Christmas Decorating 2009

Before we left for our vacation the kids and I decorated the house for Christmas. Sunny was definitely the director of the whole event, with Lila as her second in command. Jackson didn't seem to care as much about it this year as he did last year. (I'm pretty sure that is because the only thing he cares about is FOOTBALL --thanks to Ryan for that).

I'll have to find a picture like this from last year to compare, but they have all grown so much. Especially Lila, who was 9 months then.

It is such a blessing to have children who not only love each other more than I could've imagined, but to have children who truly are each others best friend. These two are pretty much joined at the hip, and I love it!

Sunny's took this picture of the tree.

At our house Christmas decorations are only allowed in one room, otherwise I feel like Christmas "threw-up" all over our house. My kids think that is hilarious, and love to point out houses with "Christmas throw-up". I've tried to tell them it's not appropriate to say that to people, but that haven't quite gotten it. Please don't be offended if they say it to you, it's all in good fun.

Ryan and I got the lights put up and the outside decorated on Saturday, but I haven't uploaded the pictures yet. I'm sure we were a sight to see with Ryan up on the roof and me yelling at him the whole time to be careful and get the stupid lights on straight. We are officially ready for December.

Bear and Lila

Lila is totally Bear's girl. She is pretty much obsessed with him. Last week after his surgery he came over for a quick visit. He sat down on the floor and Lila quickly went and sat beside him up against the couch. She was smiling so big and I grabbed the camera for a picture, but I couldn't get her to smile at me. She was too busy smiling right at Bear. I thought it was so sweet.

St. George -- Part 5

The one family picture we have.

Little boy on a big rock.

The beginning of our second hike.


Sunny cannot stop herself from posing. I think it is adorable.

Ryan actually climbed pretty high up this wall. I love how I got the picture at the exact moment that he was reaching down to pull up a kid, and they were all trying to climb up to him. I think Jackson was the lucky kid who got to go up higher with his Dad.

This was a really pretty view, but the colors don't look right in the picture for some reason, so you'll just have to trust me.

Do they look high up to you in this picture??? They were. Ryan had to get them down.

The one time Ryan put Lila down to go help the other kids climb she took off after him.

This was a really neat black rock wall. I took a picture of Ryan and the kids, and then he took me and Griffin in the same spot, just to prove we were all there, even if we can't be in the same picture together.

Me and Griffin in front of the black rock.

St. George -- Part 4

Thanksgiving morning we went to Snow Canyon to do a little hiking/exploring. This is the sand dunes. They reminded me so much of my childhood, and playing at the beach with my brothers in the sand dunes (that no longer exist b/c they were erased by a hurricane long ago).

The weather was fabulous. We couldn't have asked for more. This is Griffin working on his tan.

I love how blue the sky was.

We spent about an hour playing in the sand and running around. The big kids had fun digging holes for Lila to climb in. It was funny to watch Lila try and walk around in the sand. She has a hard time, and toward the end she just started crawling. They were covered from head to toe by the time we left.

St. George -- Part 3

This post is dedicated to the swimming pool and hot tub. This was so much fun. We went swimming both days, and I think the kids would have stayed there forever. This was Lila's first time in a pool and she really enjoyed herself (though she like the hot tub better :)

There are no pictures of me and Griffin b/c I swam the night before while Griffin was asleep in his car seat in the corner. This was the second day and I was the baby holder and picture taker.

St. George -- Part 2

This is the first Hotel visit for the kids. They thought it was great. Here they are all ready for bed. They were excited b/c they got to stay up late on vacation. Yep, 7:30p.m! I think I have them trained well.

Watching a cartoon before bed.

Lila tends to smile before or after I take the pictures, just not during the pictures. I assure you see was very happy, albeit a little (or a lot) sleepy.

My cuties!

Griffin was all smiles for the whole trip.

I love the mouthful of Goldfish. But, at least she's smiling at the camera this time.

In the parking lot.