happy new year

New Year's Eve.

the morning was spent at the cabin, lazily loving the spread of treats and games.

during the afternoon, we ventured out of the cabin to Cedar City and watched Les Miserables...I may or may not have seen it 4x by now, but who's counting?

For some unknown reason, we always seem to end up at Chili's on NYE.

This year, that tradition continued...

We rang in the New Year a few hours early so all the kids could enjoy the fun!

Poppers, hats, horns, kazoos, confetti...you name it, we had it.

A perfect New Year's Eve  in my humble opinion. 

good company and a new year's kiss from my one and only :)

Christmas Day

Christmas...everything we hoped it would be :)

Camden was beyond excited when he saw that Santa did indeed bring him a bike, and a Lightening McQueen racetrack-- so much excited, that we had a hard time getting him to even look at any other gifts...

Turner was just as he always is, happy with everything. It did help that he got a new walker and ball toy.

Ryan completely surprised me with a Kindle! Well done, Ryan. Well done.

After having our own little Christmas morning, we headed over to Ryan's grandparents' house for brunch. From brunch, we all met at Charles' office for the "reveal".

Then we got to see the MUCH anticipated premiere of Les Miserables.

I'm not sure what I was more excited for, Christmas itself, or Les Miserables... and I did indeed LOVE it. Anne Hathaway broke my heart! Empty Chairs and Empty tables never hit me so hard, and I really wanted to join the revolution!

After the movie, we opened gifts with Ryan's dad, and had Christmas dinner.

The Christmas spirit was deep in my heart this Christmas... what could be better than spending a wonderful holiday experiencing joy with the ones you love most? 

Christmas Eve

breakfast at the belgium waffle and omelet inn.

setting up our Christmas gift for Charles (a new couch for his office! plus, some organization...)

revealing my gift for Ryan (an office makeover)

dinner, games, trifle, the nativity (at Lourie's house)

putting together helping Santa (some assembly required?!) 

Anticipating Christmas! 

Why do I even try to get him to take pictures?!

pre-Christmas in Idaho

Ryan had to coach an away game in some random, central Utah town the Friday before Christmas, so I took the boys up to Idaho for a pre-Christmas visit.

I'm so happy we went. 

Camden and Turner loved playing with their cousins, I got to cuddle baby Teagan, and hang out with the fam on the "off" year.

a few highlights: we introduced Camden to Candy Cane Lane, where he saw Santa and Mrs. Claus.

a GAG reunion at one of Idaho Falls' cutest restaurants. You know you have wonderful friends when it feels like not a day went by since you'd all been together. 

cookie frosting with Grandma Nelson. She really does make the best sugar cookies...

Our trip was cut a little short...Turner started throwing up Saturday night, so we packed up and headed home first thing Sunday morning. Poor kid. and poor me! (wait, I can feel bad for myself, right? I mean, I did do my fair share of puke cleaning... ok, if we're being honest, we can also feel bad for my mom too.)

We had a great time in Idaho, minus the puke. I wasn't sure if I was willing to take on the stress of heading up there solo with the kidlets when I still had so much to do for Christmas, but I'm so happy I did. 

thanksgiving & other things to be grateful for

Thanksgiving was spent with family cozy-ed up in the cabin. 

as we went around the table, expressing our gratitude, I felt so content to be with my sweet boys.  All 3 of them melt my heart. All 3 of them make me want to jump out the window sometimes... (well, more like my oldest son) but I love them so much it hurts.   

 our post-thanksgiving weekend went something like this: 

more birthday celebrations for Camden

following this kid around the house, trying to save him from himself. child knows how to make a mother nervous! he runs into, smacks his head on, and seems to find every corner of un-child proofed fun he can. needless to say, his noggin is one big bruise.

watching Camden enjoy all of his birthday glory.

he got a pirate ship, which he randomly finds me about once a day and thanks me for.

you keep that up, and I'll buy you a million pirate ships!

he also got buzz and woody pajamas...he presses the "button" on them, and his "wings" pop out. man alive, I love this child.

 we also embarked in a little shopping and golfing. 

I'm proud to say that I am pretty much done with all my Christmas shopping!

and that, feels pretty darn good :) bring on the Christmas rush!

Halloween Happenings

a mini photo catastrophe shoot with the littles from the hood.

we live in such a fun neighborhood! these girls are so great :)

Turner and his litte buddy Sebastian (they are only 1 month apart!) are so cute together. Sebastian, was quite intrigued with Turner's hair..and Turner couldn't be happier having all sorts of attention.

Camden had his little heart set on being Dash, so I decided we'd make it a family affair!

Home made costumes are harder than they seem... this may be the one and only year I attempt to make our own. Although I think Camden's excitement and gratitude may have been enough motivation to take on more endeavors in the future :)

Halloween night was a whirlwind of events.

We met at the farm for Laura Lee to open her mission call (Paris, France!), then trick-or-treating, followed by chili and treats with friends.

and now I get to enjoy Camden's Halloween candy!

Happy Halloween!

from the Incredibles

New Year's Eve

 We started the day off eating at The original Pancake House, where I had the most fluffy, delicious omelet, and Camden got a balloon sword.

After breakfast, we headed back into the city-- some of us (the girls and Camden) rode the trolley to an amazing mall and spent the better part of the afternoon shopping, while the others went to a bowl game.

The evening started with a Sacramento King's game...we had to catch Jimmer while we were there! And we needed to be fully supportive with our Jimmer shirts :)

After the game, we went downtown Sacramento to catch the 9:00 firework show--

it was set to Disney music, so Camden was loving it!

Based on the past few New Year's Eves, I have to say that I think I am getting old.

We checked into the hotel, ordered Chili's to-go, put the kids to bed, and watched Grey's Anatomy. As soon as the clock struck midnight, I got my New Year's kiss, and headed straight to bed. Staying up past midnight is just too much for this pregnant mama who's toddler wakes up at the same time no matter when I get to bed...