Temple Lights Utah style

Last night we braved the cold and crowds to see the lights at Temple Square. They were beautiful like I thought they would be. The crowds were crazy though and I think next year we will go much, much, much earlier to see if we can avoid so many people.

I think it's just amazing how many lights they use. Every single branch on the trees are COVERED. I'm glad I don't have to do that! David I'm sorry you have to.

Benjamin was snug in his coat, hat, and 2 blankets. It was fun to watch his eyes get big when we would go under the trees.

Rachel had fun riding on the stroller and holding on to Eliza's hand. As we were leaving Rachel kept saying, "NO, I don't want to leave my new friend!!"

Here is Eliza, Benjamin, Me, Rachel and Keziah inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where we stopped to warm up for a little bit. They had someone playing the piano and the first thing Rachel did was take off her hat, coat, boots and mittens and started to dance. Can you tell she was sick of having her picture taken?

Besides the crowds and cold we all had some fun being together.

MoNkEyS!!

Don't worry she was being more gentle than it looks!

Christmas chaos

We had so much fun playing Santa this year and Rachel had fun being a 2 year old at Christmas time. Before baths on Christmas eve we opened our new pajamas. I had made matching ones for me and Rachel and was excited to wear them with her. But alas she out right refused to wear them. Marc's had a hole in his, and mine ended up splitting in the seam after wearing them for a few minutes so that was a wasted effort. After the kids were in bed we brought up the presents and put them under the tree. We left hot cocoa and cookies for Santa and 8 carrots for the reindeer. Now usually my kids are early risers, but on Christmas they both slept in and we ended up going in there and waking them up. Benjamin got some toys that he can play with while sitting up (can you tell he is a little out of it?)

My Uncle Bill made Rachel some Rhythm sticks, that she loves!!

And the BIG present of the day was a kitchen set and some play food. She loves it!! It was quite funny because after she would open a different present she would go over to the kitchen set, open a door and put the present in it. After a while she got distracted and just wanted to play with her toys and not open anymore. After getting ready and putting some presents away, we went to Marc's parents house for some yummy dinner and MORE presents! I think Rachel's favorite toy from Marc's parents is a little truck that Benjamin got, that's right I said that Benjamin got. That's okay she is just breaking it in.

Benjamin had a fun time at Grandma and Grandpa's too. I couldn't tell if his favorite thing was grandpa or eating the tissue paper from the presents.

Walking in a winter wonderland

Our second tradition we started this year was a walk through Christmas Village. (See the next post for our first traditon we started)

Benjamin was the warmest of us all.

The last thing we saw was this nativity scene. A good reminder of what we are truly celebrating.

Cookies!!!

We started a new tradition of decorating our Christmas sugar cookies for Santa on Christmas eve. Rachel had a blast putting the sprinkles on the cookies, though most of the sprinkles were piled on one spot on the cookie.

Benjamin thought they looked good too...so good that he just had to have some!


Here she dumped about half of the bottle on one cookie. MMM...crunchy!

Attempting to frost her first cookie.

Here is our Anson Assembly line.

Yes that is a dinosaur. We had to have those of course!
And here is our final project. Do you think we should go into business?

Guess Who is Sitting Up?!

That's right!! Benjamin has officially figured out how to sit unsupported. He has now entered into a whole new realm of play. Way to go Benjamin!!!

Benjamin's activities

Benjamin has seemed sooo interested in eating what we are eating as of late (in fact there have been several occasions where he has grabbed my food and started gnawing on it) so I decided to see what he thought of rice cereal. He got super excited when he saw the bowl and spoon that he grabbed the bowl from my hand (he is a STRONG kid) and spilt it all over the tray. After making a second batch I was a little more cautious as to where I placed the bowl. At first he wasn't too sure of it but by the end he sure liked it. Now he just has to figure out how to keep it ALL in his mouth.

After a bath I put him in the Johnny-Jump-Up for a little ride. He sure likes that too. He jumped a little but mostly just spun around, and around, and around... Here he is holding his own bottle. A very interesting way I think. Every time he grabs it by the bottom...but hey it sure works.

And here are my three goofy family members. Marc came home early last night so we were able to have some fun play time with daddy instead of going to bed as soon as he gets home.

Grapes, Colds and Haircut

Grapes: On Sunday night we had fruit and some yummy dip for a FHE snack. During which Rachel re-discovered her love of grapes. She ended up taking this container (which was filled with grapes and a few orange pieces) and ate almost all of the grapes in it. We had to keep telling her to not eat too many. Now this is the first time we have EVER had to tell her to not eat too much of anything. In the end we ended up taking it away from her because she just wouldn't stop!! I will let you figure out why you shouldn't eat too many grapes.

