6 years!

We are celebrating 6 years of marriage today! We've both learned and changed a lot. Yea for being married!

Snow!

We got some!

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We love this time of year and love celebrating the birth of our Savior.
We spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house. We hung out and then ate a fabulous dinner. We acted out the Nativity. Richard was excited to be a shepherd with his cousin.

We tried to get Audrey to be a wise man, but she insisted that I wear the costume. Maybe next year.

Peter was Jesus. Marie wasn't a character, but she is still cute!We spent Christmas day at our house. We got up and ate pecan pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. We got the cameras all ready to go and then let Richard and Audrey go downstairs. Well, Richard came down. Audrey would not. She just sat there and kept saying "No" when we'd say, "Audrey, come see what Santa brought for you!" She sat on the stairs and would not come to the living room. Audrey was not happy about the whole "Santa" idea. She didn't come down until I said, "Audrey, Santa's not here anymore. He's bye, bye."
Marie and Peter were sleeping. They don't know the difference, and so we let them sleep so we could enjoy things more and focus on Richard and Audrey. Richard and Audrey were able to open presents at their speed. They got puzzles, books, bubbles, clothes and other fun things.
Richard got a "Cars" bike that he's really excited about. He also got a pirate ship.All the kids got a kitchen. Audrey got dishes and fake food to go with it.
We had a wonderful, blessed Christmas and hope you all did as well! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Party!

We went to the annual Christmas party for my mom's side of the family. We had a great time! I love to get together with my cousins and eat the wonderful food that is made. 

We had the traditional talent show. I wasn't surprised that Richard didn't want to do anything. He's shy in front of crowds like I am.

Santa also came as he always does. 

My sister had to go up with Audrey to see Santa. Audrey was not convinced that Santa is a nice guy. 

This is just a cute picture of Marie.

Christmas program

Richard had a program at preschool. I couldn't find a babysitter for all my kids, but I was able to bring Audrey to a friend's house. The kids sang songs and recited rhymes they'd been learning throughout the last few months. I could tell which ones Richard liked, because I've been hearing them at home and he actually got into those. The ones he didn't like, he barely even said or sang.

Then, Santa came. Richard wants a "Mack" from "Cars."

Christmas fun!

Last night we went to the local festival of lights. It was pretty cool! The city has set up a huge display at a local park. Richard and Audrey really seemed to like it. The recent snow also added to the atmosphere. Marie's and Peter's crying did not, but what can you do?

Then, tonight, we decorated a gingerbread house! We did that when I was growing up, and I always had so much fun! I wanted to share that fun with my kids. I'm not as ambitious as my mom and so didn't make my own gingerbread. I just bought a kit. However, it was still fun! The kids seemed to enjoy placing the candy wherever.

Don't you just love the sidewalk? Yummy!

Snow!

It finally snowed here! Richard really wanted to go out and play, but I worry about bringing the babies outside in fridid weather. So, I sat by the back sliding door and watched him from the inside. He was really good to stay where I could see him. Oh, I wish we had a fence... Audrey eventually joined him after she realized she was missing out on fun.

He even made a snow angel!

When Scott got home, he joined the kids outside so I could make dinner. Audrey didn't last quite as long, because her gloves kept falling off. Any ideas of how to keep gloves on a toddler?

Christmas cookies

I made sugar cookies with the kids. They had a great time! I ended up doing most of the decorating, but who cares?!

They enjoyed the eating of the cookies as well. I like sugar cookies better the next day when the frosting has made the cookie soft. I don't care much for crunchy cookies.

The ever elusive light...

The good news--Scott has a list of revisions he needs to make to his thesis. According to him, they should be easy and only take a few sittings to finish. He doesn't have any astronomical changes to make. His advisor complimented his presentation and felt Scott did well in answering questions. Scott feels a weight has been taken off his shoulders, because he sees a definite finishing point with what he needs to be done. Before, he just knew the path but not the ending point.

