Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Festivities

We had our very first Christmas in our house this year! 
It was so fun to see Remi's reaction as we pulled out all of the decor and set up the Christmas Tree.
We had especially fun making and decorating sugar cookies. Although, I am pretty sure that Remi probably ate more dough than she helped cut (ok, and maybe me as well.)








Painting a wooden christmas tree

Remi and I went over to my parents and made some gingerbread houses.
Mine looks a little bit like a 5 year old made it... Oh well, I had a blast making it!
Remi ate my snowman before I could get him on there but that's alright.

Olivia's
Mine

Mom's





I had to make one of my most favorite treats.
Almond Roca!

Here is our Christmas Eve Feast! We decided to stay home as a family and have dinner.
We had pink salad, baked potatoes, ham, rolls, salad, 7 up, and martinellis!


My very first ham, smothered in honey! YUM!


After dinner, we opened our Pj's, and then we went over to Eli's parents for the Christmas story.
Every year they have the grandkids dress up and put on the story of the birth of Christ While Eli's dad 
reads it to us. We sang some Christmas hymns as well.It was just the thing we needed to get us even more in to the Christmas mood!

Remi, Scarlett, and Chloe

 Grandma Patsy got Remi this little Elf on the shelf! 
We named him Buddy, of course, and had a lot of fun surprising her with him every morning.
I didn't know she would really get the concept as well as she did, but she loved it.
Every morning he was in a different spot with a treat of some sort (a banana, orange, etc.)
She only touched him once and he went away for a whole day.
She was really sad, but Eli helped her write a letter to Santa saying that she was sorry and he came back the next day!


On Christmas morning, we let Remi give him a big hug before he headed back to the North Pole. ;)
She was super excited to finally touch him!

We had a wonderful Christmas morning! 
We were all spoiled beyond our expectations. Eli did such a great job this year. He got me a laminator, owl blanket, downeast shirts, super cute leggings, and lots of Bath and Body Works lotions and bubble baths!
I got him a sweeto tool stand, a huge batman blanket, some new shirts, and a Xbox game.
Remi got a tricycle, tons of barbies and littlest pet shops, a tea set, puzzles...the list goes on.
The best thing in the whole world was seeing her face light up when she came down the stairs :)





Barney was laying right in front of the heater. Spoiled dog!









Playing tea party


After opening presents, we headed over to Eli's parents for homemade crepes. SO GOOD!
Then we went over to my parents for some lunch and took their gifts to them!

This was definitely her most favorite gift of all. She played with it almost everyday for the next couple of weeks.

As the morning went on, we could tell that something was wrong with Remi. She was not really interested in any of her toys, she was coughing so bad, and running a fever.
By the end of Christmas night we knew something was definitely wrong with our sweet girl.
We took her in to the E.R. and they diagnosed her with Bronchiolitis. They were so sweet and gave her a little puppy dog stuffed webkinz. 
They kept us there for a good while because her oxygen was really low and her blood pressure was really high. When that got looking better, they gave her a steroid and some cough syrup. She zonked on my lap and didn't wake up when we left or put her in her bed.
Within a few days she was finally herself, enjoying all of her gifts from Santa!



We had an amazing holiday season! I am thankful for the birth of our Savior and that we have his atonement in our life each day. 


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sledding

We recently traded our little dirt bike for this awesome fourwheeler!
Before the snow came, we took a few rides up and down the canal banks, but we couldn't wait to get a sled 
hooked up behind it!
Do you like Eli's makeshift rope of a dog leash and dog tie? Awesome, I know!
Remi was super excited even though it was really cold.
She went on the sled with me up and down the road a few times.
Then she got to help daddy drive!
She was like a little popsicle when we were done, but of course screamed and did not want 
to go inside! Afterwards, we had delicious hot chocolate, flavored with vanilla, and some cookies!
SO much fun! I even enjoyed it :)






Where's Remi?!?





Saturday, November 30, 2013

Football and Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving festivity started out with the guys playing a little flag football across the street.
They had a really good turnout with friends and family.
Remi and I got all bundled up and went and took some pictures!










Remi's Thanksgiving craft


We cooked up a storm and then headed over to Bonnie and Beaus for a Thanksgiving Feast!

(sorry Bon and Bec, I stole your pics!) :)


It was so beautiful and of course DELICIOUS! 








Sadly, Eli had to go to work at 4pm! Black Friday is slowly turning into Black Thanksgiving and I don't like it! BUT! I am so very thankful that I got to spend most of the day with him. :)

After we ate at Bonnie and Beau's, Eli headed off to work, and I drove out to my family's across town.
We enjoyed lots of yummy pie and dessert while playing games.
I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time (tears rolling down my cheeks!)
My cousins are so much fun to be around and I love them so much.

We have so much to be grateful for, I really don't know where to start. I am thankful to have a wonderful husband and daughter. I am thankful for Eli's job and that I get to be a stay at home mom with my Remi and soon to be baby girl.
I am thankful that we were able to buy a home and have a place to raise our family. 
I am thankful for all of the family we have that is so close (and far) and for all the love and support that we receive from them! They are my best friends!
I am thankful for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I live in a country where I can express that and also teach to my family.
I am thankful that we are a forever family and for the temple that is so near to us. We are so lucky.
There are so many other things, I could go on forever.
I am glad we have this holiday to prepare for the celebration of our Savior and all he has done for us.