The Jolly Old Elf

The Annual Santa Pictures

Excitement was in the air.

McCall was so excited to see Santa, she planned to sit on his lap.

The boys were a little nervous - were they on the good list?

Wishes and promises were made.

The boys were happy beyond belief - after all they were sure this is the REAL Santa.

McCall is hoping for a better experience next year.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Merry Christmas

We wanted to wish you each a very merry Christmas. May all your wishes come true as we remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the gifts He gave us - eternal life, salvation, eternal families, among the many. I am grateful for my Savior, for all He has given me, for the peace and comfort He gives to me each day. For the constant care He gives to me, each day, through each triumph and trial.

Christmas is coming ....

All the stockings were hung ...

All the trees were decorated ... family tree, mom's tree, kids trees, BYU tree ...

The gingerbread has been decorated, and undecorated ...

The advent calendar has been partially consumed....

A new tradition has begun ...

Thank you Aunt Keli!

We open a Christmas book each night to read together as a family - I love it!

I'm TWO!

McCall has joined the ranks of the "Terrific Two's"

Some days it is the "Terribly Whiny Two's"!

She absolutely loved being the center of attention.

Everyone wishing her happy birthday.

Everyone singing to her.She was a little afraid of the candles and would close her eyes each time she attempted to blow out the candles. Silly thing. Thank goodness for brothers who are always willing to step in - especially if it involves fire. Of all her gifts, she was most pleased with lip balm.
She has a thing for it.
Her purse is full of it.
There is always at least one in her pockets.
And it covers her face, at least her cheeks are soft.

Her brothers doted on her all day, and she loved it.

We followed up cake and ice cream with going out to see Tangled.

What a great day.

Happy birthday McCall - we all love you!

Haircut for our Little MIss

Little Miss McCall just got her first real haircut.

I took her to the salon, she sat in the little chair,

Wore the cute little cape,

Sat as still as a statue, all the while admiring herself in the mirror.

Let the stylist blow dry her hair and round brush it.

I was amazed, as I can't get her to sit still long enough to put a ponytail in.

But she was quite thrilled with herself. And she is quite thrilled to show everyone her new do.

Getting bigger everyday ...

I have no will power ...

I have no will power when it comes to dressing this girl - thankfully I have become much better at bargain shopping ... or we might be in trouble, a LOT of trouble!

And the sheer number of photos is also a weakness ... sorry, but I must preserve these for posterity!

Sunday morning pictures

In my mind I have tons of time Sunday mornings before church at 1:00. But somehow between Ryan's meetings and my own I run out of time every Sunday. Feeding the kids breakfast, preparing for dinner, getting 4 kids and myself ready just gets in the way of what I would really like to do before church.
The kids are always in their best moods Sunday morning and they look their best too, it's the perfect time for pictures. But I rarely get to it, and when I do, I only have time for a few. But here's what we snagged this past week. We'll have to do more again soon!