Sledding

While the whole family was here everyone wanted to go sledding (Heidi prayed we would have snow while she was here and she sure got her wish). So we all headed out to a great hill in the neighborhood next to us. The picture above is Sierra and I (yes my hat is falling in my eyes). It looks like we are having a cute picture but in reality we are hanging on to each other for dear life. It was so icy that no one was staying on their feet.

Gabe and Zach got on the sled ready to go down and posed for this picture. After this picture was taken they both hopped off because they were worried for their lives down the slippery slope.

This is Cheryl trying to make it up the hill. She spent a lot of time on her knees just trying to climb up. Great for the pregnant one.

Greg was being the hero for Sam and Tim as they wanted nothing to do with the icy hill.

Sierra and Gabe waiting their turn to plummet down and possibly hit the trees.

Just a picture of me and my hat from Sister Layman that loves us all so much to make us hats and pajama bottoms.

Christmas Day

Sammy and his storm trooper gun

Gabe with his Draco Malfoy wand

Sierra with her keyboard

This Christmas we had all the family together. We normally don't get to have every single member of our family all together. I think it happens maybe every five years. This Christmas Jason and Jon came out from California with their families and Tricia came out from Alabama with her family. We even had a last minute surprise with Ginger and her family coming out from New York. Yes it was very chaotic with twenty seven people around but it was fun. Unfortunately Brady and Emily were sick when they arrived and from there everyone started dropping like flies. We finally got to play with Brady the last day he was here but Emily was still out of sorts when she left. We LOVED seeing all of them and hopefully we are still on for our 4th of July family reunion and everyone will be healthy. Thank you all for coming out and making our Christmas such a joyous time. We miss you already.

Sierra's Program

Here is a little bit of Sierra's 1st grade music program. Sierra is the one on the end of the top row. I am sorry if it is a little blurry. I am a little bummed because I didn't capture some of the funniest moments. She was so funny up there. She is really a little ham and really likes to perform. There were times that she was the only one doing any motions. Everyone who knew she was ours kept looking at us and smiling. I got a lot of comments about it in the days to follow also. When she came off of the stage she said, "Mom, I was really shy." I thought wow, if that is shy I would hate to see her really go at it. It was cute and fun and as she gets older her personality makes me laugh and groan quite a bit.

Santa

Santa came to our ward Christmas party. Each of the kids sat on his lap and told him what they wanted. I was surprised because a couple of the things they asked for I didn't know about. Gabe is getting pretty suspicious so he has been asking a lot of questions lately.

Sam and Santa had a short conversation because all he wanted was a storm trooper gun.








Sierra wanted a guitar but luckily Santa told her she needed to learn to play the piano first before she started playing the guitar.













Gabe was a little hesitant to ask Santa for what he wanted. He wanted a Draco Malfoy wand from the Harry Potter collection and some games for his Wii.

Hughes Blues

I just have to say that I am having a real missing the Hughes day. I went in and looked at Ginger's blog to see if she updated it (which she hasn't) and saw the picture of the kids and got a big old pit in my stomach. We miss you guys so much. We are glad everything is going well out there and the kids like the school. We can't wait for you guys to move into your house and get settled. We still wish we could see you everyday though. Sam still asked when Timmy is going to come over and watch a movie at Grandma's with him. We love ya!

Decorating the Tree

Decorating the tree is always fun. Greg hands the kids ornaments and I suggest to the kids where to put them (not that they always listen, but hey)

Gabe felt that he needed to wear the Santa hat.

Sierra and her big smile

Sam couldn't get enough ornaments to put on the tree.

Weekend Fun

So this past weekend we did something we have never done before. We went to a Christmas tree farm a pick out our Christmas tree. It was great (a little cold as you can see). The kids had a great time. We got to take a little ride out on the wagon.

The kids already picked out the tree and are waiting for him to cut it down and put it on the wagon.

Greg watching the man cut the tree down.

The kids picked out the tree after walking around for a little bit. Gabe got to measure it with the stick.

Jake Update

Okay someone needs to explain the fascination with the chewy's. Jake goes through one a week and will just sit there and chew on it, throw it up in the air and catch it. It is like an enemy to him. Don't get me wrong I would rather him chew on that than my furniture. Anyway, we took Jake to the vet and he is very healthy. The vet was very surprised he was a stray. He loves to play catch with his tennis ball and luckily does not have any desire to run off. (We found that out when Gabe let go of the leash. He loves to be inside with the family and we have recently been trying to overcome the barking situation. If you have any ideas on that it would be helpful.

For Maddie

This post if for Maddie out there in Rochester. I talked to her yesterday on the phone and miss her terribly (I miss all of them terribly). So while I am sitting here getting bored reading my Art History assignment I decided to do this little video. Nobody else will care about it except Maddie. I love you and miss you all!!