The new dresses!

We were able to go to church today, but we only had sacrament meeting. That's good enough for me: I was so excited to get the girls in their new matching dresses they received Christmas Day! I've never really matched their clothes before and it is quite fun, but a little expensive. Anyway, here they are, aren't they cute? Thanks to Jayden being so stubborn I couldn't get a good shot of the two of them together, so I ended up being in one holding Jayden. I love my girls!

Christmas Fun!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We started our fun on xmas eve with Grandpa Platteborze. We had brunch at Sharis and then opened presents! Christmas morning was just us, yeah! In the afternoon, my family came over for more presents, a yummy dinner and some goofing off time. Enjoy the slide show...if you happen to watch it all: 55 pictures!!! sorry, but I know the grandparents will appreciate it!

Background Happy

I just wanted to apologize for my various backgrounds...I just get so excited and I love to change things up a bit. Although I must say, I'm not quite feeling this background. I might just change it on New Years Day, who knows! Happy Holidays everyone!

Inches and Inches of Snow!

Like I said, we were bad today and ventured out in the snow. It's just so beautiful when there's 8 inches of the stuff!

First we took a walk around the block with Chewie and appreciated our Heavenly Father's work.

Rachel tried to sled, but the snow was too deep:):)

Me and the girls: Jayden is still not pleased!

Rachel and I had to take a rest. Plus I couldn't wait to just fall and lay in the snow. It didn't even hurt!

Rachel in our pool.

Rachel pretending to fly into the pool, she's quite silly: don't know where she gets it!

I was so excite we made actual snow cones!

Then we decided to bury each other in the snow: first Rachel

Pop goes the Rachel!

Next is mommy's turn. Brr!

What a fun morning. When we came in Rachel decided to watch The King is Born and read out of the FRIEND magazine. What a little cutie!

Remember When...

Church was canceled???????!!!!!?!?!?!?!

I can't believe it! Well, I can because of all the snow, but I can't remember the last time church was canceled because of the snow. (maybe I just have a really bad memory!) In a way I am a little sad because this was Christmas Sunday and we were going to all get dressed up extra nice for church! But in a way I'm glad because yesterday we did all get dressed up to go to...

My Brother's Wedding! We were there from 9-5 and I was pooped by the time we got home, got dinner for the kids, unpacked everything we needed for the day, put our Christmas tree BACK UP, and cleaned house a little! Needles to say, we slept in this morning BIG time! Here are some pic's from the wedding. They're not very good because, well who knows why, but here they are nonetheless! My brother with Jayden and barely Rachel. That's all I got of him. The picture with him and his wife was so blurry I couldn't even see their faces. I'll have to post some another time...they are quite the handsome couple!

Rachel and mommy! Rachel was kind of a grumpus for a while!

Her mood turned nice when they got to play with bubbles!

My hot honey and the kiddos. What? His face looks funny? Well, I tend to put him in his place once in a while. Hee, Hee!

The main decoration: Christmas trees. Ours is on the right, hence we had to put it back up and redecorate it once we got home. FUN!

Well, that was our crazy Saturday! Now we get walk in the snow a little. With about 6 inches it will be amazing to play in. Usually I'm pretty firm about what we do on Sunday's, but I think we will go for a family walk and play in the snow just a little. After all, who could resist?

Snow Galore!

So, we got snow the other day, but I wasn't too impressed, so when it snowed like crazy today I took the girls outside to play in the fabulous snow!!! I love snow, but only when there's lots of it! Also I love pictures, so sorry but there's lots of them!

Jayden was not too impressed: I had to hold her almost the whole time!

Rachel however loves the snow and posed perfectly for me:)

Then she decided to throw the snow up and let it land on her, pretty cute I'd say.

Finally, I smile from the little stinker!

Mom and her girls!

Rachel sledding at the school

The after shot..she is loving it!!!

Dad didn't get a very good photo, but I took the girls. Jayden was quiet the whole time: is she related to me?

We're trying to smile but there was snow in our faces:):)

Rachel was lucky and saw a friend from preschool: they went sledding, built snow angels and had tons of fun!

