Neighborhood sledding hill

Our neighbors that are in our ward offered to let our kids sled on the huge hill in their front yard. It's perfect because there are steps to walk up and it ends in a cul-de-sac without any traffic. They had a blast! Such a great way to spend a few hours of Christmas vacation.


Sister H. was sweet enough to bring out hot chocolate to warm us up! We had so much snow for the first week of break, but now it's almost all melted already. Now we're left with a very muddy backyard and the kids are dying for more snow.

All I want for Christmas is a snow blower

When building a house, one of the many decisions you have to make is where you want your driveway and how big it should be. My dad kept telling us, "The more concrete the better so you have less grass to water and mow." I don't think he took into account that the more concrete you have, the more you have to shovel and de-ice. I have spent hours over the last few days shoveling in front of our house. (Mark has been sick or at work, so the job fell to me). I feel like I need to clear the circle drive so that all of you who are planning on bringing us treats will be able to get through. You are bringing treats, right? Because with all the calories I've burned shoveling I think I deserve them!

P.S. Look! Our first icicles! Everything about this winter weather is exciting to us.

Did you know my dad sometimes looks like Neil Diamond?

This is for my family in hopes that Dad will wear his black turtleneck again on Christmas Eve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co95UshXloU

Some shameless bragging

So what's the point in having a blog if you can't show cute pics of your kids doing great things at school?
Here's Mallory at her choir concert. She's in the middle in the front (yes, the littlest one). What's up with the girl on the left with her hands over her face? I have several pictures of her doing that! Her parents must be so proud.



Here's Dallin getting an award for "compassion". That's his teacher Mr. Woolery (or as Kenzie calls him "Mr. Sheep"). He's a real cowboy when he's not teaching 2nd grade and every kid wants to be in his class.






Yeah, we think you're a character too, Dallin. I'm just glad that the season for going to the school every single day for a program or party or whatnot is finally coming to a close. Happy Christmas Break!

Happy Anniversary Mark!

So glad to see that we haven't changed a bit in 16 years. I just realized I have known you for more than half of my life now (and it's definitely been the better half). Love you!

You know you live in Idaho when...

this was the most fought after item at the christmas party white elephant gift exchange:

And yes, those are two little lights shining from the brim. Apparently Mark could think of all sorts of uses for this baby. Thanks Thurgoods!

Let it snow!

I know that come March we'll probably be really sick of it, but right now this is the most fun these kids have had in a long time! It does lead to some pretty red cheeks and ears, though:
And let's not talk about how much more time it takes to get the boys ready for school. Who's betting that all the gloves, hats and boots don't make it home this afternoon?

Otherwise known as "Yaki (not yucky) Tacos"

Want a great recipe for the holidays, or anytime? Click and see one of my best friends Emily do a cooking segment on KSL Studio 5. Way to go Em, you look great (and these tacos are the BEST)!

They named her "Mad"y for a reason

If ever you want to feel like your life is calm and somewhat under control just tune in to this show. Anybody watch the new episode Monday night? (I just saw it...thanks DVR). Mady and Cara decide to be "mommy for the day". Oh the screaming! The tantrums! The tears! The drama! I have never seen a child like Mady. She would require more patience than I could ever provide. Mark usually doesn't like to watch with me, but every once in a while I make him just so he can appreciate what a good wife I am. You think I'm mean? Just listen to how Kate belittles Jon on national T.V.! I have to give the Gosselins credit. I could never do all that they do (an entire day to switch out wardrobes each season? Egads!). And have you seen how clean her kitchen floor is? I can't keep up with that and I only have half as many kids. So I'll keep on watching, even though I sometimes end up with a headache afterwards. Besides, I can't wait to see what kind of teenager Mady turns out to be!

Just Keepin' it Cozy

In case you didn't know, Idaho is much colder than Phoenix. That includes inside your house, as well as out. Around here, we are never found without socks or slippers at all times (I think having wood floors is part of the reason too). Here are Brady's new favorites:

They were originally part of the Moyes Family Christmas Ensemble last year when we were all together for the holidays (thanks Mom!):


Somehow Brady has adopted them and wears them whenever he can. He even makes me put them by the front door so he can change into them (and pull them all the way up) as soon as he gets home from school.

We are also loving our new Cocoa-Latte hot chocolate machine. We use it several times a day to make hot cocoa or my favorite, caramel apple cider (just like Starbucks...not that I would ever buy anything from Starbucks, I've just heard ;)...) How are you all staying cozy this holiday season?

Dallin's Baptism

We had a great weekend with Dallin's baptism on Saturday. My sister Chelsea, her husband Nathan and my brother Trevor all drove up from BYU for the big event. It was so fun to have our first visitors! Chelsea and I had fun shopping and the guys spent too much time playing video games in the theater room (until the wee hours of the morning!) Thanks for coming everyone! Dallin was of course very serious about the whole baptism thing and is excited to have his first set of scriptures. Our bishop says a few things about the kids that are baptised in sacrament meeting. Apparently Dallin wants to be a professional basketball player when he grows up! Now if only we could find that darn basketball...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Here's our huge 12 foot tree. What was I thinking? You should have seen McKenzie and I trying to set this up when Mark wasn't home. We love it, though.

Decorating our gingerbread house (thank you Costco and Aunt Chelsea for helping)

After ten years of living in warmer climates we were so excited to wake up to this. I'm afraid the kids will be disappointed when they come home and it's all melted. Notice the new playset that Mark and the kids have spent every weekend for a month putting together. What a project!

Thanksgiving at Grandpa's House

We had a great time visiting with all of Mark's family this year. We hadn't been to Shelley for Thanksgiving since we were at BYU! Almost everyone was there except for a few nieces and nephews. I love seeing Mark laughing with his dad and brothers, they all like to tease each other(not surprising!)