More Christmas Pictures

The Kinghorn Nativity, complete with all the chaos of most family nativities.

Karlee the wise man

New Christmas Eve pj's.  They are definitely our princesses.

We had to wake Jake up to open his.  Once he saw they had footballs on them he was very excited.

Layne oohing at his new watch Christmas morning.

Kayci all decked out in her Dora gear!

Karlee got her much anticipated American Girl doll, Elizabeth.  Layne made an awesome bed for her!

Abby showing off the new trellis swing Layne made for Kit.  It was quite the project.

Jake opening his new Batman car.  He loved his Batman toys.

I'm very excited about my new towels!

 

Great Grandpa Kinghorn came for breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Kinghorn.  We love having him here.

 

The kids with Grandpa's and Grandma.  It was a very fun Christmas morning!

 

We had lunch at Holly's on Christmas afternoon.  The kids loved opening their presents from each other.  They were all smiles.

 

Me and my amazing mom and sisters!  I sure do love them.

Wonderful December!

Karlee playing Jingle Bells at Aunt Linda's

She has a hard time holding her feet still when she gets excited

Abby showing off with Greensleeves

You would think Kayci is actually playing something here.

She had to have her turn, too!

Karlee dressed up for the Christmas recital.

Abby taking her turn at the recital.

She's an old pro now!

Karlee's all smiles in her new tutu from Holly.  Happy Birthday my drama queen!

Karlee was so excited to get a new CD player.  The old one in her room hasn't worked for some time.

Carrying in the cake and trying not to let Jake blow out the candles.

I'm not too proud of this cake, but Karlee thought I was an amazing artist.

It's supposed to be a Barbie cake but we couldn't find a pan for one so I improvised.

Everybody brought Holly 30 of something for her 30th party.  She got everything from cupcakes to scrapbook paper and pop to money.  It was a pretty good birthday.

Blowing out the 30 trick candles Jared put on the cake.  We filled the room with smoke!

The girls at the live nativity outside of Rexburg.  We got to go with Grandma and Grandpa Kinghorn.

Jake loved the little lamb.  The family who put on the nativity did a great job and even gave everyone who came homemade donuts and hot chocolate.  It was a special evening for all of us.

It has been a wonderful holiday for our family.  We really enjoyed a lot of fun get togethers and family time.  We started out our month right off with my Peterson family Christmas party.  I however forgot my camera on several of these gatherings.  My Peterson party was with my Grandma, my aunts and uncles, cousins, and all the great grandchildren.  It was fun to be them.  My grandma is just as cute as ever and has all the energy in the world.  The following week we had a family part at Layne's Aunt Linda's in Rexburg.  There was lots of food complete with the kids showing off some of their musical talents.  At the end of the week we had my Clayton family Christmas party.  I again forgot my camera!  We love my getting together for my grandma's homemade bread and soup.  She goes all out for us.  She and my grandpa are so supportive and concerned with what goes on in our lives.  I'm so thankful they are so healthy. 
The next week was a whirlwind from piano recitals to work parties and birthdays - we did it all.  Karlee celebrated her 6th birthday by going to gymnastics (life really does have to go on even when it's your birthday).  Afterward we had my family all over for cake and ice cream.  They are so supportive.  It doesn't matter how many grandkids we keep adding, my amazing sisters and parents are always there for them.  The most exciting part of the night was power going out while everyone was here.  Layne rushed around and found enough flashlights for all the kids and they continued to play in the dark.  Karlee was a little disappointed, however, but soon realized it was kind of cool to have your birthday in the dark. 
The following day Layne and I were able to go to his work party on campus.  We are truly blessed to be at such a wonderful place.  Our week finished off with my sister Holly's surprise 30th birthday party.  Her husband and friend planned the whole thing and she didn't have a clue.  The girls and I went to the new Princess and the Frog movie with Holly, Heidi, and Andy earlier in the day and it was all I could do to not let it slip about the party that night.  It turned out really great.  I love her to death!  She is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without her.
Once we made it through our crazy week, the kids got out of school and we had a really fun Christmas week.  Christmas Eve we had a fun party at Layne's brother Brian's with all the breakfast fixins for dinner.  The kids put on the nativity for us all and we just really enjoyed being together.  Christmas day was busy but wonderful and by that night we were ready to crash. 
I am so thankful to be blessed with an amazing husband, beautiful, healthy children, and a testimony that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be happy.  I couldn't ask for more. 

My Baby Turns Two!

Jake blowing out the candles.

Jake's big cheesy smile comes out any time the camera does.  He loved his new football from Grandma and Grandpa Reed!

The girls got his presents all wrapped so he could open them before going to get trees. 

There's that smile again!

Jake sledding with cousin Cole in Island Park.  Jake loved Cole's crazy hat.

Kayci waiting for her turn down the hill.

Karlee decided to sled on her face instead of in the sled!

Abby and cousing Sam getting ready to head down the hill.

Layne and brother Matt, the mighty tree hunters.  We love going to get trees with Matt and Liz!

