Christmas Tree

Yesterday my family (minus the two little ones TJ and Elayna) went with our friends the Paytons to chop down our Christmas tree. We've been doing this for 3 or 4 years now, I can't remember when we started. We got all ready and left early! If you consider 10:00 early. We were supposed to leave our house at Eagle Mt. at 7:30, so we could get to Provo by 8:00, and leave shortly after that. It didn't happen. We left our house at 9:00, and left the Paytons at 10:00. Oh well, it's a good thing we weren't in a hurry! I am not exactly sure where it is we go, Russ knows the area better than I do, but it is beautiful! The first year we went, there was so much snow and ice that our van barely made it. The second year, last year, there wasn't any snow until the very tippy top of the mountain. We had to hike to get to it. This year, (so I guess it's been 3 years) there was more snow than last year, but not near as much as the year before. We still got to play in the snow though, and have the Christmas atmosphere. So, looking and searching for the "perfect" tree is the goal, but by the time you've hiked through the snow with small children who keep falling over snow-covered trees, you are just happy to have found a tree that looks half-way decent. So, I try to be a little more picky than I am feeling. I like to say "So, that's the kind we can chop? Ok, take it!" Even though it's a Charlie Brown tree. Instead of that, I have to look at other trees and decide which is better for us. This year we were prepared for the snow though, (I got new snowboots for all) so our feet were toasty warm. It was just a fun day in all!

Millene

Have you ever had a sister who, it would seem, could do pretty much anything she put her mind to? Well, Millene is that sister. She is so athletic, and can contort her body into pretty much any form. She climbs like a monkey, can dance to any kind of music. I just watch her do the things she does, and just think to myself, "what a dork!" But she is my dork, and I love her to pieces!

Halloween pictures

Yesterday I had my sister-in-law Andrea come and take pictures of my kids in their Halloween costumes. TJ was a snowman. I made the costume after many mental struggles on how best to do it, but i think it turned out pretty cute. Sandi was supposed to be a fairy, but she looked so much like a little butterfly. Jurnee was a "Sparkling Spiderella", a costume that Russ made for her, and I gotta say that her head thing turned out pretty awesome. Millene was a fairy as well, and looked the part more. She got stomach cramps Halloween night, and so didn't get to do much trick-or-treating, but Jurnee and Sandi stepped up to the plate, and had me keep on going to houses even after their feet were tired and they were getting colder, just so they could share their booty with their sister. Cool huh?

Millene's Birthday

So, Saturday was Millene's 8th Birthday. I told her (foolishly) that she could get her dad and I up in the morning if Elayna was awake. Well, it was still pretty dark out, and I hadn't heard a peep from Elayna, but I hear my door squeak as it's being pushed open, and then someone trying to make their way quietly across the floor to Elayna's bed, to check and see that she is awake (or to wake her up). So, I said, "Millene, what are you doing?"
"I heard Elayna, she's awake!"
"She is not awake, what time is it?"
"Six twenty"
"What?! Are you crazy?"
"You said that I could wake you up if Elayna was awake!"
"I know, but I didn't say you could wake her up!"
"I didn't, I heard her."
Of course this whole conversation is going on with me whispering, and Millene talking in a "sure to wake up Elayna" volume. So, then I had to remember that it was her special day, and to chill out. So, she brought all her presents to our bedroom, then opened them while her Dad and I were still in bed.

Velcro

So, does anyone else have children who think they need to be stuck to Mom with velcro? Both Elayna and Sandi can't seem to let me go anywhere without them. Sandi is content to be in the same room with me, but Elayna is most content to be pulling my pant legs, or just sitting in my lap. I have come to the conclusion that I won't get anything done unless I put her down for a nap at least 3 times a day whether she needs it or not!

Holiday Mood

So, I am already excited for the Holiday season. I am so happy to be in my new home for this Christmas time. I will actually have room for my Christmas tree this year, and not have to take out furniture to make it fit. I am hopefully going to get Russ to put up Christmas lights too. Then I will take a picture and scrapbook it!