Christmas Cards

As I was trying to come up with a picture for our Christmas card I found that we did not have any of the whole family that I liked from the whole year. So I thought I will take some pictures of the kids. We all know that is easier said then done. First trying to get Ryan to LOOK at the camera is a chore in its self. Then trying to get my point and shoot camera to focus on the kids and not the lights on the tree was another. So out of the first group of pictures the one's that I liked were blurry. I just about gave up and was not going to do a Christmas card. Then Sunday came and we had the kids all dressed up nice for church and we thought we would try again. This time Steve was home and able to help. We still had the same problems, Ryan not looking and blurry pictures. But I think this time we got one. This is one of those things that stresses me out! But I love receiving Christmas cards so I figure if I want to get them I need to send them.

Lights

I love this time of year and all the fun things there is to do. I do have to say sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed with all there is to do. We took the kids to Temple square last week and had a fun time looking at all the pretty lights and nativities there.

Everyone was trying to take pictures by this tree so we thought we would give it a try. This is the best of the pictures we took. Can't see the lights and Jakob has a branch in his face!

Thanksgiving

We had a fun Thanksgiving this year. It was our turn to be with my family. My youngest sister was able to be there which made it even better.

I was able to spend a lot of time holding this precious little baby. I could not get enough of her.

These two had a lot of fun playing together.

The girls loved getting out all of Grandma's crafts. I love it too because the mess was not at my house!

This year we had our choice of 3 turkey's. One traditional, a smoked, and fried. All three were very yummy, even though they may not look so good.

Mason, Thomas, and goofy!

Todd, Kellie, and Becca

Lydia and Sara

Ryan and mommy

Natalie, Cade, Dustin, Nathan, Nickolas, Allison, Triston, and Amy

Laura and Doug

Tina, Emily, and Sophi

Mom and Dad

I'm so glad that we have a day set aside for us to reflect on the things we are thankful for. There are so many things I am thankful for I wouldn't know where to start. Well maybe I would start with how thankful I am for my family, the gospel, my Savior, and a Heavenly Father that gave me all that I have.

School Pictures

Can I just say I have some cute kids! I was very happy with my kids school pictures this year. I always get a little nervous when they bring home the pictures. I never know what I'm going to find when I open their picture packages. I was pleasantly surprised.

Halloween

It was another fun filled Halloween, and over to quickly. I had to work on the 30th and since that was the day Halloween was celebrated we got to dress up for the special occation. Try and guess what we were. No I did not keep the nose on all day. Only for the picture, then it came right off.

Buzz Lightyear

Zombie from the 80's

Baseball Zombie

The kids didn't get as much this year as they have in the past. Since they are not eating it until after New Year's they didn't have the drive to stay out as long.

Putting it away for 2 more months!

Steve's 39!

The week after my birthday Steve had his. It is fun to share the same birthday month and for one week we are the same age. His birthday celebration started out with dinner at his mom's.

The morning of Steve's birthday I got up and made him what else but banana muffins. This year I added chocolate chips. They turned out pretty good. After his muffin breakfast Steve was off to the dentist. He's done so well that last few years with no cavities. But this year he had 4 cavities and has to get a crown. So the fillings and crown are Steve's birthday present this year. Can't beat that!

I did go to Zupas and get us some lobster bisque for lunch. Steve didn't feel up to going out after sitting in the dentist chair for 2 hours.

We went out to the Pizza Factory for his birthday dinner. Of course I had the camera but forgot to take pictures.

I did remember to take one of him with his birthday Brownies!

Halloween Fun

The week before Halloween was a fun but crazy week. We had a lot of great activities to go to. It all started with our annual Niederhauser Halloween party. This year it was at Julie's. As always there was lots of good food and fun! Here we are the zombie family with Buzz Lightyear!

Ryan's preschool has all the kids carve pumpkins and put them out for all to see at the Syracuse City pumpkin walk. This was our first year going and it was well worth it. There was a little girl behind us counting the pumpkins, she counted over 900. There were some pretty amazing ones there.

Ryan wasn't so sure about what we were doing in the beginning because Jakob saw the Big Bad Wolf and I think Ryan thought we were doing something scary. Once we got to the pumpkins he had a blast.

They had a few Star Wars guys walking around as we were waiting.

McQueen.

Ryan had a Halloween party at school. I had to work that day so I was not able to help out. But they had a parade at the end and Steve was able to get a few shots of Buzz and his class.

We also had a ward party and school carnival the week of Halloween. I love all the fun things there are to do this time of the year. I know sometimes I wish time would slow down but I'm grateful for all the things we are able to do. And all the fun memories we are making.

Birthday

Another birthday has come and gone. At some point I'm going to have to come to terms with the fact that I will keep getting older and there is nothing I can do about it. I do have a great family that does a great job of spoiling me. They help soften the blow of getting another year older.

Steve woke up early and made me pumpkin chocolate chip muffins from scratch. They were so good.

The kids got me roses. One from each. I think they were the most beautiful roses I had ever seen. They also got me a bag of my favorite candies.

Ryan and Sara made me birthday cards.

Later that night after a yummy dinner that Steve made (chicken on the grill and corn on the cob) he made me brownies for my birthday cake. After all that cooking he even did all the dishes. There's not much more I could ask for. Even though my birthday was on a Sunday and we couldn't go anywhere they sure did a good job of making me feel loved.

Steve took the next day off work and we were able to go to Zupas for lunch. It's the birthday that just keeps on giving. I forgot to mention that my birthday present from Steve was going to see the Lion King.

Random Dancing!

What does random dancing have to do with this blog? Absolutely nothing. This is just post full of random pictures of the things we have done over the last month. I got the random dancing from my kids favorite TV show I-Carly. FYI.

Ryan is loving preschool. They have had some fun field trips the last couple of months. We went to a dairy farm for one and went to feed the ducks for another. Me being the great photographer I am only got a few pictures. In fact when we went to the dairy farm I forgot my camera and the pictures I got were with my phone. Thank goodness for technology!

Steve has a couple of friends that have birthday's all within a few days of each other at the end of October. So every year or most every year the go climbing to celebrate.


Ryan and I met up with my Niece Ashley and her 2 cute little boys at the Dinosaur park the other day. Ryan and James are just a few months apart and always have so much fun together. They were so cute walking through the park talking to each other about all the dinosaurs. The park was decorated for Halloween and at first Ryan was not so sure he wanted to go in there. Once we got past the entrance he had a blast.

My boy's favorite thing to do together.

We have this lilac bush that has taken over my flower bed next to my patio. I have wanted to move it forever and last week was the week. What a pain in the butt!

Three hours later here she sits. This area is a work in progress. It's not the prettiest sight right now but someday!

Jakob had to make a haunted house for school. It turned out pretty good with the help of daddy.

Jakob's teacher made her class submit a reflections project this year. Why I don't know. The theme was "Together we Can." He chose to do a poster of picture's he took showing things we can to do help the earth. We can turn off the video games and play outside, saving energy. We can drink from reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones. Ride your bikes or walk to school to save the gas from driving. Recycle your newspapers. Use CFL lights instead of the regular light bulbs. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth to save water.