6 months old

Zachary seemed to like his rice cereal today, his brother and sisters were excited for him to try it! The time is just FLYING by, it seems like just yesterday we moved out here with little Zach being only 2 weeks old. He is sure a JOY to have in our home.

Merry Christmas!

Reflections part 2

Visual Arts

Kayley's

Moriah's

Gingerbread Houses

Last night we made gingerbread houses. It was TONS of FUN! We helped Jacob get a little house up but he would much rather EAT the candy than put it on his house. Kayley's roof caved in so daddy helped put up some "supporting beams" and we were able to put the roof back on! Moriah's house on the other hand was demolished! I was finding the perfect spot to take pictures with no messes showing in the background : ) and then I was fixing her hair, and I don't even know how it happened but BOOM, I bumped her house and it fell. Mark & Moriah busted up laughing, and I felt so bad (later Moriah confessed she was a little sad, but man she was a good sport)! Mark and I helped put together a new house but she didn't really decorate this one as much. She was able to put her snowman & car back on and she rebuilt Santa and his reindeer on her rooftop.

Moriah working on house #1

The finished products:

Mark's house: he made a very cool looking snowman, car and tree outside his house, not to mention his gigantic Christmas star on his roof!

Moriah with house #2

(Moriah's friend Meg came over while we were decorating our houses and brought her that adorable flower beanie.)

Photo Shoot

FAMILY PICTURES

Zach (5 months) Jake (2 1/2) Kayley (7) Moriah (10)

Reflections Contest

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

Kayley won a medal for her photography entry in the reflections contest at school. It will go on to be judged at the next level! Both girls enter a photo and a painting. The theme this year was "Beauty is..." this one was really fun.

After the awards Moriah asked her teacher if she could show her Dad the PowerPoint presentation she had been working on (PowerPoint? I don't think I have ever done anything on this program, at least I have heard of it, right? The kids are learning SO much these days, WOW!) Way to go Moriah!!!

Kayley's winning picture she took:

Moriah's BEAUTIFUL picture she took:

The girls' paintings are still at the school, more beautiful pictures to come!

A BIRTHDAY, FUNERAL, THANKSGIVING...

...AND MORE.

WARNING: This is a LONG catchup post!

We have ALL been looking forward to our trip to California for Thanksgiving this year. Unfortunately my Nona passed away and the boys and I flew out a week early. We enjoyed an extra week in California hanging out with family! Everything worked out all too PERFECTLY getting us out early. 1. Southwest airlines changed our airline tickets for FREE. 2. Mark's Mom was in town and the boys and I got to fly out with her (I seriously could not have done it with out her, THANK YOU, Mom!)

CELEBRATING KAYLEY'S BIRTHDAY

with her aunts, uncles and cousins in Utah (birthday party #1).

Kayley decorated her cake just before we left for Provo (I was still trying to get ready for our trip). We were so excited to meet the newest member of the family, little Kenzee Jo, so sweet!

GRANDMA & GRANDPA'S HOUSE

No one from my family had seen our little Zachary yet, so I was excited to show him off!

The 2 boys and Aunt Rachel. Jacob has such a FUN time with cousin Eligh.

Jacob wishing it was warm enough to swim!

A trip to the park with all the cousins.

Uncle David and Zoe

It was nice to see my aunts and cousin!

Kayley celebrating her Birthday again (party #2)!

And again (party #3) with Grandpa, who just had his 59th Birthday and cousin Karen, who's Birthday is coming up in December.

Zachary snoozing while the adults played cards.

It is sad that I don't have a single picture from Thanksgiving, but it was GREAT, we enjoyed getting to spend it with Mark's family!

FLYING BACK TO COLD UTAH

(We sure enjoyed our stay in sunny California!)

Zachary & Jacob sleeping on the plane.

After we got back home Kayley lost a tooth.

The very next day she lost another took. She sounds so cute when she talks and she has been going around the house singing, "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"!

Moriah had a project due just shortly after we got back. She did a biography on Crazy Horse and had a friend over to work on their display. Jacob, Zachary and I got to go over to the school to see all the projects that were done.

And last but not least a picture from yesterday of the kids playing in the snow!

Jacob had so much FUN!