A little work

Ashlynn recently had some work done.

She picked out and placed all of them herself. She was so proud of it. She walked around pointing at it saying "toos, toos!

A Birthday Surprise

My mom's birthday was on January 8th. Sean had to go home on the 6th. We decided to have a small surprise party for her before Sean went home. Since I was picking Kobe up from school it was no problem getting her to my house.

I let the girls make and decorate her cake.

I took the kids to the store to pick out some gifts. Of course the girls thought grandma needed a new necklace. I convinced them she needed a scarf to go with her new coat also. Kobe worked hard cleaning my windows to earn enough money to by his mom a best mom snow globe, that she loved. Kobe was so proud of himself for earning the money. It was nice to see.

Grandma let all the kids help her blow out the candles

My mom wasnt even expecting it. It was the best surprise ever!

A little to share

I love crafts. When I say love, I mean LOVE them. I think it is so fun to come up with different things. This year for Christmas I made my mom a welcome sign for her door.

I like to try one before I make a bunch. I love how it turned out. So much that I will be making it again. However next time I think I will make it double sided.

The next fun project I made was a "paint can" gift basket.

I have never made one before. Who better to try it on than my brother. Again this is something I love and will be doing again.

4 is the world!

Kaylee's birthday falls right during the chaos of the holidays. To be exact 4 days after Christmas. Because of this I usually through something together the week before. I didnt want this to happen this year, so I started planning before Thanksgiving! I even started her invitations!

Kaylee wanted a princess themed party. We had a royal ball. It was so much fun. The girls were so excited. They got on their princess clothes, jewels and crowns. I helped them put on make-up.

Ashlynn wanted to do it herself

The girls spent quite some time getting ready, while they were getting ready Kayann asked Raymond (who was playing x box) when he was going to get read. His answer: I am ready (back to x box). He was wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and his hair was a mess. Kayann just raised her eyebrows and walked away. O boys!

This year we had to have Kaylee's party on a weekend. Because of this we just had food and cake and ice cream.

I'm not sure why but I have avoided making this cake:

Maybe because I feel it is over done. However, Kaylee LOVED it!

Uncle Sean came to town just days before the party. We were so lucky to be able to see his smiling face!

Kaylee loved opening presents. She loved everything. Ashlynn did too!

There are so many things we love about Kaylee. 1) She loves being a sister, big and little. She has so much fun with the other girls. 2) She has no objection on going with the flow. The plan changes.....o well. She is ok with that. 3) Even though she has 2 houses she is very good about being following our house's rules and being respectful. 4) She loves everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE!

Merry Christmas!

We thought for sure the kids would be up super early. We asked Raymond to stay in bed until 7, that way Ashlynn could get some sleep ( she had been sleeping until almost 830 almost everyday). Right at 7 we heard Raymond come upstairs. I convinced him to wait another 15 mins to wake the girls up. I woke Ashlynn up. She was so sleepy and didnt understand why we were getting her up.

This has turned into a classic picture. It is so very tortuous to the kids though. They can see their stockings put cant touch them until mom gets a good picture.

Raymond got alot of cool stuff. Star Wars action figures, a giant candy fish, a movie. You know boy stuff.

Ashlynn, still sleepy loved pulling all the snacks out of her stocking. She loved her earrings and sunglasses too

When Kayann saw her movie she exclaimed "barbie Pegasus, I have always wanted this!"

Kaylee loved her movie, chapstick and nail polish

Santa even left a stocking full of tennis balls for Takoda

Santa brought Ashlynn her very favorite:

She wouldnt get off it. She even ate her snacks on it! She only rides if its playing the music. But she rides like a maniac.

The girls got brand new barbies. Not any barbies but fairies and princesses!

Raymond is a bit of a Star Wars fanatic right now. He was so surprised to open his AT AT

Derek

Besides my expresso machine, my apple peeler is my favorite. We use it alot. Just for fun. The kids think it is pretty cool

My favorite part of Christmas is seeing how excited the kids are to give gifts to the people in their family. Of course the love getting gifts just as much

Christmas eve

This year on Christmas Eve my mom and I decided to have the kids make huge sugar cookies to decorate.

Raymond made a zombie bear with weapons. Kobe made an alien bear. The girls were much more delicate and traditional We had so much fun. I think it is something we will do every Christmas Eve from now on.

Here then gone

December is a very busy time around the house. Not just because of the holidays. It is cookie month (that is holiday caused). We have 2 birthdays. It is my busiest time at work. And this year we decided to add a cousin Christmas party. So here are the thing of the month (at least the fun parts)!

Every year after Thanksgiving my mom and I make our cookie list. This year the list was 14 types of cookies. Among the regulars, grandma's cookies, and spritz, we had some new ones, and fun kid cookies. We used 25 pounds of flour almost 25 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of powder sugar and who knows how much butter

These cookies were my favorite:

They taste like chocolate turtles!

Favorite number 2:

We made so many I couldnt take pictures of them all. I also loved a coconut cookie with a chocolate bottom. They taste like a mounds candy bar

Next was Derek's birthday. It was pretty low key. We went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's, which is a family favorite. After dinner we came home for a delicious triple chocolate cake.

The camera died so no more pictures. The kids got him some pjs and a sweet depth fishing line. He went to Wendover with Brady, to return shortly. I'm guessing they didnt do so well

My sister made a last minute trip to Salt Lake. We decided to have a cousin Christmas party. I'm pretty sure we will do it every year now.

We started by frosting Grandma Carnell's Christmas cookies.

Then we decorated reindeer cookies, while enjoying hot coco and egg nog.

I just love that Nicky. He is so chubby and has the bluest eyes!

The cookies were so fun for the kids. They are heart shaped sugar cookies made to look like Rudolf

After cookies the cousins got to participate in their own gift exchange. They were all so very excited

Kayann had Sal, which fit perfectly. She so very carefully picked out a present for him, with some guidance. I kept reminder her it was a surprise and not to tell Sal. When Sal started opening his present she yelled "I got you jammie pants!" It was so funny. She almost kept it a surprise.

Raymond thought his rubber band gun was the coolest! Sal may be getting one in the future!

JoEllen made a "go fishing" game. She loves it. Not so much to fish but to cook the fish. She takes them to the toy grill, cooks them, and then feeds us. It is so cute

Pickled herring is a Carnell favorite. Ask any of us they will tell you they love it, as their spouse gags and tries not to vomit. I took advantage of JoEllen's visit and bought a jar. We tried to get Ashlynn to eat some. She seriously eats everything but she would not eat it

We had such a great party and first few weeks of December. It made the kids all that more excited for Christmas!