Sleigh Bells Ring

We had a wonderful Christmas season filled with family, friends, wonderful food, presents, and the spirit of Christ. Christmas Eve day we had the opportunity to go on a horse drawn wagon ride courtesy of the Johnson family. When we got there Jake wanted to warm the horses up and told Jace he could ride on the magic carpet. A black piece of plastic dragged behind the wagon along with a sled. Jace loved it and after that I couldn't get him to ride on the wagon so he spent the rest of the time being dragged behind the wagon in heaven. We had a wonderful time with Daniel's family hearing the sleigh bells ringing as we rode through the snow. After it was done Jace even got to get on top of one of the draft horses to warm up.
Then it was time to head home to get warm and ready for the Christmas Eve party at Kent and Robyn's house. This is a tradition that we don't want to miss. Jace loved wrestling with Cooper and playing with all the presents. It's a night that we have to end with the picture taken of all of us to document it all. Then it was home for Jace and Ashlyn to open thier Christmas eve presents of Christmas pj's and a book. Then it was time to go bed. The next morning we had a great time seeing what Santa brought us and opening presents at our house.

Jace's loot (Santa gave in and gave him a skateboard to bad he forgot a helmet.)Ashlyn and Daniel sitting by Ashlyn's stuff. Santa must know that girl clothes are way funner than boy clothes.

Then it was off the Christmas breakfast at my parents. It is always so yummy and it is now so fun to hear my nieces and nephews talk about what they got for Christmas. Then we had to hurry back to Kent and Robyn's to talk to Dallin on the phone. He sounds so good. It is hard to believe he will be home in two months. Then we opened presents and enjoyed another delicous meal. Then we got to relax and let Jace play for a little while before it was back to my parents. We had dinner there and opened more presents. Can you tell my mom loves to get Christmas presents for the grandkids. This is Jace he had fallen asleep on the way to my parents and was so totally worn out that we set him on the chair and he slept for about an hour in the middle of all the commotion. Though when we woke him up and he heard presents he got a second wind

Doctor Visits

Yesterday Jace and Ashlyn went to the doctor. Jace was there for his 3 year checkup. He now weighs 31.9 lbs and is 3 feet .5 inches tall. He is healthy and doing great. Dr. Clarke even commented that he draws better than most kids his age especially boys. Ashlyn had her 2 month. She now weighs 10 lbs 3 ounces and is 22 inches tall. We were amazed at how much she weighs. Me and Daniel were thinking she would weigh a little over 8 lbs. Apparently the rolls in her legs are packing on the pounds. She is doing great. Before they came in to give her her shots Jace covered his ears and said she is going to scream. He was right her face went red and she was madder than I have ever seen her. I felt so bad she was not her usual her happy self for a the next two days. I am so glad that both of my children are so heatlhy.

PS- These are the pictures I had taken of them in there christmas outfits. I love them. Jace smiled great and Ashlyn looked at the camera even though she didn't smile.

Santa came to town

So Santa came to Lewiston last week. Jace was so excited to go and see him. He made his letter for him. We then had to wait in line. As we are waiting in line he says to me Mom I am now ready. Like why are we waiting in this line I am ready lets sit on his lap now. So I had to explain to him about waiting our turn. He then waited paitently for his turn. He jumped right up on his lap and told him he wanted a skateboard. Then Ashlyn sat on his lap and didn't even make a peep.

Ashlyn Announcement

So my wonderful friend Shelli took pictures of Ashlyn and made announcements for me. They turned out great.

eight weeks

Yesterday I packed up your newborn clothes. Today you are eight weeks old. The time is flying by. You are such sweet girl and love to smile and show your dimples at whoever is talking to you. You have started only waking up once in the night instead of twice and I am so thankful. Your hair is growing and I can't wait for it to get a little longer. Although we may have to have Mandy show us how to fix it. Christmas is soon coming and Jace thinks you want a Barbie and a doll house from Santa. I think that you will really be getting lots of cute clothes. You love the tub and to hang out in just your diaper after. I love to look at the rolls you are getting on your legs. Everyone who sees you says you are so small but to me you are getting so big. I know that the time is soon coming for me to go back to work and I amd dreading leaving you on those nights. Though I know that dad and Jace will take good care of you. Lots of Love Mom

Santa Hat

So I had to take some pictures of Ashlyn in the Santa hat. Jace then wanted to be in on the fun. So I decided to join in to. I think they turned out pretty festive. HO HO HO.

