Christmas Morning

Chritmas morning it snowed a couple of feet so after we got the driveway cleaned, we had to take a few photos and play in the snow.

Jaiden and Cam, Christmas morning showing off their new clothes.

Jaiden and her friend Elise.


Look at all that snow!

These were the strip quilts that I made for the girls for Christmas. I'm not much of a sew-er so mom had to help me , alot! Thanks mom, the girls loved them.

Camry's quilt.

Jaidens new coat.

These are the new Aggie pajamas that their dad got them from the Logo Shop. The girls were loving them.

Camry's new Teddy Bear.

The girls got some High School Musical dolls from Santa.

....and some electic razor scooters that might not be used for a couple of months.

Holiday get-togethers

Christmas parties are one of our favorite things during the holidays. We have the Meyer Christmas party at mom and dad's house and then turn around and go back up for a Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange with family. Mom always helps the kids re-enact the Nativity scene and get all dressed up. She cooks a yummy prime rib and ham dinner with her best china. Generally we get together a few more times to go sledding or just hang out. That's what the holidays are all about.

A quick photo with my girls in their new ugg boots from Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

Jason with his present of a pepper grinder from Elisa. Anyone who knows him, knows this is the perfect gift for him.

Kade, Kylie, Grandma, Taylor and Jaiden

Blake, Elisa and Carson

Zach and Grandpa

Jaiden opening up her new boots. Grandma found them for all the girls and USU sweatshirts for the boys.

Camry, Karden and Taylor

All the cousins re-enacting the Nativity. Jaiden was Mary holding baby (Payton). Camry was a sheepherd.

Lincoln, Camry, Taylor and Rylie playing with the train

Cousin Payton with his new football

Lots of lipstick

Jaiden and Kylie with their new games.

A work of art. The girls and I had fun making this Gingerbread House together and eating the candy too. Thanks to whoever (The Ecks ??) that left this on our porch along with other gifts. My kids were definitely spoiled this Christmas.

Our Creation.

Tara, Mike and Rylie

My cousin Tiffiny, Rich, Jake and Dylan

Kade, Jamie and Karden.

Cole, Mindy, Lincoln and Payton. We were so glad they were able to make it out from Denver. They even got stranded in Wyoming one night.

Camry, waiting patiently for her turn.

First Snow

Well we finally got a couple of snow storms to cover the ground just in time for Christmas. We got about 5 inches of fresh powder and the kids could hardly wait to get out there and jump right in. They aren't shy about it either.
Our friends Jayna and Dan Turner are the hit of the neighborhood. When it snows they get out their 4-wheeler with tubes attached and pull all the kids all over. Here is a few pictures of the day.

Christmas Keepsakes

I took a picture of my favorite ornaments on my tree and thought I'd share. I made these with some metal scrapbooking frames, painted them red, added some ribbon and embellishments. I made these a couple of years ago, but they are my favorite and as I change the tree year to year I will always have these little memories of my sweet girls.

The Joy of Giving

The other night as I was getting the girls in bed, I told Jaiden to pick up some of her toys that we had walked over two or three times that day. I told her that if she didn't want them I could find some kids who could really use them. I turned around and she was in tears and said," You should give them away, I have way too many toys, and I don't understand why some kids don't get anything or why they don't have any food, or shoes. " By now she was really crying and so concerned she wanted to know why some kids get everything they want and others don't have anything.
She told me a sbout a story she just read at school where a girl got only a tin can for Christmas. Why was that fair. Why didn't Santa bring her something? We laid on her bed and talked for about an hour about what we can do to help other people. Her school does all sorts of service activities like donating to the Angel Tree, canned goods, money for a pump for clean water, turkey vouchers, etc.
I promised her that I would pick her up from school the next day and we would go pick out a toy for Toys For Tots. The last time we did this she was probably too little to remember, but I remember that she had a hard time dropping her toy in the box and letting it go. That part took about 5 minutes.
This year the girls took about a half hour to pick out just the right toy. Jaiden picked a doll because she said almost any girl big or little would love it. Camry picked a basketball because she said any kid would love it, boy or girl. They told me how fun it was and that they want to do it again next year.
They remember about 4 years ago when someone did the 12 days of Christmas for our family (no names mentioned...Tara and Mike) and how fun it was to try and run to the door evey night to catch them and to find a fun gift on the door step.
I assured Jaiden that there were kids way more spoiled than her, and that she didn't have to feel bad for what she had. She has always had such a big heart and wants to make sure everyone is taken care of. I guess that's what the Christmas Season is all about.

Santa

I took the kids to see Santa the other night. Camry only got to tell him one thing and he cut her off, so she was pretty concerned about making sure we went to see him when he came to Providence or at least write him a letter. This year they are asking for electric scooters, webkinz, Nintendo DS. etc. How did we jump up into the big stuff already. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

I was actually really looking forward to taking them this year because I know there might only be a few more years, especially for Jaiden. On the way to see Santa, Jaiden told me how some of the kids in her class said they didn't believe in Santa Clause She wasn't sure if she did or not, so I told her if we don't believe then he doesn't come and maybe that will hold her over until next year at least. Heck that's what my mom told me and I still BELIEVE!

Hanging the lights

The day after Thanksgiving is generally the day that we put up all the Christmas decorations. I was kinda wiped out from my Black Friday early morning shopping with my mom and sisters that I was hoping to hold off at least a day or two. But the second that I walked in the door Jaiden was begging to get started, so we decorated the inside of the house and the tree. I've kind of got my tree to where I really like it and it has some fun ornaments that I have collected over the years. The girls always bring an ornament home from school that they made and like to find a special spot on the tree.

We have two tiny trees from years past that I let them put in their own rooms and they put all their homemade ornaments from years past or candy canes or any thing they want on it to decorate.

I talked Jason into putting up the house lights this year. I love to come around the corner at night and see our house lights on, it makes it so cheery.