Christmas 2010

Our celebrating started a couple days before Christmas. We headed up to Logan for the Mullen family Christmas party. It was a blast. Melissa and Lynn hosted the party this year and we played the game Minute to Win it. Wow...it was so much fun! Jaygen was first up and had to sort m&m's by color...he did great!

Next, Todd had to blow up a balloon and use the air in it to try and knock cups off the table.

Pace was next and he had to keep a balloon up in the air for as long as he could. He was doing great and then bumped into one of his cousins and the balloon dropped...he was super sad.

Todd went again and had to bounce ping pong balls in cups to get three in a row (tic-tac-toe).

Then it was my turn. I had to pull tissues out of their box one at a time as fast as I could. I totally rocked! :) I won this event, and it was about time our team got a point!!!!

Jaygen was timed stacking 4 apples...he did amazing! He got our team another point!!!

Next Todd made a pyramid out of cups and then had to stack them back together.

I know it is lame that Todd kept competing for our team but I kept thinking he could do better than I could. And he has some pretty competitive siblings that we were completing against. So, next Todd put some pantyhose on his head with a ball in the end and had to knock over water bottles.

The final event-the guys raced across the gym and were suppose to eat a caramel apple. Well it turned out that a couple of the apples were onions. Todd totally took a huge bite...it was hilarious!!!

After we finished the game we headed to Melissa and Lynn's for some yummy dinner and present time.

Here are all the grandkids lined up patiently waiting for their presents. The boys all got fun stuff but what tops the cake is Pace opening his present from grandma and grandpa Mullen. It was a new cowboy belt and some bulls. He was totally jumping up and down...it was awesome!

We hurried home from Logan on Christmas Eve so we could get all ready for Santa. Poor Jaygen was so sick driving home and even threw up in the car. I felt so bad for him especially since it was Christmas. We did manage to get a few smiles out of him though once we got home.

The boys decorated their cookies for Santa. Pace wanted to make a little gingerbread boy. Briggs made a star, and Jaygen wanted to make Rudolph pulling Santa's sleigh. They were so cute and Santa didn't get a frosting over load this year!!! :) The boys put some carrots and celery outside for the reindeer too.

Then it was time to open a present. What a great surprise to find pajamas!!! Then we told the Christmas story with some puppets. The boys all wanted a turn being everything so we actually told the story a few times. :) We were all beat so it was easy to get the boys all tucked in bed kinda early!

Jaygen was the first to wake up Christmas morning and it wasn't early...oh it was so nice. We ended up having to wake up Pace and Briggs because Jaygen couldn't wait any longer.

Pace got just what he asked for...kinda...new cowboy boots and a barn. He wanted a real barn that was outside but he understood that Santa couldn't fit that in his sleigh.

Briggs could have cared less what Santa brought. He was just happy to be opening presents. His main present from Santa was a little powered 4-wheeler. Briggs was scared of it at first but by the end of the day he was riding it standing up and running into everything he could...what a stinker!! :)

Jaygen must have been a super, super good kid because he got just what he asked for...a DSi. He was soooo excited. I don't know how he even knows how to play it. Todd and I can't even hardly figure it out. Jaygen is having to teach us how to play the games...kids are too smart!!

Grandma and Grandpa Marshall stopped by with more presents and to eat breakfast with us. The boys each got a shirt (yes Pace's was a new cowboy shirt) and roller skates. Holy cow, the boys love the skates. They wore them all day and everyday since then. What a fun gift!

We had such a great Christmas! It was so nice to just be home and start our own traditions. I was kinda worried that by the end of the day we might be bored or want out of the house but we didn't. We actually never even got out of our pajamas. We just played with all the new toys, ate, ate, ate, and relaxed. I love my family so much and love spending time like this with them. I can't believe that another Christmas has come and gone, but it was absolutely wonderful while it was here!!!!

CHRISTMAS FUN!!!

My boys finally got a chance to sit on Santa's lap. We caught up with Santa here in Delta at IFA or as Pace calls it "the cowboy store"! Briggs was so funny. He walked very cautiously up to Santa, grabbed his candy cane, and then turned and ran away. He knows what it is really about...the candy! My camera wasn't cooperating with me so I didn't get pictures of the other boys with Santa, but Pace was supper brave. He walked right up to Santa, sat on his lap, and said loud and clear that he wanted new cowboy boots and a barn and that he had been a good boy! Pace always makes me laugh. Jaygen was really hesitant but he made his way up to Santa's lap too. He had the biggest smile on his face and told Santa really quiet that he wanted a DSi. Oh...Jaygen truly has the best smile ever...how could Santa ever tell him no?! The group shot!

