First Love

Carly keeps talking about this boy at school named Keaton. So, I decided to ask about him.
me: Keaton is in your class right?
Carly: yep
me: So, is he your boyfriend?
Carly: well, he's a boy and he's my friend
me: So, is he your BOYFRIEND?
Carly: Yesterday at school I told him I loved him.
me: (desperately trying not to laugh) what did he say?
Carly: He told me I don't love him I just like him.
me: Oh, and what did you say.
Carly: I said ok.
Whew...I'm glad she is only five and it's all ok. I can just imagine this senario in about ten years and it won't be so easy!

Where credit is due.

A big thanks to my talented sister, Shelly, for the sidebar photos. She took a million photos of us when we were out in California and we managed to get a couple cute ones even though we had a squirmy, energetic, cranky two year old!

A Very Merry Christmas

We had a really wonderful Christmas this year. We had so much fun going to parties, being with family, and feeling the wonderful feeling that comes with celebrating the birth of our Savior.
The Chidester party always kicks off the excitement. It was so fun and of course, both my kids were terrified of Santa.
Reed, Lynette, and Kristina came over for Christmas Eve dinner. Carly was so excited for Santa to come and we had fun watching her. We had a really nice Christmas morning with just the four of us. We opened gifts and then pulled the kids behind the four wheeler on a tube through the snow. They loved it. Then Brian headed to work.
I forgot my camara when we went up to Logan, but we had a great weekend up there. One of my favorite things was when Jake unwrapped the sled grandma gave him and exclaimed,"A BOAT!" and hopped right in. Carly had fun pulling Tagg around in the "boat" too. And congrats to my sister Ali who had three surprises for us. She is engaged, expecting a baby, and buying a house! So exciting!
I was expecting Brian to be gone for New Year's Eve, but due to a cancelled flight he was able to be home. We had some friends over earlier in the evening and then we both fell asleep just before midnight! Luckily there were plenty of fireworks around the neighborhood to wake us up. Happy New Year to all of you!

Snow Day

Why go down a hill when you have a dad to pull you around the yard?


Jake loves the "no".
On an unrelated note, I have been painting my bedroom and one day I was painting and Brian was supposed to be watching the kids. I came downstairs to see this:
Carly told me that daddy was "chit-chatting" to one of our neighbors outside and she and Jake were ready for lunch for so she decided to make it herself.

Super star

Carly started gymnastics when she was 3 and absolutely loves it. She got her first gold medal last week. (No, she doesn't compete they just gave these out to everyone if they did the correct things.) She will be starting at a new gym in January which will (hopefully) be a better program and help her advance a little more. She is a great little gymnist and Brian and I love going and watching her. We fight over who gets to take her because we don't like to take Jake. He doesn't understand why he can't be in the class too! Great Job Carly!!

We are thankful for our friends!!

Luckily it was a nice day so we played outside.

Here are some pictures from Carly's birthday party. She invited seven best buddies. We played games, opened presents, decorated cupcakes, and acted silly!!! I think everyone had a fun time - especially our big birthday 5 year old!

Halloween pics

carving pumpkins
painting pumpkins decorating sugar cookies with Grandma Beatty

this is how Jake decided he needed to eat his cookie.

Cute little cowgirl and giraffe

the trick or treating party

We were lucky this year to go trick or treating with friends and my mom. Too bad I didn't get a shot of Jake from behind. The giraffe constume had this big padded bum that would shake from side to side when he walked. It was so funny! Now I will be rationing candy out for the next two months and sneeking some to the garbage as well!