Today is our 10 year wedding anniversary! Where has the time gone? It just seems not to long ago we were married and living in San Diego for law school. Now we have 4 KIDS!!! Happy anniversary honey, I LOVE YOU! How sad is this...I couldn't find any recent pictures of just the two of us to post. Another sad thing is...I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting today...on our Anniversary!!!
99% of this Blog is of my kids...my favorite thing about life! We went to a wedding reception last night in North Scottsdale. Scott's brother Andy got married to a girl from here.
Ellie once again picked out her outfit. This time I thought she did a great job. She got lots of smiles & looks last night.
We went and saw the new chipmunks movie. THE KIDS LOVED IT!!! I have to say I majorly enjoyed it too. All growing up that was my favorite cartoon. As soon as we got home the kids played Alvin & the chipmunks. They even talked Ellie into being Theodore. Kids are so much FUN!!!
I didn't take many pictures of the kids on Christmas, but we videotaped the whole thing. Here is what Miss Ellie got this year. She was VERY excited. Her favorite gift was her new dress ups, and the thing that colors her hair. Go figure!
One of the greatest things about Christmas is Christmas Eve dinner. Jared's Mom makes the most incredible dinner EVER! She always sets the table so fancy and makes everything so nice. This year we had steak, salmon, coconut shrimp, salad & bread sticks. Chocolate fondue for dessert. Yum, yum!
Three out of our four children were sick on Christmas Eve. We took them to the Doctor and Dallin, Ellie, and Audrey all had strep throat. Zachary was our only healthy and active one this Christmas Eve.
Here are our Christmas Pajamas this year. I'm having a harder & harder time finding pj's that all match. I bought these at gymboree...kind of fun! 
The day before Christmas we had a special delivery come to our home. A NEW PIANO!!! (well, new to us) Jared has had his eye on this piano for awhile. He came home one day to surprise me that he had bought it. We didn't tell the kids and it was such a exciting surprise on Christmas Eve. The boys & I plan on taking lessons!!! I'm very excited to start playing again. It'll be so fun to hear music played in our home!
It's become a tradition to get together with just my immediate family on the 23th. This year we had a program, everyone took part in the evening. The kids sang a couple songs and did a puppet show, we also acted out the Christmas story. Jared sang a song, and Craig & Lisa sang a duet in Craig's nifty elf outfit. It was hilarious! My mom played Christmas songs, and my Dad read the Christmas story. It was a fun evening to all be together.
A family in our ward invited us to a Christmas Party last night. Santa came and visited with all the children. I'm convinced that he is "the real Santa!" He was soooo cute with the children, and gave out gifts to each of them. Dallin got some Starwars guys, Zachary got a webkinz frog, and Ellie got a lip gloss cell phone, and nail stickers. Ellie was VERY nervous to go sit on Santa's lap but she did it. My parents stayed with Audrey while we went to the party. Thanks MOM & DAD!
Yesterday we had our closest friends & family over to make candy houses. We had a lot of fun. I was a bit nippy outside but we managed to build them outdoors. The clean up process was much easier. The kids had tons of fun exploring their creative side. My Mom, Lisa, and Scott each made one too. I got to decorate Lisa's castle (that's my favorite part!) Scott made a garage in his with a sleigh parked inside, very impressive! My Mom's was cottage decorated to the hilt. We love this tradition!
I took all these pictures in a matter of 10 minutes!
Here is a picture of the Kindergartners getting down and playing ball. I helped out in Zachary's class and then I visited the play ground. I had no idea Kindergartners could pick sides and play a real basketball game. It was pretty intense! Zachary was in stirring it up, and guarding everyone who had the ball. It was pretty funny. I saw Dallin at recess too, he was writing on the sidewalk with chalk. 
Back at home Emily was watching Audrey. This was the first play date for Audrey. Hannah & Audrey are just 3 weeks apart! I'm happy she has a cousin so close to her age. Thanks Emily for watching her!
Jared's Grandmother, Ardelle Thomas lives with Jared's Mom here in Gilbert. She is originally from Malad, Idaho. She has been living with Suzi for over a year. The kids love her dearly and it's wonderful to have her here with us. How often do kids get to know their Great Grandparents? This picture was taken last Sunday with all of her Great Grandchildren. 9 total! There is even another on the way. Sarah's having a BOY! Her first, after 4 girls! Hooray!
This is the best way to let the kids play in the snow! No snow pants, heavy coats, or boots! Last weekend Jared took the kids and their cousins just down the street. He managed to take all our kids (4) and (3) of Scott & Sarah's kids. 7 Kids! (I'm impressed) They had a blast! My kids love getting together with their cousins. They each have a play mate their same age.
I'm sending out Christmas cards, and I need every one's address! All family, cousins, & friends... please respond to this, I would love to update my list!!!
Dallin amazes me everyday. He is such a wonderful example to me and the rest of us. He really sets the tone for our family. If we miss our family scripture study, he is always the one to remind us. He has also read the whole Book of Mormon stories, and reads them before bed each night. He wrote a letter to our Bishop. We mailed it last night, but I just had to go get it out of the mail box and take a picture before it was sent. Here it is.
This is her good friend Allison.
The girls turned up their nose and didn't want my pancakes. Even Audrey threw the pieces on the ground. Ellie pleaded for peas & corn. I told her, that isn't a breakfast food! Then I thought...why am I saying NO to veggies? So they both ate their veggies, every last one!
This is a mystery to me...but I'm just fine with it!
