CHRISTMAS

Christmas at Gramma and Grampa's is always fun. We have lots of people and presents and tons of wrapping paper. It is total chaos but we love it!

Our girls got everything that they ever wanted. Right girls? Loren was really excited this year. Her and Kasey were anxious for everyone to go to sleep so Santa could come. They slept on Gramma & Papa's floor.

We got to sleep till 6:30. The kids had to stay in bed till we got back over there. Brennan and I went home to sleep in our quiet house.

We had a fun day! We only had to go thru the mountains of garbage once because I threw away $30. Found it.

Loren made Papa a car. She made it out of card stock and was so excited to give it to him. He loved it just as she knew he would.

Everyone was here. Clint, Mindy and Taysen, Susan and Lindsey, Shelly, Jeff and Kasey , Todd and Dianna, Brennan, myself and our girls, and mom and dad! What more could we want!

The end of a wonderful day and a wonderful Christmsas season! We had a blizzard tonight. We got about 7 or 8 inches of snow in an hour. Lyssi & Haley went in to work for a couple of hours and had to dig their car out. We definately had a white Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVE

********* LOTS OF GRANDDAUGHTERS! ********

I think that we are so blessed to have 4 girls who all still love their mom and dad. They are fun and funny and so dang cute. Gramma bought cute jammies. She always gives them a book and jammies. They act like they don't know what is in the present.

Christmas Eve is always so much fun. We go to Gramma & Grampa's and hang out. We eat, sing Christmas carols and of course, the girls all get to open one present from Gramma & Papa. Can you guess what that present might be?....Jammies!

Brennan breaks out the violin whether he wants to or not. I think he really does enjoys it.

We all love spending the evening with each other. In years past, we all slept over but Brennan has put his foot down and we go home and sleep. (Just Brennan and I) and have to be back before the kids can go in to see what Santa brought. This year, everyone slept till about 6:30.

Gramma's tree is so pretty. They can never not touch

Having fun together!

Cousins are fun. I'm so glad that my girls know cousins! Family is a good place to be!

Taysen is adorable. Completely an angel baby! It's fun having a baby around again.

EMILY'S WISDOM

Emily had her wisdom teeth pulled the day after Christmas. She had her bottom ones pulled when she was 9 so she only had top ones. THREE top ones. Weird huh? She had more wisdom then most. She was sore all day but it all went well.

SNOW DAY

Today was a perfect snow day! It was snowing when we woke up and all morning. Loren couldn't wait to get on the hill with her sled. Her and Kaitlyn had lots of fun! They were frozen baby girls when they came home.

I learnded how to make bread for the 1st time in my life! I've made banana bread and bread in my machine but never made it "for true" as Haley used to say. Emily and I have made 28 loaves and one more batch to go. I must say "they look beautiful!" When we made the 1st batch, Brennan came up from his office and looked at the bread and said "A Christmas Miracle!" We've been taking them around w/a little honey bear for our neighbor gifts. We are so dang proud! (thanks Mar)

Tonight Loren and Brennan had a fun time making a gingerbread house. Brennan said that he used yellow snow to make his snowman. They did a good job. Man! We've had a busy but fun day!

CHRISTMAS IN SALT LAKE CITY

Ems and Lyssi were really bummed because they were suppose to be in Idaho Falls at our friends(Logan Belnap's) reception. They were so excited but the Thurs. morning (the day they were to leave) Brennan watched the weather and it was ugly so we couldn't let them go. We decided to do something fun together instead of letting them sulk.

We has so much fun tonight! We rode the Front Runner to Salt Lake. We went to Gateway to eat. We were going to go to the temple to see the lights but time ran away from us. We put our name on the list and then did a little window shopping. Brennan was being a softy and we went to Build A Bear and the girls all got an early Christmas present. We all had so much fun! We ran into Susan and Lindsey! They were down from Logan. (my cousins) So we had to find a nice man to take our picture. We had a perfect night. The snow was beautiful! The train ride was fun and the girls LOVED it all! It's nice to have all 4 girls together at the same time. That doesn't happen very often!

Their new little Christmas friends.

Noggin's Gone

Lyssi's turtle died today. It is really sad. I called and told her and she came home with her eyes all red. She said it was embarrassing because she started crying with everyone around her. She loved her Noggin. She wanted to burry him. Brennan told her that it would be too hard to dig a hole because the ground it frozen. Her friend Justin helped her find a field and they got it done. Her friend Lyndsey brought over a hairless rat in a cage with food and everything. She said that she felt so bad that Noggin died so she brought her another pet. I wouldn't let Lyndsey leave w/out it! Mean mom, Sad day.

SNOWBALL DANCE

Today was the Snowball Dance. Lyssi went again with Justin. This dance is where the boy buys matching pajamma bottoms and it's a very casual dance. For their "day-date" they went ice skating. Then tonight, they went to Apple Bee's and to the dance. They are all watching a movie right now and she has a few more minutes before she has to be home. (the clock is ticking) I hate it when my little chicks aren't all tucked in and safe in bed. Anyway, they looked cute. I wasn't home when he came to get her so Brennan and I posed for Haley to make sure she would take cute pictures. I made her pinky swear that she would.Lyssi said they look like old married couples posed like that. Haley was just doing her job.

Last night Lyssi and I went to the Nutcracker at the Egyptian Theater. We had a good time. I really think that the Nutcracker should have had pants on instead of tights. It was not a pretty sight. That just bugs me. BLAUGH! Anyway, I told Lyssi to just look at his feet. The girls all had such beautiful dresses. They made up for the tight thing. We had a fun night!

Lyssi and Lindsey should have been in the Nutcracker. Look at their style, their tecknique! So proud!

OH NO, A HAIR CUT!

Haley and Loren cut off their beautiful long hair. It looks very cute. Haley was so nervous but it was way too long to do anything with. (those are her words, not mine) Loren could care less. "Just cut it Gramma!" Gramma had to make sure dad was on board. We are so thankful that we don't have to pay for haircuts! On Sunday nights is usually when Gramma gives us haircuts. We are there for dinner and then "oh, when can you cut my hair?" She is always so nice and will do it right then.

December 5th, DUTCH CHRISTMAS

Last night we were invited to the "Sinterklaas" party at the Van Komen's. It is a big Dutch Christmas party that is celebrated every December 5th. St. Nicholas and "Black Pete" come and bring presents for everyone. Last time Haley was embarrassed because "Black Pete" was in one of her classes. She was relieved that it wasn't him this time.
Brennan went on his mission to Holland and Bob Van Komen is Dutch so Brennan had an "in" with him right from the start. It is a big family party with lots of Dutch food (Brennan LOVES it all!) It was fun and we feel very lucky that we keep getting invited each year. Lyssi was missing all the fun because she had a date.

I brought a stroop waffel home for Lyssi and Colton. It is a thin cookie with a carmel center. It is delicous and we all love them. Even Little Miss Picky Pants. (that could be any one of us!)