Christmas Day!

Our Christmas was absolutely wonderful! We got up around 7:30 when Kaylee got up, and Carson was up shortly after. We read a story about the meaning of Christmas and watched part of a recent Music and the Spoken Word that had a great song called, "The Friendly Beasts". I want to make some type of tradition for Carson and Kaylee so they will know the true meaning of Christmas and not focus on the gifts so much. But it didn't take long and Carson was asking to open presents....so we made it quick, and headed for the front room to see what Santa brought our family.

Kaylee got this cute hat from Grandma Karen...she made it herself!
Later that day after Nick's parents headed home, we headed North to see my family. We spent the rest of the evening with them, opened more presents, and had another yummy Christmas dinner. I think I have eaten more the past few days, then I have the past month!! But OH, it has been yummy!
Kaylee got lots of fun presets, including some baby dolls from both grandparents! And Books, lots of books...Grandma Brower gave Carson a sleeping bag, flashlight, and book with a CD of her reading a book to him...it was so cute!!
We stayed the night Thursday, and Friday morning headed up to Rexburg Idaho to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Edstrom. The roads were horrible, and it took us about 1 1/2 longer than normal to get there, but we finally got there! Carson didn't take long to find the room of toys, and this stroller that kept both Carson and Kaylee entertained for awhile!
Kaylee was quite attached to Grandpa Brower this weekend...it was so cute to see her cuddle with him.

It was a nice visit with my Grandma....we ate. played cards, and chatted. It was nice and relaxing...which was better than the ride home...the roads were still horrible. But we made it home eventually...

Our Dirty Dirty Van...and the ride would have been a little easier, but our window washer fluid spray things were not working...so that made it an interesting trip!

One last thing...I wanted to share this cute picture of Kaylee in her Christmas Dress...isn't she precious!?!?!?!

Christmas Eve...

Sorry for all the posts, but I am a bit behind on my blogging...and have a TON of pictures to share! For Christmas this year we were lucky enough to have Nick's parents come up and spend Christmas with us. They came up on Tuesday afternoon and we had dinner and then went to the Bountiful Rec Center to swim with Nick and the Scouts. Kaylee & Gma Karen stayed home while the rest of us enjoyed the water! It was so fun for Carson! He loved going down the big yellow slide and play on the toys. I didn't get pictures of that, but the next day, we enjoyed a fun Christmas Eve by going up to Ogden to the Treehouse Museum. It was great! They were having a Christmas Eve party, where there was face painting, singing, and cookies! They put on a little program where we all sang and read a story...even Santa Clause made an appearance. Here are pictures from our adventure there.

After we got home, we had a yummy Christmas dinner and then made a gingerbread house. I had actually never made one before, but it was really easy with the kit from Costco. Thanks to Grandma for getting it for us! It was so fun to put together, and Carson really enjoyed those gumdrops!

Of course, Carson and Kaylee opened up PJ's from Grandma and Papa Bear...they were adorable...Carson got Car PJ's and Kaylee got the cutest and softest pink PJ's.

Carson is such a ham....he can be so photogenic sometimes.....it makes me wonder where he gets it! ;)

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Last Sunday, we celebrated my parents 33rd Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations!!! Matt & Nat came down and we had dinner at our house, and then we all went to church to attend our Ward's Sacrament Meeting, since our Ward Choir was doing the Christmas Program.

We had fun making this BIG card...this is what it said...

"For such a BIG achievement, we made this BIG Card...."

"Happy Anniversary....(And we wanted to make sure you could read it too!)"

We Love YOU!!!!

Lights! Lights! Lights!

On Monday we spent family night enjoying the beautiful lights at Temple Square. Other than the cold, it was very enjoyable! This is the first time that Carson has seen the lights there! He thought it was pretty cool....he really liked the reflection pool. We went with our friends, the Yospe's, thanks for the fun night guys! And for dinner! Yum!!
It really felt like Christmas, walking around in the cold with the snow, the lights, and the Christmas music coming from street musicians. We topped the night off with warm brownies and hot cocoa with marshmallows!

Kaylee was so snuggled up, she fell asleep!! She probably didn't feel very good though, earlier that day, she had her booster flu shot and had to have her blood drawn to check her thyroid level. So she had quite a long day!!

Luke and Carson had such a blast together...they didn't complain once about the cold!!!

So, an update on Kaylee's thyroid....Dr. Reese called yesterday and unfortunately her tests showed that her thyroid wasn't working, and her levels were pretty high of the chemical that tells the thyroid to work....it is high since it is having to send out such a big signal to tell the thyroid to produce. So...we have her back on medicine, and now it is just a matter of getting the dose just right for her. I am so thankful to know what we need to do to keep her healthy, and I am glad that it is easy to fix with just one little pill a day! Thanks again for everyone's support and prayers on her behalf...we are very thankful to you and our loving Heavenly Father for all the love that has been shown to our family.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

We definitely got into the holiday mood after last night's ward Christmas Party!

Great food, good entertainment, lots of friends, and Santa! What else could you ask for?!?! It was a blast, and Carson and Kaylee both did so well and seemed to have a good time!

The best part of the night was when all the kids left the gym to get ready for the program, and Carson went with his friend Kenadie. When they came back he joined them on the stage and sat up there the whole time, and it was so funny!! Not only because, technically he isn't in primary yet, but because he looked like he was in heaven being up there in front of everyone! It was so cute when he would wave at us....which is just adorable when any child does that! He is only weeks away from being in primary, so I didn't bother making him get down....it was just to cute to watch! You can tell which one is Carson....he is the one with the big cheesy grin!

All the men.....sitting in the back with the babies....what good hubby's!

Then of course, Santa came....and all the kids stood in line to take their turn sitting on his lap. Carson was so cute standing in line with his cute friend Kenadie. She is always so nice to him, it is quite adorable! Carson is such a fan of Santa this year! And again, he asked for a 'Soccer Ball Bank'....which I have it on good authority, that Santa is planning on giving him just that! As long as he remains on the NICE list!
So to top off the Christmas Spirit we felt last night....we woke up to beautiful SnOw!!! Carson went out in the powder while Nick shoveled the driveway. Carson also got a new sled yesterday, and took it for a ride yesterday at the park across the street. He had a blast, until he hit a tree (a small one...nothing too serious!)
As Christmas gets closer, it makes me very excited. I love this time of year! I still have a lot to do before it gets here, but I enjoy every moment of the preparation. So enough blogging...I have tons to do!