Our Gingerbread House Tradition

Andrew helped me with my house, but too much candy and royal icing caused a roof collapse! I have never had that happen before.

Grandma teamed up with Ryanne

Everyone sampled candy as they went. We had some friends over to join in the fun.

Savannah and Lar were partners

We waited until after Christmas to make our Gingerbread houses this year, mainly because you have to let the dough sit in the fridge overnight and then roll it out, bake it, and let it sit out again overnight. So it is a bit of a process to get going. We invited Gabrielle and her family to come over and decorate with us- The more the Merrier!

A New Year- A New 'Do

So, my mom has been wanting to get a haircut. Lar was in town and she called the hair salon and they said to me- you should come too. I was to the point where my hair was bugging me. The length was kind-of blah and I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it- grow it out or cut it off.
They talked me into going with them and Ta-da! Here are the results------my mom's cute hairdo is pictured above.

My cut and color and eyebrow wax/fill-in

Lar's sleek new style and us making wierd faces

Eyes

Savannah had to get in on the self-portraits as well
(excuse the bags under eyes- makeup was a little too much after color and cut!)

What better way to start off a new year.....

So, I guess Savannah has made a New Year's Resolution. And no, it isn't to wear as many pairs of panties as she can at once.
She has decided that she wants to use the toilet. So, she does and she decided to do this all by herself.
She has been working on it for months, but the pee part was a little bit difficult for her to get down.
Well, now she has it down.
She likes to go by herself, have privacy and pick out her panties. Sometimes it is a little bit difficult to decide which beautiful panties will work, so she goes for 5 or 6 at a time.
I am happy as can be! I have never had a child that actually wanted to go potty- I have always been the one who has poked and prodded them when they got to an age where it just didn't seem right for them to have diapers anymore.
Yeah for 2009- My first diaperless year since Jonah was born 7 years ago!!!!!

More Christmas Pictures

One of our Christmas Eve traditions is opening our new Christmas pajamas and doing the Christmas dance. We always use "Christmas is Coming" from the album John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas together. Everyone parades around in their pjs and dances. Pretty fun. I might get the video up for that.

Jonah slept in the girls bedroom downstairs, so that they would all get up together and then we could all go upstairs at the same time. I can't believe that the kids slept better than I did! Savannah didn't wake up crying once. Maybe, Jonah is the lucky charm. They even slept in a little. Ryanne and Savannah woke up first and didn't even know it was Christmas morning. They wanted to watch pbs. Jonah woke up and got them on track.

Jonah got a basketball, football, and parent&child boxing gloves. He has been dribbling the basketball nonstop which has made his Dad really happy.

Kind of off topic, but Savannah's hair looks really long.

Savannah got a couple of babies. She is a very good mommy. She loves her babies! Which is so funny to me, because Ry never had an interest in babies at all. So fun how kids have different personalities and likes. Keeps it interesting and fun!

Ry got a rocking horse, which she was super excited about. The pony sings a couple of really great tunes. "I'm a pretty pony.... clippity clop", yes, I do have them memorized.

We had a great morning with family. We missed those family members we weren't able to spend time with, but know that we were thinking of you all and love you!

We got just what we wanted!!!!!!

Does this fun little machine look familiar to anyone besides Savannah?

Oh yeah- we had a great Christmas!!! (More later, but I couldn't believe we actually scored the Karaoke machine!!!)

My Mattie

Today is Matt's birthday. I was a little bit bummed at first, because there is an away basketball game tonight and Matt was scheduled to work all morning, but last night he got a call that told him he had the morning off. I am so glad that we get to spend a few hours with him this morning. And, I get to go with him to the game, so at least I get to spend some time later today with him. I think we will go and put some candles in a couple of doughnuts for breakfast. I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures of Matt from the past year. I love him so much. He is so good to me and my family. I love watching him play with our kids and I love how so many people in the community have come to know and love him too. He is so good with people of all ages. He knows how to make every person feel special. He has a great sense of humor and is always happy. He never holds a grudge or stays angry. He is sweet, silly, and has a testimony of our Savior. He isn't afraid to laugh or cry with me. He is adventurous and fun. He is so sensitive and knows how to take care of all of our needs. I just love him and feel so grateful that he is my husband and that we get to spend eternity together. Thank you Matt, for all that you do. I love you and hope you have a great day. Now, I am off to find my honey some Krispy Kremes.