To make this Santa visit even better, they were giving hay rides outside the "cowboy store". Pace was totally in heaven. The other boys had a way fun time too (including Todd)!

The other night we had our ward Christmas party. It was so much fun! The theme was "A Night in Bethlehem". We were suppose to go in costume so we found an old sheet and turned the boys into little shepards. They looked so cute! Todd was totally into it too. He grabbed a towel for his head...he looked so cute, ha ha!!

Eating on our blanket...there was no room in the Inn. (Nice smile Briggs!)

Then some of the ward members acted out the nativity story. My boys loved it all. This was such a good reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. It really got the boys asking questions and thinking about things. Especially since they got to dress up and be a part of things. It was great to get a break from all the hussle-bustle of Christmas and feel the real spirit of Christmas!

dEaR sAnTa...

Last night we decided we better get letters off to Santa, especially since the boys haven't seen him yet to tell him what they want for Christmas. Briggs of course doesn't really have a clue yet, which is a good thing...he will be happy with anything! Pace, oh Pace...all he wants for Christmas is new cowboy boots and a barn. Where did our little cowboy come from?! Then Jaygen...all along he has wanted a DSi...until now! He has wanted a DS for a couple years and we told him Santa doesn't give DS's until you are 6 years old. So the big year is finally here to get his dream gift, but now he told me he guesses he will just ask for a XBox instead...what? Well yea right, so with a little persuading he guesses that he will be happy with getting a DSi again. I hope so!!!Dear Santa...

Jaygen was able to write his own letter this year with a little help. I thought it was so cute he wanted to tell him he likes him a lot!!!

I hope the letter Santa writes back makes it very clear that they have got to stop all this whining they have been doing. I am so sick of it and I have made it very clear that Santa will not bring anything if they don't stop throwing their fits. Wow...what a mean mom!!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

For Thanksgiving we headed up to Island Park to spend the weekend with Todd's family. We hadn't been up there since two summers ago so the boys were pretty excited. The only thing about going this time of year is traveling in the snow. We had horrible roads going up and coming home...but it was worth it! It was just like a winter wonderland when we got there...snow and more snow! The boys had a great time playing with all their cousins! Most of our time there was spent playing outside in the snow...sledding and snowmobiling. Then there was Thanksgiving dinner. It was yummy just like it always is. Then after dinner we had the funnest game of rummy. Luckily I didn't have to do the dishes!! :) Our family!

Todd, Jaygen, Briggs going for a ride!

Isabell, Pace, Lillian, Jaygen, Briggs

The kids all had a blast getting pulled on the sleds by the 4-wheeler!

Jaygen had a blast building a jump with his cousin Spencer to ride the sleds down!

Briggs and Todd playing in the snow!

One of the best parts of the trip was that great-grandma Mullen got to come have dinner with us. She has always been so special to Todd. We hadn't seen her for about a year and a half so I was really glad to have another chance to see her and give her a hug! Pace is totally crying because he had to get his picture taken. He was actually a stinker this whole trip! :(

This picture is priceless...great-grandma Mullen and all the grandkids.

Spencer, James, Briggs, Parker, Jaygen, Isabell, great-grandma Mullen, Maddie, Audrey, Claire, Myles, Lillian, Pace...yes Pace is still crying

The boys made indian hats and the girls made pilgrim hats to wear at thanksgiving dinner...they looked so cute!


It was really good to see everyone and thanks to Jim and Mary for everything! We had a great time! The only thing that could have made this weekend better would be if grandpa Mullen would have shot one of the two spike elk that were standing only 40 yards from the truck...ha ha!!! :)

hApPy BiRtHdAy BrIgGs!!!

My baby turned two years old, and I can't hardly believe it!!!! Briggs is still suppose to be a baby...not running around playing football with his brothers! :) We have had a lot going on so we didn't have too big of a party. We just decorated with balloons, I made a cake, and we opened presents. Briggs had a great day!!! I found out that all Santa needs to bring Briggs for Christmas is balloons...he loves them. We had to beg him to open his presents because he didn't want to stop playing with the balloons. He finally let go of them long enough to open his presents and then he went right back to running around with his balloons...funny boy!

We gave Briggs his own football gear so he could play with Jaygen and Pace. We all know that Todd is a die hard Steelers fan (and Pace) but I convinced Todd that Briggs needed to wear another team so all the boys had different helmets. Todd finally gave in and decided it would be okay to wear the Colts. Don't worry Todd, we know you only hold a spot for the Steelers in your heart! :) Briggs was supper excited when he opened his presents and wanted to put his jersey right on. He loves football! MVP of the day...Briggs!

