Tuacahn Live Nativity

Last night Shan had to work late, so I took the boys to see the live nativity at Tuacahn. We have never been before and I am so glad I took them. They were so good for me and loved every minute of it. We got there a little early so we got to sit on Santa's lap before the show. This is the boys second time to see Santa. Blake does not like him yet, but he will. Michael once again asked for a dinosaur and a puppy. He wants the big, expensive ones from Costco that move and make noise. I hope he's not too disappointed when Santa doesn't come through for him. And Carson once again asked for a train set. I'm not exactly sure what he's looking for. He already has received three train sets, one on all three of the last Christmas's. Maybe he thinks it's a tradition.

Afterwards we sat down and watched some kids from the high school sing a bunch of Christmas songs. The boys thought they were pretty funny.

Then we went into the amphitheatre to watch the nativity. Our wards YM/YW got to be the performers in it. So it was fun to see them all act out the story of Christs birth. The boys loved it. And I was impressed with how much they could remember about the Christmas story.

After the show we went out and rode a little train around the property to see the lights and some of the old props from the show. The boys of course loved this!

I think we have a new family tradition!(Hopefully next year Shan will be able to come.)

Christmas Lights

Monday night for Family Home evening we went down to the temple to see the lights and nativity. The boys loved it. The lights were pretty and they liked getting to look at the lifesize nativity. We even let them go into the visitors center and they were pretty good about not running around. They are all so excited for everything this Christmas. We've been watching a million Christmas shows on T.V., we made our neighborhood gifts, we've been shopping and even made it to the last few minutes of the Jubilee of trees. It is so fun, and with so many more fun things to do for Christmas it's only going to get better!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was at the Millers house this year. It was nice and relaxing. David made us all a crepe breakfast early that morning and then we just hung out at their house all day. (Oh and Shan did make time to go out Coyote hunting early in the morning.)The food was delicious and the kids were great. They played house most of the afternoon. Michael and Kadence were the babies and Carson and Megan the parents. The best part was that Michael actually fell asleep while they were playing. Bonus for me!

Stone Soup

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Carsons class made Stone soup. They invited families to come enjoy it with them. So I left Blake with a neighbor and Michael and I went to Carsons class. He was so excited to see us there. He had made us both hats, which we proudly wore. He helped us get our soup and showed us just where to sit. Michael was in heaven, he loved being in Carsons class. The stone soup was delicious, Carson even had two bowls.(I wish he would eat like that at home!) After the soup was gone the kids all sang us the songs they have been working on in class. It was so cute, I was surprised that there were only three other moms there. I love any opportunity I have to participate in that part of Carsons little world! And I almost had to drag Michael out of the class room, I think he'll do just fine in Kindergarten!

Decorating the tree

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we put up all our Christmas decorations. I had gone to Vegas the day before with my sister-in-laws to do some serious baby shopping.(I bought my first things for this little baby girl. It was fun! Now I can't seem to stop.) When I got back the boys had put up the Christmas tree and were very excited to get all the decorations on it. So Sunday morning, very first thing, we decorated the tree and got out all the decorations. Now it finally looks like Christmas!

This was Blakes first year to help with the tree. And sadly he didn't do much helping. He just ran around playing with the ornaments. I keep thinking I would like to get new decorations for my tree, but this year has reminded me that my pretty much indestructible wood ornaments are probably good for now!

White Trash Party

Okay, so I am way behind on my blogging, so here it goes! We got to go to a fun birthday party for our neighbor Travis. They had a white trash theme, so everyone came all decked out in their white trash gear. There were some hillarious costumes! I went the mumu route since there was no way I was wearing anything spandex! Shans shorts were funny, because they had a built in can holder!

Shan made this awesome hat for Travis as his white trash birthday gift. It was pretty funny, since once you started the root beer flowing, it wouldn't stop!

Anyway, it was super fun! Thanks for the fun party Marchants!

Funny Things said this Weekend

(I wrote this forever ago, the day of their last soccer games, but forgot to publish it!)


While playing a family game of duck, duck, goose Carson told Michael "Pick mom, she can't run!"

In the car on the way home from soccer, Carson was eating his soccer treats. He had also been given a squeeze-it. Michael kept asking for some, and so, kindly Carson handed Michael the mostly full bottle of juice and told Michael he could have the rest. With a questioning look on his face Michael turned to Carson and said "Is it poison?"

The End of Soccer Season

Saturday marked the end of another soccer season. Carson loved this year of soccer. His team was fun and he had a great coach.

He scored three goals during the season and tried really hard every game to play his best. We were so proud of him! After the last game on Saturday his coach threw a big pizza party for all the kids and their families.

He had a soccer cake, treat bags and gave them all their trophies. We were so lucky to get him on this team this year!

Michael enjoyed knowing he was on a soccer team. But actually playing soccer wasn't his favorite. He liked the first couple minutes of the game, but it was usually a struggle to get him to play the whole game. I think we have learned our lesson and will wait until our next kids are a little older to start soccer. He was excited to get a trophy. And he was super cute in his uniform!

Visitors!

