Epic Failure!

Last night we went and took a drive around the Festival of Lights,
The kids of course loved it and as we were driving around all the different displays we came upon The Nativity! The conversation sounded like this:

Me: Look at that! Who is that in the Manger?
Whitley: Baby Jesus, and his momma Mary and his Daddy Joseph.
Me: Good Job Whitley!! ~ I also have a smug smile thinking, my kids have actually learned something that Grandma Linda or I have taught them- Okay so probably Grandma Linda!


Me: Look its the three Wiseman, What did they bring Baby Jesus?
Karden:( after contemplating for a minute) They brought him Coal!



I have learned from my dad that if you do get coal for Christmas at least you would have a warm butt! But Seriously I have failed my child!! I guess we will be in primary on Sunday, obviously I'm not doing something right! :)

2 of My Favorite Things...

The Zoo and Christmas lights, What could be better?




Saturday we ventured up to Zoo for our annual trek to ZOO LIGHTS!!
Our fun Neighbors Lowell and Jaycie and there kiddos joined us and we had a great night! It seemed like this year they had more lights but less animals out for observation. When We were in the reptile house, the alligators were awake and actually got up and moved a little bit, I thought Whitley was going to come uncorked! She not only has an irrational fear of Santa but Alligators as well.
She kept saying "alligators only eat chickens, not little girls" I think she was trying to convince herself, it was very sad.

No trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the Merry-go-round. Whitley chose the baby elephant-
because she was sad we didn't get to see the real one- and Karden chose the snake
( Shocker- He has never rode ANYTHING but the praying mantis). Oh yeah we also snuck baby Tyson on to the carousel, because Ryan was mad they punched our punch card three times? Tyson wasn't that impressed, but ryan felt vindicated!

Another must for the zoo is the train ride, well with it being Winter this is an close as we got to the Zoofari Express:


We had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year!

Dear Santa- Define Good!

Every year we go to Mountain View Hospital to see Santa, (My mom works there and they bring in santa for employees families)

Whitley has decided she doesn't like Santa, but in order to get presents she does like Santa's brother. Weird, weird, child!! So all day in preparation for the big event I am prepping Whitley, telling her that Santa is Grandma Lindas friend and that he is nice and how can Santa tell his brother what you want for Christmas if you don't sit on Santa's Lap. Plus I have a "themed" outfit and I really want her to wear it! She is wanting no part of it. So I know we will be leaving with a happy boy and a girl in tears!!

When we get to the hospital and the line is long, like always!! But this year they have paper taped to the wall and hand each little kid a box of crayons and turn them loose.
Now in all reality this is not a good idea when they have colored on the walls at home, but at the moment it made the wait lots more enjoyable!!

When it was finally our turn Whitley starts to panic a little and so we let Karden go first, Karden of course jumps right up and starts telling Santa ALL the things he wants, They were having quite the little conversation. Whitley must of sensed it was her turn because the "Hold me, Hold Me" started. When we pulled Karden away Santa I set her down and started to walk up with her, Then shock or all shocks she let go of my hand and jumped on his lap. I just about died.
She sat there and smiled and smiled (even if she still looks a bit nervous) and then told him she wanted a dollhouse! What!! A Dollhouse?- This is the first I have heard of this. After she was done she hopped down and wanted her gigantic cookie, yeah no candy canes here, they give huge Granny B cookies!!
I guess santa needs to tell his brother to go shopping for a dollhouse!!

His Name Is ISABELLE!!

We received our Elf from Santa a few days ago and let me tell you how fun this is.
It comes with an elf and a book from santa telling them how the elf is his helper and everynight the elf flies back to the North Pole and tells Santa is you have been good during the day. We had to pick a name for our elf. We were trying to think of a neat name when karden started getting more and more frustrated because no one was listening to him. He wanted to name him ISABELLE. Okay Isabelle it is!( Were he gets these names is beyond me, he once told my mom he was going to have a horse and name him RODGER) This poor elf is going to have some gender confusion issues!! Every night when he gets back from reporting to Santa he is in a different spot in the house. The kids run around the house every morning looking for ISABELLE. It is so so funny.
If the kids are being naughty a simple " Oh no Isabelle is watching" nips bad behavior in the bud.

