday and that should get me all caught up. Enjoy!

Pastries!

For Family Home Evening tonight we made pastries. This is a tradition of Jason's family and has become a new tradition in our family. All of the kids helped. Brock and Mikele both help cook the pastries and then took turns coating them in the powdered sugar or cinnamon & sugar mix. It was fun and more importantly TASTY!

Brock's Recital

Today Brock had his Christmas Recital. He has been taking lessons since June and is doing really well. I am amazed how quickly he has picked it up. He really enjoys it and for the most part I don't even have to fight him on practicing. Here is a video of him playing at the recital. His Teacher, Shaunna England is playing the duet with him.

First Major Snow Storm

We woke up Saturday morning to about 5 inches of snow. It was great! The kids were going crazy trying to find their snow gear. Kassie kept yelling "Snow Man." We got them all bundled up and sent them out to play. They played outside all morning. The snow wasn't wet enough to make a snow man but we sure had fun. Jason is just great full for his snow blower!

Mikele's 5th Birthday!

I finally am posting the pictures from Mikele's birthday including her Barbie cake. I can hardly believe that Mikele is already 5 years old. Boy time flies! For Mikele's birthday we had a party that she could hardly wait She had homemade Macaroni and Cheese for dinner. When I asked her what vegetable she wanted she told me it didn't matter because she was going to eat a vegetable because it was her birthday. We finally opened presents and she loved her Barbie car and doll but her favorite gift came from Grammy Norris, a music box with a ballerina that spins around inside. Finally we had cake and ice cream.

She had her check up and here are her stats:
Weight: 45.4 pounds 90th percentile
Height: 46 inches tall 97th percentile


Jason and I gave Mikele this outfit for her Birthday. All she wanted as far as cloths were things that matched my close. We all have to wear the same color every day at our house.


The music box! Her expression says it all.

The barbie cake. I had been given two different cooking times for this cake. I baked it the day before so I could freeze it (it is easier to decorate that way). It had been in the oven for over an hour and was not even close to being done. We had to leave for Jason's company party and so I called my neighbor to come check it in a half hour to see if it was done. The center totally collapsed but fortunately you turn the cake over and don't see the center. Overall I think it turned out all right. Mikele loved it! It didn't have the greatest texture (Brock informed me over and over that it didn't taste that good) but it looked good and that is what counts.

Mikele got a surprise the next day when a package from Uncle Denny arrived. She loves her beautiful doll. Thank you Uncle Denny!

I had to add this picture because it is so funny. Kassie was all about opening presents. Mikele was trying on one of her new outfits so Kassie tried on Mikele's new shirt from Grammy. It looked more like a dress on Kassie but she was excited to get in on the action. She is ready for Christmas and if anyone needs help unwrapping their gifts just let her know.

Ward Christmas Party!

We had our ward Christmas Party on Saturday. It was great! Jason wasn't in charge of it this year so we actually got to enjoy the party. They had a singing group called Rootbeer Reunion come and perform. They were these adorable boys that played multiple instruments and sang. After the performance we had a special visitor, SANTA CLAUSE! Brock and Mikele were excited to see him. Kassie, not a big fan. Oh well maybe next year.

Sharp Looking Kids

So Brock was looking more like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo so we took him in for a haircut. I usually cut his hair but with the Holiday hustle and bustle I decided it was worth paying someone else to do it. We ended up getting Kassie's and Mikele's hair cut too. Kassie has never had her hair cut so she had some crazy layers. Don't they all look sharp!

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent Thanksgiving at my parents house. Everyone was there so it was a house full of noise and fun! My Mom and AnnMarie helped the kids put on a production of the first Thanksgiving. It was really cute. My Dad and Calvin made a huge cardboard boat and house and the kids loved playing with props. We also had our annual Black Friday Shopping Spree. Thank goodness for everyone else! Jason and I were less then effective but everyone else came through for us! Oh, did I mention the fabulous food! Everything fit a little tighter when we left at the end of the weekend.

Kassie - 2 year picture

We finally took Kassie in to get her 2 year picture. We have been waiting for her face to clear up. She has been blessed with my skin and she gets a rash around her mouth especially in the winter. She was great at the studio. The photographer could pose her anyway she wanted and Kassie just held that position. She wasn't overly smiley but we got a nice shot.

