Our Cover Model

On Saturday my Mom and I were walking up to the cash register at Roberts, and something caught our attention. It was Makayla-on the front of a magazine. I'd actually forgotten Amy had used Kayla for the cover. Kayla is pretty excited and can't wait for Amy to get her a copy to take to school for show and tell. Not only did she get to be on the cover, but she is on the cover drinking hot chocolate. What could be better than that? Thanks Amy! We're going to need a couple copies of this issue.

Grandma and Papa Come to Visit

My parents came for a fun weekend and to support Kayla in Reflections. We had also planned a trip to the temple. We had a great time playing games until way to late every night. I got Mom and Dad to play Ticket to Ride-multiple times. Mom even suggested we could bring it sometimes when we come.

Friday we made plans with a babysitter to go to the temple, but Thursday night Allie came in our room extremely sick. She'd already made a mess all over in her bed-poor thing. I was so thankful Nathan was home and he had Friday off. I used to be able to handle things, but ever since my pregnancies I get so sick we all throw up together. Nate thankfully has an iron stomach and can handle just about anything. He got things cleaned enough I could bathe Allie while he worked on her bed. Allie was miserable most of Friday, but Saturday, thank heavens, she woke up back to normal. I couldn't get a babysitter for Saturday though so we're going to have to reschedule our temple trip. Hopefully things will go a little better next time.

Anyway, we had fun most of the time, and it was great to get to have some girl time with Mom on Saturday. I enjoyed getting a break from the house and my darling girls after a very hard week. After church today I feel ready to conquer anything-well at least ready for another week of Daddy working all the time.

Since I never took any pictures of Grandma and Papa here are a couple of cute ones of the girls right before church in their dresses from Grandma Garbett.

Playing with Daddy

It's not that often Daddy is home and has time/energy to just wrestle AND I think to grab the camera. It all started with Daddy laying unsuspectingly on the floor. Suddently Kayla ran and jumped. Before you knew it, there was a free-for-all happening.

One of the girls attacked Nate with the ball, and he decided to take time for a little workout. Pushups on the ball with girls on his back.
Then the girls wanted to workout with him.
We love Daddy!

Kayla is Princess of the Hill.

Regional Reflections Award Night

Thursday January 22nd Kayla was invited to the Regional Reflections Award Night. It was held at a Junior High School because there were too many people to fit in an elementary school's gym.
Allie and Kayla both loved seeing this picture huge as it was projected on the screen.

Kayla and many other's were given Certificates of Achievement for their work. As you can see lots of entries made it to Regionals (these are just part of the photography entries), but only 4 were able to go on to the State Reflections Competition.

We are so proud of Makayla for all her creative efforts. She is so talented! She is already making plans for next year.

Good Job! We love you Makayla!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Come to Visit

We were talking on the phone with Nate's mom when he suggested they come and visit since he had a 4 day weekend. So they came for the 9th-11th. We had a great time playing lots and lots of games whether they were on the wii or at the table. It was a nice relaxing weekend with only a primary activity in the middle. Nate and I sure enjoyed the break from doing things around the house, and I know the girls had fun.

Grandpa watched a movie with Allison.
The girls got horsey rides.

Grandpa tried out the wii fit and liked it so much he tried to buy one but had no luck in Tooele. Instead he found a different game that everybody had fun playing.

We had lots of yummy food, and one evening we made enchilada's for dinner. The girls each got to make their own. They had a blast making them and then they both ate them pretty good!

We're Still Here-Kind Of

Almost two weeks ago our modem gave up it's will to serve. After more than a week without access to the outside world, Nate finally got his work computer back with working Internet service. I was so looking forward to using it, but it is frustrating at best so please be patient if I'm not responding. It won't let me access gmail 99% of the time, and it quits on me when I try to look at most everything else. I am just hoping this will actually post. Until I can post pictures, I wanted to share something Kayla said the other day.
I believe I've mentioned that my girls have great imaginations. For lunch on Friday they went to a restaurant (mine). After serving them their food, I was just talking to them at the lunch counter. Allie got a little carried away, and I said, "Allison, please just calm down and eat your food." Kayla looked at me in awe, "How did you know my daughter's name is Allison?" I smiled, "Just magic, I guess." She opened her mouth, "Wow! Just like Santa Claus and Jesus!"

Poor Allie!

We had just finished dinner Sunday night. I sent the girls to get their jammies on before we all cuddled up to watch The Journey of Natty Gann (Santa brought it to me for Christmas), which turns out to have quite a bit of fowl language, kids trying smoking, and other things I would rather my kids didn't see. I was still in the kitchen cleaning things up when I heard a thud, followed by Allie's screams.

