Catching Up

So, I'm finally getting around to catching up on my blog. The past three months have been full of holidays, birthdays, and other random stuff. Hope you can endure through the longest post ever...

Christmas

We went up to temple square to see the lights. It was beautiful and a lot of fun, but a very long night. Jer really wanted to take Trax and it took forever!!! The kids enjoyed the train ride but by the end of the night we were all ready to be home.




Ellie and Jake were finally able to fall asleep on the way home.


Jake had his first Christmas program at preschool. It was so cute. They sang little songs and acted out a play. Adorable.




It wouldn't be Christmas without the Nativity Story presented by all the grand kids.






Our make-do mantel. Every year Jake is so concerned that we don't have a chimney for Santa to come through. He's pretty adamant that our next house has one.


Christmas morning...














Christmas at the McLerran's








Christmas at the Rowley's




Kyle and Craig sporting their Snuggies. Jeff got one too, but unfortunately, I didn't get him in this picture.


Jake got some cool magnets for Christmas this year. Dad made him a helmet.




My sister Lisa had a tea party for all of the cousins. The girls all got to wear their princess gear and Jake was the prince.














Birthdays

This time of year we have so many birthdays! Ellie got us started in January as we celebrated her first birthday. I can't believe how fast the past year has gone! She is such a little person and has so much personality. She knows what she wants and definitely gives us some attitude when she doesn't like something. She can stick up for herself and loves to play with her big brother. She started walking just shortly after her birthday and loves to get into everything and anything. We sure love this little girl and are so grateful that she's part of our family.







Ellie is such a girl. She loves clothes, hats, shoes. It's pretty cute. On her birthday she got a huge bag of clothes from my sisters and she immediately tried putting them on. She always has some random article of clothing around her neck like a scarf or on her head like a hat. She makes me laugh.


We decorated with butterflies. Ellie loved it.


Ellie and her accessories again...




Cute big brother enjoying some birthday cake.


Ellie LOVED the cake. She couldn't get it in fast enough.




More presents...








Ellie loves her cousin Kellsie. Kellsie, on the other hand, is not quite sure about Ellie.


Ellie with clothing on her head again.


A few days after Ellie's birthday she got her first black eye. I don't think it will be the last with this girl. She's adventurous. She got this one from falling off a chair onto a medal bucket.




Craig's 21st Birthday!!
Paige made a delicious ice cream cake.


Ellie mauling Kellsie again. I love how happy she looks.




My 29th birthday! We celebrated my last year in my 20's with friends and family.


Jer forgot the candles, so he drew me one. Don't worry, we didn't actually light it.


We also celebrated Lisa's and Kyle's birthday in February and my Mom's birthday at the beginning of March. Lot's and LOTS of cake, presents, family, and fun.








A few last cute pictures...

After the last snow storm we decided the only way not to be depressed about it was to go out and play in it.

Kellsie all bundled up.


It was a really sunny day and the kids could barely keep their eyes open with all the white snow reflecting the sunlight.








Whew! Finally caught up.