Christmas 2011

This post is going to be random. We did so many fun things for Christmas. The kids had the whole week before Christmas off of school so instead of tormenting myself at home we took off and went to Cedar City. All my brothers came and joined the fun. There were 18 people in all. We made gingerbread houses, popped pop corn, watched movies, played Wii, played in the snow, looked at lights, stayed up late, and had so much fun. We drove home on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we went shopping for food and watched a movie, read books and Luke 2. The kids all slept downstairs. On Christmas morning we opened presents, got ready for church and went to church. We just had sacrament. It was wonderful to listen to talks about the Savior. The rest of the week we have been playing with our new toys and enjoying the time off of work and school. Here is a run down of what everyone got this year:

Ben - Play Station 3, new drill, SUU sweater

Laura - Kindle touch with case

Kaelynn - Barbie furniture, Harry Potter Lego, Glow in the dark melty beads, and new clothes

Tyler - Squirt camera, Ninjago Legos, MP3 player, indoor basketball hoop and RC helicopter

Caleb - new guns, bike, stomp rocket

Coleman - binkies and new clothes

Family - Race Track

Baptism and Blessing

Saturday, December 3rd was an amazing day for us. Kaelynn Louise was baptized and Coleman Excell was blessed. The baptism was simple, yet very spiritual. I was overcome with emotion as Kaelynn decided to take this step. As I was helping Kaelynn get her jumper on I got a little teary eyed. She looked so beautiful. After Kaelynn's baptism we went over to our ward building and blessed Coleman. I was so mad I forgot to take a picture of just him. It was kind of crazy. I am so grateful for the priesthood in my life. Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day for our family.

Eight is Great

Kaelynn Louise turned 8 on Nov 16th. WOW where did the time go. We moved to Eagle Mountain when she was 3 months old. And now she is getting baptized and going to Activity Days. Kaelynn is a fun girl. She loves playing with friends. Her favorite toys are barbies, meltly beads, and anything else she can create. I am teaching her to play the piano and she has already memorized her Christmas recital piece, "Up On the House Top". She also loves planning parties and games. Her favorite place is Grandma's house (Grandma is probably her favorite person too!). Kaelynn also loves to ride her bike and Ben's dirt bike. She is mostly girl, but not afraid to get a little dirty and have fun. We love you, Kaelynn.

Kaelynn with her birthday present, Story Cubes. So far she has already written several stories.

Getting "heavy hang-over"

Her birthday dinner. She choose chocolate chip pancakes. Ben actually made dinner for her. I that should make the history books!
Grams and Gramps gave Kaelynn a new coat to wear to school. She loves it!
Kaelynn at Bryan and Celeste's wedding
If Kaelynn could freeze any time of year it would be summer. She is a summer girl all the way.
Her Baptism picture. My friend Michelle took her baptism pictures and they turned out beautiful.

Birthdays and Halloween

Caleb Benjamin turned 3 on Oct 30th. We had Ben's sister Amanda and her family come up for dinner. Caleb is a crazy boy that we love so much. He loves guns and swords (should I be worried?) and Hot Wheels. He also loves to jump on the trampoline and swing. We are trying to teach him to ride a bike, but he doesn't have an interest. He definitely has a strong will. Yesterday he cried for 20 minutes because he didn't get a green cup for lunch.

Caleb's Cake

Getting his presents. He got a toy gun and a green jet.

We had a great Halloween. We were a family of Skeletons. It was perfect weather for trick-or-treat.

Coleman hanging out on the floor

This is where Coleman spent his Halloween night while we had trick-or-treaters.

Our pumpkins

Kaelynn and her pumpkin have the same smile!

Tyler Joseph turned 6 on Nov 1st. He is such a sweet boy. This year he started Kindergarten and loves it! He likes to play outside, ride his bike, play Wii, and Hot Wheels. We are so happy Tyler is part of our family.

Here is Tyler and Caleb with their cousin, Austen

Tyler got an RC truck for his birthday

Here is he getting "Heavy Hangover"

Fall Break

We had such a great fall break! We went to Cedar City for my parents annual Halloween party. We got there Thursday afternoon and let the kids play. We stayed up late and played games and had a great time.

On Friday we went to Sand Hallow and had the best day at the lake. The weather was perfect. Coleman was a good baby and just lied on the chair. Kaelynn and Tyler loved riding on the tube, Caleb loved the beach, and Ben loved water skiing. I just loved seeing everyone else have fun. (I did try the tube once and thought it was pretty fun)

Saturday was the big party. We played BINGO, had a fish pond, and of course everyone dressed up. We also had a fun dinner.

Ben on one water ski. Good job!

Ben, Kaelynn and Tyler on tube

Caleb on beach

Eli tickling Coleman's toes

Happy baby

I love the boat!

Jeff, Sarah and Eli (Eli's first time on the boat)

Jeff, Sarah and Eli dressed up.

Bryan and Celeste

Mom and Dad

Skeleton

Skeleton family

Caleb refused to put his costume on until half way through the party. He's such a stinker sometimes.

Caleb's early birthday party. A pillow pet from grandma and grandpa.

He loves it!