Christmas

This is kindof a catch-up post, but this Christmas season was a busy one.  We decided to go to the Zoo lights at Hogle Zoo this year, but it was so cold that our children cried almost the whole time.  We didn't stay long and maybe we will not go again.  It was cute they way they had everything lit up, but I like it better in the day time.

Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma Warren's house

Ellie got this new doll, it's a baby Ariel, but it looks just like Ellie.

BUBBLES I love Ellie's face

Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus

Santa made a surprise visit to our house on Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning was so much fun.  I loved watching Annie and Ellie so excited about their presents.  It reminds me of my Christmas mornings as a child.

Dan made this shoe rack for me

After spending time at home in the morning we headed off to Grandma and Grandpa Cluff's.  We spent time with cousins, made bread, read books, and played games.

This is Ellie with her cousin.  They are only one day apart in age.

Our last activity of the christmas season was to the Lehi Trafalga to use our pass of all passes.  The girls had a great time on the rides, play area, miniture golf and the arcades.  We wish there was one closer to us.

2012 was a challenging year, but we are so grateful to all our family and friends who helped us have a great Christmas.  We are also pleased to share that Dan got a job in December.  And 2013 has started off GREAT!

Annie Turns 4

My little sweetheart turned four this week.  I can't believe that she is so grown up.  She has been telling everyone over the last few months that she is three and on December 10 she is turning four. She was so excited for her birthday.  She chose a cake with M&M's and this is what I found.  I am so not creative and I had to copy a picture I found online.  She had a great time, thank you family for coming to celebrate with Annie.

Happy Halloween

This year for Halloween Annie was Cinderella and Ellie was a butterfly.  They loved dressing up and getting candy.  We went to the Rec Center for their Spooktacular, we saw all the grandparents,  we went to Gardner Village, we went to a pumpkin patch, and lastly went to the Trunk or Treat for our neighborhood.  We were busy this Halloween and I am glad that we are done for the year, although we have enough candy to last until next year.

September and October

Life has been pretty busy around here lately, ever since the beginning of September it seems that life has been on fast forward.  Annie is doing preschool one day a week and I take a turn every three to four weeks to teach at our house.  Annie loves it and asks most days when is it time for preschool.  We have continued to go to the zoo every couple weeks with our pass.  We have all chosen our favorite animal and make sure we see them when we go.  They are building a Safari for African animals coming in 2014, they will finally bring a lion back to Hogle Zoo.  We are excited and will probably get another pass in two years.

I have not yet written about this, but it's been five months since Dan lost his job.  He has looked all summer long for another one, but has yet to find one.  We are hanging on with faith and prayers from many loved ones and we thank you all for those prayers.  It has been a discouraging time with few interviews and holding out hope for a positive result, but always a rejection in the end.  We would love continued prayers in our behalf.  I will let you know when there is good news to report.  

Cabin in the Woods

We took one trip this summer to my brother-in-laws family cabin. We went with my mom and siblings.  It was so much fun to spend time with them and to have cousins for my kids to play with.  On the way down we saw some donkeys and Annie had a fun time feeding them.

We swam at Causey reservoir, it was cold but after a few minutes we got used

 to it and had a great time splashing and swimming.

We played on the four-wheelers and motorcycles, we all had a blast on those.

We took a hike around the property and enjoyed the view.

Lately

Ellie has started talking.  It's so fun to listen to her sweet little voice.  Annie didn't say any words until after 18 months and we were worried a little bit about that, but Ellie is only 15 months and says about 10 words really clearly.  She is such a joy to have in our family.