Goofing Around The House

Now that Christmas is over we have just been relaxing and playing around the house. We enjoyed having my mom here for a few days after Christmas. We didn't do a whole lot. We went out to dinner for my Grandma Pat's birthday on Saturday night with her, my Uncle Mick, Aunt Laurie, cousin Calie, her little guy Jaren and Uncle Kim. On Sunday my mom and I went and got pedicures, Peyton played in the snow, Bradyn pulled her and the neighbor Marisa on the sled behind the 4-wheeler and then Bradyn's parents, brother Shayne, wife Mandy and daughter Raylee came out to see our Christmas, eat pizza and play cards. Oh and Bradyn has been busy making jerkey with his new smoker. Monday we did a little shopping. And then today a little more shopping and then we took my mom to the airport this afternoon so she could head back to El Paso. I took my Christmas decorations down this afternoon and since I am off work this week I hope to organize and get the rest of our Christmas gifts put away.


Peyton loving the snow


Our new puppy Sage


Houston, Bradyn, Lefty, Marisa and Peyton


Bradyn and Houston


Peyton and Marisa


Houston and Peyton with Grandma Jill

Christmas Day

This Christmas was so nice because I had all of my family here at our house. We had to wake the kids up again this year but once up Peyton was so excited to see what Santa had brought. Houston had fun opening presents but quickly lost interest opening them and just wanted to play with all his new toys. Next year he will probably be more into it and know more of what's going on.


The tree Christmas morning


Zhu Zhu Hamster City


Houston and Bradyn


Grandpa Wes and Houston


Grandma Carolyn and Jason


Peyton opening presents


Houston not looking quite awake yet


Houston with Grandma Jill and Grandpa Wes


Peyton and Me (wow I look scary in the morning)


My dad opening his ticket for Sky Diving (I think he is nuts for wanting to jump out of a plane)


All dressed up in new Christmas attire

After opening presents at our house, me, Bradyn and the kids went to Bradyn's parents for a yummy breakfast and to exchange gifts with them and his brothers and their families.


Preslie, Peyton and Raylee


Houston in the rocking chair (I swear I have an identical picture of Peyton the same age in the same chair on Christmas)


The kids all opening their presents


Colter and Houston


Houston with Grandpa Brent

After Brent and ReNae's we went back to our house to have dinner with my family before my dad and brother had to head back down to El Paso. I was sad that their trip was so short but glad that they were still able to make it and that they let me mom stay for a few extra days.


Houston and Peyton with Grandpa Wes


Houston and Peyton with Uncle Jason


My dad with his corgi, Spud (I hope Sage don't get that big)

We were definately spoiled, thanks everybody!!! We had a really great Christmas and hope everybody else did as well.

Birkinshaw Christmas Party

On Christmas Eve night was the Birkinshaw (my mom's side of the family) Christmas Party at my cousin Calie and her husband Dave's house in Salem. Again we had more good food, it was nice to see family we don't get see as often and the exchange of gifts. And the kids had fun playing with more cousins.


My dad and mom


My Grandma Carolyn


Peyton


Houston's favorite part was pulling around the garbage bag filled with wrapping paper


Houston opening a present


Peyton opening a present


Peyton with cousins Heath and Braxton

Christmas Eve Day & Our New Addition

On Christmas Eve day, my dad, mom, brother Jason and Grandma Carolyn all came in town. We spent the day watching movies, snacked on all the yummy treats I still have hanging around the house, some took naps and we played around with our new member to our family. My parents got us a a Corgi puppy for Christmas. We needed another dog like a hole in the head but she is so cute so I guess we will keep her. Besides I have really wanted a smaller dog for the kids for quite awhile now. We were debating between the name Sage or Cricket and Peyton told me that she doesn't like crickets so Sage it is.


My mom, Houston and my dad


Houston getting into the presents


Peyton and Sage


Houstons new favorite toy, the dog kennel


Uncle Jason and Peyton napping

Bennett Christmas Party

On Friday, December 18th was the big Bennett Christmas Party at the Riverton Community Center. As always there was great food, it was nice to visit with all of the family and the kids had fun hitting the pinata and a special visit from Santa. They were even given a gift from Santa when they each sat on his lap. And the kids had a blast playing with all of their cousins.


The kids all listening to a story from Santa


Peyton with Santa and Mrs. Claus


Houston with Santa and Mrs. Claus


Houston and Colter opening Houston's present from Santa




Peyton opening her present from Santa


Peyton hitting the pinata

Peyton's Preschool Program

On Friday, December 18th, Peyton's preschool, Learning Dynamics, put on a Christmas Program with all of the kids at the Lehi Legacy Center. Each kid had a line that they got to say in between all the kids singing songs. I can't believe how many songs they learned and then sang at the program. It was so cute and she did such a great job! Bradyn's parents came to watch her and then took us to lunch afterwards. Thanks Brent and ReNae, she was really excited that you were able to come and watch her.

Thanksgiving

We had a really good Thanksgiving and an eventful Black Friday shopping trip this year. My mom flew into town on Wednesday and stayed until Sunday afternoon and it was really nice having her here. The kids look forward to her visits and Peyton had been counting down until Grandma Jill came for about 2 weeks prior. My Grandma Carolyn also came into to town on Wednesday so we started right off by doing some shopping that day. It was our year to go to Bradyn's parents for Thanksgiving, so while we went there for a yummy dinner and good company my mom and Grandma went to my Grandma Pat's house for dinner with my mom's side of the family. After dinner at Brent and ReNae's we went up to my Grandma's for dessert.

But that wasn't where the night ended. After dessert and visiting with family we drove Bradyn and the kids home to go to bed and then me, my mom, cousin Kellee and sister in-law Haylee went out shopping. We got to Toys R Us at 11:45 p.m. because the store opened at midnight. It was crazy there and we were lucky to be able to get at least part of what we went for, the Zhu Zhu house and accessories but no hamsters. From there we went to the Mall and got good deals on clothes for the kids at Children's Place and good deals at a few other stores. We went to Walmart next in time for the sales to start at 5:00 a.m. and got pretty much everything we were after. After Walmart Haylee left us and me, my mom and Kellee continued on to Target, Justice for Girls, Shopko, Kmart, Smiths Marketplace, IFA and then breakfast with my Grandma Pat, Uncle Wade and cousing Katee. We were home by noon with a truck load of shopping bags and we rested the rest of the day. We continued on shopping all day Saturday and Sunday morning. It is such a relief because I am most of the way done with all of my Christmas shopping.

Haylee was able to track down some Zhu Zhu Hamsters on KSL.com for us. We had to pay more money for them but at least the hunt for them is over. Yay!!! It's funny the crazy things we will do for our kids.


Houston and Peyton with Santa at the Fashion Place Mall


Peyton with Santa at the Saratoga Walmart

New Moon!

On November 19th me and a bunch of my friends went out to dinner at Olive Gardner and then to the midnight showing of New Moon that actually came out on the 20th. We were so excited because we had had our tickets for about 3 months prior and thought the day would never come. It was a really fun night and the movie was really good however, New Moon wasn't my favorite book so I went in with the attitude that the movie wouldn't be my favorite either. But I would like to see again when I am not so tired and hopefully next time I won't compare it to the book throughout the whole movie. I think I will like the movie a lot more the second time.


Me and Tracey


Kallie and Tana

I was bummed I didn't get any pictures of the rest of the group.