The perfect presents.

I don't always buy the perfect presents for my children.  Especially as they get older. We had a homemade Christmas this year. Kailin got a sewing kit and Brynlee got a doctor kit. 

The other night I was out on the couch reading.  Kailin came out with material she had cut into a pattern she had made up.  I asked her what she was making. She said she didn't have a cute tank top to wear to bed so she was just going to make herself one really quick. I was very impressed by the pattern she had cut out looked like it might even work.  

It would have worked had she not sewn all the way around it sewing the head closed. 

A few minutes later Brynlee was out carrying a clip board asking who was sick. Shaylee and I looked at each other and she shook her head no so I ended up the patient. After taking down my information and vitals she decided I needed a shot in my leg. After receiving 3 shots and bandages. I was on the road to recovery. 

No pain no gain? Ha ha ha. It only cost me .25cents

So at least for these 2 little girls the perfect presents were given. 

Special Dinner

My youngest 3 children decided to make me a special dinner tonight. I came home after working a long day and Cole, Kailin, and Brynlee made me an egg burrito decorated with ketchup. I love my kids!

The funny things Brynlee says....

While on our trip to Salt Lake Brynlee told my mom I have seen things here I have only seen in the movies. Like a TAXI (she was fasinated by them, who was in them, and where they were going) TRAFFIC, THE GUY THAT RINGS THE BELL (Salvation Army rarely makes it our way I guess) MOVING STAIRS (escalators are always fun) GIANT STORES (malls are only 1 level where we live). She was very observant on our trip and loved every minute.  To be young again!

Christmas lights on temple square

We took the whole family to Salt Lake the 13th and 14th of December. What a fun trip. Caleb Shaylee's boyfriend went with us. 

We started by meeting my brother Brian at Cabelas. My little fish in the aquarium. 

Shane and I with the fish. 

The kids at the shooting range. 

It took awhile to get kailin to even go to the range but she was a really good shot. 

From there we headed to the mall. The kids each got $5 to spend. The boys of course bought candy and the girls spent theirs in Clair's the jewelry store. 

Next off to the hotel to swim. To my kids it's not a vacation in a hotel without swimming even if it is winter. 

Next dinner at Chuck A Rama. 

This way everyone could eat what they wanted instead of fighting over where to go. To bad Trey didn't get full even after his 6th plate. 

Next we went to walk around temple square to see all the Christmas lights. 

I can't believe my shaylee is going to be getting married. 

Then we walked through the mall on the way back. 

These were giant ornaments made out of just candy. 

We also went through the Joseph memorial building. One of Trey's heros. 

Pretty girls in front of a pretty tree. 

The next morning we had tickets for the Mormon tabernacle choir concert with the Sesame Street characters. It was super fun. No pictures :( then along car ride home. Caleb was a trooper. Sunday morning he woke up with the stomach flu. He still hung in there for the concert and long ride home. Fun family vacation!

Christmas Day 2014

Every 5 years we have been doing a homemade Christmas.  This year was a little crazier than most. Shane and I have both been working 2 jobs and trying to finish projects. It was a lot of late nights and really early mornings. 

Brynlee's gift was a doctor kit. I made her some scrubs and she got an MP3 player in her stocking. She has been on cloud 9.

Kailin also got an MP3 player in her stocking and a sewing kit. She has made all the little beanie boos blankets. 

Santa was a big hit leaving an iPod in Cole's stocking. He also got a gun rack and boot holder his dad made out of horse shoes. 

Trey got a quillow (blanket that turns into a pillow) he also got a nuts and bolt chess set. 

Santa also brought him an iPod as well. 

Shaylee's present wasn't quite finished she has a new cedar chest so while we are off the next 2 days we will be working on it. She also got a pressure cooker. Something she has been wanting for when she gets married. 

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone else has had the same. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2014

This year we got to have a live baby Jesus. Brody made it all the way through the program with not melt downs at all. 

We love doing the nativity every year with the Johnson's. 

Kailin was a Shepard and Ellie was a sheep we had to explain shepherds didn't ride their sheep. 

Trey was our star. He is such a sport. He's 15 and still willing to participate. 

Yes, that is one of the wisemen eating the baby Jesus's gift. 

What a wonderful tradition. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

For family home evening on Monday we put up our Christmas tree. 

All the kids have a special ornament they get to put on the tree. 

This year our tree was a lot bigger so we had to put it in the living room where the vaulted ceiling was. Brynlee was the lucky one to put the star on top. 

It is looking like Christmas finally.