Fancy Fingernails

When we were in Arizona for Thanksgiving my mom was going to take Savannah to get her fingernails painted, but we ran out of time. Savannah has been looking forward to this ever since then. She and Grandma went alone after school one day. My mom said she was very serious the whole time because she didn't want to move and mess it up.I guess there are a few fun things about being the only granddaughter.

She was very particular about wanting flowers on every finger. The polish was sparkly pink and the thumbs have jewels in the middle of the flowers. This girl is all about bling. Too bad I forgot to wash all the marker off before they left. She was so proud to show her friends the next day at school.

Grandma Time

We loved having all of the grandparents here. The Strongs were here from Thursday to Monday. The LeSueurs got here Friday. Grandpa LeSueur left Sunday morning and Grandma got to stay until today! We have been in Grandma heaven this week.

Connor enjoyed teaching both of his grandmas all about snakes."Fly, fly, fly!"

Playdough snakes

Landon loves to watch the boys practice piano lately. He is also fascinated by the dishwasher.

He did really well walking all around in the walker for a couple of weeks. Now he mostly just wants to stand in it. Stand, sit, stand, sit....

I gave Landon his first baby cereal on Wednesday. He seemed to like it pretty well. I just don't have time to be consistent with it until next week.

My mom also watched the kids multiple times while I got a massage (that I won), a hair cut, went on a date with Dallin, and grocery shopping ALONE. It was awesome. Thanks Mom!
We'll miss you Grandma!

Zach's Baptism

Zach was baptized yesterday by his dad. In our church we believe in waiting to baptize until at least 8 years old, when you can be accountable for your actions and choose between right and wrong. We're very proud of Zach that he chose to be baptized. It was a wonderful service and especially nice to have all the grandparents here. Thanks to all of the friends and church teachers who attended.

Grandmas & Grandpas

We've had all the grandmas and grandpas here this weekend for Zach's baptism. It's been a fun time! The Strongs came on Thursday afternoon and the LeSueurs arrived on Friday evening. The kids were very excited to play Wii with their grandparents. Connor did "Just Dance" with Grandma Strong.The grandpas are good at bowling...Grandma LeSueur tried out a few different sports, but decided that Landon-holding is her favorite. (It's kind of like weight-lifting a 20-lb. sack of flour all day.)

Connor had fun on Friday while the other kids were at school. He got lots of attention. His favorite thing was playing PBS on the computer with Grandpa Strong.

Rolling the ball under the "bridge."

Landon in his "throne."

All the grandparents have been read the snake books multiple times.

Thanks for the fun visit grandmas and grandpas!

Christmas Vacation

We've had fun being at home the last couple of weeks. It's been nice to not have as much of a schedule. We had a couple of really cold nights, so Dallin turned the sprinkler on and made icicles for the kids again.

This is Zach's pumpkin...the only one that survived our bunny friend in the backyard. It's still not rotten yet and Zach kept asking me when we were going to cook it. (The seeds I guess?) I told him it just made us happy to look at it and see what he grew. He wasn't satisfied with that, so I drew a face on him and named him Peter. Now the kids really are happy to see it whenever they come in the kitchen.

My friend gave us this "police car" for Connor and Landon. Connor will probably outgrow it in a few months, but then Landon will be the perfect size. Thanks Erin!

Jacob kept busy this week finishing up his Bear requirements for Cub Scouts and working on his Science Fair project. He tested to see if the size of a crater is changed by the speed of a meteor. He dropped a ball into a bucket of flour to simulate the flour from different heights. I think he had fun doing that part. He might not love making the board quite so much.

Landon has been teething pretty bad ever since Christmas Eve. We are up with him constantly throughout the night, but luckily he's been a little happier during the day the last couple of days. We can't wait for those teeth to finally break through!

Wii Wish You a Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas! The morning started early for me when Landon cried at 12:00am, 1:00am, 2:00am, and 4:00am. Luckily he went right back to sleep when I gave him his pacifier, but it was still a little exhausting. He is teething really bad right now and was pretty fussy today. I told the kids they were not allowed to get out of bed until 6:15am. We actually woke up Savannah & Connor around 6:30 or so. I am a mean mom and make them get dressed and eat a quick breakfast before opening presents. It just makes the anticipation even better, and they're happy and fed so we can play after.In his stocking Connor got a king cobra snake that wraps around his wrist. He LOVES it.

Zach helping Dallin open something...

Zach got another Webkinz from Grandma. She knows him well. This one is a lemur that he named Marty.

Savannah helped keep Landon happy with one of his new books.

Connor got a Spiderman scooter so that he doesn't have to use the pink princess one anymore. I was really happy because I found some really decent stuff at yard sales to use for Christmas this year. My kids don't care that it's used and I love not spending tons when I can get something pretty nice for so cheap.

The face says it all...

Connor got 2 stuffed snakes and a baby chick puppet that he carried around ALL day.

The last present from us was finally opened. A Wii!!! The kids were ecstatic. We're getting rid of Dish Network and streaming Netflix through the Wii now. After this present they found their stuff from Santa. Jacob & Zach got Wii games...Lego Star Wars and Just Dance 2. Savannah got an ice skating outfit for her stuffed cat and Connor got a Buzz Lightyear rocket tent and a baby chick puppet.

I found a noodle necklace in my stocking that Savannah put there last week.
Connor has been picking the stuffing out of his hand-me-down quilt, so it was time for a new one. He now has a Spiderman bed (for $1...no kidding).

Savannah just wanted stuffed animals...and that's what she got.

I love to watch Zach play the Wii. He really gets into it.

The best present ever.

And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without new legos all over the kitchen table. This pirate ship set with a bunch of extra horses, knights, and odds and ends was another yard sale score...$2. Jacob actually was with me and found it, so he has been looking forward to playing with it for months.

We had a nice turkey dinner just with our family this evening. It was a great day and we're so thankful for all of our blessings.

It was so warm at the beginning of the week, but has gotten very cold (for Texas) the last couple of days. Tonight it is getting down to 25 degrees. Dallin went out to turn the sprinkler on the bushes and tree so there will be icicles in the morning for the kids.

Christmas Eve 2010

Yesterday we had our friends, the Corbetts, over for Christmas Eve. They moved here to Round Rock from Arizona the same week that we did, four years ago. Now next week they are moving back to Arizona. We'll miss you guys! We did the nativity. Jacob was a shepherd, Savannah was Mary, Zach & Connor were wise men, and Landon was Baby Jesus. A big baby Jesus.But also the cutest Baby Jesus ever.Mary was really good at stuffing the pacifier in his mouth when he got a little noisy during the reading and songs.

Afterward we decorated cookies for Santa and had dinner. It was a fun time. At least we got to Arizona every year so we know that we'll see them again.