Christmas with Josh's family

This year, we spent Christmas Eve with Josh's family. Josh's brother will be moving here in a few days, so he wasn't there. First, we went to Matt & Barbara's and had dinner with them. After dinner, we helped them drop off their "Santa" gifts to the boys. Each year, Barbara buys them some pj's and a few other things. Matt drops the stuff on the door step, knocks, yells "ho ho ho" and then hides.

 

Since we were with them, Josh was the one to drop the package. I decided to hide in the bushes and get a few pictures. They didn't turn out great, but it was so fun to watch. Melanie said when the boys heard "Santa" their eyes got all big and they were super excited.

 

We waited a few minutes, then went into visit. The boys already had on their new pj's and were so excited to show us the book and candy Santa had left. While we were there, we gave the boys their presents. We got them each a camo sweater and three shirts.  

 

Later, we gave Barbara and Matt their presents. They were home made this year. Josh gave his dad some reloaded bullets and I gave Barbara a box of greeting cards I've made over the years.

This year, I talked both of our families into trading names among siblings. I had Melanie's name and gave her a Maurice's gift card. Josh had Colter's name and gave him a Basin Sports gift card. Dallon & Natalie had our names, so I'm sure we'll be getting something from them.



 

 

The boys gave Josh and early birthday present, which they helped him open. ;)

 

Before we left, Preston read us a story. I swear he is growing too fast! While wrapping his presents earlier that day, I teared up to realize he is growing.

 

 Our gift from Barbara & Matt.

 

Winter Kitties

 

Winter time has proven to be very hard on my cats, especially Gaby. Every morning, she goes to the front door and cries to go outside. Some days, she will cry for HOURS. Since it snowed a few weeks ago, they haven't been outside at all.

 

But we've been blessed with a few sunny days, so the other day, when I couldn't stand her cries anymore, I let her and Zipper go outside. About an hour later, I went outside to empty the garbage, and found her hunting something in the bushes. She was thrilled to be outside and she doesn't let the snow slow her down.

 

Zipper, on the other hand, refused to leave the porch. He was very concerned when I tracked out in the snow to get the pictures of Gaby. He wanted to join me, but didn't like the snow.

 

I have never seen a cat obsessed with bread like Gaby is. We used to only keep it on one cupboard, because she knows how to jump on the rest. But last week, she figured out that she can jump on the other cupboard to. So now, we keep the bread in a cupboard. The other day, we had some toast, and there was only one slice left in the bag. So I put it in the food dish. Within 5 minutes, she had eaten half of it. Then an hour later, she came back and ate the rest.

Santa visits Valex & Daxsen

One night last week, Josh had a Santa job in Vernal. On our way there, we decided to stop and see my sister and her kids. I thought Daxsen would be okay and Valex would be the scared kid. But it was the complete opposite. Valex went right up to Santa and sat on his lap.

 

 

Valex was pretty excited when we walked in.

Vanessa even had a few gifts to wrap that she left on the porch for Santa to give to the boys.

Daxsen didn't like Santa one bit. So we only made Josh hold him long enough to get a picture. One his mom was holding him, he was fine. 

 While I was stealing some of my sister's pictures, I had to steal this picture too. One of the guys my mom works with dresses up as the Grinch every year.

Ladybug Cake

A few weeks ago, Josh had a friend ask if I would make a cake for his little girl's birthday. I was nervous at first, because I've only one other time made a cake for someone that wasn't a family member. 

They wanted a lady bug cake, so I went online and ordered the pan. I'm excited because Wilton has several other suggestions for this pan including a dinosaur and a cat among other things. 

I LOVE how it turned out! And it was so much fun to make a girl cake for a change. 

Penguin Cake

Each year, during the month of December, we each take a turn at work to bring treats. I decided to make a cake, but wasn't sure what to do. Then I remembered I bought a star pan over a year ago, but had never used it. When I went online to look at it, I saw this cute penguin you can make with the star pan, so I decided to make it instead. Can't wait to take it to work tomorrow. 

Book Club - "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks

In November, it was my turn to host book club. My new favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. In October, I read 5 of his books in 3 weeks. I would decide to choose one book for book club, but then read it and I didn't want to wait that long to discuss it. So finally, I decided to just choose a book, but then not read it until just before book club. But they all sounded good, so I couldn't choose one. Finally, I choose "Dear John" because the main character shares my name. ;)

Thursday night, we got together for book club. I served Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner. Then we watched the movie. Of course, it doesn't follow the book closely, I still loved the movie. 

We always take a break in December because of the holidays. So until January. :)

Babysitting

On Tuesday, my sister had to go to SLC for some training for her new job at Curves. Since it was my mom's birthday (not that it mattered, she ended up working herself), my sister asked me to babysit. I was thrilled to spend a day with them, so I arranged to have the day off.

Like all babysitting jobs, we had a rough start when mom first left. Valex sat in the window for a few minutes and kept crying "don't leave." Broke my heart, but it was so cute, I had to take a few pictures.

But the rest of the day went smoothly. We watched Mickey Mouse and played all day. 

Vanessa left us some stuff for lunch, but since I'm the "cool" aunt, we went and got some lunch from Rocky's. We had a hamburger, nuggets, fries and ice cream. Valex is getting so descriptive! The ice cream was "tasty", "yummy", "licious" and "cold" (with a shiver!). 

Like true brothers, we either are best friends, 

Or not so much. But don't worry, Daxsen was laughing. Of course, when he sat on his brother later, Valex        was all tears. Things never work fairly both ways between brothers. 

My mom already has her Christmas tree up. If the boys touch it, they have to go to time out. Both ended up there a few times. One time, Daxsen got near it. I told him to not touch it. So he pulled a flower off it and handed it to me. I was worried he would realize he could get away with it, so I put him in time out. (Broke my heart!) But it didn't work. Vanessa told me he still tries that trick. And sometimes he "plants" the flowers in the couch. Its just too much temptation. Another time, Valex got near the tree. When I told him not to touch it, he looked at me, then stuck his belly out as far as he could until it bumped the tree. I probably should have put him in time out, but I let him get away with it. 

I don't know how my sister does it day to day. I was exhausted that night! But it was a perfect day. 

Mom's 50th Birthday

This year, November 27th, marked my mom's 50th Birthday. Her employer decided to throw her a surprise party dinner the night before. I didn't get any pictures, but it was fun and she was surprised. 

We went to The Porch Restaurant in Vernal. All of my siblings were there, along with all the people my mom works with. 

I gave her my present the next day. I love it so much, that just maybe, a 2nd one might find its way under our Christmas tree this year.