Christmas Stuff

Well the last weekend was a great fun filled weekend. We started off by going to see the Zoo lights on Friday night. It was really fun even though it was really cold. The kids had a great time looking at all the animals (well the ones that were out) and looking at all the lights. I wanted to take them all summer and just never got the chance. I can't wait to take them when it is warm again. Braxtons favorite thing was the alligators. He thought they were so cool. We had to see them twice. He loved the reptile house. There were a lot more animals that were actually awake and moving in there. Cadence really didn't act like anything interested her. She just wanted to get out of the stroller but I wouldn't let her because it was so cold and I wanted to keep her wrapped up in a blanket. It was a great night and the kids passed out on the way home.
Saturday was a busy day. We slept in (of course) and then had to hurry and get ready to go to a family Christmas party. We ate some lunch and let the kids run around for a while then we all took turns and played some Christmas songs with bells.

Then Santa came. Braxton and my cousin Jaxon were standing by his chair as he walked around the room saying hello to everyone. I guess they wanted to make sure they were first in line. Braxton asked for toys. I was grateful he didn't ask for something specific because I was sure it would be something that I hadn't gotten him and then I would have to go buy it. Cadence was scared to death of Santa. I sat her on his lap and she started to panic and tried to climb back into my arms. It was kinda funny. She was willing to go back to him for a candy cane though. The storm came during the
party and it looked like a blizzard outside. Joe went to scrape off the car and was covered in snow. He looked like he had white hair. It was really funny. After the Christmas Party we went to my grandmas house to make gingerbread houses. Cadence fell asleep so Joe and I made hers. Braxton had tons of fun making his though. I just put the icing on it and let him have at it. He just kept adding more and more til I finally had to tell him that his house would collapse if he put anything else on it.

Travis

Travis left for Spain on Tuesday. He got to call us on his layover in Atlanta. It was really nice to hear his voice again. I got to talk to him for about 15 minutes. He sounded great and happy. He said he misses us but he knows he is doing something good. He told me he saw Kyle Whittingham at the airport which is really cool. He said they had like a ten minute conversation. They talked about football and where the Utes were going for their bowl game. Sports are one of his favorite things and he misses not being caught up on them. We also talked about the family and things he misses and things he has missed while he's been at the MTC. Then he had to go catch his flight.
Last night we got his Christmas box ready to go. Everyone made him an ornament that he could hang in his apartment or on his tree if they have one. The kids had fun making them. I 'm mad that I didn't take any pictures. We also sent him an iPod that we loaded up with a bunch of MoTab songs and a bunch of other church hymns and songs. He loves music so hopefully this will help him not miss it as much. We had to ship the box today to guarantee it to be there by Christmas. It cost about $125 to ship it to Spain. I had no idea it cost that much to ship things international.

Thanksgiving

It was so nice to have a few days off for Thanksgiving. My cousin Ron was in town from Indiana. It's fun when he comes to town. We get together almost every night. While he was here we went dancing a few times which was a blast. I love to go dancing. It's always a great time til you get some nasty dude trying to dance with you. It was fun with Ron because he kept all the gross guys away. We played poker all the other nights he was here. It's fun to play and have a good time with family. The money doesn't even matter ( we only play with nickels and dimes anyway). My mom hosted Thanksgiving this year. The house was so full of people. But the food was great and we all just sat around and talked. After everyone had digested a bit we played Pictionary. We played with some younger kids so I thought it would be a disaster but they actually did really well. After that we went to my grandma Reynolds' house and played more games and ate more food. I love spending time with my family. I am so glad that we are so close. I wouldn't have it any other way even if we are kinda crazy.

Farewell

Yesterday was my brother Travis' missionary farewell. He's so excited for his mission. He's going to Barcelona, Spain. It's going to be great for him. I couldn't believe how many people showed up for his farewell though. He is a great kid and loved by everyone. The whole chapel and the half of the gym was full. There were hardly any empty seats. It was great to see so many people to support him. His talk was great. It was about Joseph Smith and it put everyone in tears. I cried like a baby when he talked about me and my kids and how much he will miss us and how hard it will be to leave. They are going to change so much in the next 2 years while he is away. We are taking him to the MTC on Wednesday. It is going to be hard to give him one last hug and just leave. I'll miss him but I know that he is doing something good and he needs to be there. I'll be counting down the days til he comes home.

Just Starting

I've decided to try this blog thing out because everyone seems to love it and it seems alot easier then keeping a journal. I want to keep track the things that happen in mine and the kids lives. I hope this will help me to remember the everyday things that happen and easily share them with everyone else.