MyNiceSpace.com

Whitley has even gone so far as to carry her play cellphone in her pocket so in case we are out and about she can call home and tell Isabelle. We have had to tell Whitley that even Isabelle doesn't like a tattletale.

Now if only I could think of an excuse to leave Isabelle up all year long!!

Oh Christmas Tree!

The tree is finally up!! I am so excited, it seemed like we could never find a spare evening to put it together.
Whitley had a blast decorating her favorite branch.
Karden only wanted one side of the tree decorated because when Santa comes in the front door, He will love to see the tree.
When the tree was "done" to there satisfaction they decided to play "Santa" Karden had on a Santa Hat and Whitley had to pretend she was asleep because Santa doesn't come unless your asleep
When the lights were off Karden would bring stuff and put them under the tree.
Some shoes,a basket and a baseball!! I wish Santa could get away with that :)
Next it was Whitley's Turn, so of course off come all of the bedding again. .
What did Santa bring Karden- Oh Yeah!! A pirate mask and a library book!! Score! It was so Funny!!


After the kids were in bed, I had to redo the tree, I'm taking bets on how many times I fix it when the kiddos are asleep- Wanna make a wager? :)

2 Nights of Lights!!

There are lots of things Ryan loves...Me, The kids, His job and the light parade!! (hopefully in that order) Every year around the 1st of October I start hearing things like- "ShopKo Has there Christmas lights on sale" "What should I do for the light Parade" etc. It sometimes makes for a long November! This year was no exception.

The whole week before Thanksgiving my car was banished from the garage as the construction was going on. I learned three very important things:

1. I am thankful for my garage.
2. I hate to scrap windows.
3. That Spanish Fork Wind Is Damn Cold!!

But After lots hours of work the float took shape and it looked REALLY GOOD!!


The kids love the light parade and couldn't wait to cheer on Daddy -Even if he stiffed them on the candy- so we had to find something to pass the time-
Grandpa's Diet coke always does the trick! (Its amazing what happens when your dad become grandpa- He would NEVER drink out of the same bottle as me, and second he never even let me drink in the Car.) They had a blast clapping for all the neat floats!
Karden also wanted to see Santa- Whitley well she has decided she doesn't like Santa, but she does like Santa's Brother! I give up on that child :) Once again Santa didn't dissapoint!

This morning while discussing taking apart the float and getting out the Christmas tree, My mom called to tell Ry about the light parade in Santaquin. Well within 5 minutes our day went from decorating the house to Light parade mode again. (Thanks MOM!)

We made the trek over to Santaquin and after assembling the float made a drive by to Little Grandmas Resthome! The residents all came outside and oohed and aahed over the float! It was my favorite part of the weekend! The Santaquin light parade went well and Ry walked away with the "Mayors Choice" award. Which came with this sweet basket from the Red barn. The prize is not why Ry does the light parade but is a nice surprise!


I love that Ryan loves Christmas time so much- Tomorrow maybe we will tackle the Christmas tree!!

3rd Birthday Bash!

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Whitley turned 3 on Friday the Thirteenth, I am hoping this is not a precursor for the year to come! I will think positive and be happy that we survived the terrible twos- Yeah:)

We decided to take her up to Princesses on Ice for her birthday, Well actually Ryan decided I should take her up to the show and he would go to the movies- Thanks Ry- It was fun and Whitley and Cadie had a great time.!
It was really funny when the princesses would come out because The girls would squeal really loud
My apolgies to the adults sitting in front of us! Whitley enjoyed her snowcone while the rest of us were freezing from walking to the car in a blizzard.
Sunday we had a family birthday party

The kids had fun playing with all there cousins. I'm sorry Bradley for making you wear the pink princess tiara! I hope you still love me :) We of course had ice cream and cake -Thank you Aunt Becky for the awesome cake-
and presents.
Wow- did Whitley ever get alot of presents? It looked almost like Santa had been here.
Thank you for all the neat stuff everyone!!

We are so glad Whitley is in our family even if she is a bit dramatic- We love her to pieces and wouldn't change her for the world- Love you Whitley!!

PS. Karden ate breakfast today at school and actually gave the lady his REAL name and didn't eat food off the floor- I am So Proud!!