Sunday best...

Christmas is getting closer!

 Here are the girls in their dresses ready for church the Sunday before Christmas.

 And this is how Talia looked after church!  When we asked her why she had stars on her forehead her response was simply, "My teacher said go for it!"  We really do love her teachers!  When we dropped off some treats later at that same teacher's house he was sooo sweet to Talia.  His wife claimed no responsibility for what he does in nursery...but it should consolation that his children have turned out pretty good!

Mom and Dad picked up Audrey and Jon from the Spokane airport that day so everyone came over to see them.  This was the best of the pictures taken of the them and their grand kids!  

Christmas snacks...

As Christmas approached we even got into the spirit with our food!

 Green Christmas tree pancakes for breakfast!

 And a stocking shaped sandwich for lunch!

 Yum!  This turned into different shaped Christmas sandwiches for the rest of the week!  Just part of getting into the holiday spirit! 

Santa's reindeer...

We met Dancer and Prancer at Beaver Bark!

 Eliza was very curious to learn that reindeer love apples and raisins.  I thought it was hilarious that there were carrots all over the place.  Eliza decided we needed to leave Santa's reindeer apples and raisins in addition to the carrots we usually set out Christmas Eve.

 Brayden showed the girls that it was ok to be friendly with the reindeer.

 It took awhile but Eliza finally decided she could get close enough to take a picture...

 ...and then we convinced Tal to join them but she jumped back as soon as the picture was taken!

As we left Eliza decided she would venture a little closer on her own.  We also discovered that Santa would be coming by Christmas Eve to pick up the reindeer and continue on his way.  A relief to Eliza...I could see the wheels turning in her head!

Christmas time at preschool!

Before the Christmas break Eliza had a little performance at preschool.

 They sang a few Christmas songs and gave the moms a cute gift they had made.

Trevor, Brynn, Tavis, Olivia, Eliza, Mylie, and Megan...singing Christmas carols!

Christmas ballerina!

Eliza had her dance recital on December 17th.  She was so excited about it...and did a wonderful job!

 Before the recital!

 Olivia and Eliza excited to dance!

 Our sweet ballerina!

 Ready to dance.

Receiving a gift from her teacher Ms. Heather.  We're so proud of you Eliza...you danced great and looked beautiful doing so!  

Thank you Grandpa/Grandma and Nana/Papa for coming to watch!

Gloria, Olivia, Eliza (in back) Chanell and Mylie (in front)
Why is it in certain situations you see how grown up they really are?

Lights! Lights! Lights!

We had a weekend of Christmas lights!  Friday night we went to the boat parade and watched the sparkling lights float by.

Then Saturday night we headed over to Senske to watch their light display set to music.  Santa was there so we took a family picture with him.  Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa...

Eliza and Talia wrote letters to Santa awhile ago.  But we've kind of been on lock down in our house with sickness.  We finally ventured out to get those letters off to Santa!

 Eliza's letter to Santa...

 ...and putting it in the mailbox (love the tongue).

 Talia's letter to Santa...

 ...and putting it in the mailbox (of course sister has to help).

Here's to hoping Santa brings what they've asked for!

Ward party...

Our ward Christmas party was on the 7th...and Santa came!

 This is the first year that Eliza didn't hesitate to sit on Santa's lap.  And she had quite the list of things to tell him.

 Talia on the other hand wasn't thrilled.  She said hi to Santa when she was about five feet away from him.  But as soon as she got closer the tears came.  Maybe next year!

We even had a family picture taken.

Merry Christmas!

Cocolalla weekend...

We went up to Cocolalla the first weekend of December.

 Andy and Brayden on the 4 wheeler.

 Darran is standing next to the "stick" that fell from one of the trees during a wind storm.  We could see it from the house but we were a little surprised when we went down to the water and saw how big it really was.

 Skipping rocks in the water.

 This will probably be one of the last times we see the water flowing before it freezes through the winter.

And we got new couches for downstairs!  They are comfy!!!

Beaver Fever!

I just don't want to forget this...

Talia woke up from her nap this afternoon with a fever.  I was trying to explain to Eliza (for the billionth time) to stay out of her face and away from the germs. 

 

Talia said..."I have a beaver...in my mouth."

Me: "do you know what a beaver is Tal?  An animal."

Then it dawned on me...a fever, not a beaver!

 

When daddy came home Talia was quick to explain to him that a beaver is an animal she has in her mouth!

 

 

The next morning...

 

Me: "Oh good Tal, your fever is gone!"

Talia: "He not in my mouth.  Animal go to his home."

Right...be gone you beaver fever.

I can't even imagine the mental picture she must have!

Bever fever or Beiber fever...not sure what's worse!

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Darran celebrated his birthday on Tuesday!

 Daddy with his presents and favorite girls!

 Mom and Dad joined us for his birthday dinner and mud pie that night.

Then Wednesday night Nana and Papa came over for our Chirstmas tree decorating dinner/2nd birthday celebration.

We love you so much Daddy!  You are the kindest, hardest working, funniest, strongest daddy we could ever ask for!  Happy Birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a family filled Thanksgiving...and wouldn't have it any other way!  Unfortunately, we didn't take too many pictures but here's what we do have...

 The kids had fun in the basement (unfinished basement I might add) playing the Wii.  I love that Eliza is sitting on the couch with her boy cousins...she was quite intrigued by watching them beat all the levels!

 Some good conversation at the table...sorry Kelly...you must of snuck out when this picture was taken!

 Football and basketball games watched all weekend.

 On Thanksgiving morning we had a Moody turkey bowl in the backyard!

 The weather was absolutely perfect!

 And a little bit of soccer too.

 This was my turkey veggie tray (thank you pinterest).

 Playing with cousins at Nana and Papa's.

 Kelly, Lexi, Dana, Lincoln, and April.

And this is as close as we get to a picture of Thanksgiving dinner...the pre-dinner snacks.

After dinner we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma's for dessert and some games.

I actually ventured out and did a little shopping that night while Darran went to sleep early with a fever...and then slept the entire next day!  But after a day of recovery we again enjoyed family on Saturday.  What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend it was for us!  We are thankful for so much and are blessed beyond belief!

Happy Thanksgiving!