Family photos

Jer & Kenny + Gracie, Trey, Jet & Shaylee

Today I took pictures for my friend Jer. This is her family (5 of her 9 siblings & their kids + grandparents). Chances are you have heard me talk about Jer & her husband Kenny. She is the chocolate-caramel-toffee-pretzel-making girl (YUM!) and he is the food man...those of us who LOVE Costa Vida have him to thank...thank you Kenny!! We have enjoyed getting to know you guys better the last few weeks! Here are a few of my favorite photos...I will get the rest to you soon!

Our FLASHY Christmas!

Okay, it wasn't really flashy, but it was great! I have to say that because my honey surprised me with a new flash for my camera (yes Melissa the 580...I was definitely not expecting it!) He gave it to me early so I could have it for the Christmas photos. Christmas Eve Kyle and the girls played in the snow and I played with my new flash...so much to learn. On Christmas morning both of our parents came over to see the girls open presents. It was so wonderful to have them come to us. We had a very relaxing Christmas this year!!

Santa (and the grandparents) were good to us!! Krissy got Ruthie, the American Girl doll and some accessories to go with her. Kendall got a baby doll that breathes, sucks a binkie, and blinks her eyes...some crazy technology there. I am afraid Krissy has taken over nearly every present that Kendall got. I guess that is what older sisters do. I somehow don't ever remember doing that ;) I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too. I am looking forward to having Kyle home during the next few days...and actually getting back to blogging.

Here are a few more things I don't want to forget about Christmas 2008:

* Kendall was more into the gummy Lifesavers in her stocking than her presents.

* Kyle and I woke up first...at 8:15! Then the girls woke up...Krissy couldn't wait to see if Santa had come.

* Krissy wanted to give everyone their presents before she opened hers...it was so sweet...and shocking!

* Kyle actually pulled off a great surprise with the flash and I actually pulled off a surprise for him...new cycling gear.

* Santa left each girl a note...Krissy was quick to point out that Kendall's was nicer than hers. Classic!

our HOLIDAY weekend...cough, cough

This weekend we set off for an adventure to SLC with the whole Adams family (except Cassi...we missed you!) Of course it is always an adventure when we all get together, but I knew this one would be extra adventuresome. Me and Krissy have been fighting off a cold for the past few days. Krissy has mostly had a runny nose and I have been coughing like crazy. Saturday morning I felt good enough to try for a fun weekend so we headed up to Salt Lake...first stop Trolley Square. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a visit to Pottery Barn Kids and Restoration Hardware. That is where I had a horrible coughing attack, the kind that leaves you with tears running down your cheeks...crossing your legs as tight as you can...I am sure all you mother's know what I am talking about. Lovely. We went straight to the store to get some cough drops. They did help, but I spent most of the evening concentrating on not coughing...hoping not to spoil the evening for the rest of the group. But we did manage to have to some fun. I did have my camera, but didn't manage to take one photo. The next story is so good, you just might not believe it without a picture to prove it.

We went to dinner at the Coffee Shop at Little America (I can assure you they serve much more than coffee...). We sat down 1 table away from President Monson and his wife!! I think I had the very best view. I tried to "respectfully" observe them as they had their date night and enjoyed dinner together. I can't tell you how bad I wanted to pull out my camera, but it just didn't feel like the right thing to do. There is such a feeling of respect and reverence that accompanies him. I have a testimony that he is a living prophet. Sometimes I do forget that he is a real person that also eats food and takes his wife out on dates. They were dressed up so nice...I imagine they were headed to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert that was held last night. When he got up to leave we watched him greet those that he passed by. The 4 oldest cousins, Parker, Maddie, Braden and Kimmy, wanted to go shake his hand (so did I). They walked right up to him and he shook their hands, gave them high fives and asked if they were getting presents for Christmas. What a great experience for them. I am sure they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

After dinner we hopped aboard Trax and headed up to Temple Square to see the lights. It was so fun. When we got back to the hotel Krissy her first coughing spell. Then I had mine. We woke up early with more coughing and decided to head home in order to {hopefully} spare the rest of the family from our germs. I am afraid I missed the part of the trip I was looking most forward to...brunch. I keep telling myself we will go back...and SOON.