My parents came down for a super quick visit this weekend. It was so nice to have them here. They got here really late on Friday night. Then they spent the day going to soccer games and hanging out with our little family. They left around five o'clock on Saturday because they needed to be home the next day. It is always nice for me to have someone from my family come to visit and the boys loved having them come to one of their games. Thanks for the super quick visit mom and dad!

My little hunter!

This little boy makes his dad so happy! Shan loves to go hunting, and this little guy loves to go with him. Yesterday I gave him the choice of going to jumping-jacks(one of his favorite places) and going hunting with his dad. No hesitation, his choice was hunting.

So after work Shan took Michael out to call some coyotes. They called one in on their first call. This is Shans 15th coyote this year. And he is feeling like quite the hunter!

It's a record!

At least a record at the Millers house! Shan hung our Christmas lights this Tuesday. Our neighbors put theirs up earlier in the day, so when Shan came home the boys insisted that he put up ours too! So, always trying to win father of the year, Shan hung most of the lights that night.

The boys are loving it and are now after me to put up the Christmas tree!

Coyote Hunting

This year has been an exceptional coyote hunting year for Shan. He has been the last four weekends in a row, and has loved ever minute! He's called in coyotes every time, ten coyotes total and got seven of them. Last weekend he entered into a contest and took 4th place. He was a little disappointed because they had let some coyotes get away and could have gotten first place. He's taken both Michael and Carson this year. And they both have loved it. Yesterday with Carson they called in two at a time. They were pretty excited about that. I think Carson was most excited when he learned he would get $20 for turning in the ears. Anything for a little money!

(Sorry if the picture offends anyone. Just try not to look!)

Halloween!

Halloween night finally arrived! The boys have been so excited this year. We started out the night at Grandma Millers house for our annual chilli dinner with the cousins. It was delicious as always. Then we took a few pictures. These are all the cousins. Aren't they all cute!
Then we headed back to our neighborhood to do a little trick-or-treating.

We sure had a fun Halloween. Hope you did too!

Halloween Parade

Today was the Halloween parade at the elementary school. Carson had a lot of fun walking around, showing off his costume.

There were lots of star wars costumes, this is him and a boy in his class having fun.

Jacob, Carson and Audrey. He is so lucky to have lots of fun friends! Michael loved watching the parade too. He kept shouting out "There's Indiana Jones, there's a Star Wars guy". He loved it!

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we finally got around to carving pumpkins. The boys have been dying to make their Jack-0-lanterns. They both insisted that theirs be scary. I had let them color the face on them earlier in the week, so they knew exactly what they wanted. After Shan followed all their directions, they were both extremely pleased with how they turned out.

I wish I could keep this cute boys face clean!

Class party

Thursday I got to go help Carsons class with their Halloween party. They had so much fun playing all the different games. I got to help with bingo, and I loved it. I love seeing Carson play at school. It's this whole little world that I don't get to look into very often. So it's fun for me to see him in his class. He was so sweet to me, and so excited to have me at school. I wish I had taken my camera, but I didn't think about it at the time. So no pictures!

Halloween Carnival

Tuesday night was the ward Halloween Carnival. Our boys love this every year. They get to run around playing games and getting treats. Who wouldn't love it? This is Michael with two of his buddies, aren't they cute.

He was my little buddy this year and we had so much fun playing all the games!

Carson was running around like crazy playing the games. He loved it. Especially the cake walk. I know he got at least 4 cupcakes.(No that's not frosting on his cheek! He got his face painted.)

Isn't my Blake the cutest!

More treats!

I've been wanting to try to make dipped pretzels, so I finally braved it this week. I wrapped them up all cute for the ladies I visit teach. They definitely weren't professional, but they turned out better than I thought they would. And they weren't very hard. It is probably something I will put on my try again list!

The boys were trying hard to make it look like they were SO yummy!

Neighborhood Party

Last Friday we went to a little neighborhood party. This was the first time the boys got to wear their costumes out.
They had so much fun running around with their friends pretending to be Star Wars guys.

Halloween 2008

O.K. I'm too excited, I just can't wait. And since we have already had two Halloween parties, with another one tonight. I'm going to have to post pictures eventually. So here is their cute picture I had taken the other day!

Obe Won Kanobe(sp?), Yoda and Anakin

Just being a little Crafty!

Yesterday I was taking dinner to my neighbor, so I decided to copy this idea from a craft blog. My boys loved them!

If you decide to make these, be careful, because this is what the end result is!

Honorable Mention

Carson entered a photo into reflections this year. It was chosen for an Honorable Mention Award. And yesterday they had the awards assembly. I had told him he was going to be getting an award for his photo. So he was kind of excited.
This is him on stage after he got his little medal, showing off his photo. Doesn't he look so tiny next to all those older kids!(He's in the yellow)

Before the assembly Carson was kind of disappointed that he wouldn't be getting one of the trophys. But, as we were walking out after the assembly Carson was so proud of his medal. He said "Mom, I feel like a winner." That's the spirit!

Carsons First "late night"

Last Wednesday Carsons friends mom(follow that?) called and asked if he could come over for a "late night". Since it was UEA the next day we let him go. They watched the new Indiana Jones and had a pillow fight.(Something I thought only girls did, but I guess 5 year old boys do too!)

He got home before nine and said he had a lot of fun. Just one more thing to show me how grown-up my little man is getting!