December 2010

Christmas Pajamas

The normal tradition we have is that we open our christmas pajamas on christmas eve, but this year I decided that was a dumb tradition cause you usually only wear them once.  So this year on the 1st of December the kids got their christmas pajamas and wore them throughout the whole month.

Busy Boy

This little man has been the most calm, mellow, sweet child the last 2 1/2 years.  By far my easiest child.  Well that has all changed in the last month and a half.  He is one WILD man.  Running, teasing, hitting, screaming, kicking, etc....  But he is still irresistable.  He just gives me those puppy dog eyes and a great big grin and he knows he can get away with anything.  Little bugger!  He knows what he wants and when he wants it he is gonna get it, hence the chair and his head in the sink.  When he needs a drink he makes sure he gets a drink.

Dicken's Festival

The girls have performed a lot in the last 2 months and will continue to perform a lot more.  We had fun watching them at the Dicken's Festival.

 Santa and Frosty

Santa was outside Star Nursery one day and there wasn't a single person in line to see him so we took advantage and let the kids go see Santa.  Tayson was deathly afraid of him and wouldn't even look at him.

Gingerbread House

Despite what everyone kept telling me (how crappy store bought Gingerbread houses are) I bought a Gingerbread House for the kids to decorate and it turned out great.  I was nervous thinking that it was gonna collapse cause that's what everyone was saying would happen, but it didn't.  I must be a pro :)  In fact it lasted clear until after New Years and then we finally threw it away.

Santa

We of course like every other parent took the kids to the mall to go see Santa.  Even though they had already seen him we took them again.  This time Tayson warmed up to Santa, he let Santa hold him and he even told Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

Ward Christmas Party

Our ward Christmas party was amazing this year.  It was Bethlehem themed and everyone had to dress up.  The food was fantastic and you could really feel the spirit of christmas that night. 

 This picture makes me laugh.  The girls and I look homeless, Taylor looks like a thug, and Tayson looks like he is stoned.

Christmas in the Canyon

We attempted to take the kids to the Live Nativity at Tuacahn but it was cancelled for the night.  We figured it was gonna be closed considering it had been raining 10 days straight and the whole town was flooded but we wanted to see the Christmas lights and thought maybe there was a chance they moved the Nativity inside but they hadn't so we just snapped a few pictures.

Santa at Preschool and Christmas Caroling

Santa came to see all the preschool kids at their christmas party.  Kamryn was super excited because even though she had seen Santa twice already, she forgot to mention a few toys that she wanted.

 Later that night all the preschoolers got to go Christmas Caroling.  Despite the freezing cold, they were all smiles and loud voices.

Christmas Morning

The kids were spoiled by Santa and Grandma's and Grandpa's.

We had to snap a picture with new cousin baby Lailee in all their Christmas pajama's.

Las Vegas

A few days after Christmas all of Taylor's family headed to Las Vegas for the annual North family vacation.  The trip was filled with lots of food, shopping, and activities.

 Maggiano's

Grandma and Grandpa stayed home with all the grandkids so the adults could go out and enjoy a meal.  If you haven't ever been to a Maggiano's you need to go.  Little pricey, but well worth it.

 Lion Habitat

We went to the Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand.  We were all fascinated with how lazy lions are.  They sleep 18-20 hours a day.

M & M Factory



 The M & M Factory had a lot to offer but our personal favorite was the cute little movie they have to offer.  So fun!

 All along the Strip there were all kinds of characters out taking pictures with fans.  We HAD to stop and take a picture with Buzz.  Tayson loves anything Toy Story themed but he especially loves Buzz and his new nickname has become Buzz.  Too cute!

November 2010

Jubilee of Trees

Kamryn and Brynlee performed at the Jubilee of Trees with their dance class.  They did such a great job and looked adorable in their costumes.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at Taylor's Grandparents cabin in Pine Valley and enjoyed good company and ate lots of yummy food.  All the kids enjoyed playing together.

Brett and Lindsey's Wedding

Taylor's sister Lindsey got married in November to Brett Denham of Farmington, Utah.  It was a beautiful day filled with lots of fun.  All the nieces, nephew, siblings, and sibling in laws all wore coordinating colors and the kids couldn't have looked any cuter.

Brynlee just showing off her stretching abilities.  This girl sure is flexible.

October 2010

Tarzan

At the beginning of October we went and saw the play Tarzan at Tuacahn with Grandma Shelly and Aunt Lindsey.  Brynlee was especially excited since Tarzan is one of her favorite movies.  We only made it through about half the play before we got rained out.  It poured and poured that night.  Luckily that was just enough for the kids to be satisfied and they didn't feel like they had to go back and finish it.

Just like dad

Tayson shaving with daddy before church.