Of course the others boys had to run get their football stuff on too! Then they had a rough game of football.

Briggs has been having the funniest smiles lately. If you can't tell, he is excited about all his presents. Notice he is holding his very favorite...the balloons!

I made Briggs a football cake. Of course the older brothers had to help blow out the candle. Yes, Briggs still has a hold of those balloons!!! :)

The birthday boy!!

I can't imagine life without Briggs! He really keeps me going. He has got a great personality and we always have fun with him. He for sure has a mischievous side!!! You can always find him right in the middle of what ever comotion is going on and if there is trouble, he is probably the one that started it!! He sure has a sweet side too. Briggs gives the best hugs ever and is a great cuddler! He gets away with a lot because when he looks at you with those big, brown eyes it is really hard to get mad at him!

Likes: football (really kicking or throwing any ball), play tackle, binkie, blankets, mom (finally I get a momma's boy), coloring, playing with older brothers (bugging older brothers), Barney (yes, the big purple dinosaur), gogurts, suckers (or any candy)...he likes to eat

Dislikes: I really can't think of any...Briggs is good natured and up for anything! Oh there is one thing, being told 'NO".

Happy Birthday Briggs! I sure love you lots!!

DISNEY ON ICE!

Last week we had family pictures with my whole family. I think they turned out pretty cute and can't wait to see them. I am most excited about it because my brother drove up to be in them with us! I would sure love to have him around a lot more and give my boys a chance to know uncle Ben. I have made sure my boys know who he is but they don't know him in person. I sure miss ya Ben!

Ok, let me wipe my tears away and get on with this post! Since we were all together, we decided that we better get tickets for Disney on Ice that night. Grandma and grandpa Marshall thought it would be lots of fun to go with all the grandkids. We rode the train to the Energy Solutions Arena and the kids thought that was great! With all we had going on that day we arrived to the show 30 minutes late. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal except that my boys were most excited to see the Lion King, and that just happened to be first so we missed it! I couldn't believe it!!! Oh well, they enjoyed everything else and were ok. Grandpa Marshall, Braylee, Ty, aunt Mel, Treyson, Pace, Jaygen, Briggs and my cousin Tami and aunt Bev are tucked in the back

Pace was just happy to be there!

Briggs was killing me! He was clapping and singing along with all the songs. He didn't know the words and words weren't coming out, just noise...but it was so cute!!

Jaygen was literally out of his seat...I think he liked it! :)

Peter Pan was pretty neat!

...more Peter Pan!

Waving goodbye at the end of the show!

Ok so this is the best picture to end with... Delta football was playing this same night at the Rice Eccles Stadium in the semi-finals. You can imagine where Todd wanted to be. When we bought the tickets for Disney On Ice a month ago, we didn't know Delta would be playing this same night. The look on Todd's face says it all...sorry Todd!!!!

Winter Wonderland...kinda!!

It is an understatement to say that my boys are excited that it is kinda snowing. You would think it was their first time seeing snow! :) I guess there is nothing like the first snow storm of the year. The snow isn't even sticking to the ground yet but they had to hurry out and play in the snow...fun boys!!! Jaygen and Pace

At first Briggs just wanted to stand in the garage. He was probably wondering what the heck his older brothers were doing acting so crazy...or he might have been thinking he didn't want to get his curls wet...ha ha!

Then they were all off, running around playing in ALL the snow we have so far!!! I love weather like this. I just want to get comfy clothes on and curl up on the couch and watch a movie...maybe I will!

Trick-Or-Treat....

Well, it was time again to get the boys' costumes on so they could go trick-or-treating. They were so excited and wanted to head out trick-or-treating right after breakfast so I had to keep them really busy all day to help pass the time. Briggs was still sick but there was no way he was going to stay home. When Jaygen and Pace were getting their costumes on he wanted his on too! It had rained earlier in the day but thank goodness it stopped just in time to trick-or-treat.

Briggs was the cutest little boxer ever...black eye and all!

Jaygen was a tuff ninja turtle! The mask came off as soon as we left the house...but I don't blame him:)

Pace was the roughest, toughest bullrider in the west! :)

Poor little Pace had to walk around holding his pants up all night because his cowboy belt broke. I tried to get him to wear his belt that he wears to church but he informed me that cowboys don't wear church belts...ok Pace!

Briggs was killing me! He was eating his candy faster than he was getting it. Every time I turned around to see if he was coming, he was stopped digging in his bucket for more! :)

Once the sun went down it was COLD so we were totally ready to head home. When we got home, I of course picked out the candy I wanted in their buckets first thing...ha ha...and then we ate some pizza. We had a great Halloween!!!!