Bernard.

Our boys were so good this year that Santa sent his favorite elf, Bernard to help them count down to Christmas. Each night when they were asleep in the beds he would slip an envelope under one of their bedroom doors. In the envelope was a fun activity that they needed to do that day with their family. Each morning they would wake up excited to go find that day's envelope and read it aloud to their brothers. Some of the fun things we did were... watching a christmas movie and eating popcorn, driving around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, camping out around the christmas tree, eating breakfast for dinner, dancing to christmas music, going to see Santa, decorating the tree, etc. We had so much fun as a family doing these activities together. They loved Bernard! Who wouldn't? They looked forward to each and every letter. And they saved every one. Occasionally, he left the a little gift behind, like Holiday Smencils, Christmas books to read together, Snowman poop (powdered doughnuts) for breakfast, and even a painted self portrait, which they loved. Dawson must have been talking about it at school because one day when I picked him up he said... mom, I was telling my friends... "You know Bernard? Santa's favorite elf?" Mom, they didn't know him. Can you believe it? And, just a few days before Christmas, Dallon said... I hope Bernard comes again next year. This was so much fun!

snuggling with spots.

Dawson is still crazy about his cat Spots. He gives him love every single day. After he's been gone to school, or if we've been out and about, he will go find him and pick him up and hug him. Seriously hug him to make sure he knows he is loved. It's very sweet. Both him and Dallon really do love their cats. I caught these two pics of Dawson one afternoon when he and Easton were out in our backyard together playing with Spots. I think they are so cute.

getting ready for Christmas...

I am way behind on posting. I've taken tons of pictures this month and not a single christmas post until now. I've got lots more coming. Here are some pictures of our christmas preparations. Easton loved getting out all of the ornaments and asking about each one. The boys had so much fun painting a new ornament for the tree one night. Most all of the ornaments on our tree are homemade and they love that. Easton discovered snow globes. He loved ours. I can't believe he didn't break it this season with how many times he held it and wound it up to play a song. I was determined to learn to make caramels. My sister has the talent and was hoping I did too. No, it didn't come easy for me. But I finally had a batch turn out great on the third try. Yay, for me! Dallon and I made lots of Christmas goodies all in one day. Our little treat bags turned out cute and were yummy too. Dawson and Dallon had fun doing Christmas word searches and we all put together puzzles one night. Dawson found out that it's all more fun with a light mounted to your forehead. More christmas to come...

Camping with the scouts and his Dad

Aaron went on the 11 year old scout camp with Dallon earlier this month. It was so fun for Dallon to have his dad there. It was one night and they did a 5 mile hike with compasses the next day.

Thanksgiving weekend

We spent our Thanksgiving in Stephenville with family. We had good food, fun, and we just relaxed and enjoyed each others company. Aaron and I felt so thankful as we drove to their home this year. Glad to live near family, and happy to not be spending this holiday alone. It's so nice to know we always have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving. Marcie taught me a lot more about cooking this thanksgiving... and I can't say I was appreciating it when I was elbow deep in the turkey (and she was laughing her head off...) but I am thankful to learn from one of the best cooks I know.

Marcie introduced me to toe socks. She wears them daily. We wore them with flip flops around town. And she gave Dawson those cute monkey socks. He loved them so much that she went back and got a pair for Easton and Dallon too. Dawson wore the arm right off of his monkey on his sock... so now he just wears Easton's. Ha ha.

Our boys got to participate in a calf scramble at the arena the night before thanksgiving. Anyone 12 and under could participate if they wanted. There was $5 on the line for every flag you pulled off of a calf. Dallon and Dawson were very serious about it, and were out to win them some money. As you can see in the pictures Dawson gave it his all and was knocked down by a calf or two or three. ha ha. It was pretty funny. Dallon pulled two flags and won $10. It was great fun cheering them on.