Gingerbread Houses

So this year I got a kit for a mini gingerbread village instead of a house. So monday night we set out to make them for family home evening. I would have to say making five little houses is alot more work that one big one. Daniel was the builder and put them together. Than me and Jace frosted and decorated them. While Ashlyn watched all of the fun. They did turn out pretty cute though.

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Birthday time

So Jace turned three on sunday the 6th. He is very loved and the partying starts a week early. He had a birthday party at my parents house the sunday before his birthday. Then he got to have a party on his birthday with Kent and Robyn. He was loving all of his presents this year and was great to share them with his cousins. He is growing up so much and I can't believe that he is now three. He is a great brother to Ashlyn and usually very helpful. He is such a smart boy and I am always amazed at how much he remembers. He has a very mechanical mind like his dad and is already good at figuring out and fixing things. I look back on the last three years of my life and I am so glad that he has been a part of them.

I had to add this picture with the nice bruise. So typical of the last year.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

So as much as I hate driving in the snow. I am loving the snow we have got today. It is the pretty kind that when it is falling it makes me think I am in a snow globe. It has covered everything making it fluffy and white. The christmas lights are even prettier to me now. I have to say that the snow has doubled my Christmas spirit. Jace can't wait to make snow angels, throw a snowball, ....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in ev'ry store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door.
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

Ashlyn

Ashlyn is six weeks old today. On sunday she wore a cute crocheted dress that was mine. So of course I had to take her picture. While I am taking her picture I jokingly tell her to say cheese. Well she really does start smiling. I was so proud. So I then tell her you have been so good mom will have to buy you a new outfit. Well she starts smiling again. (Her dad is in trouble when she is old enough to go shopping.)

Christmas season

So today is the official start of the Christmas season for me. I love this time of year. There are so many things I love about it. The music, the gifts, the decorations, the food, the lights, the parties, the time spent with family, the nativities, the giving feeling, a reminder of the Savior's birth, ..... I could keep going on. Today was so fun because not only was I excited but so was Jace. He kept wanting to listen to Christmas music and was thrilled with his new Christmas shirt and socks. I can tell that this is going to be a great holiday season with Jace. He is excited to put lights on our house, make gingerbread houses, go look at the lights in Preston, and of course for presents. My goal this season is to slow down and really enjoy all of this special time of year. I am also hoping to get Jace into the spririt of Christmas by doing for others.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. Two healthy wonderful kids. A great husband. An abundance of great family. A country that is great to live in. A warm safe home. Plenty of food to eat. A wonderful heavenly father who blesses me more daily than I could hope for. I hope everyone takes the time to think of all they have to be thankful for. HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Favorite picture

So can you tell why this is Daniel's favorite picture of Ashlyn that Shelli took.

calculator

So yesterday me and Daniel had the calculator out working on some stuff. Jace comes in and starts using the calculator. Daniel tells him he needs the calculator back. Jace tells him Dad I am using the cow killer. I don't know how he got cow killer out of calculator but it gave me and Daniel both a laugh.

Jace pictures

Last week Amanda took some pictures of Jace for me. They turned out great. I haven't had any taken for a year and a half. See the difference for yourself.

one month

I can't believe that Ashlyn is now one month old. It has gone so fast. In so many ways I wish she could stay my little newborn forever. In other ways it so fun to see her growing. Her cheeks are feeling out and her legs are little less like chicken legs. She has stayed little for longer than Jace. She is still wearing her newborn size clothes and loves to be bundled in her blanket. Yesterday she started cooing and smiling. As hard as it is to see her getting bigger it is so fun to see the new things she is doing. I have to admit my heart melted when she smiled at me and showed me her adorable dimples. Lucily her bracelets are now fitting and not falling off I am just waiting for that to start happening with her shoes.