It's not everday...

you have one of santa's reindeers in your backyard!

this poor deer was definitely not one of santa's. our dog was barking last night around 10:30 pm so we looked outside to see this deer in our backyard. we get deer a lot but they usually run away fast when they hear a noise but this deer was not moving. he could not figure out where he was. jokingly jason said, "maybe he is blind" and sure enough he was! he kept running into our house and seriously missed our window by a foot. we ended up calling the police and the police thought it was a joke. we finally got them to believe us and they came up to help the poor animal. they scared it away from the house and i think they were going to put it out of it's misery but i don't know if they ever found it again. so sad! i've never been so close to a deer though. jason stood just a few feet from it. i'm glad it didn't ram him because jason couldn't do much with his bad back.

this was the window he almost ran through. he stood there for 20 minutes until the cops showed up. there were times it would look straight at us. it was kind of freaky. could you imagine if it broke through our window? anyway... funny story.

Busy...

Last week I was busy decorating my house for Christmas, driving carpools, going to Baylee's basketball games, paying bills, cleaning my house and washing ALL the sheets, doing laundry, scouts, festival of trees, bunko, celebrating my mother-in-laws birthday, planning and hosting a surprise party for my friend Jen, and trying to catch some rest when I could. I accomplished a lot and I'm glad the decorating is done. Now I can enjoy...

We went fake this year for our very first time and I think it's worth it but I really miss the smell of the real tree and the tradition of going to get one but we didn't have time this year and anything to simplify is a good thing and it does simplify. I don't have to water it or clean up all the pine needles.

Avaree got her tree with "rainbow lights" this year.

Stockings are hung.

Garland is up.

While I was decorating... Avaree was busy decorating Lainey.

What a patient dog.

I bought discount tickets to the Festival of Trees so I had to go and I'm glad we did. Avaree loved it. She was in awe of every tree, every display, every gift, and all the lights. Christmas is so exciting!! She also wanted her picture taken with EVERY tree.

We did a tree in honor of my Mom the year after she passed.

See... I had to pry her away.

For Bunko we were supposed to wear bad Christmas sweaters. It was classic. The bad sweaters age everyone 10 years easily.

Happy Birthday Linda!

We had a surprise party for my cute pregnant friend, Jen. She is barely 26 weeks along and she is carrying identical twins in the same sack. She is really high risk and they admitted her to the hospital on Sunday to monitor her at all times. Her parents and in-laws are both serving out of the country for the church. She had to hire a nanny to be with her 6, 4, and 2 year old. Her husband wanted to throw a party for her the night before she goes to the hospital, so we did. We had a great turn out and it was fun but poor Jen was having contractions and she was emotional about leaving her kids. You could only imagine all the anxiety and stress she must be under. Our prayers are with her and her family.

Avaree and Weston having their own party in their new Christmas PJs!

Thanksgiving weekend

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Jason's Moms. It was nice to only travel down the street and she is great to invite all my siblings along.

Jason's sister Josie was in town from Southern Cal and stayed with us all weekend.

We were just seeing what Jason would look like with hair.

That is Weston's prayer face... so cute. He totally concentrates.

Baylee and Trevor wiped out after the BIG meal... SO wiped out that Trevor didn't even notice Avaree decorating his hair with polly pockets.

Josie drinking water with a polly pocket head in it, thanks to Weston.

This boy is always getting into something... my purse and my make up drawer are his favorites. Jason is a little worried. It's just mischief right?

Dessert was the best part for these two. Weston has such a sweet tooth.

mischief again... don't tell Grandmere.

Ed's friend, Don Tomnitz, and his family were in town for Thanksgiving too. Don is the CEO of D.R. Horton. Jason loved talking with the top homebuilder in the nation! They were a nice family. We spent the next day in Park City with them. Don and his wife celebrated their 37th anniversary and treated us to a very nice dinner!

Never too cold for ice cream on Main Street.

Told you he has a sweet tooth.

Emma got out of PCMC on Friday after Thanksgiving but needed to get another treatment the following Monday so her and her Mom and her Grandma (which is my aunt) stayed with us for the weekend. We loved having them around and are looking forward to many more visits over the next few years.

Emma was patient with Avaree who wanted to be by her side at all times. Don't they look alike?

We played several games of Loaded Questions and a game of Trivial Pursuit for Jason. Busy weekend but fun. Here comes Christmas.

THANKFUL

I LOVE Thanksgiving. It's probably my favorite holiday. I love having a day to focus on what I am grateful for. I think we would all be happier if we focused on what we are grateful for instead of what we don't have, etc. This year I am so THANKFUL to be able to stay at home with my children and capture these precious moments...

avaree made a hat at school and of course weston had to have one too. he even had to sleep with it on.

this boy loves cereal.

avaree put this outfit together. the best part is her hat is a dolls skirt that fit her head perfectly.

avaree came running to me the other day covering her face and totally serious, screaming "i have a bloody nose!" i rushed to her to clean her up only to find out it wasn't real blood. she totally had me fooled.