So tonight I am still coughing...it seems like it may never end, but Krissy seems to be doing much better. It is just a good thing I can type and cough better than I can type and talk. Maybe this is why this just might be my longest post ever...I am not afraid of having my blog catch anything from me. I love you blog. And I love my family, thanks for putting up with me this weekend.

heartwarming day

I spent the afternoon building and decorating a gingerbread house with Krissy. She was so determined to have a house that looked just like the one on the packaging. She had me cracking up...every so often she would say..."hum, I wonder what this one tastes like?"...and then she would pop a candy in her mouth. She let me squirt most of the frosting on, but she placed most of the candies on by herself. She was very clear that this house is supposed to be a decoration, not to be eaten...we'll see how long that lasts. Then she said, "Wait until Dexter sees this!" Dexter is Ines' son (what is he, around 9 or 10?) that Krissy just adores. I guess we will have to make arrangments for Dexter to come for a visit or she will be very disappointed.

Three-quarters of the way through the project she said, "this is taking too long for me"...then she walked off with 2 peppermints and got cozy on the couch. It was so fun to see her work so hard and be such a big kid.

I wasn't feeling great this afternoon and I was in need of some Ibuprofen...the miracle drug...and a friend totally went out of her way to bring me some...thank you again Laura.

Tonight we rode the Polar Express, an event put on by a very generous family in Lindon, free of charge. Santa reminded us that the candy cane represents the shepherds hook, but if you turn it upside down it makes a J...which helps us remember Jesus. Krissy {again} told Santa that she wants an American Girl doll. Kendall {again} didn't want anything to do with him.

We ended the evening watching Paige (our darling cousin & niece) clog her way through her first recital. We were so proud! There is nothing cuter than a 5-year-old in a sparkly costume beaming on stage. Way to go Paige!

Nie auction

So you all already know that I adore QuicKutz and it is because of things like this. QK has donated product to be auctioned off for the Nie recovery fund...for our favorite blogger that none of us happen to know. Theirs really is a heartwarming story that you can read about here. If, somehow, you have never heard their story, grab a Kleenex first. My good friend Laura is hosting the auction on her blog. Check it out here.

Silly Kendall

The other morning I was rushing to get Krissy ready for school. After she finished her breakfast I took her upstairs to get dressed and left Kendall at the table, eating her cereal. A few minutes later I heard this, clunk, clunk...and I thought, NO...it just can't be! I ran to Kendall's room to find her sitting in her little pink chair eating her bowl of cereal & milk. I was sure I would find a pile of soggy cereal and milk on the stairs or down the hallway, but no...just two, tiny, little splashes. She was not happy when I took the bowl away from her, but I wasn't about to press my luck.

Kendall's newest hobby is photography. I have no idea where she picked that up...She walks around the house with my old camera around her neck saying...cheeeeese...fully expecting us to stop what we are doing and pose for her. Oh, so cute!



And of course, I fully expect everyone to stop what they are doing and pose for me as well...and occasionally, they actually listen! Doesn't get any cuter than this.

Can't wait!!

I just reserved tickets for the Draper LDS Temple Open House! We are going Saturday, March 7 at 4:20 if you want to join us. At this point there are a lot of tickets available, but I am sure they will go quickly. Here is the link to reserve yours.

QuicKutz Sale

What started years ago as a small friends and family sale has blossomed into this BIG event. There will be all kinds of great buys on our AWESOME paper crafting products. I am working at the sale Friday night. Why don't you come by and watch me brush up on my super selling skills...I'll just have to pull them off the shelf and dust them off...it's been a while. Now that is great Friday night entertainment!

new header

Thank you Melissa for teaching me a new Photoshop skill! I am having way too much fun with it.

Here comes another...

Looks like we are sticking with the original plan...I will bring the cheerleaders if Hollie brings the football team. Mike and Hollie, you are well on your way to your very own football team and we couldn't be more excited or happy for you. We can't wait to meet this new little cousin! XOXO!!