Nutcracker

There's something about the Nutcracker that takes my breath away, no matter how many times I've seen it.
I haven't been for a few years but my sister Tif had been taking her daughter. This year I took it upon myself to invite Canyon and I. Shoot what the heck, let's take mom out of the home and get her out for her birthday. (just kidding mom, happy birthday)

Driving to salt lake is alot of work so we had to stop by Olive Garden first.

waiting at Olive Garden

The girls getting a glimpse of the orchestra

That could have been me. if only I kept at that clarinet

Found their seats.

She made it through her first Nutcracker.

she loved it & Madi was so nice to answer all of her questions throughout the show.

"is that a real mouse? why isn't anyone talking? why is that guy mean lookin?is that real snow? how do they do that?"

Miss Madi

Grandma

Tif and Madi

Happy Birthday mom

and

Thanks Tif for letting us tag along.

same time next year???

Deck the halls

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the kids know it's tree time.

Ryan and I started a tradition where on Christmas Eve the kids open a present of pajamas and a new ornament. we try and pick one that sorta describes that kid that year. for instance, a hotwheel ornament for porter last year because he was completely obsessed with them.

It's so fun to see them put up their own ornaments and talk about them.

We had to enlist Porter and a chair so all the ornaments wouldn't be 3 feet and lower.

The grand finale

                    I think we're missing a box, because that is one sad lookin tree.

                                           Happy Holidays everyone

Santa Clause

"Mom, I know that's not the real Santa"

" fine, I'll tell him what I want, but I'm not sitting on his lap!"

true story

And this one, I had to pull out of the car kicking and screaming.  He would not go anywhere near that old bearded man & he eventually fell asleep on Ryan, far, far away from Old Saint Nick.

So delightful, sure can't wait for next year. nope not one hint of sarcasm there.

"Croup there it is"

       Nothing says Christmas like the Croup.

Having gone through this a few times before with Linc and the other 2, we tried all of our learned tricks....FAIL, tactics....FAIL and portable nebulizer....FAIL.

We took him in & got him the good stuff

Lincoln is so nice to share.

after 4 days of barking like a seal and talking like a 80 year old cigar smoker, Linc is back to tip top unstoppable shape.

I am so thankful for modern technology.

Happy Halloween

Word on the street was you could buy a $50 Black Island Farm gift certificate for the price of a $20 at Utah Deal Monster. That's just what we did.

Canyon found her perfect pumpkin

Linc and daddy were still looking

Porter unearthed his & we all hopped back in the wagon

This picture makes me laugh!

do you see the uncooperative 3 year old? ha ha ha

Once you have pumpkins you must........

paint them

Ty and Shay had us over for soup and pumpkin painting

Canyon could paint all day, everyday

Porter will do anything to get his hands on a knife.

Porter's school Halloween carnival.

Finally... the day of Ol' Hallows Eve.

A nice skeleton

A disgruntled skeleton

and

a soccer boy

The proud owners of the 3 goblins

Ha ha ha

my crime fighting neighbors

Corey and Token

& their identical book ends.

And that, my fellow pocket protector wearers is how you do Halloween.

We also stopped by the "Boo-lavard" at nannys work & ventured over to grandma and grandpa McPhies for soup and more trick or treating.

Oh how I love the holidays that include candy and family!

Teddy Bear Picnic

  My gal had her first friend birthday party!  Her theme of choice... Teddy Bear Picnic.  Of course nothing of the sort is sold at any of my go to stores (Fun Dayz, Zurchers) Luckily ETSY handed me a few choices.
I found some teddy bear goodies at Oriental trading, but it didn't arrive until the day after her party. Oh well, a quick run to Dollar Tree saved the day.

Birthday cake made by our favorite, Cathy Mower

My Birthday Lady

Mcphie family celebration

Britt fam par-tay

Even a special day at school

The loot bags contained pencils, notebooks & candy necklaces.

waters

Menu

More Cathy creations

Pin the bow on the bear,

yup those are my mad artistic skillz.

I printed pictures of animals off the computer and taped it to their back. then the girls had to give clues to that person without saying what it was.  Ha ha ha, It took a few tries but they got the hang of it.

We made necklaces

Opened presents

Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck......Goose!

The party gals

Ring around the rosies with their bears

Happy Birthday to my best 5 year old gal