Fun with Grandpa W. and Uncle Doug

Sophie and Sage finally got to meet their Grandpa W. and Uncle Doug. What a good time! They kept their distance at first, but it didn't take long for the girls to warm up to them. Sage showed Grandpa her picture, which he loved (who wouldn't love a page full of circles), and Sophie quickly got attached to Uncle Doug. They both adored him. Everytime one of them walked away from him, the other one was their to play with their Uncle.
It was a very nice stay and the girls loved getting to know their Grandpa and Uncle, and cousin Ben (Josh's age). ps Next time we'll let you win at Mad Gab :) It was so good seeing my bro and dad, and nephew- half grown up!

Our first time Ice-Skating

Visits with Grandma's & Grandpa- Christmas Day

First we went to Grandma & Grandpa D, had fun and opened gifts.

Love the skirt and coordinating top, and the angel ring. Thanks G & G, can't wait to wear it!

Grandma, where's the garbage?

We must clean up this mess...

Later, we went to Grandma B.'s

Thanks Grandma, we will use our art kits almost everyday!

Time to wrestle

Even Nick is ticklish

Ouch, I hurt my big toe.

but they can't keep me crying for long...

Fun with Grandma...

Showing our nice cousins the nativity...

Sophie and Sage love baby Jesus, and pet all the horses (animals)

Christmas is great! Giving gifts is as fun as receiving!

It was so nice seeing the girls go to their Grandma's and Grandpa so freely, and many of their cousins. Just a month ago (Thanksgiving), they wouldn't do this. Now when we are out, if someone even looks like one of their Grandma's, they excitedly call out to them- "Grandma, look mom, Grandma!" They love their Grandma's & Grandpa. (We can't wait to meet our other Grandpa, he lives out of state).

Christmas Morning

My First Collage- yahoo!

The boys woke up bright and early, woke up the girls, then mom and dad. Santa was good. They first emptied their stockings. This would've satisfied the girls, with their oranges, pieces of chocolate, and their favorite- a punch balloon. But there were presents to be opened. As soon as they opened the first gift, before even looking at it, they ran to the garbage to throw away the wrapping. We made it a little easier by moving the garbage closer and told the boys to take note. The girls got the hang of it quick and wanted to play with each new toy they received. They loved their individual baking kits (with aprons), their new learning games and Dora books, but their all-time favorite was the Fisher Price twin family doll house- it's beautiful. They loved tucking in the babies, kissing them goodnight, and playing with the cat. What precious girls. They have learned so much about families already. It's great to see how gentle they are, especially with babies.
I tried not to laugh as Sage (she is our hoarder), went around collecting everything she thought was cool and put them in her stocking and said "mine". Trevor had to claim back many of his toys. Reminded me of the seagulls in Finding Nemo, "mine, mine, mine". You can see from the collage above she has a very full stocking and she wouldn't let go of her balloon. Can you blame her? We had a very nice morning, then off to Grandma's & Grandpa's. Just wish you could stop the clock on days like this.
The boys enjoyed watching the girls, and finding some great finds for themselves. Nick & Josh got some fast and fun RC cars, and a new shotgun (dad's doing). Trevor got what he wanted- a spy kit- with the secret pen, motion sensor light, and sound interpreter. He also enjoys his new transformers and art kit. They said it was the best Christmas ever, and Trevor added, because it's the girls first Christmas. I agree.

Christmas Eve

Sage having fun with Brittney

Sophie trying on backpack that weighs as much as her

The talented Nick, juggling oranges. (So much for all those years of piano lessons, he would rather juggle oranges for the talent show)

Josh demonstrating Oragami, great swan Josh!

Our family Nativity (no laughing allowed :)

Sophie and Sage (wisewomen) with Josh (wiseman), bearing gifts to Baby Jesus

The music in between was a nice touch.

Sage & Dallas checking out the Reindeer

They got a kick at the rocking, singing, reindeer... "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer"

Too funny!

We might be wearing down the batteries

Time for bed so Santa can come!

It was a nice Christmas Eve. The program at church was impressive. I really enjoyed the Nativity with the wonderful music. Paul sang a solo (great job hon!), and I helped direct the primary children with the last two songs (the extent of my musical talents). It was all very moving.
Then we celebrated at my mom's with good food, visits, talent show, and simple family nativity. It was a delightful evening and the kids had a great time with their cousins. Sophie and Sage loved being with their Grandma & Grandpa, seeing Dallas (who isn't much of a baby anymore), and hanging out with Brittney. I've loved sharing this season with my girls, and my boys! Nothing better then being a kid on Christmas Eve.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!

FFFF- "Pigtails and Attitude"

Here is Sage's rendition of "pigtails and attitude" that fits well for Donna's Friday Foto challenge. Sage must know she's pretty special, or she's just plain proud of those pigtails :) (Hopefully both)

They love their pigtails!

Our first time sledding

Sophie's first time down the hill. Sage already went, couldn't wait for the camera. Should've heard the giggles...

1-2-3 Go

Trevor carrying the sleds up for his sisters.

So much fun, lets do it again!

They had a great time sledding! They laughed so hard down the hills, even when they fell off. Then they hopped right up, grabbed their sled, and up the hill to do it again. Of course, all they had to do was look at their brothers and they were right there to carry the sleds up for them.

Perfect Night to See the Lights!

Beautiful lights at Temple Square

Sophie and Sage discovered throwing snowballs (thanks boys)

Love this shot, in the background is the exquisite temple where Paul and I were married... One of my favorite places.

Girls in front of the Christus

Back outside to see the nativity

Sage must catch snow on her tongue

The reason we celebrate this great time of year!
Merry Christmas

Our first haircut since we've been home...

I wasn't planning on cutting their hair yet, but when I got set up to give my boys a haircut, Sophie sat up in the chair and said "Sophie's turn."

They need their bangs cut anyway

Sophie sat real still while I cut her hair

Sage was very observant sitting close by

I'm so used to cutting boys' hair, I had to make sure I didn't give my girls sideburns

Sage figured she'd get my hair wet, what a tease :)

But she took the cutting part serious...

After shot. I only cut off 1/4 inch, now they can see without hair in their eyes

Gingerbread Houses are the Best!

Building a gingerbread house is a big job...

Overseeing and helping with the prep work

Of course we must test the frosting

Now for the fun part...

Putting the candy on! This is really close... and tempting...

Mom likes my patterns

Hard at work

Not bad at all!

Finished product!

Isn't it beautiful? You can never have enough candy on a Gingerbread House! Now when can we eat it? (Sage already started :)