ch ch ch chia

Kimi has planted her Chia guy and is now checking him frequently every day.

It Feels Like Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We had a great Christmas and hope that everyone else did.

Kimi decorating cookies for neighbors.

Going to bed in new pajamas.

What Santa brought.

Kimi with her Chia guy. She is in the process of planting it today. Hopefully she will understand when the seeds don't sprout instantly. Maybe we will name him and give him some blog time.

The chia guy came with a little stuffed chia bear. I am glad because he is much more cuddly for Kimi to sleep with at night than the chia guy.

Ian woke up with his pajamas soaked and he got to open presents before I could get any clothes on him. He had no idea what was going on, but everybody was excited and there was stuff all over the place so he was really excited too.

Ian playing in the rubble.

OH WHAT FUN!

This weekend really got us into the holiday spirit. On Saturday night was our ward party. Cali had been counting down the days on the calendar. She does that whenever she hears the word "party." On Saturday it was finally "the big day" according to her. It was typical; ham, funeral potatoes, various ward members singing and playing guitar. Then came the fun part for us. Santa showed up. Our ward hires a professional every year, and this year he did magic and had puppets. When they finally got to sit on his lap, Kimi froze up (like the Christmas story kid) and had to go back again to tell him what she really wants: a chia pet. I thought my Christmas shopping was done but now I have to make another trip to make sure Santa comes through just because I thought it was so funny. We left the building the same time as Santa and Cali was watching him like a hawk as he walked across the parking lot. You should have heard her say, "Santa drives a car?" as he got in his car by us. We used quick thinking to tell her that it is against the law to park reindeer in a church parking lot, but she then said. "Let's follow him!" We had to talk her out of that one too.

Here's the kids with Santa.

Then last night we went with Scott's family(Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephew) to temple square to see the lights. We all rode Trax down together which was probably about half the fun for the kids. The lights were so beautiful! It was cold, but worth it. I'll use Cali's words again: Super, Duper, Duper, Duper, Duper, Duper, Fun!

Riding home on Trax:

They slept well after this.

Winter Wonderland

We had another snow storm and this one was worth going out to play in.

Ian goes out in the snow for the first time

A snowball fight in the makings.

Snow, Snow, Snow . . . .

Here is our first snow of the season. It started last night after dark. Kimi came to me all bundled up with her coat and everything to ask if she could go out last night, and I had to put it of to this morning. I still don't have any snow pants or boots for them so I told them they could go out to see it and we could take some pictures. They were supposedly just waiting outside for me while I got the camera. I came out and found Kimi lying in the middle of the front yard doing a snow angel. I knew that asking them not to play in it was a bit optimistic, but I thought I would suggest it. They were so happy until Kimi took a snowball to the face. Cali still claims it was an accident. Right.

Happy Holidays!

We hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. It was a fun week and we had a good time with our family here in Salt Lake. Cali was ready to put the tree up as soon as she got up on Friday (so was I to be honest,) but we had to at least eat breakfast and get dressed. I can finally blast the Christmas music and drink eggnog with reckless abandon! Here are some pictures of Kimi the turkey with her cousin Romney, one of Ian trying to eat the camera and some others that Cali and Kimi took of us in front of the tree.

Kimi is THREE!

Yesterday was Kimi's third birthday. She had quite a day. The best part was that she told everyone "happy birthday" all day long like it was some kind of national holiday.

In the afternoon she went and got a present and an ice cream with Grandma Colton. (She picked out magnetic paper doll princess with tons of little outfit pieces for mom to pick up.)

After Scott got home he took her to get pizza while Cali and I decorated for a little surprise party. I strung some streamers and Christmas lights while Cali colored a banner. Cali had been planning this surprise party for weeks. When they came driving in, Cali and I went and hid. The door opened and we jumped out and yelled "Surprise!" The only problem was that it was just Scott because Kimi was asleep in the car. He went out and got her, and Cali and I got to jump out and yell at a groggy and confused Kimi. Oh well. Cali got a kick out of it.

We had a little party and she opened her presents. She loved the little airplane from Grandma and Grandpa 'Cracken (the way she says it) and Tino. Her favorite toy was her new little mermaid polly pocket from Cali. It hasn't left her side since she opened it.

The other great thing about this birthday is that Kimi will now say prayers again. She has been refusing to for almost a year (she has been claiming for a while that she is allergic), and a few months ago told us that she would begin again when she turned three. She was true to her word and said a prayer last night for family prayer that included a long list of what she is thankful for.