Clark W. Griswold

Our family is a HUGE fan of the movie Christmas Vacation. It is a tradition for us to watch it every Christmas Eve. In honor of this great movie, I had to post a picture of this house in our neighborhood. Every year they decorate their house in pure Clark W. Griswold style. I have to laugh everytime I drive by because it reminds me of sitting in Dad's living room, watching Christmas Vacation together as a family--Dad blurting out the same comments every year, in all the same parts of the movie. We know, we know, Dad. They could never pull that huge tree out of the ground by it's roots with their stationwagon. Love ya, Dad! ( :

Jared & Sammy's wedding

On Saturday, Kevin's youngest brother Jared got married. He and Sammy both looked gorgeous and it was a great day. Anistyn and her cousin Rylan got to be the flower girls and they were awesome! Here are some pics from the big day. Congrats Jared & Sammy!

Stockton, Jared & Anistyn

Anistyn & Daddy (Daddy was the best man)

Jared & Kevin

Rylan & Anistyn--the prettiest flower girls!

Sammy & Jared getting hitched!

The happy, gorgeous couple!

Me & Kev with the newlyweds

Merry Christmas!!!

We had a GREAT Christmas this year! On Christmas Eve we first went to Kevin's Mom's house and had a dinner. (I'm a slacker--no pics from there). Then we headed to my Dad's house. We decorated cookies, watched Christmas Vacation and shared our favorite moments of 2008 (all family traditions). Christmas morning we woke our kids up (yes, we had to wake them up!) and opened presents. It was fun to watch Anistyn this year because she totally gets Christmas and Santa and the whole bit. She was so excited she could barely stand it. Stockton doesn't get it, but still loved playing with all of his new toys. Then it was off to Dad's house again to have our traditional omlets (made by Kevin) and open presents. Then back to our house to host a Christmas lunch. Later that night we headed to Kevin's aunt and uncle's for dinner. Whew! What a day! But it was great. We are so grateful to have so much family around us to share the holidays with.

Grandma's annual Christmas party

Every year, the sunday before Christmas, Kevin's grandma has a Christmas party. It was a little different this year since we missed having grandpa there, but we still had a great time being together. Kevin's cousin, Sandy dresses the kids in costumes and they reinact the manger scene. It is so cute. This year Anistyn got to be the angel. She got too shy to say the part, but loved wearing the costume!

Us in our annual "the sunday before Christmas picture"

Apparently Stockton wanted to play the part of baby Jesus because he climbed into the cradle!

The cast. (This is Anistyn's new smile when we tell her to smile for the camera)

Stockton & grandma

Stockton trying to feed grandpa crackers

Can't wait until next year!!!

Christmas dinner at Mom's

Last weekend we had a Christmas dinner at my Mom's with my step brother and sister (who I haven't seen in over 3 years!). We had a great time just catching up, eating, and listening to my Mom's Kev play songs on the guitar.

Me, Anistyn, April, Shannon & Mom

Matt & Kevin

Melody & mom's Kev

Kev & Mom

Kevin Jr, Annie & Leo

Notice a name pattern in this family? Yes--we have 3 Kevin's, 2 Rachel's and 2 Annie's! ( :

Fun in the snow!

Kevin LOVES taking the kids sledding. We have several parks near our house that are good for sledding with little kids (hills are not too big). Last weekend, Kevin and Pat (a friend from our ward) took the kids sledding (minus Avery & Stockton). Afterwards they came back to the house for hot chocolate and played some more. What a great day!

Edee & Robs

Ansityn

Anistyn & Edee

I'm grateful to have a husband who loves taking our kids to experience new things in life. Daddy is for sure more fun than Mommy!

Anistyn's preschool program

Last week was Anistyn's preschool program. It was a good time, as always. Great grandma, grandpa, Shannon, Matt, Grammy, April, & Dad & Stacie all came to cheer her on. She memorized her part this year and did a great job!

Daddy with Stockton & Anistyn

Anistyn & her good friend Edee

It's hard to hear her on the video, but her part was "The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads"

Lights at Thanksgiving Point

I'm kind of behind on posts since we've been doing so many fun things leading up to Christmas, so here is the beginning of it!

We took the kids to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights and reindeer. They had a blast. It was a fun family outing.

Both my kids LOVE ice cream!

The reindeer

Shout out to Milam

Kevin wanted me to post a shout out to his friend Milam (he got this picture msg today). He and Kevin were companions in the MTC and have been great friends ever since. He is a pilot for Horizon airlines and has helped Kevin so much through his process of becoming a pilot. It's not uncommon for Kevin to text him several questions a day that he needs help with. He has been Kevin's 2nd instructor and we are grateful for all of his help. You're the best Elder Milam! ( :

Cali needs a new home

Anistyn loves to go to Petsmart. She has loved ALL animals since she was born. She especially likes to go play with the kitties that are up for adoption at Petsmart. Everytime we go there she heads right for that area. We have told her they are kitties that need a new home. Today she went through the garage (where our cats usually are) to throw something away for me outside. A few minutes later she came back in and said "Cali (one of our cats) is not very nice. I think we need to find her a new home at the pet store." Cali better watch her back--she may end up in the cages at Petsmart if Anistyn has anything to do with it!

Rudolph/Jingle Bells remix

Not sure where she came up with this, but who knows...maybe it will be the hottest new Christmas remix??

Sammy's brial shower

Yesterday my mother-in-law and I held a bridal shower for Jared's (Kevin's youngest brother) fiance Sammy. They are getting married 2 days after Christmas. (We tried to talk them into waiting until January, but when you're in love, you don't listen to anyone!)

Grandma, Sammy, me & Martha

Kaylynn & Grandma

Mel & Bronco

Sammy & her grandma

Judy & Bronco

Sandy & Coeby

Congratulations Jared & Sammy!

Popcorn!!!

Both of our kids LOVE popcorn (just like their mom & dad), so we often pop up a HUGE bowl and sit down to watch a movie together. Last Sunday night we watched the Muppet Christmas Carol. Although their attention span greatly dimished once the popcorn was all gone, we still had a great time!

Festival of Trees--part 2

Last weekend I was able to go to Festival of Trees again--this time with my family and Dad & Stacie and their kids. It was very crowded, but we had a great time. We ended up putting both boys in the stroller and both girls in the wagon because Stockton likes to tease his sister to death!

Shannon & Matt were volunteering that night, so I got a cute shot of them.

Both boys looking at the trees

Thanks for the great time guys! Let's do it again next year!

Ward Party

Last weekend we had our annual ward Christmas Breakfast. It's always a good time. We have breakfast and most of the kids come in their PJ's. After breakfast they have some sort of program and then Santa comes! This year Anistyn actually talked to Santa, which was fun to watch. Stockton just stared at him--same as last year. Although it was especially nice to not have any of my kids kicking and screaming this year! However, whoever had the idea to put whistles in the kids' gift bags clearly was not thinking. I think every parent in there wanted to get their hands on that person!

Last call!

I have a few Christmas cards left, so if you didn't get one, and would like one, please leave me your address. (My comments are moderated so it won't post to my blog).

Merry Christmas!

Anistyn Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

This one I more agree with--she is a total mix!

Stockton Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family pics - Ancestory

Don't know that I agree with this, but still fun! (I think Stockton is about 98% Daddy!)