Happy New Year!

 Family Pictures by my wonderful SIL Marci.  Preston 10 almost 11, Shaylee 9, Addison 7 almost 8, Brecken 18 months.

Preston's Birthday

I didn't get tons of pictures, we were to busy having fun.  Preston wanted to do something outdoors for his birthday, but the weather was just not cooperating, so he decided to go bowling instead.  We invited a couple cousin's and headed out 6 kids and myself.  We actually had a great time, the kids all were really good about cheering each other on, and no one pouted because they weren't winning so that's always nice.  After bowling, we headed to "Arctic Circle" (Preston's choice) for lunch.  Later, in the day Preston went to the new "Night at the museum movie with his dad and a friend.  When they got home from the movie he said he wasn't feeling well, so we saved cake and Ice cream.  So not to many pictures because he spent the night sick in the bathroom.  Poor boy.  He is an amazing young man.  He asked for math books for Christmas, but we decided it could wait for his birthday.  He wanted more challenging math he could work on.  So I bought some 7-8 grade algebra books and he's already started in on them.  (Crazy I know)!!  He loves school and is very smart.  He loves all sports, and you will always find him outside playing some type of sport.  His favorite food is pizza and I think it will be for quiet some time.  He loves watching any sports on TV with his dad.  If he's not playing them, he's watching them.  He loves the JAZZ, BYU, and Bronco's.  He loves to make people laugh, and does a really good job of it..(if you ask him).  This is his last year in elementary school.  I can't believe my first baby is moving onto intermediate school.  He is one of the tallest in his grade, and has no meat to his body.  Dean makes him do push ups and sit-ups to get him beefed up, but poor boy is skin and bones.  He is an amazing son, and has so much wisdom, and love to give.  We love you Preston.

Christmas Day

We had a Merry Christmas.  Yes, Santa found us even with the big move before the big day.  We…I mean Dean woke me up around 7:00, we got everything set up to recorder the kids, and I put my Breakfast in the oven.  The kids were all up laying on their already made beds waiting for us.  They were so excited they couldn't contain themselves.  We were spoiled this year.  All the kids got new Bikes from Santa.  We had a wonderful morning of just taking our time opening gift eating yummy food, and being with each other.  Around 11:30 we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Eves to exchange gifts with them, and enjoy a yummy turkey lunch.  The kids loved showing, and playing with toys with their cousins.  We really got spoiled by my parents this year, and one of the gift the girls all received was a new BOSCH!!!  I was so excited I screamed, and cried.  I had passed these beauties many times at Costco, and with a new house and needing other more important things first I couldn't justify a new Bosch…even though it was a great deal.  So,  I was really excited.  We had a lot of fun enjoying one an others company, playing games, and relaxing.  Later cousins, and grandparents came to our house to see what Santa brought.  We also had Quin Dani, and Kai come for a visit.  Brecken was excited not to be the youngest so he wanted to be by Kai all the time and help him even when he didn't want help.  What a wonderful year we have had, and a Great Christmas.  I felt like we didn't really get to do too much with finishing the house and moving, but overall our kids were wonderful and very understanding, and were very excited to get a new home for Christmas.  So grateful for our Savior Lord whose birth we celebrated, and the love he shows to us each and every hour.  We are so blessed to have this gospel, and a loving heavenly father in our lives to help us along our path of life.  May we always remember the reason we celebrate this season kids, it's not about the gifts we receive, but about the gift our Savior gave to us.

Christmas activities/ Christmas Eve

The week leading up to Christmas we moved into our new house.  We were excited to get in before Christmas, but new it would be a little crazy.  We didn't want to put up a tree, so grandma let us borrow one of hers, and she also brought a little one for Brecken to have.  He pretty much couldn't keep his hands off of it.  We made a trip to the mall to see Santa, and to the temple to listen to the Nativity, and look at all the nativity scenes in the Visitors Center.  It was a really mild night so we walked around the temple and looked at all the lights as well.  We had time to make some holiday goodies.  We made our homemade turtles, chocolate covered pretzels, holiday m&m cookie, and Sugar Cookies.  The kids love to decorate them.  So I let them go to town on a few of their own, then we make the other's look nice and pretty.  We also decorated our annual Christmas trees.  We love these so much better.  The kids get there own, and they aren't to big to eat.  They are the perfect size and so fun to decorate.  We left Shaylee's tree out to show Santa this year, and he was really impressed.  Brecken loved all the Christmas books, and I would find him in all sorts of places with a book looking at it.  We went around to look at Christmas lights, as well the Sunday before Christmas.  We took our Trusty 3d glasses, that change the lights to objects.  We have a Santa one, a bell one, reindeer, ornaments, snowman, angels, candy canes, snowflakes, and many more I can't think of.  We love taking them with us, and looking at all the lights.

The day before Christmas Eve it was such a nice day.  We had a picnic outside with the beautiful weather as requested by the girls.  Brecken loved being with the big kids, but of course didn't eat so well.

Christmas Eve we watched a couple Christmas shows,waiting for Dean to get off from work.  He had to work a half day, and then headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Eves house.  We had a yummy Christmas dinner, and Chocolate fondue fountain.  Then we moved onto the festivities.  First, the annual Eves family musical chairs; which is always a hit, and so much fun to do.  Really everyone should try musical chairs when they are older.  It's a blast.  Then we did our white elephant gift stealing game.  This is a must every year, everyone LOVES this game.  Brecken got Elsa and Anna fruit snacks, Dean got cologne, I stole makeup brushes.  Preston got a slinky and yo-yo.  Shaylee received a couple bags on bubble gum, and Addison got some type of treat as well.  We went home with a load of good stuff.  We sang a few songs about Jesus, and read the nativity story.  Then watched a few shows about the gift and the true meaning of Christmas.  I love this time of year, and love remembering the reason we celebrate this season, and sharing that feeling with my kids.  When we were all getting ready to go Grandma gave all the kids their Christmas Eve PJ's.  What a wonderful day and a wonderful time being with family.