Pictures for Santa

The first picture is what Audrey drew of Dora and Boots (purple line Dora, black line boots).
The second picture Kirsten drew of Rapunzel.
Isn't it cute? Love my darling girls!

December Twentieth

Today was a nice stay at home get laundry done kind of day. My younger brother Brett and his wife are flying out of Vegas to Hawaii today, so we were lucky to enjoy most of the day hanging out with them. The girls loved having them around and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a moment when the girls weren't tickling Brett.
Brett brought Christmas gifts from my parents down (from when we weren't going to Utah) and my mom said we could open them early so we let the girls open theirs to tonight, since they could literally not leave the gifts alone. My mom gave Kirsten a princes dress up trunk and Audrey a Dora princess dress up trunk. The girls were seriously in heaven and changed outfits a dozen times. Thanks mom!
We planned to have a family game night tonight but I was called in to get a new calling. Kirk stayed home with the girls playing don't break the ice as fast as he could put the ice together.
Our Christmas countdown is almost over, tomorrow being the last day until we leave for Utah. I'm so anxious for Christmas but wish it would slow down a little so we can enjoy every single moment. Why do the best times seem to pass so quickly?

December Nineteenth

Another crazy fun filled busy day. We had friends over to make cookies, watched another friends kids, and then took the girls over to a friends house so Kirk and I could go to the Forgotten Carols. All in all it was a day filled with play dates like crazy for the girls and a hot date that left Mr Howcroft himself weak in the knees.

December Eighteenth

Sunday we woke up to rain. We may not have a white Christmas here in Vegas but we don't miss the chance to enjoy wet weather. As soon as Kirsten saw the rain she bundled up in her winter clothes then helped Audrey bundle up and went outside for about two minutes...it you exaggerate, ha ha.

Sunday we made 24 loafs of poppy seed bread to take to friends and neighbors. The girls were very helpful and love to help cook. The bread turned out delicious if I do say so myself. We spent about an hour delivering the bread that night, the girls loved handing out the bread and took turns giving it at the door. But towards the end of the night they got really tired and grumpy. When we finally got home Audrey kept saying "my home! My home!" then when we walked in "my floor my floor!" as she hugged the floor, "my blanket my blanket!" Lesson learned stick the kids in the car make them get out 15 times and they will be so grateful to be home, ha ha.

December Seventeenth

We had the most fun day on Saturday! Before we went to bed Friday night we asked the girls if they wanted to ride a train and go see Santa the next morning, they of course were ecstatic and went to sleep with smiles on their faces. All morning Saturday we talked about riding a big train and seeing Santa and what we were going to tell him. We drove out to Boulder where they have a nice big train decorated for Christmas. It was so much fun! There were big trains everywhere, the girls walked around with wonder and amazement in their eyes. We had tickets and train conductors and it was just so much fun. The girls thought it was soooo cool to be an on actual train! We rode up the train tracks a way then came back. On the way back Santa showed up! He and Mrs Claus came around visiting with the good children. It was really important for Kirsten to talk to him because she had changed her mind from Rapunzel to a mermaid barbie. And Audrey of course is very determined and unwavering about "Dora Boots". It was such a fun activity to do together as a family!

That afternoon my cousins Holli and Tyler along with my Dad's sisters Shar and Colleen came over. It was Holli's birthday so we had lunch and made a birthday cake. We had so much fun with them. My aunts are seriously so fun to be around, they have the most entertaining stories and are so very kind. They had some great stories to share about my Grandma and Dad. It was a perfect afternoon and such a fun way to celebrate Holli's birthday!

Later Saturday night Kirk and I took the girls to the live nativity. We told them we were going to go see "baby Jesus" so the entire way there, the 45 minutes we waited, and the first half of the show Audrey asked for "baby Jesus" nonstop. But as soon as He was born she said "look mama baby Jesus" them was silent and in awe the rest of the show. When Jesus was born Kirsten said "ah they are so happy", yes Kirsten they absolutely were. She was also super impressed by the angels and loves the singing. The spirit was so strong, I cried during most of the show. It was the perfect way to end such a fun day.

