Elizabeth Basketball

Liz played basketball for the first time this year. She had no clue about the game when she started 7 weeks ago, but at her last game she made FOUR baskets. There is just something about sports that makes this little girl light up. 

Elf on the Shelf

This year we decided to adopt an Elf on the Shelf. The children decided to name their Elf, Snowflake. The elf sits on the shelf all day and watches the children to see if they are naughty or nice. Each night the Elf takes a trip back to the north pole to give Santa his report. The children know that Snowflake made his report if he is found in a different location the next morning. The children are not allowed to touch Snowflake all day long or he will loose some of his magic and not be able to make it to the North Pole. Below are some places that the children have woken up to find Snowflake in. 

We are also reading stories about Christ every night before bed. I used this Christmas themed scripture reading chart  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/225954106278259783/ and the kids love it. 

It's Beginnig to Look a lot like Christmas

We got quite a bit of snow this weekend and it being the first full weekend in December we decided to pay Santa a visit. We also had a ward party to attend, so we dressed up for the occasion. 

Abigail was in the Nativity and sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Making Snow Angels Of Course

Thanksgiving

We went to Utah for Thanksgiving this year. We spent four days with Heather and Shane and on Thanksgiving day went to my cousin Kristin's house and got to spend time with friends and family. 

Emily, Grady, and Jeffrey

Elizabeth on the "Roller Coaster"

Darin's best friend John from Ricks College and his wife Kathryn

Uncle Billy & JD (John Darin)

Earning their keep by helping Uncle Shane Rake and Bag Leaves

Swimming in Heather and Shane's Hot Tub

Roasting Hot Dogs on Heather's Gas Stove

Bowling

When I grow up I want to be a ...

House Designer

Elizabeth loves to build forts with my preschool mats. She told me that she wants to design houses when she grows up. I could totally see her doing that as a future career. She has a very artistic, creative, mathematical, analytic brain. 

And the winner is ....

Abigail and her friend Kassidy entered the Reflections contest for her school and they won first place for dance choreography. Their dance is now going to go on to the regional level. Their prize was a $2.00 bill. Abigail was pretty stoked! They choreographed their dance to Believe by Josh Groban.

Mr. Independent

Carson is quite independent these days and quite the handful. 

He does not love for us to feed him. He wants to do it himself. 

He will not sleep anywhere except for his cars eat or crib. Forget trying to get him to fall asleep in your arms. 

He loves to open the dishwasher and jump on it like a trampoline. He also loves to push the buttons and make it stop and drain mid-cycle.

He also loves to open the oven. 

And turn the knobs. Notice all of the duct tape on my appliances. This is how I keep some sense of sanity during the day.

Carson 13 Months

Carson just had his well baby check and his growth has tapered off quite a bit. He weighs 23 lbs 12 oz. (in the 54th percentile) and is 30.8 inches long (64th percentile). We decided it was time for him to get a big boy hair cut, so daddy took him to the back porch and gave him a No. 3 Buzz. (Yep! I cried). I just loved his long blonde beautiful hair, and he looks so much older to me now. 

Carson is also very advanced when it comes to his physical development. He climbs everything, runs, and loves to make messes. His verbal development isn't quite where his sisters were at 13 months old. If I remember correctly, I think they were actually saying a few words at their first birthday. Carson still just says da-da alot and mmmmmmm (which means mom and food), he also waves bye-bye, and says "nigh nigh", which I think is night night. He also shakes his head "NO" but thinks when an adult says no, it is a game and he just laughs and keeps being naughty. He also loves to listen to music and bounce to the beat. Recently, he has shown an interest in cars and balls. 

Carson is always looking for a small space to hide in.

Fall Family Pictures

Alyona Oborn took our family pictures when my parents came into town right after they got off of their mission. I am very pleased with the pictures! I am so blessed to have the family that I have. We were also able to sneak in Carson's 1 year old pictures as well.  Now, the hard part is deciding what I want to order.