Snow!

Jacob loved building this snowman!

Jacob and Sam have been having a blast
playing in the snow together.

The boys have LOVED going on four-wheeler rides
with Bryan in the snow.

Party Time!

Karissa managed to spread out her birthday fun all week long!
We had birthday cake with grandparents one night and then her birthday party with friends another night. Fun times!
Then at the end of the week, we had a great time at our Blake family Christmas party. Karissa and Jacob played the piano at the party, and Kelsi performed her first piece on the violin with me. She's only been taking for a couple weeks and is doing great.
Good company...good food....good times!

Cousins at the Blake Christmas Party
(Blake, Jacob, Luke, Jessica, Hayley, Kelsi, Karissa, Sam, Melanie, Alyssa, Makayla, Kaitlyn)

Singing the traditional 'Must Be Santa'

Mindy and Kelsi playing a violin 'duet'--Up on the Housetop

Karissa's birthday cake.

Karissa requested a layered, Strawberry/Lemon Cake...Yummy!
(Sam, Grandpa Blake, Karissa)

Friends at Karissa's 13th Birthday Party.
(Karissa, Chelsea, Mariah, Sharisse, Aubrey, Clarissa, Kelsi)
For her birthday party, we had some great fun with girls,
playing lots of games,
and then watching the movie, "Confessions of a Shopaholic".

Happy Birthday Karissa!

Karissa

We now have a TEENAGER in our family!?! Karissa turned 13 years old yesterday. For her birthday dinner she chose chicken pillows and Doritos--2 of her favorite things. She got a new shirt, a bag, a webkinz and a cel phone--primarily for emergency use and because it's just fun to say you have a cel phone :) I got a new cel phone, which is the real reason why Karissa was able to get one for her birthday. YES-- I've finally moved a few more small steps with technology :) It was a great day, and Karissa's really looking forward to her party this Friday.

Kelsi enjoyed the SNOW with Oreo. It was so COLD out there...they didn't last long, but they had FUN! Jacob helped out by shoveling the drive way...he's great help to have around!

Sam has been very entertained with LEGOS lately...legos may just be my new best friend! He's been making all sorts of fun creations.

Bryan and I had THREE DATES this week :) WOW! We went to the temple, which was wonderful, then to a Monk Finale party--lots of fun, and then out to a movie on Saturday. We saw "Blind Side"--VERY GOOD MOVIE!

Oreo and Kelsi playing in the snow.

Jacob working hard.

Polar Express Day!

Polar Express Day is a FAVORITE tradition in our family...usually held the first weekend in December. It's packed full of good food and fun...we always get new pajamas, play fun games, and watch a movie together and those that want to can sleep out in the family room. This year Grandma and Grandpa Blake joined us, adding to the fun and a GREAT game of Monopoly. The movie, Nutty Professor, left much to be desired...so next year we'll be sure our pick of movie is better. But it was all great fun...a favorite night for our family.

Bryan fixing yummy French Toast...and the BEST hot chocolate!

Our festive dinner...Sam with "reindeer" ears, provided by Kelsi.
(Jacob, Karissa, Kelsi, Sam)

One of our games...
each person picked a game for our family to play.
Sam picked this fun balloon game.
(Kelsi, Bryan is behind the balloon, Sam, Jacob)

Our new pj's!
(Kelsi, Karissa, Grandma Blake, Jacob, Sam, Grandpa Blake)

This year Oreo got a surprise...a Santa outfit.
(Mindy, Oreo)

(Kelsi, Oreo)

DANCING!
(Jacob, Oreo, Kelsi, new horse, Sam)

(Oreo, Jacob)

The Spirit of Christmas

Jacob entered an art contest at school called the "Spirit of Christmas"....and he won! He won $10.00 and his art work is on display at the Springville Museum of Art. Go Jacob!

I forgot that smell...

We spent Thanksgiving break at the Johnsons. When we first arrived, as we were unloading our things, Sam stopped at the front door and sniffed, saying "What's that smell?" Julie asked him what he meant, and he said..."It's the Johnsons...I forgot that smell." Then she asked if it was a good or bad smell. Thank goodness he said it was good!

Then when we got home and unpacked, Sam picked up "Horton" his stuffed elephant, and sniffed, saying excitedly: "You smell like the Johnsons!"

We're glad we can "SMELL" the Johnsons..we love spending time with them and all our family!

THANKFUL

Kelsi, Hayley, Karissa

Thanksgiving dinner at the Johnsons.

Jacob, Grandpa Blake, Blake

Mindy, Bryan

Cousins!! :)

"I just want Turkey!"-Sam

Yes, he ate the ENTIRE turkey leg.

Checking out the ads for BLACK FRIDAY.
(Lisa, Julie, Jessica, Mindy, Kristi...
and Grandma, in the back doing dishes!)

Sam's new bike!

Dancing with our 'rockin' Santa!

(Jacob, Sam, new horse, Oreo, Kelsi)

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR...

"Family and the Gospel"-Bryan and Mindy

"Everything!" -Karissa

"Family, including Oreo. And clothing, shelter, and food, including ice cream." -Jacob

"Oreo." -Kelsi

"Jesus."-Sam

It was a GREAT thanksgiving week!--so fun to be with FAMILY. We had a wonderful THANKSGIVING DINNER at my sister, Julie's house. We enjoyed a mini vacation staying at the Johnson's for 4 days! I got to go to the BLACK FRIDAY shopping with my sisters and niece--so much FUN! The kids had a ton of fun with their cousins. And now we're just facing tears because they miss their cousins so much. But we came home with some great memories and souvenirs: a cute craft :) and all of our goods from shopping and Sam got a new bike from Uncle Dave!
Now we're trying to get back into the swing of things...but I'd take the vacation back any day!

We just got our Christmas decor out...and our traditional dancing with our 'rockin' Santa.

Kelsi had her first violin lesson today--from me :) She seems to like it...so far so good.

And we've also relieved a bit of stress...I took back 2 boxes of contacts today--thank goodness Maria was nice and let me...we now have a credit on our eye doctor account. Karissa decided she VERY MUCH DISLIKES contacts. She still has a box to wear occasionally, but at least we were able to take some of them back, and she's no longer under the pressure of having to wear them all the time.

Christmas is just around the corner! It's the most wonderful time of the year!