Valentines Day 2010

We were definitely feeling the love in our home on Valentines Day this year! Justin and I discovered years ago that it is impossible to get a babysitter on Valentines Day, so we decided to start a new tradition: A fancy, romantic dinner... at home with the kids!! And boy, do they LOVE it! Each year, we order a heart-shaped pizza, fill the goblets with Root Beer, and make fancy treats. Our dinner was extra special this year because we shared it with two people we LOVE so much--Grandpa and Grandma Luke!!

While we were eating, I announced that we were going to go around the table and each say something we love about Grandpa and Grandma. Carson volunteered to go first. He hopped off his chair and started walking around the table. We were puzzled for a few minutes until we realized that he had taken my statement, "going around the table," literally! Too funny!!

Baby Ashton's Sweet Tooth

So, in the past week, Ashton has become mobile. That's right, he is crawling now. He is much happier with his new abilities. However, it has become apparent that Dad has forgotten what happens when baby becomes mobile. Valentines morning he found Kyler's box of chocolates and decided to help himself! Valentines day has been extra sweet this year because of you! So glad you are part of our family. We love you Ashton!

Happy 7th Birthday, Kyler!!

On January 31st, we celebrated 7 years with our sweet Kyler! Kyler is a unique boy. I recognized this years ago when we were working on potty training. After a successful trip to the potty, I hugged him and said something like, "You did it! Way to go!" Kyler's reply was, "That makes you happy!" He was concerned about my happiness at two years old, and this quality is even stronger today. Kyler is kind, selfless, and good. Every treat he gets at school, he brings home to share with his family. He is constantly giving his toys to his friends and siblings. I often try to convince him that he doesn't need to that, but he continues... and deep down, I admire his heart. My neighbor told me that everyday before they send their child off to school, they say, "Remember to be like Kyler!" Even on this last birthday, Kyler insisted on letting Carson open up one of his presents so he wouldn't be sad. That is Kyler. I feel privileged to raise such a wonderful boy!

We love you Kyler!

Super Baby

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Baby--the most adorable baby known to mankind!! His cuteness is so extraordinary... super human genetics is the only logical explanation! Check out his heroic powers:

Flying

The ability to produce super goofy expressions on his parents!

Dashing Good Looks

Balance

Muscular Physique

Crazy Hair Day

Every year, my kids' school has Spirit Week--a week to be silly at school. It's as important as Halloween to my kids. They plan for it all year. Well, one of the days included in Spirit Week is Crazy Hair Day--our favorite! Each class picks one boy and one girl to walk in the Crazy Hair Parade, and McKenna has been picked each year. Check out the last few years:

Crazy Hair Day 2008 (First Grade)

Crazy Hair Day 2009 (Second Grade)

2009 (Kyler in Kindergarten)

Well, after winning two years in a row, the pressure was on for Mom to again create a hair masterpiece! We went with a Valentine theme this year:

Crazy Hair Day 2010... and of course... she took home the class prize.

I tried to talk Kyler into doing mud and gummy worms, but he wasn't feeling it. He was pretty pleased with this though. He was loving the silly do... until we drove up to the school... and then he wouldn't get out of the car!! (Kyler's a little less flamboyant then McKenna.) I had been up all night with a sick Ashton, and then up really early to do hair... so I wasn't very patient with his self consciousness. He finally peeled himself out of the car, and was immediately greeted with praise from his friends, so he felt better! He didn't win his class prize, but he kept it in on all day and ended up having a lot of fun. I was proud of him.

Love the profile shot! It shows how huge Kenna's hair actually was!

Even Carson and Ashton got in on the Craziness!

McKenna got her ears pierced!

For Christmas this year, McKenna had a special gift placed on the tree. When she finally spotted it, she knew that it had to be something extra special!

She gasped when she read the card explaining her girls night out with Mom... to get her ears pierced!

The day after Christmas, McKenna and I were so excited to go on our little Mommy/Daughter Date!

We stared the fun off with dinner at TGIF. Check out Kenna's delicious dessert. Then we headed to the mall... like everyone else in Idaho Falls. We knew it would be busy, but we were so excited, we just couldn't wait. When we arrived at Claires, the ear piercing line stretched all the way out of the store. (Apparently, lots of girls got the ear piercing gift.) We decided that this was a good thing. McKenna would be able to see four girls ahead of her get it done first, so she would see how easy it was... because she was starting to get nervous.

The "BEFORE" shot. Looking happy... but a little apprehensive.

Okay, now looking extremely apprehensive, but still no tears!

And finally, the "AFTER" shot. You look Fabulous McKenna! Way to go!

December 2009

December was such a fun month... So fun and busy that I didn't have time to sit down once to blog. I had actually decided to throw the towel in on the blogging thing, but a miracle happened today. I have found myself home alone with only one child. I have approximately one Baby Einstein movie to do this. So here goes: A quick glimpse of some of our family's holiday fun this last month!

When Carson saw our home lit with Christmas lights for the first time, he exclaimed, "It's a gingerbread house!" Don't kids make Christmas so fun?

We invited over the Ferney family to make gingerbread houses for Family Night. This was our first year to make them without a kit, and it was funner! This is one of kids' favorite Christmas traditions!

How awesomely talented are we?

Carson and Noah were in a world of there own building there very own creation!

Sweet Ashton modeling his "Santa's Helper" jammies!

We had such a great time at the first ever Luke Christmas party! All but two of my siblings were there! (Getting all of us together is a rare thing these days.) We enjoyed yummy food, hilarious games, and of course, a little talent show--a Luke tradition.

Luke cousins: Kyler, Jake, Jaden, Carson, Josh, Brennan, and Ashton.

More Luke cousins so grown up: Kaylee, Jessie, Kimberly, Koryn, & Lauren.

Grandma Luke reading us "The Last Straw." She gave us each this book, and Justin made everyone a kindness manger.

Christmas Eve is always so much fun at Grandma Stevens' house! After a breakfast dinner in our Christmas jammies, we always re-enact the Nativity story... and Grandma Stevens' Nativity is unlike any other. It is a top notch production with fabulous costumes, backdrop, and props. Ashton made his acting debut as Baby Jesus. He did great as long as we were singing and he could see his mommy! Carson got to play the big role of Joseph this year!

I think Justin looks pretty sexy with a beard! Don't ya think? Ashton is keeping close tabs on his mommy!

The angels and shepherds singing praises. I just love McKenna's face in this photo. She just loves this sort of thing!

Milk and cookies for Santa! Let the fun begin!