Merry Christmas!

We had a great week! Starting off with the BYU Bowl game and a big win over Oregon State. Go Cougars!

We always spend Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma Watson's home. Grandma makes lot of delicious food-and serves it buffet style. This year Grandpa and Grandma told the Nativity story and the grandkids helped put the nativity together. We exchange families in the Watson home. This year Blaine and I received outdoor family games (croquet, badminton, frisbee golf, etc) and Allie received a tea set and beautifully hand-made apron from Cordell and Rebecca and kids. Allie got some pots and pans from Grandma and Grandpa Watson.

After a couple of hours, all the kids were crazy, so we headed home to put cookies out for Santa and hang up our stockings. Blaine began working on Allie's kitchen from Santa. As he worked, we watched Elf, Mr. Kreugers Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life. Let's just say, that the little kitchen had tons of little pieces. Christmas Morning was fun- Allie loved the candy canes that Santa left on the tree.

Note to Santa...no candy canes on the tree next year.

We had a great morning opening presents, eating Egg-Sausage Casserole and home-made cinnamon rolls. After naps that day, we all got cleaned up and went to G & G Watson's for Christmas Dinner. We enjoyed good food and playing with cousins. Lots of fun!

Can't wait for next year!

Allie made her first gingerbread house this year. We had to work quickly though, Allie was eating the candy as fast as we were putting them on the house! Don't believe me- check out those cheeks...

Putting up the star on the advent calendar.

The three stooges waiting to be served Christmas Eve Buffet!

Getting a tea set from Abby and a cute handmade apron from Aunt Rebecca.

All the girls got pretty soap and lotion and food warmers for hosting parties.

All the guys got manly gifts-a square, work gloves, hand brush, hardware case and a water pump for our 55-gallon drums.

All the cousins playing in the wrappings. Fun!

The traditional fireplace picture. We are getting too big!

All the Watson Cousins...

Our little fam at Grandma's house.

Our little fam in front of our fireplace in our new home!

Christmas Morning! An ihome stereo system!

Allie got a Leapfrog Little Touch Pad from G & G Hanson.

Allie also got a beautiful kitchen from Santa. Thanks!

Blaine finally got the Wii he's been wanting.

Playing with some Christmas Play Dough. I don't know who's enjoying it more???

After a long, wonderful Christmas Morning.

Happy Holidays!

Lots of treats!

All ready for trick or treating. (cue mommy tearing up because her baby is getting so big!).


This kid got way too much candy for being a 22 month old. Good thing Blaine and I helped her make a dent in it.

Happy Halloween!

Elmo's World

Today's episode of Elmo's world focused on teaching children how to dress themselves. Now, either Elmo is way off base or my kid needs reteaching. You decide!

Punkin Patch

Just down the road from our house is cute farm with a pumpkin patch. The great thing about this farm is that you don't have to tromp through the fields to find your pumpkin. Allie kept trying to pick up each pumpkin that she saw saying "heaby, heaby" (heavy...except her "v" sound isn't the greatest). She loved the little pumpkins, helping Blaine push the wagon and riding in the wagon. Again, not a big fan of having her picture taken. But, hey, we're getting better...she's not hiding her face anymore. Happy Harvest!

Fair Time!

We had a great time at the county fair Tuesday night. I think the part we enjoyed the most was the cool weather! Allie liked the atmosphere and the animals. She did not, however, like having her picture taken. Will we ever get past this stage??? Blaine was a great dad and popped for the $7 pony ride. We made sure when we bought the ticket that it would be refundable if Allie freaked out. We'll let you decide for yourself how Allie felt about the ponies...don't you just love her cute, pink cowboy boots??? I can't get them off of her!!

The end of summer...

We decided at the last minute to get away this Labor Day weekend. We visited the L.A.Zoo and spent Monday at Zuma Beach in Malibu. Allie loved the big animals at the zoo like the zebras and giraffes. But her favorite thing was the beach. She loved the sand and the water. Allie was not scared at all. She is a true California girl!

Sign of things to come???

Allie is the funniest when I want to take her picture. She doesn't like to smile and usually covers her eyes. Allie gives me a look like "what??? just leave me alone." So I'm hoping she's just getting out her teenage-ness early, or maybe it'll just be this way til college. Let's hope for the best!