A little of this and a little of that!

Here is just some of the fun that was also going on this past month.  Below is Jacob with his sweet new racetrack. Daddy put it together and I think we all like to watch it go. Super fun.

 I always feel like we never have enough mashed potatoes. So I made sure to peel and cook a lot. It turns out you can make to much. I filled one of my biggest Tupperware to the top with mashed potatoes..but thankfully we like reheated potatoes!

 Daddy was gone on a little trip to St. George because his Grandfather passed away on Christmas.  He was 97 years old and a very talented man.  I am thankful that Brett is able to be there right now and spend time with his Mother's side of the family. Some he hasn't seen in years or ever met.  Since he was gone I took the opportunity to watch a movie with my two oldest. The Hunger Games. They both read the books and Jolie had already seen it. Giselle snuck down and cuddled with us for a few minutes.  It was a lot of fun hanging out with them!

 This year I got the kids involved with cooking dinner as much as possible.  Jolie made a chocolate pie all on her own and Jacob and Jolie helped me make a pumpkin pie. It was a lot of fun.  Jolie is wearing an apron that Grandma Sue made for her for Christmas!

 This years teacher gifts.  It was nice not to have a ton of teachers..since the big girls are in Middle School. Although I did have them take a bag of cookies to their homeroom teacher.

 Jacob LOVES his Daddy! He try's to be like Brett in everything he does.  Brett comes home from work and changes his clothes right away. Usually into basketball shorts and a t-shirt.  Jacob just had to wear Daddy's shirt to bed one night..what we didn't know is he had snuck and grabbed a pair of Brett's shorts and fell asleep. So cute!

We got quite a few new games this year.  life, monopoly, headbands, and of course some digital games as well.  It has been so fun to see them learning the games that Brett and I played as children.

Christmas Eve and Day!

 Christmas Eve was a great day because we had Daddy home. He did have to work a little bit but at least he was home.  He worked so hard this past year, especially December. December is always so crazy busy for him but this year was really bad.  So we felt extra blessed to do some our traditions and enjoy the nice family night!

I don't know what we were thinking but we didn't take any pictures of opening presents.  You can see some of the fun though in these pics.  One of the fun parts is just playing and learning the new toys. This is a fun game called Headbandz!  We finished the day with a traditional turkey dinner. We are very blessed to celebrate our Savior's birth and know that he lives!

Polar van express!

 Making sugar cookies is fun to do, fun to do! They loved rolling the dough and picking the shapes.

          Some of the finished cookies..LOT'S of sugar.

The kids didn't know we were going to go out that night. We told them to get pj's on and than surprised them and said we made hot cocoa and cookie plates to take to friends. So we blasted Christmas music and looked at all the pretty lights and sang to friends. The kids loved it and we only had one little spill of hot cocoa!!! A new tradition for sure!

Nativity at our Church program!

                                                          Jacob was a wise man!

 Jolie and Giselle were buddies because they weren't in the play!

 Genevieve was asked to be Mary...she was married to Ryland ( Joseph).  They were so cute and she took it very seriously.

                                                     Jillian was a beautiful Angel!

 Jacob presenting his gifts to the baby Jesus!

                                             All the primary children sang after the Nativity!

The tall and beautiful Jolie is in the back loving that she is there!  The ward did a beautiful job on the decorations.  There were pieces of wood cut and than sprinkles of white glitter all around and tree branches. it was so beautiful and simple and perfect.

Giselle is 3 years old!

Dec. 22nd Giselle Lisa Fox turned 3 years old. I can't believe our little baby is 3.  Time has flown by so fast. She loved her birthday! She kept telling everyone it was her birthday and that she was 8!  Do you think she wants to be like her older brother and sisters.  Her stats are: 27lbs. 33inches.
She LOVES to dress up in anything princess but Cinderella is her fave!
She LOVES to play with my ipod or Brett's Ipad and she is a pro!
She is still in a crib and we love it..the longest we've ever had a child in a crib.
She knows all her colors, shapes and numbers. A lot of her ABC's but still working on it.
She can go on the potty but isn't interested in underwear!
She loves church and her teachers and singing time..I can't believe she is going to be a Sunbeam!
She takes a ballet/tap class with her friend and can't wait for her to start every week!
We love you sweet girl and love having you as part of our family!

Grandpa Dan and Grandma Sue visit!

 After the talent show enjoying a treat with Grandma!

                   Grandpa modeling his Christmas gift from us...he will wear it with PRIDE!! :)

                Giselle loving her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa!

We loved having my parents come for a fun visit. We celebrated an early Christmas and Giselle's birthday!
They went to Chicago and enjoyed the fun of the city for their Anniversary. We love you and loved having you visit!

Genevieve's Talent show!

Genevieve and her friend Hallie practiced and tried out for the Talent show and MADE it!! They sang "Popular" from the musical Wicked!  I can't believe how quickly Genna learned ALL the words to the song. The talent show was during the day for there "Gowerpalooza".  Brett was so incredibly busy at work and couldn't come. He was so sad.  Luckily my parents were able to come up and be there with me.  I was able to take pictures and video tape the whole thing.  Before she started my heart was beating a mile a minute but she got up there and you couldn't tell she was nervous at all.  Way to go Genevieve!!!

Jolie's 1st Chorus concert!

Jolie is in Chorus at school. They practice during study hall a few times a week. She was very excited for her first concert.  She did such a great job and we are so proud of her conquering her fear and doing this in front of lot's of people!

Jacob's Preschool Christmas Concert!

 Jacob did such a great job in his Christmas concert.  Daddy wanted to come so bad..he was super sad to miss it. I taped the whole thing though so we can watch it with him later!

 Giselle waiting for the program to start..she took a self portrait!

 Jacob with his class. There was one student who was home sick!

 This is one of Jacob's good buddy.  They are both supposed to be singing right there...you can tell they are loving it!

 This was Jacob's favorite song..the donkey song!  Yee haw!!!

 Jacob and Giselle are just the best of friends and so sweet with each other. How blessed and adorable are they?

                                           Jacob, George and Giselle!

My handsome little boy who is growing up so fast.  You were fabulous!! Everyone kept telling him how handsome and sharp he looked in his suit. HE LOVED it. He didn't want to change when we got him because he said everyone likes him in his suit! Love that boy!!

Woodridge 1st "favorite things" gift exchange!

 Jacquie Korella generously hosted a fun gift exchange for the women of the Woodridge 1st ward.  There was lots of yummy goodies to try and taste!

Look at all those pretty packages!

Jacquie has the best style!

 This is just a sampling of the shoes at the front door..I don't know why but I thought it was funny!

 More super cute and pretty decorations. I really need to take her with me more when I go shopping!

 Group shots of some of the wonderful ladies there!

The gift exchange is about to begin..yes someone stole the gift I had but I did prevail and get another fab gift..really they were all fab which made it even harder to keep! :)

                            The WHOLE group...there are plenty that weren't there but were greatly missed!

 tried to zoom in but people got cut off..sorry!

 I'm not sure how this picture ended up down here..it was supposed to be in the food...but amazing hot cocoa...and yes that is homemade whipped cream and yes I did make it...and yes it is super easy!

All cleaned up and ready to head home. Thank you so much Jacquie and all the wonderful sisters that came and made it such a fun night and great start to the Christmas season!