This is Gabbi at Jimmy's Birthday Party
On the 17th, yes I’m behind again uugghh, Jimmy had his first girl birthday party with his best friend. She had a cooking party (she loves Rachael Ray she's got GREAT taste). Jimmy knew that there were other boys invited but he was the only one that showed up and he was ok with that :) Before we got there he told me, “don’t worry Aunt Tammy if the kids don’t want to do what Gabbi wants to do she won’t have to worry because I’ll stay with her and do whatever she wants to do so she won’t be by herself”. He has the MOST TENDER HEART. I think that he was worried that the other kids might not want to cook or something. He also picked out her gift himself, cooking show Barbie. Well they made pizzas, cupcakes, and a drink (if I remember it right). They got a chef apron, hat, and balloon for party favors. As you can see Jimmy loved his balloon! He said that “they had so much fun!” but was upset that I was on time; they had just begun to play. I’m really happy that he has made such good friends!

New LDS Draper Temple Open House

As I’ve stated before, family and friends mean a great deal to me. Tonight we went to the open house at the new Draper Temple with two of our friends families there were 18 of us that went together. It was a really great night. 12 of the 18 of us were kids; they were all so good and took it all in. I was so happy with the boys and how well they behaved. They really understood the importance of going into Jesus’ home. Here are the pictures of us being there. First we were at one of the many Stake houses, then the bus ride there, and then at the Temple doors getting ready to go in. Some of us made dinner and took it with us; we sat in the parking lot and ate a yummy dinner. It was good for us to be able to reflect on were we had just been and what our favorite parts were. When we got home and pulling into the driveway Chris said as honest and sweet as could be, “Thank you for taking me to the Temple tonight”. We all smiled and agreed that it was a good night for all of us. If you live near by I really suggest the experience for you and your family, you won’t regret it.
You can go here and get the info for tickets.

Chad hates to give me a good picture…he really said that he had a good time even though it doesn’t look like it in the pictures :)…
I love the nut!

Well not much happened here with us this week, just getting back in the routine of life. Can you believe that it’s already the 11th of the month? Crazy quick already. I’m looking forward to this next week. I have some goals that I plan on taking action on this week, I’ll report at the end of the week. Hopefully I make some headway with them and have something to share. In the mean time I hope that you enjoy the pictures and have a great week yourselves!!

Jimmy, Uncle Chad, and Dad made a snow fort together.

Chris is completely into super heroes,

it changes day to day who the favorite is, but this was a

Superman moment.

I love my Friend Debi’s last post; she got all her Holiday break in one post, so I’m going to copy her idea. Here is our December all wrapped up in a pretty bow (I hope).

We started out by chilling.

Chris got these books for his Birthday and he Loves them!

Kind of a long story, but we did try and get lights up before it snowed and here is the proof. We ended up with lights on the bushes around the house instead. It was too hard to get it finished after it snowed. There’s always next year :). Thanks Mom for the extra lights so that we have enough to go up!!

December 2nd was Mom’s Birthday and we went to Colorado to surprise her for her Birthday.
It was a quick trip, but a GREAT one!

The boys were so excited to go and surprise Grandma at the restaurant. They were giggling most of the trip there.
The thought still makes me smile.

Our newest addition to the Family, Sassy.
Grizz thinks that she is “her” Toy… lol

The Ward Christmas Dinner. The boys were AWESOME!!
and we really enjoyed ourselves.

The boys got to see one Santa’s helpers.

Joy School Christmas Program for their Families.

Each of the kids got a certificate for giving different kinds of service to their friends during the month.

Spending some special time together with friends.
We went to a neighbor’s house together. Each year they set up a huge Christmas Village upstairs and downstairs a huge display of nativities. It was amazing and all the kids were great and really enjoyed themselves.

Community Service with the Activity Girls at the Food Bank.
We stuffed about 650 stockings for the children of the families that were picking up food the week of Christmas.
(They are in the boxes behind us)

We had our first snow since October!
The boys LOVE the snow!!

Chris has to make a snow angel any time he can!!

The whole group got into the fun!

My purple tree :)
(but of course)

I finally unpacked my Christmas China after 3 years.

Christmas Eve Jammies!

Poor Jimmy has the flu :(
Treats were left for Santa and the Reindeer.
Santa left a note in return :) (He’s gone “high tech” now days)
Christmas morning smiles!!

Time to play and explore!!
How cool to be 4 and have your own laptop!!
Thank you Grandma!!
A new Photographer in the family!!

Thank you Grandma!!
Christmas Dinner!! Yummy!!
(a request for a repeat of Thanksgiving)
New Years morning with friends.

So that is December in a nut shell, just to name a few of the things that it was made up of…
Now it’s just been 3 days back to “normal” and I already remember how much I loved being on break with no “real” schedule, no taxi driving, no homework, no evening rush for dinner, bath, and bedtime; just time spent together as a family.
I guess that’s what it’s all about though, and why we have to remember, and try to make the “season” last all year long. That is one of my goals this year.

Why do we wait till the Holidays to tell others how we feel about them, to share a piece of ourselves with others, to go the “extra mile” to make sure that we spend time with family and see loved ones that we only see once a year? Is that really what God intended for us to do? I don’t think so. I believe that he intends for us to do these things regularly, the saying that we loose ourselves in the service of others is so true. Aren’t our lives better enriched once we learn this ever so important lesson? We keep so busy that we forget what really matters, including our own families. I hope to remember this everyday, and not take for granite any time I have with my family and to share myself with others. Time is too short and precious. Thank goodness that we do have this special time of year to “remember”. What a wise and loving Father to give us this opportunity every year to re-connect with our loved ones as well as the opportunity to “give” of ourselves to others, without it, think how empty our lives would be. Not having the opportunity to “re-fill the well”.

Thank you to all of you that have given to me and my family not only over the holidays but the entire year. Thank you for the special Christmas Angels that gave so willingly to our family. It will be “paid forward” I promise!! We have been shown so much love and tenderness from so many this year. Thank you for being our family and friends. Thank you for being a great example of CHRIST'S LOVE.

Jimmy wanted a long weekend Birthday like Chris got this year, and since both had their Birthdays on Sunday that is just what happened. It started on Saturday with his Friend’s party, our Family party on Sunday evening, and Monday was his Class party. He kept Auntie busy.

He wanted a “Space” party, and thanks to Jenny we had these really cool Shuttle Space Ship, and she gave the greatest ideas for party favors too. “THANKS JENNY!!”

The Kids had a blast!!
Friend's Party

Family Party

It was a great Birthday and a Fun weekend!!!

It’s a New Year…WOW!!

We’ve all been sick with the flu, and so I got the kids some candy popcorn and soda. They stayed up till midnight (wow I never thought that would happen) and had a Sponge Bob movie marathon till it was time to watch "the ball" come down with Dad. I read and caught up on all my family/friend blog’s and watched the ball come down with the boys, and Chad went to bed early. Boring but all we could muster up this year.

Now where to go from here… I’m going to start with Jimmy’s Birthday (he get’s his own post), then the rest :)…

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all…

WOW... I can't believe that it has been 5 weeks again... must be a magical number for me… lol… I didn't even get my post to look like Christmas or my Christmas music :( ... My favorite time of year and I didn't even share it... insane!!

So much has happened since I posted last…
Jimmy’s Birthday, Thanksgiving, Chad's Mom's Birthday, Christmas, and the everyday living of life. I will work on getting caught up; hit the highlights and then a general post of most everything else.

I hope that all of you had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and are planning a great new year!! We love our family and friends very much and hope only the best for all of you!!