Nate was first on the scene. I could hear him consoling Allie while trying not to laugh. She dented the wall-with her head. Don't worry, her bump is already gone, but the wall is sadly going to need surgery.

Christmas Girls!

I just had to post this cute picture of the girls in their Christmas church clothes. Grandma gave them the darling coats, and Great-Grandma Garbett got them the dresses. Thank You! We love them. Kayla told me Sunday, "If this coat were a dress, I would wear it all the time."

Snow Fun

Saturday December 27, we went to Nate's parents house for more holiday fun. Matt, Valyn, and kids came down from Idaho Falls, and Terra came to play. The kids (young and old) played in the snow, played games, exchanged a few more presents, and enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner. We really enjoyed having time to spend visiting instead of having to run back to Utah for work.

Terra took the kids in the backyard to play.
Pretty soon the big boys got out the 4-wheeler to pull sleds around. They promptly broke it, and everyone ended up building a tunnel in the front yard instead. Look at all that snow Kayla and Jonas are standing on. Pocatello really got dumped on this year.

I guess Allie was sure she was "King of the Mountain."

Kayla, Cameron, and Terra check out the tunnel they've been working on.

Kayla gets to go through the tunnel.

Allie goes through the tunnel.

Nate's turn.

I love this picture of our little snow angel.

Even Grandma took a turn going through the tunnel.

Allie had a blast playing in the snow. She would have been happy playing out there for a few more hours.

Christmas Afternoon 2008

We decided to go surprise Grandma Darla and Grandpa Bert Christmas afternoon. The house looked dark, and we were afraid nobody was home. Kayla volunteered to go out in the freezing weather and check. We didn't get any pictures of the surprise though cuz the rest of us were staying warm in the van.

Luckily there were people home, and we got to go have a second Christmas celebration.

Nate found this fun candy cane shot glass to add to his Mom's collection.
Allie got this puzzle and had to do it immediately. She LOVES puzzles right now, and of course she LOVES Ariel.

The girls and Grandpa worked together doing the puzzle over and over.

It's almost as big as Allie!

We were sad we missed the Christmas parties, but we had fun playing games and talking. I just have one problem-Allie keeps climbing on my kitchen table and telling me, "It's okay. Grandpa Bert said I can."

Christmas Morning 2008

Christmas Eve we went to Byron and Kathy's for a ham dinner and the opening of what else-pajamas. However I completely missed getting a picture of the girls modeling their PJ's in front of the tree. I thought pictures were taken, and I hope somebody else has one for me.

Cory, Angie, Tyler, Jason, Amy, Nathan, Kayla, Allie, and I all invaded Mom and Dad's for the night. Sleeping arrangements were a little crazy, but when we woke up Christmas morning to four foot snowdrifts, we were sure glad we squeezed. The girls definitely had fun getting to be with family.

Jason, Nate, and Kayla can't wait to go see what Santa brought.

Can I go look yet?

I love the pj's Angie made for their family. How cute!

Allie really wanted a cat for Christmas, but I guess Santa found a steal of a deal on this fun dog instead. She loves her new puppy.

Ty loved his Lightening McQueen car. I loved finding it for $3.

Yum! Rice Makers all around. Now we can use our rice food storage a little easier. Thanks Mom and Dad!

When Dad was 5 the police took a Beebe gun away from him-smart police. After Amy and Tyler started dating, Dad jokingly asked if Tyler could help get his gun back. Of course that wasn't going to happen, but Amy and Tyler got Dad a Beebe gun for Christmas. Perfect!

Kayla was so thrilled to get her Aurora and horse. Thanks Grandma and Papa.

We all made Grandma cry when we gave her the 12 Months of Christmas-starting with a calender. Every month on the 25th she'll get a present. We figured it would be a fun way of showing her we care and spreading Christmas throughout the year.

Dad also made Mom cry with beautiful snowflake necklace. Yes Mom you are worth it. It's gorgeous!

Allie was more than a little excited to get some new play-doh.
I surprised Nate with some new shoes. He liked them and they even fit!

What a fun and crazy Christmas morning! It was great spending time with family! Thanks for the wonderful memories-oh yeah and gifts too!

Surprise!

We started off our Holiday adventures by driving to Pocatello on Christmas Eve and surprising Mom and Dad. We had been looking forward to a nice quiet Christmas at our new home in front of the fireplace, but the weather just refused to cooperate. It was a wonderful to start Christmas off by making Mom cry. It's a little twisted competition, but I won!!!

The girls tiptoed up the path and started knocking and ringing the doorbell. Obviously a little kid was at the door-Mom was surprised Ty was back so soon. I think it took Mom a second to take in who was standing at the door.

Papa was downstairs and missed the entrance. Kayla was just going to find him when he happened to be coming upstairs. Surprise!