Now time for hot cocoa and caramel apple cider!

Uncooperative Child

I decided to get photos of the girls in their dresses and do a family photo at the same time. First the family photo, which went pretty well, Chewie of course has his tongue sticking out (sorry no photo!). Then time for Rachel and Jayden: Rachel is a perfect ham, but Jayden wanted nothing to do with posing and trying to look pretty. We only ended up getting 3 shots and purchased 2. I wish Rachel had a more natural smile,but she was trying to get Jayden to smile as well instead of just smiling her cute smile and not worrying about Jayden! The only sad thing: you can't really see the dresses! Oh well, Jayden will hopefully learn sooner or later, right?

Nonetheless, they are BEAUTIFUL!

Nutcracker Ballet

I took Rachel to the nutcracker this year because she is in love with dancing...and she loved it!!!!!!! Granted she was on my lap the WHOLE time!!! But she kept me warm since it was freezing outside...cold enough for snow even:):):)

Mom and the Princess all dressed up! She wanted to leave her hair down, so I let her, but I wish I could've curled it or something! Thanks to this photo I think I should steer clear of putting my hair up like that...and maybe lose a few pounds. Do I look frumpy or what?!?!?!?!

Rachel looks like such an angel here: she's checking out the program

Her beautiful overly happy smile:)

I tried to get a shot of her in the snow, but it didn't turn out too well. I just thought that was perfect: snow and the nutcracker!

She talked me into going to Applebees afterward: her request was a chocolate lava cake and water, because water is good for you she says. Too cute!! And she ate almost the whole thing by herself, what a piglet! I've taught her well:)

I love you Rachel!! What a great mommy and daughter date!

Christmas Outfits

My girls looked so beautiful on Sunday, so I had to take some pictures. Of course I was smart and waited until after church to take them, but hey at least we got to church on time...only one minute to spare!

Rachel looks like an angel, or a princess, you choose. This is the dress she wore for my brothers wedding. I thought I would get some more use out of it, and it saved me from stressing over buying her a Christmas dress!

I tried to get a shot with both of the girls, but as you can see, Jayden would not cooperate. She has a mind of her own!

This is the dress Rachel wore when she was one year old. I absolutely love it! It comes with a cute headband and black furry sweater, but of course those came off as soon as we got home...she was hungry and tired and I wasn't going to push her. I'll have to get some better shots of the girls on Christmas Sunday (well the Sunday before Christmas).

Aren't they just lovely?!

Much to be Thankful For

I finally get to post about Thanksgiving! After a crazy weekend of shopping, Christmas decorating and cards getting ready to go in the mail, I get a chance to do some blogging! Since my family are losers and are out of state or with their in-laws or sick, we spent Thanksgiving this year with our good friends the Marchant Family! We had lots of fun cooking, eating, playing, planning Black Friday and goofing off!

Brett and Bradlee got in trouble for looking at the adds before the ladies, I mean who does that!! j/k

Ashleigh: The teenager I live through so I don't do it to Rachel! What a cutie!

Most of you who know me know I LOVE food; here's our starter food before the big guns came out:):):)

Nena and Ashleigh cooking; don't worry I helped too:)

Jayden was bored so she played with her high chair, how adorable!!!

Rachel and Allyson played guitar hero; Rachel can't really play but she had fun trying!

Bradlee took a nap while Brett took a shot at guitar hero. He got really into it, I thought it was pretty funny! The kids took a break and went outside on the trampoline. I was out there with them for a while, but then toes were starting to go numb!

Ashleigh, my brother Jonathan and Mayson: we're proud of the food, and hungry!

The gang ready to eat! Rachel thought she'd be cute and make a face, but she's still beautiful! It was pretty funny, as soon as we sat down to eat Jayden fell fast asleep. She somehow slept through all the laughing and crazy noises we made, I guess she's just used to weird people!

We had a great Thanksgiving, and we have much to be Thankful for. IF I listed them all it would take all day; we are truly blessed to live in this country, have our family and friends and most importantly the gospel. I see small miracles each day and am grateful for the positive and good I see in the world. That is what I am focusinig on this year: hope, love, peace, our Savior.