Colds: Both of our little ones have been dealing with some nasty colds. Benjamin's came full force Friday night and he is just now on the upward end of it. Needless to say none of us have been sleeping. He has had liquids coming out of his eyes, nose and mouth...he's turned into a regular old slime machine!!

Haircut: On Saturday I finally took sometime for me. I went and had my hair cut and styled. Can I just say I LOVE IT! I was feeling so blaw and marm-ish lately and now I feel cute and energetic. Isn't it interesting how such a small thing can change your 'outlook' on things?

Hello Primary

Today I was called as the primary chorister in our ward. I had a feeling that I would be receiving this call. It came as no surprise to me because shortly after we heard that the previous primary chorister and her family were moving I had an interesting experience which I would like to share. I was playing some songs from the children's song book one afternoon and while I was playing I had a warm, tingling sensation. Next came a very overwhelming thought come to my mind that I would be the next primary chorister. After having that thought and feeling I decided to become more familiar with the songs, so I spent time everyday just playing and thumbing through. A few weeks later the primary president asked me to sub until Bishop called someone to the position and she also added that she 'wanted me' in there. Two weeks later they called me as the primary chorister. I don't' share this experience to boast I share it for 3 reasons:

1. For me it is a very spiritual experience. It's a confirming witness of the Holy Ghost and this influence it can have in your life if you are reading the scriptures and praying.
2. To remind me what I can have in my life if I continue to read my scriptures and pray.
3. I haven't been in primary since I was 12 and I don't remember what my chorister did to make singing time fun. And I can use some creative fun ideas. So if anyone has some ideas, I could sure use them-please send them my way!

All in a days 'play'

Today we broke out the play-do for some fun. I made the shapes and Rachel decorated them and put them together.

Holiday Fun

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

From the mind of Rachel

Today we woke up to snow. This is a small part of our conversation while we ate breakfast. What an imagination!!

Here are two of Benjamin's favorite things lately. The balloon from Marc's surprise birthday party - yes it STILL has helium in it- and it's from a dollar store, go figure? And his other favorite it bubbles. He tries so hard to get them but he's just not fast enough. One day little man you will be able to stomp on them with your sister...one day.
He has also discovered that he has a voice and he really loves using it to scream at the top of his lungs. His favorite time to so this is at church during the passing of the sacrament when it's supposed to be silent. At the same time, Rachel loves to yell at the top of her lungs "No I don't want to say a prayer!" or "The bread is in my tummy mommy!" Sacrament is a scream...

How much have you done?

Things I've Done. To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen an eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Dinosaurs are my friend

Rachel LOVES, LOVES, LOVES dinosaurs! And yes she knows several types already.

And here is a cute picture I took of Benjamin today. His smiles make me melt and his big blue eyes are to die for!! Look out ladies - er ah little girls, he's growing up fast!

Birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas...ish

For Thanksgiving we went to Marc's parents again this year. They are so great to let us crash their house with two kids for 3 days. It was a great little vacation for us and it was super cheap too. Marc got some great gifts for his birthday. I would say his favorite gift was the Indiana Jones DVDs from mom and dad. He has a couple big projects due before his last day of class for the semester and we have been tempted to watch the movies instead of doing homework; but we are going to be good and wait until he is done. Besides his last day of class for the semester is this Saturday!!!!

Rachel had some good snuggles with Grandma while we were down there. I think every morning when she saw her she would say, "It's grandma Anson!" Grandpa was fixing something under the table one night and Rachel went over to keep him company. It was super cute! And she just loved telling him "I love you grandpa Anson!"

This year I was brave enough to go shopping on Friday with Amy. (sorry no pictures, I think most of you know or heard what that was like.) It wasn't as bad as some horror stories I've heard. Maybe that's because we went at like 9 am and the fact that we didn't have kids probably helped the scenario. I don't know if I'll make it a 'tradition' but I sure did get some good deals...check back in a year to see if I braved the crowds again.

The decorating process for Christmas began while we were down there. Here is a little clip of the cousins decorating grandma and grandpas tree.

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When we got home on Saturday we decorated our house for Christmas. Rachel had so much fun helping daddy put the tree together and was literally underfoot while he tried to put the lights on. She had tons of fun putting the "furry puppets" on the tree. That's what she called the ornaments. We think that came about from putting the soft ornaments on grandmas tree. "Furry Puppets" aint that cute?
Here is my cute Benjamin boy next to a snowman 'pillow' I made the first year we were married.

Here is our tree this year. The fifth stocking up there is not to make ANOTHER announcment, it's there because my mom is joining us this year for Christmas. We are sooo very excited to have her come out....only 3 more weeks!