Christmas 2013

Excitement was in the air this year as you can see from their faces.  The girls were spoiled as usual!  We didn't do a lot after Christmas because I was not feeling well, but I don't think the girls cared because that meant they could just stay home and play with their toys.  Brielle had Lego projects and Emma was making a lot of bracelets.  We were able to spend a lot of time with family which is always fun, too!  It is always sad when it is over and we have to go back to regular life, but at least we get more sleep!

Christmas Traditions

Some of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is sitting on Santa's lap at the Wilson family Christmas party.  Even though there are 30 or more children at the party, he still takes his time to listen to each one's request.  We have also started to have a Christmas party with Nick's siblings so the cousins can exchange presents without trying to add it to Christmas day.  That Christmas party includes a nativity performed by the children and a talent show.  Brielle played a Christmas song this year and Emma showed off her dance moves!  The girls have had Ginger the Elf watching over our family this year, and even though Ginger created some trouble the girls really loved her.  Luckily on Christmas Eve, they are allowed to touch her before she goes back to the North Pole until next year.

Nick's Birthday

As you can see, our tech-savvy daughter is now making us power point cards for our birthday instead of coloring a card for us!  Just one way technology changes our lives!  We celebrated Nick's birthday in the usual way: family party with pudding cake and presents.  We went out to eat as well.  Unfortunately, because it falls in the month of December, we don't have a lot of time to party, but I don't think Nick minds.  He just likes to see what I can surprise him with for presents since he never gives me any good ideas!

Halloween

Halloween is my least favorite holiday, but I will post pictures so my children know I did let them dress up and go trick-or-treating!

My Birthday + State Fair

The other part of fall I love is that it is my birthday and the State Fair.  I love to take the girls to the State Fair because I have fond memories of going there when I was a kid and riding the big, yellow slide.  We try to go every year.  This year, Bridget Mendler was coming to the State Fair in concert, so we took the girls since they love her songs.  She was fun to watch, but it was hard for Brielle to see because our seats were on the ground level.  At least we can say that we took them to their first concert!

First Day of School 2013

Whoa!  Where did the time go?  My baby is going to 1st grade this year and my oldest is halfway through elementary school!  Back-to-School and fall are my favorite time of year.  I love putting jackets on during brisk nights and I love shopping for school supplies.  This year, the girls chose messenger bags for their bagpacks, which surprised me.  We"ll have to see how long that lasts!  Don't they look so grown up?  I went back to school this fall as well.  I started the education program and will finish in the spring of 2015.  It will be exciting!

Our Summer Activities

Besides our two vacations this summer, we did do a few other things.... The girls took swimming lessons from a lady in our ward.  This is the best way to do swimming lessons because they get more one-on-one attention and they learn so much!  Love the goggles!  We watched the Weber State fireworks with our family.  Then we swam some more at Aunt Margo's pool.  At the end of the summer, we participated in the Dash for Donation at Weber State.  This event raises money for organ donation and we have been doing it for the past 3 years.  It is a great event.  The girls took their scooters and did the 1.5 mile walk with our team.