Hardware Ranch and the Elk

We were looking for something fun to do the day after Christmas...we're not much of the after Christmas sale shoppers...and Macher came up with Hardware Ranch just outside Logan, Utah. The kids (minus Jack) loved the experience. They were a little impatient waiting in line for a chance to ride on the horse pulled wagons...but we distracted them with the camera phone!

And the last child is in among the blankets and coat. Jack Jack was NOT happy to be out in the cold, without lunch, or a nap! He cried the entire time we waited in line (which seemed like forever while he was crying) and for the first 10 minutes of the explanation. Ah well. I had a good time and John still remembers it!

The Bike Riders

The bicycle gang that we currently have at our house consists of more bikes than riders...until friends come over. Isn't that a nice looking collection of "wheels?" Yeah, I know the horse isn't really wheels, but it takes a rider wherever he or she needs to go.

John loves his big wheel. We love how sturdy this thing is. He was even practicing turning and skidding. We were lucky not to have any snow on the sidewalk for him to get up some good speed. And that rear seat is just big enough to turn around and enjoy a comfy break spot.

Bekah has already learned how to be a big girl on a tricycle. She's been using John and Kelsey's for the past summer months (whenever the other two weren't looking). Now, she has her own bike, complete with stickers! And it looks like she'll be practicing on John's bike when he needs a break from all the hard work of being the big brother.

Christmas 2009

We felt very blessed as a family this year. We shared time with wonderful friends, ate tasty treats, and we weren't sick at all! What a gift! We would like to thank everyone who made our Christmas a memorable one this year! Thank you so much for your love and support!

And without further ado...the pictures! I hope they bring a smile to your heart as much as they brought laughter to our home!

The stockings were stuffed with goodies like Pop Rocks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and clementines! Oh the joy of new toothbrushes and their own tube of special kid toothpaste! WOW! Such lucky kids! They also got "warm" goodies like cocoa with marshmallows and Jack is modeling his new rice bag (he has yet to try it out but the other kids have already tried theirs!).

Speaking of Jack, he slept through the excitement of the day and woke to enjoy all of his presents unwrapped for him. He didn't have to do a thing! The kids got to love some of his toys for him first, but that's alright. They were just "breaking" them in for him.

Bekah was loving her toys! She loved her tea set (which we named a hot cocoa set since she was given cocoa for Christmas too). I think she was the most excited about her bicycle and wanted to ride it as soon as possible.

Kelsey fell in love with everything! She got lots of princess stuff (puzzles, games, bubbles, etc) but I have to say she was most excited about her Barbie! Mom was a little hesitant about getting something with so many accessories that could get lost or choked on, but Grams did an excellent job finding one where the shoes and necklace were permanently attached. Thanks, Grams!

John has gotten to the stage where he doesn't want to wait for his presents to be given to him. He wanted them all now and then to help everyone else open theirs too. Ah well. He did a good job waiting to ride his new bike outside. But can you say "Pure happiness" when you see him with his helicopter?

And on to the bikes...

Two lucky bike riders! John and Bekah were so excited about their new bikes! They even knew exactly which bike went to which person. And I think the bow on John's bike is still attached to it. And since this entry is so long...I think I'll save the "Bike Ride" for another day. Keep watching!

Happy 2nd Birthday Bekah Mae!

I should have done this a long time ago...since it's almost John's birthday. WOW! Here's to keeping up with the kids...a New Year's Resolution! Hah!

We celebrated a small birthday party for Bekah on her 2nd birthday back in December (hence the Christmas themed party). Shawn mentioned that she's going to have a Christmas theme to her birthdays forever. Probably true. But she picked out what type of cake she wanted. She got to choose between a reindeer, a snowman, Santa Claus, and the Christmas tree. I think she was most excited about getting a candy cane with her cake. And it was a fun cake to make too.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the gifts she received. She LOVES her sheets and constantly reminds us that "Gamma Sue give me bed" and then she snuggles into her blanket. What a cute girl!

We later had a combined birthday party for the kids in our development. We had a lot of friends show up to celebrate with us. One family gave Bekah some bath time paints. She decided it would be a good idea to try them out in her bed and on her teddy bear! Good thing they're all washable! Everyone enjoyed the paints in the bath. Daddy loved showing the kids how to mix colors to make different colors. Great bubbles!

And the biggest news for Bekah...she's doing very well on the potty! It looks like she might be potty trained before all of the snow melts! That's wonderful news for all of us! She's truly getting to be a big girl!

Happy Turkey Day!

I know this is a BIT late...but we wanted everyone to know the fun we had while Grandma Sue and Great Grams came to visit. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures of the kids with the grandparents (bad me!). But the kids still talk about when will they get to see Grandma Sue and Grams again! Good memories for all!

I did get some pictures of the girls and then the traditional spread of pies on pie night! Thought I'd share the love, even if it is a few months late!

This picture is actually from Kelsey's first bus ride at school. It happened shortly before Thanksgiving. Believe me, the kids' harnesses for preschool are a curious thing. They are difficult to get the kids into and even harder for me to believe that they would really save a life. I think they're more of a restraint system to keep kids sitting down than to keep them safe....I guess that helps keep them safe too. Ah well.