Kassie had her doctors appointment on the 7th and here are her stats:

Weight: 28.2 pounds 70th percentile
Height: 34 1/2 inches 75th percentile

My pediatrician puts funny notes on her appointment card. This time we discussed her "racist diet" (that is what Dr. McKenna called it) Kassie's is on a white diet. She likes milk, rice, cheese, potatoes & noodles.

We are so blessed to have Kassie in our family. She has so much personality. She is a little tease and knows how to push Brock & Mikele's buttons. She is talking better everyday. Right now her favorite words are "snow man" and "Happy to you!" (whenever she sees balloons or cake). Well our little girl has captured our hearts and we would not have it any other way!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Last night Jason and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the E-center in West Valley City, Utah. We went down early enough to go to dinner. At dinner the restaurant was pretty crowded and we noticed that a lot of tables that were being seated actually fit 4 people but only 2 people were sitting at the tables. We ended up striking up a conversation with a couple that was also waiting and discussing the seating situation. I offered that if we were seated first that we would be happy to share our table with them. They returned the offer and when they ended up being seated first they invited us to join them at their table. So we ended up having a nice conversation over dinner with Gary and Marianne who happened to be going to the same concert and also happened to be from Cache Valley.

The concert was AMAZING!! We were right on the floor and during the show two of the musicians were on a platform right next to us. We could feel the heat of the flames. It was fun to see the variety of people from 80 year old ladies with groupie t-shirts to teenagers that are normally rocking out to Pink Floyd. Here is a link to glimpse at how cool this concert was. Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Crazy 8s Tag

I think this one is tough because it requires a lot of thinking. Wish me luck!

8 TV Shows I like to Watch:
1. The Practice
2. Chuck (the show not the husband)
3. Brothers & Sisters
4. Lipstick Jungle
5. Grey's Anatomy
6. Super Why (ok that is really Mikele and Kassie's favorite)
7. Myth Busters (once again a innocent bystandered everyone else in my house watches)
8. The News

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Hamiltons (Yummy steak!)
2. Olive Garden
3. Cafe Rio
4. Center Street Grill
5. Applebee's (when will we ever get one in Logan?)
6. Firehouse
7. Cafe Sabor
8. Quiznos

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
1. It was my 9th Anniversary!!!
2. We showed our house for the 4th time this week
3. Carpool
4. Checked my Email
5. Had Dinner at Hamiltons!
6. Visited my friend Celestial and her new baby Maya
7. Chatted on the phone
8. Played on my ipod touch

8 Things I am Looking Forward To
1. We are going to the Transsiberian Orchestra concert tonight!
2. Selling my house
3. Moving into my new house
4. Summer!
5. Christmas
6. Retirement
7. All of my kids in School
8. Time to scrapbook

8 Things on my Wishlist
1. My new house
2. Serving Dishes
3. New furniture for my new house
4. A Cruise with Jason
5. A new computer
6. A new vehicle other then a mini van
7. A garage
8. More family time

8 People I'm Tagging
I know I have seen this on multiple people's blog so if you have already done it you are off the hook.

1. Amanda
2. Cindy
3. Kim
4. Jenny M.
5. Jenny E.
6. Stephanie
7. Kim
8. AnnMarie

Happy 2nd Birthday Kassie!!!

Wednesday was Kassie's second birthday. We had a pretty normal day but the evening was all about Kassie. Jason brought home balloons. Kassie LOVES balloons!

Then we had her favorite dinner; Macaroni and cheese with green salad. (The salad is more for me!)


Then we opened PRESENTS!!!





Finally we had cake and ice cream. Kassie's cake was a fish bowl with fish in it. (Use your imagination) Why fish? Well Kassie has a thing for fish. She loves them. Not to eat but in books, on TV, in a tank, ect.






Jason looks great in this picture. It is no wonder I fell madly in love with him.


After the cake and ice cream, the kids cracked their glow sticks that Jason brought home with the balloons and we had a light show. It was more of a Uncle Calvin and Aunt AnnMarie got attacked with light sticks.



I have some great videos I will upload later!