December Sixteenth

Today the girls and I made Popsicle stick snowflake ornaments for our tree. We seriously had so much fun making them that we couldn't resist making more after nap time. I started out with acrylic paint but quickly switched to the less messy water colors. It kept us entertained for hours we made about 20 total.

 

Kirk flew in from Chicago tonight, hurray!!! He was able to catch an earlier flight and was home three hours earlier than expected! The girls anxiously waited for him to walk in the door to help them make a fort, and that was the first thing he did (after kiss me of course)! The girls are in the fort picture, just in the fort with their flash lights. It was the perfect way to start what is promised to be a very fun weekend!

I love the trip home!

Only cause I'm headed to my wife and girls arms!!!

Park art is always so entertaining. And Greek lamb & baklava is amazing!!!

No Christmas spirit today

Today has just been one of those days.
The kind where your kids wake up at 5 and your spouse isn't their to nudge since you were up late watching biggest loser.
The kind where your two year old has a full on, up her back newborn type blow out.
The kind where the back pain you have, that was getting better, is suddenly much worse again.
The kind where you finally get the second child asleep and five minutes later the first child wakes up leaving no down time for momma who woke up 5 too.
The kind where you realize that you've gone through an entire bag of frosted flakes in four days and its time to feed the kiddos some different food.

So I told the girls to go put on their favorite princess dresses and we went to McDonalds for dinner. The girls were so excited, Kirsten was even careful to hold Audrey's hand walking into the restaurant without being asked. The girls danced happily in the lobby as we waited for their food. They ate their chicken nuggets and parfait without complaint. They played happily together. When I went to get Audrey she was surrounded by 6 year old girls who were adoring her. Kirsten loudly shared (and made me repeat) every detail about what was going on in her bathroom stall while the lady in the stall next to her chatted away on her cell phone in korean, ha ha. We were having a wonderful time!
But have you ever had one of those days when your two year old pees her pants at McDonalds and then your three year old puts up a big fight about having to leave early?

Ya me too

So much to love about a preschooler

The other day Kirsten came home from school clutching a Christmas present for Kirk and me. As I started to unwrap the folded construction paper Kirsten, who was standing there anxiously, snatched it from my hands and finished unwrapping it for us.
Inside was this cute snowman ornament. Kirsten was beaming with pride. My favorite part is the back where her school picture is. We didn't order her school pictures so I hadn't seen it before. Her face is classic kirst. "I'm miserable and hate every second of this" ha ha. Love that girl sooo much!
PS she takes really good care of the ornament and makes sure its up high and far from Audrey's reach.

December Thirteenth

Today I took the girls Christmas shopping for their cousins. They had fun picking out the perfect gifts. We came home and started wrapping. The girls were so helpful picking out the wrapping paper, bow, sticker, and helping put on the tape. Kirsten even wrote a few R's on the gift tags! We are really in the christmas spirit now!

Chicago training day 1

It's so awkward being invited to dinner with all 18 trainees from all over the world to enjoy a Chicago-deep-dish pizza (literally 1" of cheese deep) and all eyes turn and all quotes down the instant you order a smoothie. But dang it is so great to know the reason why I don't drink. And every time in out in this situation Im glad I'm Mormon!

After leavin dinner we decided to walk home and one block away everyone but myself decided the bar looked too appealing to pass up, especially cause the company had the tab. So I took the scenic route home. Marylin was not the scenic part!!!

Chicago Fairmont

There are very few upsides to traveling away from my family. At least in contrast to the fact I'm not with them but I guess I should at least track the imagery of the places I've been. This is a very upscale type hotel with a beautiful view from the 22nd floor. If only I could take my family with me on all these trips, I could inevitably enjoy them all be more! Miss you girls!!!