Christmas 2010

What a great Christmas! Thursday night we had a special family home evening. We read the story of Christ's birth and the kids put on a puppet show. We painted ornaments, (Ashton was mess by the time we were done) and watched a movie. On Friday the kids helped make sugar cookies. I tried to keep the mess under control, but then realized that was not going to happen with Ashton helping. That night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Cox’s for Christmas Eve. The kids got to open their gifts from Grandpa and Grandma. Anika was so excited! Her present was the biggest. She opened the box, to find another wrapped box, opened that box to find another wrapped box.... this went on for 6 or 7 boxed, until there was a tiny tiny box, she opened it and there were earrings inside. She thought that was so funny! She laughed and laughed!
Christmas morning was fun with the kids, they let us sleep til 8am! Anika woke up first, went to the living room to see all the presents then ran back to her room to wake up Zoe. I heard her say "Zoe, Zoe, wake up! Santa came!" Then the two of them ran to the tree to look around. The boys woke up about 15 min. later. We had a fun time opening up gifts and seeing their faces light up!
This Christmas, we are especially grateful for families. Rob and I are blessed to have 4 beautiful, healthy children. They bring us so much joy. We are also grateful for our families and friends, we love you all and hope 2011 brings more great memories. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!!!

Happy Birthday Zander and Zoe!!!

I can't believe Zoe and Zander are 4! They were so excited for their birthday. We had a small party for them with family. Grandma and Granpa Cox, Joycelyn & Michael with their boys, Matt & Crysal.
Some of my favorite things about Zoe:
1. She is such a GIRL! Loves dresses, dolls, animals, and everything her big sister does
2. She wants to make me happy. She always asks me "Do I make you happy mom?"
3. Ramdomly she will come up to me, give hugs and say, "I love you mom"
4. Her laugh, so adorable!!
5. Her personality. She is such a happy little girl.
Happy Birthday Zoe! We love you so much!

Some of my favorit things about Zander
1. He loves to cuddle
2. He is the worlds BEST dancer.. (man, he can make my laugh)
3. He always has a smile on his face
4. He obeys so much better then Zoe. :)
5. I love watching him run and ride his bike, and just enjoy life.
Zander, you are so special to us, we love you!

Matt & Crystal's Rehearsal Dinner

With 4 small kids, Rob and I never take them out to eat at nice restaurants for fear they will brake something or cause a scene. The rehearsal dinner was at Mr. K's Farm House and the kids were good as gold!

Anika's 8th Birthday

Anika turned 8 in November... I'm a little late getting this posted. What a great week! Grandma & Grandpa Barker came a week before Anika's birthday. It was so great to have them here. My mom and I were able to spend one day together shopping and visiting... I can't remember the last time we did that :)
Then Matt & Kami flew in the day before her birthday. Uncle Matt played and played with the kids. Zander was so sad when they left. Then on her birthday Kirk, Krista,and their family came. Anika had so much fun playing with Braden and Brock.. Anika was baptized on November 14th by her dad and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. It was such a great day! Grandpa and Grandma Cox came, as well as Joycelyn & Michael with their boys, and Matt & Crystal. Such a great day, thank you to all who participated, and thank you to every one that came. You made Anika's Birthday one to remember.

Halloween Weekend

What a fun weekend. On Saturday we took the kids to Sunny Side Pumpkin Patch. The slide is their favorite. Even Rob and I love going on it. Good thing we have small kids so we have a reason to play on the slide :) Then trick or treating... we dressed the kids up as Willy Wanka and the Oompa Lumpas. They looked so cute. After trick or treating we spent the evening at Grandma and papa's. Hope everyone had a fun, safe Halloween.

Happy Halloween a little early...

Yesterday the kids and I made masks. This was so much fun for them because I usually don't let them get into my paints. They all did such a good job on their masks I had to take some pictures with our scare crow that sits outside our front door. (on halloween Rob is planning on getting into the scare crow costume and giving the kids a good scare.)

Soccer

This last month, Zander has been so excited to get to play soccer. We signed him up for a mini camp that was 4 days. We missed the first 2 days because I forgot all about it. (talk about feeling like the worst mom ever!) But, he loved the 2 days he did make it to. My little guy is growing up too fast!

Family Pictures at Rock City