Christmas 2008

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year!!!

Here is a recap of our BUSY day...

We went to my parent's house to open presents with the family.

Here is Parker opening his very 1st Christmas Present...

Could have been his 1st and ONLY...
he is REALLY into cars right now & was in heaven when he saw his 1st gift!

While we were there, the Huber's stopped by with MANY MORE gifts!! They ALWAYS spoil us & it was so GREAT to see them!!! Ryler was excited to MEET them!

They are REALLY AMAZING family friends of ours & they have basically adopted all 9 of the grandkids & LOVE them to pieces! We sure LOVE them too!!!

I just thought this was really funny...

...so I took a picture! Don't hate me when you are older Tanner! :)

Parker decided he enjoyed eating Cashews with Grandpa, more than opening presents...so here he sat...Loving Life! :)

And was found eating JUNK FOOD the REST OF THE DAY!!!
I suppose he is allowed! It was Christmas!

I still can't believe it RAINED on Christmas! Kind of fun, since we don't get SNOW!

Next, we headed over to the Allens for a DELICIOUS Christmas meal, more presents & lots of family fun!

The Suns disappointed us...ON CHRISTMAS...how dare they!?!

Cute Ry on his FIRST Christmas!

Later that night we headed back to my parent's to talk to my brother TATE on the phone-he's on his mission in Honduras. It was great to talk to him & hear how much he LOVES his mission!

We also did our family gift exchange. We do it White Elephant game style...where you draw numbers and go in that order & you can steal eachother's gifts, etc. This year we decided to do "Preparedness" items...brought on by our wonderful economy:) It was really fun & everything will be really useful! From igloos & icechests, to wind up flaslights, to cases of Applesauce, to adapters & candles...everyone got something useful, that will help us be more prepared...

The BEST PRESENT of all this year was cute little RYLER!!!
We feel SO blessed that he is here & we are so HAPPY he is part of our little family!

Christmas was very low key this year. We didn't spend a lot of money, we didn't buy eachother gifts & with Ryler coming a little early, we didn't get our Christmas decor put up. I admit I complained about not having a tree this year & was doubtful that I could be in the Christmas spirit without one , but it turned out to be such a WONDERFUL Christmas anyways & we were really able to focus on the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve

We didn't have any plans for Christmas Eve, so we decided to go to the Temple Lights as a family...

We had a great time as a family & Parker is OBSESSED with the color BLUE right now & had so much fun pointing out all of the BLUE lights!

I am so GRATEFUL we have a TEMPLE so close to home!

A Christmas Story...

A special Christmas Story from my family to yours...

Cast of Characters Include:
Mason as Joseph
Hallie as Mary
Ryler as Baby Jesus
Parker as Shepherd
Mia as Shepherd
Powell as Wiseman
Tanner as Wiseman
Abby as Sheep
Gemma as Angel

Luke 2: 1-16

"And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judaea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is bornd this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste,

and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

*************

Special Credits Include...

* Thanks to my little sister Heidi for rummaging through her closet, rounding up some bath towels & making some sweet paper crowns/sheep ears...to make some pretty amazing costumes :)

*Ryler wins the prize for being the most COOPERATIVE Baby Jesus...sleeping through the whole thing:)

*Parker wins the prize for being the saddest shepherd EVER! :)
*Abby wins the prize for being the CUTEST character in the Nativity...have you EVER seen such a cute SHEEP!?! :)

I think it turned out PRETTY GREAT considering 8 of the 9 grandchildren are under the age of 4!


MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas Tradition

Our Annual Family Progressive Dinner...

FIRST stop...
Rob & Julie's for APPETIZERS...
Yummy SALAD with all the fixins'!

All the kids looked SO CUTE in their Christmas outfits!

Rob & Julie have the BEST playroom, the kids were so entertained!

While it might look like Powell is going to choke Tanner...he was just telling him a secret :)

CUTE BOYS in CUTE Christmas Suits!

Sorry Abby...got you in the wrong moment-but wanted to show how cute the girls' dresses were!

Parker was in CAR HEAVEN!

2nd Stop...
MAIN DISH @ David & Kylie's House...
for all kinds of SOUP & Cornbread...

3rd Stop...
Sis. Cooper's house (in my parent's ward)...
to choose a CHRISTMAS BEAR!
(she invited all the grandkids over to choose a Christmas Bear from her house---she has over 1000 bears! The kids were so excited to choose their very own)

4th Stop...
Matt & Amy's house for DESSERT...
Doughnuts & Hot Chocolate...

We topped off the night with the BEST ENTERTAINMENT...
the grandkids acted out the Nativity & it was SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!
Stay Tuned for pictures of that...


For NOW...have fun doing your last minute Christmas Shopping! I'm not leaving the house for a couple of days...so that HOPEFULLY my boys will be healthy by Christmas! It isn't fun to have 2 little boys with nasty colds...

WELL DESERVED...

CHECK THIS OUT!

YEP...that is MY DAD.

He is INCREDIBLE & this HONOR couldn't go to a BETTER person!

492

...is the number of pictures I have taken of Ryler since his birth.

Some (my husband) may say that I need medication...
Others probably think I should be BETTER at taking pictures than I am...
I THINK that there is NO OTHER WAY to get cute pictures like this...

unless I'm ALWAYS taking pictures & ALWAYS have my camera out...
even when he's sleeping...

...wish I knew what he was dreaming about! :-)

-2 weeks old-

We had his Weight Check today @ the Pediatrician...and Ryler is doing GREAT!
I'll be honest...I have been a bit worried, since he doesn't seem to hardly ever get hungry! He enjoys his sleep as much as him mom & has been sleeping long periods of time @ night. I was NOT about to complain about that...but I also have been anxious to find out if he is growing. The doctor said he looks great, so I shouldn't worry & I should enjoy the sleep I am getting!

...so THAT is exactly what I'm going to do!

12/16/08- 2 week Stats:
Height: 21 1/4 "
Weight: 8lbs 13 oz
Head: 15"

Dear Parker,

Thanks for being the
BEST BIG BROTHER!!!

Love, Mom

I was worried...REALLY WORRIED about how this week would go...

I had NOTHING to worry about.
Both my boys were ANGELS.

Hi Ho Hi Ho...

...it's off to work Dad goes!

I was a bit worried about Matt returning to work, but we made it through the day & it was a GOOD DAY!!! Parker is finally feeling better & seems to realize that the baby is stickin' around, so he might as well get used to it:)

Yesterday he sat up on the couch...held his little arms out & said "baby".
So I put Ryler in his lap & then Parker said, "I want cheese"
After a little confusion, I discovered he wanted me to TAKE THEIR PICTURE, since I always say "Say Cheese" when I take his pic!
Too Stinkin' Cute!

We made it to ONE WEEK OLD & he is cute as ever!!!

Week one presents...

his 1st baby mohawk...
(check out his CUTE new blanket from G-ma Allen...she crocheted all the way around the edges & I LOVE it-Thank you!)

the BEST SLEEPER in the ENTIRE WORLD...
I won't give details or I might make some of you moms really mad,
but I'm SO GRATEFUL for the sleep I have received this past week...

his 1st Bath...
(in his cute new hooded towel from my cousin Kimi-Thank you!)

We've made it ONE week & now that I am feeling much better, I think we might just make it to week TWO!
Hopefully...