We are alive...and loving the holiday season

I have been soooo busy with pictures---YAY!!!! I am soooo thankful to all of you for all of your referrals, I love to see the chain, of how it is expanding...I have spread to Logan!!! I don't know how but someone called from Logan wanting to schedule a session...actually I have spread to Rhode Island...someone called wanting me to photograph their wedding... crazy!!! I am soooo loving it though!!!

Well, this holiday season has been jam packed like I am sure so many of yours are. We have had some great times with friends and family, and enjoying our traditions that our little family have carried on and created it's beautiful! I am HUGE into Traditions, it's those things that I look forward to each year and want to create the same thing for my children, more so then gifts, candy and toys...

We celebrated my moms "29th" birthday?

 We went to Temple Square to see the lights. We of course rode tracks downtown, that to us is part of the whole experience, the kids love it!! When we got downtown we saw a horse pulled carriage, Austin and Alyssa just thought that was the best thing they have ever saw. Too bad we couldn't afford the $1/minute price tag on the spur of a moment. I don't think the "driver" would have been to amused with us for a 5 minute ride :) The kids loved the lights, and the nativity, but their favorite thing to see what the statue of Christ in the visitors center. I love going to temple square to see the statue of Christ so we can "remember the reason for the season". Then they rode the ride "the escalator" twice with dad, then we went home, and the kids fell asleep in the car. Perfect!

Chad opted not to attend his work Christmas Party this year...which was fine, we were invited to a Christmas party with some friends in our neighborhood...we had a BLAST!!! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Chad and I need to get out more. I love to be with my kids 24/7 but I think a night out every once in a while with adult games and conversation isn't so bad.

We go on drives a lot, especially now that gas is $1.50 a gallon,  to look at Christmas lights around our neighborhood. I am so happy to see that quite a few houses have chosen the Griswald route in decorating their homes this year my favorite if you leave nearby is up by Welby Elementary (9580 S.  4190 W.)  they have their lights  synched up with music on the radio so you can listen and watch with your windows rolled up, to your favorite Christmas songs...we love it!!!!

We have baked lots of yummy Christmas treats. Decorated Gingerbread houses. I am definitely not a cake decorator I don't have the patience at all!! I started out, wanting to make it look super cute matching the image in my mind, then after I soon realized that wasn't happening my next goal was to use every last piece of candy, to decorate. The kids had a lot of fun with this one. I used a kit, and bought graham crackers and candy for them to use and they loved it!! Austin chose more to eat his frosting, crackers and candy....that's my boy!!! 

We have made some cute neighbor gifts this year...some might find crude, but I am loving it!!! So sorry if I offended anyone.

I finished with pictures and editing, and still stayed up til 3am wrapping presents. So not me, I usually carefully wrap each present as I buy them, but I have chosen to prioritize differently this year, and paid dearly last night. I am still not done. I am having my 5 nieces and nephews stay over Christmas eve night, to wake up here Christmas morning,  so, there were A LOT more presents to wrap this year!!!!

 I have discovered Digital scrapbooking....a lifesaver!!! but I am still going to print all of my pages out, to have a physical copy of all of my pages.

We attended Austin's Winter Sing performance. Austin actually participated even in front of other childrens family members then we all joined in on the last song singing Jingle Bells together and in walked Santa Clause...Austin was the first to sit on his lap. He asked first for a candy cane that Santa was taunting him with by holding it with in reach. Everyone got a good laugh at that, then Austin told him after being asked what he really wanted, he wanted an Indiana Jones whip, but he would be careful with it...we'll see how good he has been in 2 days if Santa brings it or not. Alyssa doesn't want anything for Christmas, especially if it means sitting on that old mans lap....so not her thing :)

Austin singing and doing actions to his songs

His thrilled supporters....they really did have a good time and still talk about it, they just don't smile for me anymore...

Austin and his teacher Miss Shanna

Austin and his best buddy...Tristen

Austin with jolly old St Nick...

Austin knows all his letters and sounds and vowels he is learning sooo much!! In the process Alyssa is picking up a lot of this too which is great!!! Alyssa knows all of her colors and talks above average for her age, she even tells jokes, and teases. 

We went to one nieces dance recital but missed the other 2 nieces recital due to leaving late and traffic. So sorry Jaydyn and Alayna, I can't wait to see the video on Christmas Day.

Austin gave his first talk in Primary on  Sunday. Grandma Green came and due to Austin being a very shy person in public, we were worried he wouldn't make a peep, but he did very well...I was so proud I almost cried. My kids in my class were even looking at me and ready to tease if one tear fell so I kept them in place...almost impossible for me to do. Alyssa has gone to her nursery class all by herself with no tears for the last 2 months maybe cried once, but she has done amazing!!! She has a little crush on Toby in her class. SO maybe that is what has done the trick!!!

Sunday night we went over to Nick and Kim's house for our kid party...yes, we are the kids. We had dinner...Nick made us all his lemon chicken specialty, and we played a present game, and opened our gifts to each other. We had a lot of fun getting together!!!! I am soooo happy we are all friends!!! 

We have tried to build a snowman, but apparently you can only build a snowman if it is warm enough, because when it is too cold it is just powder...I never did well in science :) and have never went skiing or snowboarding to know why "powder snow" is The Best!!!

We have our families Christmas party tomorrow night at our house, and I am making Cheesy Potatoes, Ham, Rolls and lots of treats, very low key...and I am so lucky to have all 9 very excited kids at my house throughout the day....yay!!!! We will attempt sledding or the snowman thing tomorrow.....

Okay that is our December so far in a nutshell, I am sure I left out several hundred things, BUT Chad and the kids are asking my most dreaded question....What's for dinner?

Have you checked out Twiddle thumbs  yet?!?! Maybe you shouldn't I want to do every and all  crafts they have on there and am seriously lacking in time....

Oh and I haven't made my big announcement yet.... I am going to have my own booth in the Home decorating and remodeling show  at the South Town Expo Center January 9th-11th For Kristen Spencer Photography...Thanks to the beautiful and wonderful Carlye Webb coming into my life...thank you, your amazing....and I have never felt more "in over my head" in my life...luckily I am not afraid to try...any creative ideas for my booth? maybe  I will hire the girls at Twiddle Thumbs...

Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night!!!