Merry Christmas 2012

Well we did it.  We finally told our kids the secret about how Santa knows if they are naughty or nice.   He sends an elf to their house to watch and then every night he goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa. Every day we found him in a new spot in our home.  Bridger and Lilly named their elf Jingles.  We love that elf.  Bridger and Lilly had a lot of fun searching for him every morning.  

When it came time to leave for Utah, the kids had a hard time leaving Jingles behind.  So we allowed him to travel with us.  Jingles rode on Bridger's lap and shared his seat belt.

Christmas Eve at Johnson's

Christmas Eve at the Johnson's is a little crazy but a whole lot of fun. We changed tradition a little to accommodate going to in-laws house.  We have it in the morning.  Christmas Eve lasts all day long now and we have a lot of fun.  The last few years we have played games to get to know each other better.  We always open Christmas pajamas.

opening new pajamas

Christmas Eve at the Doman's

Christmas Eve at the Doman's is so much fun.  Lilly has taken over the role of Mary.  You would have to fight her if you wanted to a turn.  She was so sad this year that baby Sam was too big to be baby Jesus.  Bridger reluctantly played Joesph again.  I'm glad because these are the cutest pictures!

At this point we are all exhausted but we have our own family traditions we have to fight to squeeze in somewhere.  The kids love to feed the reindeer.  They spend quite awhile mixing the food so it is just right.  Then they try to equally spread it between all the bags.  The bags are left on the porch.

This year we had to say a sad goodbye to Jingles.  We can't wait to see him next year!

Christmas Morning

reading farewell letter from Jingles

Love of Basketball

Nothing new here.  Bridger loves sports.  We move from one thing to the next.  He is currently only going between basketball and soccer.  I am sad he stopped baseball but it was kind of slow for him even though he was amazing.  Here's to many more years!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

My little nurturer!  When we are at home she is never without a baby on her hip.  She is only four and could probably outshine any mom.  One of her favorite games is to make me lay in bed with a doll shoved up my shirt- I am sick and pregnant.  It took me awhile to figure out why she thought pregnant ladies had to lay sick in bed.  It is from the movie Tangled.   When the baby finally "cracks" out of my tummy, SHE is the one who takes care of it.  I just get to keep having babies for her. 

Pinewood Derby

Bridger's very first Scout activity was the Pinewood Derby.  It was a fun way to be introduced to Scouts.  While we were in Utah, Papa helped Bridger build his car.  Because I only had sisters, it was Papa's first derby car.  I'm pretty sure Papa had more fun than Bridger.  They did a great job because Bridger's car took second place.

It's Great to be EIGHT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIDGER!  I cannot believe I have an eight year old!  This is such an exciting birthday because now Bridger can get baptized.  He has been counting down the days for at least six months.  I might have been too.

It's been a great eight years and  I am so happy to have such an incredible boy in my life.  Bridger has such a sweet, tender heart.  He has such an innate desire to be good.  I am so proud of him and I love him beyond words.

After last year, with my ER visit a few days before Bridger's birthday and having such a chaotic birthday party, we decided to take this years party to a bowling alley.  It was still crazy but at least our house is undamaged :)  The boys had a great time. 

Party guests: Bridger, Cole Rawlins, Ian Wilde, Taylor Starkey, Alex Nikonov, Ben Bennion, Matthew Weslak, and Lilly.

The party was so HOT that we almost burned down the bowling alley.  I made this awesome paper cupcake topper which went up in flames.  In my defense, I did think about that and I did try to move it up high enough that the candles wouldn't reach it.  It got a little exciting for a few minutes!

We had a special surprise for Bridger.  He has really been into the Blazers lately.  So that night we took him and Ian to a Blazers game.  It was so much fun to watch the boys get excited and cheer at the game.

Gift from Lilly