Holiday Happenings

We have had so much fun this Christmas season already and we still have two weeks to go. I'm going crazy with my free Amazon shipping. They have got some killer deals on toys which I'm saving for birthdays now. It's fun to get a package almost everyday. We started off December with a visit to the Festival of Trees. There were so many beautiful trees. I got lots of ideas for next year. We got about half way through and the boys had had enough walking so we called it quits and left to go to Pizza Pie Cafe. It is supposed to be the same owners of Craigo's in Rexburg so I was so excited to find it. It ended up being about 45 minutes out of our way but it was for a buffet and it made my day. Like my sister Kelly said, "you can take the girl out of the South but you can't take the Leet out of the girl." It totally hit the spot. I have been craving a pizza buffet for months and have been thwarted our last two attempts to make it to one.

Here's Sammy's favorite tree, suprise suprise. He's even got his mean dinosaur face on. He's hoping our tree looks like this Christmas morning. You never know.

Sunday pictures. Why does one kid always have to look silly?

Another Christmas dress. She's killing me that she won't keep any hats or headbands on her head anymore. She looks so cute with a bow. I'm just dying for her to get some hair.

Every month Layton has a free family event. This month it was free hayrides to see the lights in the city park along with a visit from Santa and hot chocolate and carolers. It was a spur of the moment decision to go and I'm so glad we did.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

Lucy behind the banister in the kitchen looking down on the madness going on in the family room. I love that I can set her here and she stays safe.

Santa came to our ward Christmas breakfast and all the kids got to sit on his lap.

Conner changed his mind and had to tell Santa he did not want Loopz or a Nerf dartboard but rather a magnetic dartboard. Good thing we ran into Santa a second time.

Lucy's first time meeting Santa Claus and she wasn't scared

Lucy in one of her cute Christmas outfits.

I just love Conner's toothless grin

Santa's helpers. Last year I did hardly anything for Christmas so this year I'm really trying to make up for last. We have made so many wonderful friends this past year I wanted to say thanks. I love all the cookies and candies we receive every year but my waistline doesn't so I wanted to do something different and decided on bread, cinnamon swirl bread that is. At first I was going to make a 100% whole wheat variety from fresh ground flour and found a recipe that was delicious and gooey but I love whole wheat but Allison talked me out of it reminding me that a lot of people don't. Just trying to be somewhat healthy. So I tried about 6 other recipes and found a great one. Believe it or not my family is still not sick of it. I made 18 loaves yesterday (my house smelt divine) and we went and delivered them last night. The boys were so cute in their hats. They would knock on the doors and when someone would answer they'd say Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho. It was fun. I have one more round of bread making to do this week and then I'll be done with all our friend/neighbor gifts. Good thing I have 3 bread makers. They were going all day long.

Another Christmas outfit and of course she has a ball. Balls are her toy of choice and it's driving me bonkers. I keep pushing dolls and Little People but she always goes for the balls. You're a girl for crying out loud. I already have 3 boys. Please be my little princess and not a Tomboy. I know she's only 11 months old and too early to tell how she'll turn out but I realize the odds are against her. She'll probably be a star soccer player instead of a prima ballerina.