Kolob

We took a little family trip to Kolob Mountain in the middle of October to go and see my Great Grandma Ikhaml's cabin that I grew up going to all the time.  She unfortunately had to sell the cabin about 4 years back.  We had so many great family reunions and family gatherings at her cabin.  I miss going up there and I am sad that my kids won't be able to go with me and share some of the same memories as me.  My Great Grandma's Cabin was marvelous and they worked for years and years on it.  It was beautiful!  I took a picture of all of us in front of the cabin but for some reason it won't upload, but here are the kids playing by the stream.  It was such a beautiful time to go.  The leaves were remarkable.

 Dance Outfits

The girls got their dance leotards, skirts, and shoes later in the month and they now get to wear them every week when they go to dance class.

Staheli Farm

We went to Staheli Farms and rode a few rides and played with a few farm animals to get us in the spirit of fall.  Love pumpkin patch's this time of year.

Halloween Party at Dance

 Here is Jesse and Barbie (a.k.a. Brynlee and Kamryn) from Toy Story 3 at dance class.

Preschool Halloween Party

I had the privilege to go to Kamryn's preschool and dress up and help with the Halloween party.  I read the kids a few Halloween books and served donuts.  Brynlee and Tayson got to join us for the festivities and they were thrilled.

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Carving.  We usually paint the pumpkins with the kids but it's just not near as fun as carving a face.

 Cute kids and cute pumpkins.

 HALLOWEEN NIGHT

 We decided to go with the Toy Story 3 theme this year for Halloween.  Brynlee picked Jesse and Tayson picked Woody but we couldn't find a good costume for Kamryn.  So I asked her if there was anything else she wanted to be and then she came up with the idea of being Barbie from the movie and I LOVED the idea.  Of course I couldn't find a costume anywhere so I attempted to make her a costume.  It totally worked and I was so happy and so was she.  I made the whole costume from scratch.  She totally makes for the perfect barbie.

 Little miss Jesse (minus the red hair).

Cutest little Woody ever!

 Such cute Toy Story 3 characters!  The kids made out like bandits and came home with loads and loads of candy.

September 2010

First Day of Preschool

Kamryn started her second year of preschool in September.  Even though she was 5 and met the deadline to go to Kindergarten we decided waiting one more year would be best for her.  We felt dating, driving, and being the oldest would be easier on her as a teenager, than being the youngest and having to wait a whole year to date and drive.  She was totally ready for Kindergarten but we really just felt waiting a year was best for her and I am soooo happy with our decision.  It's been great!  We LOVE LOVE LOVE her preschool, they are INCREDIBLE!

Bike Parade

 During the second week of preschool they had a Bike Parade for all the kids and Kamryn was so excited to show off her new bike she got for her Birthday.

First day of Dance

In early September the girls started dance again and they were super excited.  We LOVE the dance company they dance with (Premier Dance Center/Super Steppers).

Rodeo Parade

Kamryn and Brynlee and the dance studio were in the Rodeo Parade.  It was a little HOT but the girls had fun nonetheless.

Rodeo

 After the Rodeo Parade the whole family heads to Grandma Hafen's to have taco's right before the Rodeo.  It's tradition and nobody misses it.  Here are the kids with their cousins Ashley and Hallee.  They all looked ADORABLE in their Cowboy/Cowgirl attire.  YEE HAW!  LOVE all their poses!

 Here they are at the Rodeo.  They were so excited to go to the Rodeo to see the Bull's, Horses, and Clowns.  Brynlee was a little disapointed that she wasn't old enough to do the Mut N' Busting competition.  I mean she was really disapointed!  She kept telling everyone that they wouldn't let her ride the sheep cause she was too small, she also had to tell everybody that she was "gonna ride the sheep and choke him out".  Hillarious!

 "BAP PUB"

Tayson is growing like a weed and is loving learning new things everyday and getting into new things everyday.  His favorite time of the day is when he is allowed to get in the "Bap Pub" (bath tub).  As you can see he was really excited to get in the tub this time and forgot to take off his clothes.

 Unsuccesful Potty Training

Tayson was also very interested in Potty Training.  So we trained him for about 2 months before I just had enough.  He did wonderful with the potty part, the pooping part......NOT SO MUCH!  In the 2 months that we trained him he pooped on the toilet ONCE, that's right....ONCE.  All the other times he happened to leave me a present in his undies.  DISGUSTING!  But I do have to say he looks adorable in his undies.

 Future Calvin Klein model?!?!?!?!  I think so.....hehe

Swiss Days

We also attended Santa Clara Swiss Days in September and Brynlee INSISTED that we let her climb the rock wall.  So of course we let her, and she did great.  She is our very active child and never stops for a moment.  She climbed the wall really well and was very proud of herself.

Tayson was much more interested in the kiddie rides.  He had a blast too.