The bad news--Two of the three members of Scott's committee feel he needs to do a follow-up defense. You have to have at least two weeks between scheduling a defense and actually doing it. Which means, it has to be done next semester. Which means we get to pay tuition AGAIN.

At least it seems Scott will definitely pass. He just has the follow-up defense to do in the meantime.

The light has evaded us once again...

THE defense

Scott defended his thesis yesterday! yea! He said it was very grueling. Unfortunately, his advisor is a HUGE flake and forgot that he had to teach a class an hour after the defense was scheduled. So, his advisor had to leave before everything was done.
Scott still does not know the final verdict, because his committee hasn't been able to get back together to discuss things. GRRR!!!

We finally put up our tree!

Richard has been so excited to put up our tree! We were able to get up Christmas decorations because my wonderful visiting teachers came over and helped me get it done. However, we couldn't put up the tree until my in-laws went back home after the baby blessings. We just don't have enough room in our living room for a hide-a-bed and a tree.

We were initially going to do it last night, but I ended up having a presidency meeting and didn't get done in time. So, when Scott announced he remembered he had round table, he gave Richard the option of doing it "tonight without Daddy or tomorrow with Daddy." What do you think Richard picked? Of course, without Daddy as I was the one who made Richard wait until Scott got home!

My sister watched the kids so I could get the lights on the tree. Then, Scott and I helped Richard and Audrey put ornaments on the tree. They are just so excited for Christmas!

Baby Blessings

We blessed Marie and Peter today. Well, Scott did. He did a wonderful job! I missed the last 3/4 or so of Peter's blessing, because the microphone shorted out or something. We were close enough to the front that I kind of heard what was said. However, Richard was right next to me and not being the most reverent. We had both our fathers, Scott's grandpa, my younger brother, Scott's next younger brother, our brother-in-law, and my uncle in the circle.

Marie wore a dress purchased by my mother-in-law when Audrey was born.

Peter wore an outfit worn first by my older brother and then by many other male members of the family since.

We had family over for a dinner afterwards. It was a great day!

Singing

Audrey loves to "sing." She doesn't quite know how to carry a tune, but she sure tries! Her favorite songs are Follow the Prophet, Everybody Wants to be a Cat (guess what her favorite movie is!), Happy Birthday, and the ABCs. She'll even sit at the piano and "accompany" herself. She's so cute!

I'm older and wiser

My brother and I share a birthday. It's so fun! He asked my mom when she was in labor to not have the baby born on his birthday. She knew there was no way stopping it and so asked why. He said he didn't want to have to share a cake. So, we've always had our own cake!

My mom was at my house on my birthday and helped make it wonderful! She watched my babies so I could go exercise with woman at the church. I went to a cookie exchange for Relief Society and got all kinds of yummy cookies. Then, my mom watched the kids and Scott and I ate at an amazing Indian restaurant. Lamb coconut karma...yummy!

We then had presents and cake with my kids. I got Wall-E, Peter Pan, a new swimsuit (it's been 9 years since I bought a non-maternity swimsuit folks!), and a cookbook. More fun recipes to try! I got money from my parents. I have ideas of what to buy but have not decided for sure. I'm in desparate need of new running shoes, so I'll probably get those. I also received tickets to my cousin's a capella concert, and a maternity shirt (I received it a few months ago as an early present. My sister took pity on me because I'm cheap and hadn't bought a really cute maternity shirt).My mom made my birthday cake. We have some unwritten rule that it is unacceptable to make your own cake. She made a fabulous turtle cheeskecake that I've been eyeing the recipe for.

Later, my sister, brother, and brother-in-law all came over for dessert night where we had more cake! Yea for a good excuse to eat a lot of dessert! I just love desserts!

I was able to talk to all my siblings, my cousin, and receive well wishes from other family on facebook.

What a great day!

Advent calendars

I love advent calendars! I bought Richard and Audrey each their own chocolate ones since they were only $1 each. They loved them! Richard has a chain he made in preschool. Yea for counting down to Christmas!I will dig my other calendar out when I get the chance.