Christmas Day

We were very lucky this year because both my mom and dad could come for Christmas. They also picked up my Grandma Carolyn so she could come and stay with us for a couple days as well. It was a pretty short trip for them. They got here on Christmas Eve and then left Friday morning but it was still nice having them here, I just wish my brother Jason could have made the trip.

On Christmas morning we opened gifts from Santa and exchanged gifts with my parents, my grandma and each other. We then went to Bradyn's parents for breakfast and exchanged gifts there while my parents and grandma ate breakfast at our house. And Christmas night we had dinner at our house with my parents and grandma.

For some reason I didn't get any pictures of my mom while she was here. It was probably because she was taking most of my pictures for me with my camera. Sorry mom!!!

Birkinshaw Christmas Party

On Christmas Eve was the Birkinshaw Christmas Party (my mom's side of the family). Up until this last year the party has always been held at my Grandma's house but the last 2 years it has been held at my cousin Calie's in Salem. Again there was lots of good food and family. Every year at Thanksgiving the whole family draws names and then we exchange the gifts at the party.

Bennett Christmas Party

This last Tuesday the 23rd was the Bennett Christmas Party at the Riverton Community Center. There was lots of good food and family, the kids played musical chairs, they hit 2 pinatas, and they each got to sit on Santa's lap to receive a gift after singing Christmas songs.

The Gingerbread House

The Friday before Christmas Peyton begged me to buy a Gingerbread House kit. I let her talk me into hit with one condition, her dad had to help her with it. Bradyn was glad to help her and after all of that hard work the two of them put into it Peyton just wanted to eat the candy off of it immediately and the house ended up falling apart after all of Peyton's picking so I ended up throwing it away on last Sunday. It was a good idea anyways, I guess.

Christmas Dance Progression

This last Tuesday night Peyton had her what they call "Christmas Pajama Party Progression" for dance. The girls in Peyton's dance class came dressed in their jammies and showed their parents and grandparents what they have learned so far this year. First each girl had their own chance in the spot light to show their jumps, twirls and splits, then all the girls together showed some other dance moves they have learned (sorry I am not to familiar with dance terms, but I never took dance as a kid), then they all danced to a Christmas dance they have learned and then they each got to sit on Santa's lap. After the pajama party we took Peyton to dinner to celebrate at McDonald's with Hadley, Haylee, Preslie & Colter, Jake, Tana, Hallie & Hazen and Bradyn's parents.


This is all the girls in Peyton's class


Bradyn was in charge of taking pictures while I ran the camcorder and this is the only one he got of Peyton dancing. This is her doing the splits.


Peyton with Santa (if you haven't been counting, this is the 4th time seeing Santa)

Another Santa's Lap

So far our kids have seen Santa three times this year. Once at the Fashion Place Mall, on the fire truck driving through our neighborhood, and the latest at my friends Rick and Stacey's company Christmas party. I can name at least 2 mores times they will see him. At Peyton's Christmas Pajama Party Progression for dance and at the Bennett Christmas party. We have been very lucky with Peyton because she just loves Santa and has never been scared of him and Houston has been good so far but he is still pretty young so we'll see as he gets older. Peyton keeps telling Santa that she wants a 4-wheeler for Christmas. She ain't asking for much is she?

Sleepover With The Girls

This last Saturday night we had Hadley, Haylee & their kids, Shayne, Mandy, Raylee and friend Jackson, and Shawn, Kathy & their kids over to watch the final round of the NFR. After the rodeo we invited Preslie and Raylee to have a sleepover with Peyton. It suprisingly didn't take too long to get them all to sleep on the air mattress in the front room and they all slept through the night without a peep. After they woke up in the morning they all ate pancakes, bacon and eggs and then off to play some more.

What We've Been Up To

So we really haven't been doing much of interest lately. We had a great Thanksgiving. My mom was able to fly in and was here from Wednesday until Monday. It was really nice having her here and we got a lot accomplished as far our Christmas shopping goes. I am happy to say that my Christmas shopping is complete with the exception of some candy and a few gift bags. Bradyn of course will finish his up a day or two before Christmas. I am also happy to say that everything is wrapped as well. I wish my dad and my brother could have made the trip but I understand how busy they are with all the horses and just hope they can all come for Christmas or shortly after.

So since I have all my shopping done and I only work 2 days a week with the exception of my parents accounting and billing I do from home, I have had some free time on my hands so I have jumped into reading the Twighligt books. I finished Twighlight in 6 days which is good for me and I am a third of the way finished with New Moon (which I started at 11:00 last night). I loved the first book and am glad that I saw the movie first as I already knew from watching the movie what the characters should look like in the book. I know there were some people disappointed in the characters chosen for the movie after they read the book and already had their vision of the characters. As far as the second book goes, I'm unsure right now. I loved the beginning but am now confused. Those that have read the book know what I am talking about. I won't say much more as I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't read the books. But if something doesn't change soon, then I don't know if I will read the third book. I never thought that I would be into these books as much as I am. I have never had a lot of time for reading so I don't read novels much. But I can't seem to put these ones down. Bradyn keeps asking me if my middle name is Carolyn. It's an inside joke as my Grandma's name is Carolyn and there was period of time when all she did was read.



As far as the rest of them go. Bradyn is still busy with work and right now the NFR is going on so we have been watching that every night. Peyton is getting excited for Christmas and wants everything she sees advertised on T.V. She is also excited because Grandma Jill is coming back and she asks everyday "When's Grandma Jill going to be here?". Houston is doing good. Rolling all over the place, scooting a little and eating baby food. He goes in for this 6 month check up on the 19th so we will see then how huge he is.