Enjoying 40 degrees . . .

I took a little break from blogging and it was nice . . . but I am back for a moment anyway. I had one of those days today where I got myself all organized and everything put in its place- and it feels SOOOO GOOOD!!! I always feel so guilty when I take time to blog and I have so many other things that I need to be doing. But tonight I don't feel that way so much so here I am. The weather was so beautiful this weeking in IL, we haven't had many days like this recently and so we were outside for a bit enjoying the amazing temperatures in the 40's. The sun was shining and the snow was melting so Kalem and Quincy went for a ride in his jeep. Kalem put his arm around her like a protective older brother, it was pretty cute. . .

New Years. . .

We went to Utah for New Years this year. It was a special treat because we weren't planning on travelling home for Christmas or New years but Trev's mom called and said, we want to see you and the kids we are flying you out. We got online, found some great flights and a week later we were off. It was a nice break for us and fun to see the family. We headed straight to Bear Lake from the airport and made it just in time to ring in the New Year. Bear Lake is such a nice retreat from the real world. This is what I woke up to one morning. . .

Kalem was in heaven. Cousins, snowmobiling, sledding and the dogs made this trip a great one for him. He is still talking about going back to bear lake. We do love it there and will be back soon. Everytime we visit Utah Trev gets the sudden urge to move back there. It isnt in the plans this year, maybe 2010!!

Christmas . . .

WOW- we are already into Feb and I am just posting about Christmas. I apologize, you can skip it if you would like. I was going to leave it out but then decided I had to document it.

We had a great Christmas this year. It was just the 4 of us but there was much fun to be had. Here's a recap. . .

CHRISTMAS EVE

On Christmas Eve we had the Rays come over for some appetizers and the nativity. The kids got dressed up in costume as Mary, Joseph and a Shepherd. Quincy was baby Jesus and wasn't so happy about it. Holland, Ethan and Kalem did a great job and looked so cute as they played their parts.

Then the kids opened their Christmas Jammie's, we had a story and it was off to bed in hopes that Santa would pay us a visit.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Santa treated us good this year. Kalem was so excited to see what he brought. He got a race track, a remote control car and a soccer goal and ball. He REALLY REALLY wanted a big digger from Santa and had been showing me for months in a catalog exactly what one he wanted. I was a little worried that there would be some disappointment when he didn't see it, but there was none at all. He was so excited that Santa even visited his house.

The last present he got was one from gram and pa. . . The look on his face was priceless - he said, ''OH MY GOSH, IT IS JUST WHAT I WANTED.'' It was his digger. And so, a very happy (and spoiled I might add) little 3 year old on Christmas day. Quincy got this cute little rocking horse but enjoyed Kalems soccer ball most and playing with all the wrapping paper. Cute little rocking horse scared her and still scares her.

And so another Christmas has come and gone. It seems like it creeps up on me so fast each year but it sure doesn't last long enough. The Christmas season is definitely a time to reflect on so many things and one that I am so grateful for is my family. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family to share all of these fantastic memories with. Hope you all had a great one and a HAPPY NEW YEAR ( a month and a half late!!!)