Merry Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas. Due to all of Larry's recent driving, we didn't end up making any treks out of town and enjoyed having our niece Kelli spend Christmas with us. Her friend Victor also joined us for Christmas Eve dinner and it was a lot of fun for our family having them here. It's hard to believe Christmas Break is over and it has been very challenging the last couple of mornings getting everyone up and out the door in time for school. On a sidenote, if anyone is looking for a fun board game we got Who, What, Where. We played it a ton and it's a blast!

The tradition of Christmas Eve jammies lives on. I was warned by the two oldest that they were not interested in Christmasy pajamas--you know the kind that button up the front. However, if I did want to get them athletic shorts and tees, they'd be cool with that. The other 3 still got the festive pjs. This is probably Corbin's last year before graduating to the style of the big brothers. He did try making his more 'cool' by pushing up the sleeves. Whatever works?!

In honor of the BYU bowl game win, the gang models their new BYU gear from Grandma Hawkes, with the exception of Chloe who wasn't willing to change out of her Princess dress--even though her Y shirt was pink.

This was an 'all girl' Christmas for Chloe...princesses, pink satin & tulle, & magic fairy wands. I admit I was loving it just as much.

Of course it was also an 'all boy' Christmas for Caleb...dart guns, cap guns, & army guys. Not quite as 'precious' for me watching Caleb shoot everything in sight with darts. It was also startling to be awakened from my much needed naps by the sound of cap gunfire! That dang Santa. Even though I am not into guns like Caleb, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the joy he was having playing with all of them.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the macho army guy taking refuge in the princess castle being served from pretty pink teacups by a lovely princess.

First Snowfall of the Season

Chase takes to the hill in our subdivison entry.

Corbin attempts snowboarding on the same hill.

Chase tries to get Chloe in on the fun.

But she wants nothing of it. She will head back to the warmth of the car and enjoy the snow as a spectator.

Wide World of Sports

Caleb has been playing Yball and is loving it. He is on the team with his best buddies, twin brothers, Preston and Conner.

Chase has been wrestling for his middle school and has been very successful.

Tonight Carter made the final cut and is officially a member of the High School Freshman basketball team!

Corbin is taking a break until January and Chloe is staying busy practicing her cheers.

Halloween 2009

" Let me get this straight. Once a year I let my mom dress me up, then go outside with a bucket and get absurd amounts of candy? Works for me."


There must not have been much trickin' beacause there sure were a lot of treats!

, Uncle Bridger (aka Laveranues Coles as a Jet), a ninja, a middle school wrestler, dracula, a rugby player, a witch and a black cat get ready to go out for some trick-or -treating.

This is a pretty spooky bunch!

Edward, you've got nothing on this guy.

Happy Halloween!

Coolness Factor

Carter has been telling me that none of his jeans fit any more and he needs some new ones. However, I am told to be careful when picking them out to make sure to get the right style. At one point I was told that "I still think the Gap is cool." Okay, so it's not? Seriously?

Then tonight as I'm getting dinner ready, Carter put his ipod on the dock so everyone could rock out to the Black Eyed Peas. How can you not get down to the beat on those songs? Caleb looks over at me and says,"Whoa. How are you doing that with your feet?"
I glance down.
"This?" I do the move a few more times . "I don't know," I say, suppressing my smile that I might actually have a cool dance move.
"Mom, that's so cool. Could Michael Jackson do that?"

Sweet.
Cool moves-- in my Gap jeans. So what if Carter & Chase were rolling their eyes and shaking their heads in embarrassment?

Larry & Jim each bagged one today

That rifle has kick.
Jim was able to bring this one down from 533 yards away.
This antelope was shot from 575 yards away.

How do you know you're overdue in buying your daughter a doll?

When you realize she always plays with boys toys hand-me-downs and feel bad your feminine little lady doesn't have a mini-doll. Willingly, you give in at the cash register buying the mini-cinderella doll she has tossed into the cart. Then as you are defending your purchase to your 9 yr. old on the way home (why didn't HE get a toy?) hear your 2 yr. old daughter yell "Touchdown" as she hurls mini-cindi across the car to her brother.
At least it looks like she has great form.