Hello Double Digits

Macy has said goodbye to nine and hello to the double digits. Wow. I have a ten-year old! My sweet, sweet Macy is growing up. She had her best friend come over for a late night, and the family helped to make this a special day for her. Some friends had extra tickets to the David Archuleta performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and were kind enough to give them to us. Lucky Macy, the concert was on her actual birthday. Since we only had two tickets, I took her and we had a wonderful, wonderful time. The concert was outstanding!
Some highlights of Macy's birthday:

*Getting her first Harry Potter book. Thanks Sarah!
*David Archuleta concert
*Ice cream cake
*The green light on getting her ears pierced
*Having a late night with her best buddy
*Getting her own sewing machine

The Lights at Temple Square

Last weekend we met up with some friends to see the lights at Temple Square. Despite it being "very" crowded, we enjoyed the views and the feeling on Temple Square. We had fun, enjoyed some laughs and let the kids ride the TRAX line.

Gingerbread Houses

Making gingerbread houses, always a fun tradition at our house!

The Grinch

This December Abby had the opportunity to perform in her dance studio's production of "The Grinch." She wore a beautiful costume, make-up and got to perform on a real stage. She was in heaven. The whole family cheered her on and we loved every minute of it. Thank you Abby for sharing your talent with us and for a wonderful show. We love you!

I took many years of dance as well and for about 6 years I had the opportunity of performing in the Nutcracker each December. As a tradition my parents would give me a Nutcracker after each opening show to remind my of my experience. Even though Abby did not perform in the Nutcracker, I wanted to carry on this tradition with her. So we got Abby her first Nutcracker. She was thrilled!

Abby turns 8

A few weeks ago Abby turned the wonderful age of eight! She was so excited for this special day that she asked me earlier what time she was born. I told her 2:19 in the morning. Before going to bed the night before, Abby set her alarm so she could wake up and celebrate the exact time she was born. Clint went down to her room at 2:15 and they watched the clock together until it reached 2:19. They both celebrated and cheered together the exact moment of her birth. It really made Abby feel extra special.

Abby had a few friends over to celebrate her birthday and we all had a wonderful time. Per her request we had chocloate cake with chocolate frosting!

Thanksgiving

This year we were delighted to have my parents here for Thanksgiving. They flew in from Washington D.C. the night of the "blizzard of 2010!" The weather never got as bad as predicted, thank goodness.

Having my parents here with us had us all in pure heaven. The house was so alive and full of love. I absolutely felt it was the best Thanksgiving ever. Just perfect! I even had the privilege of cooking my first turkey, upside down by accident. You learn and grow right?!

We had our usual traditions:

* Putting together a Christmas puzzle, twice. Tyler got a hold of the puzzle when we were almost done and destroyed it. It went together much quicker the second time around.

* Nana and Pops emptying their pockets of change and allowing the kids to dig in a bowl with one hand to get as much money as possible.

*The fishing pole game where Nana and Pops have the kids fish for prizes behind a huge quilt. Always a crowd pleaser.

*Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

*Black Friday shopping. Need I say more.

It really was an absolute perfect Thanksgiving. Thank you mom and dad for coming to spend the holiday with us.

Halloween 2010

Growing up my mom always made Halloween so special for us. I remember every year she would take us to the fabric store to look through the books for patterns of Halloween costumes. Then we would pick one we liked and she would get to work making them for us. It was always a special tradition that we looked forward to every year.

This year my mom passed on this special tradition to her grand kids and had Macy and Abby pick a costume they wanted. (The boys will get their turn next year) She spent hours and hours on these special costumes and the girls were so appreciative of her hard work. They loved their outfits and were so proud of them. Thank you Nana for making this Halloween so wonderful!

Witches Night Out

Witches Night 2010

Another Witches Night Out has come and gone and this year our goal was to get pictures with all of those dressed in crazy or odd outfits. I think we succeeded and met some interesting people! Dinner at Mimi's, dancing, hanging and laughing with good friends. It was a great night to be a witch!

GNO

Who says you have to be a kid to dress-up?

And the winner for best costume goes to...the Gansta!

Pumpkin Patch

Last year we went to this really great pumpkin patch and loved it so much we have decided to make it a tradition. Even though we grew our own pumpkins this year, I was on the hunt for a white one. The kids loved running up and down the rows and rows of pumpkins, pushing the wheel barrows, the tractor ride and running through the corn maze. It was a wonderful Fall night.

Soccer

This Fall Blake participated on a soccer team for the city. He had so much fun and really did a great job. At the last game Blake got a gold medal and that was just icing on the cake. He is so proud of that medal and we are so proud of Blake!