Gingy!

I have to tell you it has been really hard to pack the house and get ready for the big move WHILE trying to celebrate Christmas and keep up with all our fun family traditions. I love this time of year so much I couldn't just let it pass without at least trying to have a some-what normal Christmas. So we put up the tree and a few decorations, went to the festival of trees, got out our Christmas movies and music, went to the and Christmas party, and decorated gingerbread houses.

Here's a few fun "things" from our Christmas this year. First up, the ward Christmas party was GREAT! The primary did the nativity but AJ wasn't having it. He really enjoys going to primary every week, we've never really had a problem dropping him off and getting him to go but standing up in front of the ward to sing all the wonderful songs he's learned????NO WAY! I happen to have the Wagner girls with me on this particular night and they both went right up but now Age, Miles however, well he went right up! Of course he is still in nursery and doesn't know any songs but he loved being up there, in fact he was quite the show stopper. Oh Miles how I love you.

Eventually Megan convinced AJ to go up and he did great. I was so proud of him for getting over his shyness and going up there to sing. Plus he new all the words and did really well with everything. Love you buddy!

Aaron also got to play a very important roll this year. I guess the guy who was going to be Santa decided not to show up or something but lucky for them Aaron was there and just about the right size. HA HA HA, it was so fun to see him all dressed up and being Santa with all the kids in the ward. Our boys had NO IDEA and we actually quite upset that Dad was in the bathroom so long he missed Santa's visit. Megan new right away but kept it on the down low, she is growing up way to fast, love you Megs.

I also wanted to mention Miles's obsession with the, the, the.......THE GRINCH! He loves it. He just wants to sit and watch it all day, everyday. He switches back and forth between the cartoon version and the real one but if it's his turn to pick there is no question as to what it will be. We also love frosty and the Bernstein bears Christmas but we never really get around to those because the Grinch is CONSTANTLY going. This year I tried to introduce the Santa Clause movies but I just ended up watching alone, maybe next year!

So here we are decorating our ginger bread houses, which you can do without Nog, or as my boys have come to know it, Christmas Milk. I don't drink this disgusting beverage but it is something that Aaron and the boys thrall enjoy.

And as I am not much of a decorate myself, Holly and I made the Christmas cookies. Thanks for this wonderful shot Age!

Our works of Art, well to us anyways!

Festival of Trees.

This year we couldn't get the husbands out to the Festival of Trees so we just made it a Mommy/Kiddy date day! It was Me, Cole, and Holly, with all 6 kids and we only had one major melt down (throw especially for me by little of Miles) Here we are heading in to meet the Wagner girls,

Baby's first bear paw at the festival of trees.

The trees where beautiful but who are we kidding these kids did NOT come for the trees. We where here for five reasons. Firstly, to see the big guy. Yes we sent our letters in WEEKS ago but a little face time is always a good way to make sure he got the wish list ya know?

Look how big these two have gotten over the last 3 and a half years! I have no idea where the time went.

Reason number two: TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL. every year the kids get to pick out a new teddy bear, name it, take it to get bandaged up, look at his x-rays, even stitches if they want. It's so fun, plus we get to see what fun names they come up with for their bears, this year it was Rudolph (AJ), Do-Dah (Miles), and Nater (Nate). Don't judge me I was just trying to get the line moving, who doesn't want to share their name with their teddy bear?

 You'll notice that there is no picture of Miles with his teddy bear...Do-duh was in the bag and miles had moved on to the third reason we where here. The cookies!!!!!

Off to the cookie stand! Here you get the ice your own cookie and sprinkle and enjoy! Which miles did.....TWICE!

Trying for a third.....Not today buddy!

Okay reason number 4: The trains. Do your kids ever remember things that even YOU have forgotten about? Well AJ has a fantastic memory and from the moment I told him we were going to the Festival of trees all he has been able to talk about are all the cool trains they have on display. Every year there is a gentlemen who brings out his toy trains and sets them on display for children and grown-up to enjoy, and boy do my boys enjoy it! I believe that AJ would have stood there all day if the option was given to him.

Nate was less intressted in the trains and more focused on Coles sholder. He love his little perch and basically spent the afternoon trying to soak her whole shirt. Good think your so cute Nate or Cole might not have put up with all your drooling!

And the 5th and final reason we came to the festival of trees was to take the tour through the ambulance. Unfortunately the line was too long so we told the kids we'd come back and when we did.....LUNCH BREAK! Miles little heart was broken, enter tantrum, and I ended up having to carry my sad crying little man out to the car with no tour. Sorry buddy!

Side notes: Favorite tree was this one with the Grinch shoving it up!

I like the smell of new born diapers, SO!?!

So what if the kids aren't here????

Just because we are two grown women does not me that we can't enjoy a night out at the nickel arcade! Seriously, who says you have to have your kids with you anyways? It's way funner when you just get to be the kid! ha ha ha.

Alright so this is Holly:















Here's the 411 on my girl Holly. First up, She's American. like..........AMERICAN! She loves her some America, in fact she has never even left the country! Don't worry she will be making her way up notth in the next 12 months or so. They just need some, passports!

She is married to Dan and they are joined at the hip. I think if it was socially acceptable Dan would be at all the girls nights, baby showers, etc. and Holly would join him at the office each day. lol, they are a perfect pair in so many ways!

Next she makes dang cute babies! Well so far just Luke but seriously how could the next one not be just as adorable when Lukey came out so PERFECT!

Holly recently changed from fan to FANATIC when it comes to all things Disney/Pixar. This girl would live in Disneyland if that was allowed. And I am pretty sure her, "mansion on high" is shaping up to look just like Cinderellas castle. lol.

She's a sucker for sweets, not that I would know anything about that! And she can bake to perfection, many a recipes have come from Holly. Raspberry bars....enough said.

Alright so she is seriously one of the best friends I have or will ever have. When we talk about our Portland family, this here is my sista!!!! I love the Lujans and feel like the time we spent together in Portland has changed my life forever because it brought them into my (our) life. Holly and I get along so good, there is nothing I wouldn't do for her or go to her with. I know she will always be there for me and love me unconditionally as I will her, and one day we will visit DISNEYLAND together!!!!!!! (It's happening!)

Before leaving for Canada Holly wanted to take me for a date night.  First we hit up a great stake house for happy hour. We had salad, stake bits, breads, and Fancy drinks. It was so good and the prices where unbelievable!

(Can you tell we have both been practicing our make-up tricks from Nicole!?!)

Then it was off to the nickle arched. AWESOME BLOSSOM!!! We had the best time playing all the games and getting as many tickets as we could. We had the place to ourselves, aside from a creepy guy who came in at the end, and it was perfect! These balls where worth like 80 tickets or something and I just keep winning them. Holly on the other hand when right for the real thing, TICKETS! She had obviously been here before!

(What a horrible angle! but whatever, this is my body right!)

And then......THE CASH IN!

This was one of the funnest date nights I've had in a long time (sorry Poy!) and it is a night I will always remember with you Holly. Love ya!