Christmas Day

We spent Christmas at my parents house in Idaho. Rowen was the designated stocking opener and seriously opened everyones stockings- she loved it! Sawyer was the designated snack eater. I think she ate the entire container of puffs before morning was over!

Little Miss Reindeer

Uncle Trav and Auntie Ce Ce

Sawyer and the school bus Uncle Trav and Aunt Ce Ce bought for her.

Baby Kennedie and Auntie

Sweater Party!

So I'm totally embarrassed to put these pictures up but I figure why do you go to these parties if you aren't willing to share the joy with everyone else! (Russ is probably going to shoot me- oh well!) I just want to make clear that both Russ and my sweaters came from my mom who I actually remember wearing them! (sorry mom) In this picture we are sitting on Ryan Allred's lap. He is wearing a santa suit with a Christmas sweater over the top, as if Santa isn't festive enough!

Russ is sitting on Santa Ryan's lap asking for his Christmas wish!

All of the girls and our lovely Christmas attire. Rachel is the one with the red and white crazy hat!

Me and Rachel looking probably the best we have ever looked!

Christmas traditions

The girls had so much fun decorating the tree and I think it got redecorated just about everyday. Rowen thinks everything is more fun when you are wearing butterfly wings!

We started our Christmas book advent this year (which I adopted from a very creative friend Rachel Kroon). Rowen got to open a Christmas book every night before she went to bed. She loved reading the books and especially learning about Jesus!

Sawyer in her santa shirt and the advent tree that my mom made for the girls. Each pocket was hand made and had an ornament that Rowen got to color or paint everyday! They both loved it and were very sad when I took it down.

Christmas Tree Hunting

So I have been doing some serious slacking and haven't posted any of December's pictures! So get ready for a little step back in time! This is Russ carrying one daughter on the front and one on the back which is a regular occurance anytime we are hiking. It was a beautiful day with just enough so that Rowen could enjoy it but not have too much trouble walking.

Paul, Courtney and Grant Caswell, Christmas tree, Ryan, Campbell, Rachel and Avery Allred and Rowen, Russ, Sawyer and Me.

The Miller family.  Rowen refuses to look at the camera. Sawyer had a ball looking around and didn't hardly complain while in the backpack.

The whole drive up we talked to Rowen about snow angels and how fun they were to make. We got out in the snow and the first thing she did was drop onto her back! It took Russ and I a few seconds before we realized what she was doing. It doesn't look much like a snow angel in the picture but boy was she proud!

She had so much fun playing, jumping and eating the snow.

Guster enjoying his time out of the house.

Thanksgiving...

We spent Thanksgiving at Rick and Nancy Daniels house with Russ' best friends from high school and their families. We had a great time running around with all of the kids and of course eating a lot of good food!This is all of the kids that were there: Sawyer, Rowen, Kohen, Ainsley, Haley, Peyton, Mea, and Bodie.

Alison and Haley being silly!

Grammy Kathy and Sawyer- the girls can't stop talking about Grammy Kathy and love the stick ponies she gave them.

Sawyer was very into Nancy's old school desk and probably spent a hour climbing in and out of it. Hopefully that means she'll be a good student! Rowen and Kohen playing on the piano with Aunt Nancy.

The three boys and the kids- we are going to need a bigger couch!!

Russ and the girls (sawyer is in the backpack behind him) and Luke and Kohen at the holiday parade. Ashland has a little parade that ends with Santa and the lighting of the Christmas tree/ whole downtown. It was fun but cold.

                              

COUSINS!

Auntie Heidie and cousin Kennedie came to visit for Sawyer's birthday. And of course we tried to get a picture of the three girls and of course it was nearly impossible! What were we thinking?

I love this one because kennedie and rowen are smiling at each other`

One set of closed eyes and two babies looking.

Rowen is supposed to be the older child but she hates getting her picture taken so she is more of a challenge than the babies.

They are obviously looking at auntie who is jumping up and down like a monkey! Kennedie has that look like, "I can't believe that is my mother!!"

I think this is as close as we got to smiles.

Kennedie has the best smile!

A few more from Halloween

Rowen and I carved a pumpkin at the Skeds annual carving party.

Our pumpkins are the two tiny ones toward the right side. A lot of pumpkins and a lot of fun!

Sawyer in her monkey suit

Our decorating projects. The girls and adults had so much fun!

Rowen smiling

I love this picture of her because her smile looks exactly like my brothers.