Christmas 2009

Here we are on our way to see Santa at Fashion Place. Have I mentioned how much I love this stroller.?
That night we got a call from the Powells of the activities in town. We weren't really prepared to wait in the cold. Here I am trying to keep Natalie warm. But we got to watch Santa arrive on the fire truck and we did get inside before too long. We had fun frosting cookies and making crafts. We got scones and hot cocoa. Then we left Nathan with the Powells to ride the hay ride. It was really fun. Thanks Powells.
Here is Ryan taking his turn keeping Natalie warm.
Here are Nathan's Christmas houses. The candy one he made at preschool and the foam one was one of the crafts from above.
I really wanted to have a great picture to send out with our Christmas card. This was one attempt and below are a few more. I didn't love any of them but these few were okay.


Natalie got this incredibly cute outfit for her first birthday. We had to do a photo shoot. We got lots of cute pictures.
Doesn't she look comfy?
Here Nana was a little worried she was getting ready to get down.

She looked at this ornament for some time before she successfully removed it from Grandma's tree.
Natalie backing down the stairs. She is such a pro.
Natalie will sit still for a little while and let me do her hair but she won't let it stay in too long.
After my cards were sent out I took a few more pictures the following Sunday. I love this one. I would have chosen this one but it was a little late. So those of you that check out our blog can see it anyway.
Natalie looking oh so cute.
I tried to get them to hold bears but neither wanted to. Trucks and cars it is.
And then the big day. Christmas morning. Natalie has started picking up her blanket when she is done sleeping and insists on bringing it out of bed with her. It is so cute. She really had no idea what the day was bringing. We spent Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's. I forgot my camera but we had a nice time. We stayed out past our kids bedtime so they slept in until 9:00.
Let the fun begin. I didn't do a great job taking pictures. But Natalie was content with what was open and Nathan helped her open most of her gifts.
Natalie reading her letter from Santa.
Nathan helping her open one of her gifts.
After gifts were open at our house we got ready and went over to the Wagstaffs for breakfast and gifts there.
Nathan got a great mit from grandma.
Natalie was happy with the candy and papers and boxes.
Natalie giving Ryan some love.
Nathan talked Ali, Jason and Emily into building a snow fort after we were done opening presents. It was really cool. When everyone went in Nathan destroyed it. Silly kid.
This was one of Nathan's Santa gifts. We (Nathan and I) spent the next four days building this roller coster. It was so fun building. We chose to build it in his room so we can close the door keep Natalie out.
Most of the time we were building Natalie was napping. But when she was up and wanting to watch I'd put her on the rocking chair. She just sits there. Unbelievably happy child.
This is one of my favorite pictures.
Just some cute pictures of Natalie.


What a great year 2009! Welcome 2010!

Thanksgiving in Afton

We spent Thanksgiving in Afton with my family this year. We missed the Wagstaff side of our family but had a great time with the Scherbels. One of Nathan and Natalie's favorite activities at Grandma's is taking a bath. Here Natalie is enjoying her first.
Natalie traveling as usual on her rear end between the new addition and the rest of the house.
On Thanksgiving Eve we went to the 'Fun House' for a yummy dinner with extended family. Then we watched football and played wally ball. So fun. The kids had a ball with all their cousins. Nathan doesn't get much happier than when he is surrounded with other kids. Natalie enjoyed playing with a wally ball too. Forget dolls. This girl is more interested in trucks and balls.
We played a fun 'tournament' of wally ball. No one was very prepared to play but we all had fun.
Christy's birthday is Nov 30th. Since we were all together on Thanksgiving we started off the morning throwing Christy a surprise breakfast. Who doesn't want to start the day with a little icing? Happy Birthday Christy!! 21 Wow.

Nathan and Charlotte helping Christy blow out her candles.
My brother Dan and his new baby Brooklyn. So sweet. We all stayed at my parents. Boy our family is growing. And it is so fun.
One of our favorite traditions is cutting down our tree in Grover canyon. My mom gets us permits every year and we venture out to find a tree. We always go with my brother Roland and his wife Lizzy. We took my grandma with us this year to watch from the safety of the truck. We had a ball this year. Here you can see Ryan and Roland bundled up ready to face the cold.
Nathan helping Ryan cut down our tree.
Ryan taking it to the truck. I don't see how it gets any better than this.
Nathan working on a snow angel.
And Nathan with his cousins Charlotte and Isabel. We left Natalie with Grandma.
On the way home Nathan yells out "Look a moose!" We couldn't see what he was talking about until we got closer but sure enough well, not a moose but a big deer. It was amazing.
Since Nathan and Ryan were already bundled Nathan talked Ryan into pulling him and his cousins around behind the four wheeler. There wasn't really that much snow at my parents but enough for sledding behind the four wheeler.
Meanwhile many hands were at work preparing dinner. This is one of the three turkeys pre fry. My dad did some research and decided to try a mustard rub before frying. We were a little skeptical. Why ruin a good thing right?
Turkey post fry. Isn't it pretty? I don't know if you remember a few years ago the charred look. But this one was much prettier. I don't know that it was any better. I mean really it's always good. My dad does an amazing job with the turkey every year.
My brother roland decided to take advantage of all the people waiting for dinner and had everyone filling out surveys for one of his classes at the U.
Christy thinking about those tough questions.
The sides were all ready.
The tables were set.
The turkeys were being carved.

And then we got to eat.
And oh it was good. I only wish there was more room to put it all. I didn't get any pictures of all the fun board games we played. Thanks for letting me win Grandpa. My family isn't competitive. Not at all. We had such a fun/memorable Thanksgiving. I feel so very blessed this year. We missed Paul and his family but are glad we will get to see them for Christmas. We weren't there nearly long enough but we tried hard to get a lot in. I love my family. I am grateful for them. Grateful for an amazing husband and wonderful children. Thank you mom for hosting all of us and while it looked effortless I know you put in a lot of work and I thank you for that.