Cub Scouts…Here we go again

Next to getting baptized Haden was super excited about starting Cub Scouts.  The poor kid has been counting down for years.  He would come when Alicia was a den leader, and then Connor started and he got to go to all the pack meetings.  He was so excited to get to wear his own shirt and really sit with the rest of the boys.

Connor moved up to Weblos and is loving the more “grown-up” activities.  They were working on their Artist in January and Connor took to it like a fish to water.  It is a good thing he and Daniel love art, ‘cause Mom is deficient in that area.

His Animorphs Mobile.  He loves to read the Animorphs books and was excited to look for his favorite books online.  He also did a staff and “stilts” to walk with.  Silly kid.

They visited with an artist that lives in our neighborhood, and then got to work with clay.  He loves Minecraft right now, and quickly put together some characters.  I love the “bulletholes” he riddled their bodies with.  Don’t get me started on the cigars.  Should be an interesting year.

It’s Boring….and I LOVE IT!

Not much has happened since New Year’s.  The boys started up at school, life settled into a routine, and Alicia is loving it!  After such a crazy December it is awesome to have the predictability of a schedule.

We put down Christmas the day after Haden got baptized.  Alicia was ready to move on.  This year we decided to wrap our tree for easier storage.

I should say, Dan wrapped the tree.  Alicia has allergic reactions to the bristles.  I bear hugged the tree when necessary.  It looked awesome when we finished.  We now have something from Shelob’s lair in our garage.  Hopefully it will be easier set-up next year.  Thanks sweetie!

Haden Get’s Baptized

To close out the crazy month, Haden chose to be baptized the first week in January.

He was so excited to be baptized.  When we were driving over to the Stake Center Garrick was so excited about the baptism he told Haden “You are so lucky you get to be baptized at Zumba!”  That gave us a laugh!  It was a great morning for the whole family. 

Haden loved everyone coming to see him get baptized.  He is such a sweet soul.  We love him so much!!  Thank you to everyone for your love and support!

What a whirlwind season.  It seemed so long at times this past month, but overall what a joyous season!

Happy Birthday Connor

I can’t believe Connor is 10!  Wow!  We celebrated birthdays with the Harward’s on New Year’s Day. 

Connor got a lava lamp and was super excited about Super Smash Bros. 

We surprised the boys with their own tablets and boy can they spend all day on those things.  I shouldn’t be surprised. 

Happy Birthday Connor!  I am constantly amazed by you and your tenacity!  You are an awesome kid, and I’m privileged to be your mother.

Happy Birthday Haden

Haden turned 8 at the end of 2013!  He was SOOOO excited for his birthday.  It was a toss up as to whether he was more excited for Christmas or his birthday.

Haden had asked for a crayon factory for Christmas, but had to wait until after his birthday to get it.  (Can I blame UPS?—Nah, I was just late ordering it.)  Let’s just say they have been cooking up a lot of different crayon combinations.

We celebrated both Connor & Haden’s birthdays with the Preece’s on New Year’s Eve.  It was awesome.  Chinese dinner and a game night.

They were both sooooo excited to get lamps for their rooms.  They have been reading with head lamps for the past year, so they are happy to have a lot of light in their rooms.

Happy birthday boys!!

Christmas 2013

Christmas with the Preece boys.

Waiting for permission to come downstairs

#1 - Yes we are the most awesome parents.  Our 4 year old asked for a skeleton and we got him one.  #2 - chocolate is a perfectly acceptable breakfast food.

Alicia is finally joining the real world with a smart phone.  Oh, and what Christmas would be complete without a bazooka?

What do you do with Nerf Machine guns and 150 extra darts?

A turkey shoot of course!  (I’m still stepping on those stupid darts.)

And what better way to end Christmas day than with a piñata.  Especially when you are the only kids and you end up with all the candy.  Grandma is going to be pulling wrappers out of her couch cushions for a year.

Yep, Z.  That is how I felt by the end of the day.  Thanks to all our family for making it such an awesome day!! 

Christmas Eve

We started out the day with our annual Christmas movie.  We took the boys to see Frozen.  Alicia and Z watched the first 15 minutes and then spent the rest of the time walking the hallways.  So fun…..NOT.  However, it was nice to have Haden come out and say it was so good he cried. 

We did a nice prime rib dinner with the Preece’s early that evening and got back in time to let the boys do their pj’s, and our annual Christmas pics.

Love trying to get that picture in front of the tree.

So much fun having the boys looking forward to Christmas. 

Haden’s Mr. Bee

Haden is our social butterfly.  I’ve known that for years, but it became apparent when he became adamant the last couple of months that he wanted to have a speaking part in his class “Glow” play.  A foreign idea when Connor is your oldest child.  Well, Haden got the part of Mr. Bee.  It was just a couple of lines, but boy he was excited!







Great job Haden!  We are so proud of you!

Riverwoods Lights

Last year we discovered using the Riverwoods Shopping complex for a Christmas lights excursion.  Much closer than SLC, and there is Santa and a wagon ride as well.  It seems to work well for my boys.

Once again, it was the creepy Santa that looks like he would rather be anywhere else.  I think Z picked up on his vibes.

We managed to hit the wagon ride perfectly.  It pulled up right when we got there, and there was no line.  SWEET!

We took a little excursion into Blickenstaff’s toy store.  The boys were enthralled. 

What better way to end the night than a stop at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to pick out a treat?