It is hard to believe that two years ago we finally added a baby boy to our growing family of girls.  Now he is an adorable little boy that brings so much joy and happiness to our family.  For his birthday we headed up to Island Park for our annual trip to get Christmas trees.  We haven't missed a year since Layne and I were married 11 years ago.  The kids love to sled and play in the snow while Layne looks for a tree.  The past several years he has had to hike farther and farther up the mountain to find a suitable tree.  We may not always have the best tree, but we really enjoy the experience.  On our way home we stopped at Grandma Kinghorn's for soup and cake and ice cream with lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles.  It was a fun day for all of us but Jake especially enjoyed the attention.  We love you Jake!

Happy Thanksgiving

The pilgrims and indians smiling after their big performance.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I truly look forward to spending time with family. This Thanksgiving was no exception.  This year we were at my mom's for Thanksgiving.  We had great food, as always, enjoyed the company of my wonderful sisters and parents, and were even entertained by the kids.  For weeks Abby had been planning some big surpise for Thanksgiving.  The day before, she and Karlee (with the help of Layne) spent all day making hats for the big surprise.  They spent all afternoon "practicing" their big surprise.  Then on Thanksgiving they assigned all the kids a part and proceeded to put on a Thanksgiving play.  The only kink in their plans was that my nephew Trey didn't want to be Miles Standish, he wanted to be Batman.  Abby worked him in no problem.  It was really very cute.  I am so blessed with wonderful family and am so thankful I can live so close to all of them. 

Happy #4 Kayci!

Kayci had to open her presents right when she woke up.  Still all smiles!

She wanted a Dora cake so I made this out of the Strawberry Shortcake mold.  Not bad!

The cute tutu Holly made her for her birthday.

Kayci opening a birthday card.  She got $20 and couldn't wait to go spend it.  She bought a Dora shopping cart that now Jake won't leave alone!

Kayci and Grandma blowing out the candles.

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids.  We're so lucky to all be so close!

Our little Kayci has turned 4!  And despite her tiny size, she packs a huge punch.  She can do anything the girls can do and thus spends quite a bit of time healing from battle wounds.  Kayci is fortunate enough to have a birthday just one day before her Grandma Reed and so a lot of time their birthdays get celebrated together.  This year we had a family home evening celebration for the two of them at our house.  It was a lot of fun for everyone.  On her actual birthday, Kayci and the rest of the family got to come to a play I was in at our church.  It was very nice to have them all there and Kayci didn't miss an opportunity to tell people it was her birthday.  We sure do love you Kayci!

Abby's Firetruck Ride!

The firetruck pulled up and we all stood on the steps in our p.j's to watch.

Abby climbing on board the fire truck!

A couple of weeks ago the 3rd graders at Abby's school got to spend some time learning about fire safety.  As part of their activities, there was a coloring contest.  The winners of the contest got to be picked up by the fire department and driven to school one morning.  Abby and three other kids from the entire 3rd grade won!  At first she wasn't really excited about riding in the fire truck to school, but when the morning finally came, I think she thought it was pretty cool.  They pulled up in our driveway all dressed in their fire gear and loaded her up then turned on the lights and sirens as they pulled away.  The other kids thought it was awesome.  Abby was more concerned about getting to school on time than anything. 

The week after they learned about fire safety they had drug free week and this time they had a drawing contest which Abby really wanted to win.  She drew a really cool picture of her all grown up as an artist.  The picture said how she was able to be an artist because she had been drug free.  She was fortunate enought to win and was super excited about that, too.  Way to go Abbs!  Karlee was feeling a little left out until she came home and told us she was student of the month for September and she had also won the award for best handwriting.  Not a bad first few months of school around our house!  We sure are proud of you, girls!

A Little Too Much Halloween

The kids all dressed up and ready to hit the town!

Showing off their FHE pumpkins.

Expeliarmus, Hermione!

Karlee all dolled up as Minnie Mouse!

Kayci as beautiful Belle!

Our ferocious lion!  Jake would only wear his mane if Layne wore his hat, too.

Abby, Andy, Karlee, and Kayci posing at the school carnival.

Hermione and the Lumberjack ready for their date!

Abby and best friend Brylei casting their spells at the costume party.

I usually really enjoy Halloween, but after dressing everyone up for the 5th time, it kind of started to lose its excitement.  However, the kids loved every minute of it.  We started out the beginning of the month with a Halloween FHE at my mom's with my sisters and their families.  We played games and ate and just had a really good time.  I really look forward to FHE with my family.  Next we dressed Abby and Layne up for her Daddy/Daughter costume party for Achievement Days.  They had a blast carving pumpkins and eating a delicious dinner together.  The same week our ward had their trunk or treat, so we dressed everyone up again and headed over for a fun night with our ward members.  It didn't take Jake long to figure out how trick or treating really worked.  After the first two or three people handed him a treat, he stopped waiting in line and just dove right in to the candy.  The next week we took the kids to the carnival at Karlee and Abby's school.  It was absolutely insane, but the kids had fun playing games and seeing their school friends.  Finally, on Halloween Layne and I had Stake Conference to go to, so we dressed up the kids, took them to visit my sister and then over to my mom's where they stayed for the evening.  It really was a fun "month of Halloween" and the kids are already talking about what they are going to be next year.