Christmas Catch Up #4 (Nativity Bloopers)

Since 1993 Craig's family on the Clegg side (his mom's maiden name) has done "The Nativity Scene" at their family Christmas party and all the kids and some adults (if needed) GET to participate! Doesn't Craig look like he is having the time of his life?!

Growing up, we never did this! Craig just takes this tradition for granted! The only time (before I married Craig) that I remember taking part in "The Nativity Scene" was when I was a missionary in the MTC . . . I got to be Baby Jesus! Wasn't I cute?! This year I got to be Mary (which I think is a lot more fitting, what do you think)? Craig GOT to be Joseph again and our kids got to participate too! I'm sure this will be a tradition they will remember and love for a long time! Especially the pictures we will capture for years to come!

Smile for the camera! Alright, we got Angel Ambree!

Let's try this again . . . maybe we could get a shot with both of you looking at the camera! Alright . . . we got Shepherd Boy Cade now!
Now let's really try hard to get a good one of BOTH of you looking and smiling . . . come on . . . do it for mama! Uhhh, not exactly what I had in mind! I guess pictures with one of them looking and smiling are better than all of them looking like this one!Hey Shepherd boy . . . I don't think you are supposed to be eating that frankincense, gold, myrrh, or whatever that is!
More Nativity fun . . .2007!

Christmas Catch Up #3 (Christmas Photo Shoot)

Christmas Catch up #2 (Disneyland)

A few weeks ago we went back to California so Craig could take his second set of the Board Exams for his schooling. A good friend of ours works at Disneyland, so we were able to go for free! Can't pass that up! I had a season pass last year and took the kids quite a bit, but this was the first time that we went as a family. It turned out to be a lot of fun!

While we were waiting in line for the carousel, ambree was watching and laughing. It was definitely her favorite ride!

Cade having fun on the carousel!

But his favorite ride was definitely the Buzz Light Year ride (are you surprised)?!

We got pictures with some of Cade's favorite characters . . .

Woody (definitely a highlight of the day)! Mickey

And of course we had to visit with Mrs. Clause . . . Santa Clause . . .
and of course the reindeer (but we couldn't find Rudolf)!

Christmas Catch Up #1(Tree Hunting)

Christmas tree hunting! Craig's family always get's a big fresh Christmas Tree, so we got to tag along and help search for just the right tree. Cade thought it was a lot of fun! We got to enjoy the beautiful tree without any of the pay or the work . . . what moochers we are! :)

Just Cade's size!

The Winner! It stood about 10 ft. tall!

To Grandmother's house we go!

Is it just me, or do things get extra busy this time of year! I tell myself every year that I'm going to get all the Christmas stuff done early so I can just enjoy the month of December without all the busy work, and every year, there is always still so much to do. . . maybe someday, I'll figure it out! A few weeks ago, while Craig was busy with work and studying for Board Exams for his school, the kids and I took a trip up to Burley, Idaho to visit my Grandma Williams. She has a lot of property right on the Snake River, and although it was too cold to go in the water, it was still a lot of fun for the kids to play and such a beautiful view! We had a lot of fun visiting with Grandma, and although she had a smile on her face the whole time we were there, I'm sure she was somewhat relieved when we left so she could have a little peace and quiet again!

Ambree and Grandma!

Cade and Grandma!

Grandma Williams didn't have any bath toys, but she had a bag of balls that Ambree and Cade loved to play with!

Gotta love the trampoline, even if it is FREEZING outside!
Ambree's first time petting a kitty! She was afraid of it at first, but warmed up to it pretty quickly.
Thanks for letting us visit you and play at your house Grandma Williams! We love you!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We had our ward Christmas party the other day, and Santa was there! During the entertainment (ballroom dancing), Cade was coloring in the kid's room, so I went to check on him. While I was in there, Cade happened to look behind the big chalk board that was dividing the room in two. He then looked at me with big eyes and said, "Look mom, there's Santa!" Sure enough, Santa was sitting back there, just waiting for the entertainment to end before he made his big entrance, and Cade found him! Cade proceeded to go over to Santa and sat on his lap for 5-10 minutes before the entertainment ended and any other kids realized that he was there! Cade was in heaven!! Just look how excited he was! Unfortunately, Ambree was taken home early by Craig because she was VERY tired! Hopefully she'll have a chance to see Santa some other time this season.

I signed up to take an appetizer to the party and found this cute idea in a magazine! It is pita bread cut into triangles with guacamole and red pepper pieces. You then stick a pretzel in the bottom and you have cute little Christmas trees! They were fun to make, healthy, and a big hit at the party. If you have to make an appetizer for a party this season, you should give it a try!

Cute conversation with Cade:

While shopping with me at the store, Cade pulls a birthday card from the card isle and says, "We need to buy this and give it to someone." I respond by saying, "I don't know anyone who is having a birthday soon, do you?" Cade thinks for a minute and then says, "Yes, mommy, Jesus is going to have a birthday soon!"

Leave it to a child to remind me of that! Oh, and now that I think of it, Jennie Barney's birthday is this month too! I should have bought the card after all! Happy Birthday Jennie!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow . . . NO!!

It's been snowing a lot here and I really am trying to be positive about it (hence my new blog layout), but my California blood is just not adapting too well! I keep telling myself that I will get used to it, but I did live in it for 5 seasons while I went to BYU-Idaho, and I still don't like it! I think it is pretty, and fun to play in for a little while, but it's just inconvenient, especially when it comes to driving! Wish me luck! Here are some pics of the kids and I a couple weeks ago, when it snowed for the first time.

Cade loves the snow! He said he likes it better than summer time . . . I am beginning to wonder if he really is my child. . . he must get that from Craig!

This was Ambree's first time ever playing in the snow. She seemed kind of concerned at first, but then seemed to enjoy it until she realized it was very cold. . . we still need to get her some snow clothes!