Is this dog cute or what?  I mean seriously....what dog do you know would put up with a foofy tutu around him??  No, I don't think he was very happy BUT I just had to do it!

Christmas Eve we went 4 wheeling.  How fun is that?  I don't know what my deal is.  I mean on holiday's I like to have 'traditions'.  Well this year we had so many new 'traditions' I don't know if I will remember all of them to do next year.  It seems as though anything we do around holidays, if it is fun I want to do it again around the same holiday next year and name it our 'tradition'. :) cheesy I know.  But fun.  I mean that is what I remember from when I was a kid is all of the 'traditions'.  Some of them not even real traditions but non the less it was done around a holiday, it was fun, maybe we did it two years in a row....I shall name it a 'tradition'!  Silly I know.

This year was perfect.  We had not had much snow up until then.  And one night we were watching 'A Christmas Story' as a family and the kids said that's not fair why is it always snowing?  It is snowing everyday there.  Well I think that goes to show, yes there is not much reality when my kids watch tv.  They don't understand it is staged...?  Oh well, Right after we watched that it seems the following week was Christmas and this year it Snowed almost EVERY DAY BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS!!!  We.Loved.It.  I love it so much and it was so snowy and cold we just hung out at home and only left when absolutely necessary.  Yes, I know weird.  As when I was growing up it was all about hustle and bustle.  Gregg well he has taught me to definitely slow down, while I don't like to slow down all the time.  It is nice every now and then.....sheesh what a ramble.

Back to the 4 wheeling.  We went on Christmas eve and it was a blast.  It was snowing and cold and fun!  I had a blast flying around on the 4 wheeler and I think I just about scared the boys by jumping in the air.  They seemed to hold on to my waist a little bit tighter after a few of those jumps!  How much fun!  I love that the dog comes with us too.  He is hilarious.  Oh, and one more thing....talk about a Christmas miracle for Jaxon.  So it was probably the week before we went and it was cold but not snowing.  So the boys wore their gloves of course.  Well we happen to have a very forgetful boy who could loose just about anything.  Well said boy lost ONE of his $60 gloves.....mind you this was his 3rd pair.  (I keep praying one of these times it will kick in and he will be responsible so I keep giving in).  Today we drove up to the same area we usually do and wouldn't you know it the ground was covered in snow.  I was so angry about that lost glove I didn't know what to say/do.  But as HIS miracle would have it we drove right over that glove and uncovered it from the snow and Gregg got out of the truck and found it.  Seriously. What. Are. The. Odds?  He was some lucky boy!  Mom didn't kill him on Christmas Eve! :)

Christmas Eve Party

Christmas eve is spent with the Petersen's.  While this was a magical Christmas eve, as it was filled with falling snow most of the day, we were lucky enough to host the Christmas eve party.  As you can see not many of the Petersen's take anything seriously!  I was so excited to host.  We had a fabulous dinner with Chicken cordon bleu, scalloped potatoes, homemade rolls steamed veggies, Christmas candy and a dessert bar filled with delicious desserts! YUMMY!

Most of all it was filled with family which is most important.  What is more important at Christmas time than spending time with family enjoying each others company and sharing in the spirit of the season.  I am so glad we keep this tradition alive.

They do love eachother.....

so every now and then (especially when they have been off track for a while), I wonder to myself...where did I go wrong.  I mean I love my boys, my family and I think I show them respect.  Where did they learn and why do they constantly fight?!  Then it is times like these when I peek in on them making sure they are going to bed that I find them reading to each other.  How sweet!  All of my guys LOVE Star Wars and honestly, I don't know if this was more for Jaxon or Zeke.  I really don't think it matters.  Zeke picked this book out at the library that has alternate endings called 'choose your destiny'.  Somehow for certain boys that just has a ring that sounds glorious to them I'm sure.  'Choose your destiny' I mean come on, who doesn't want to choose their own destiny right?  Well when Jaxon was younger he found these books and read and re-read them hundreds possibly thousands of times.  They are a bit under his level now and when Zeke picked it up and brought it home I think that gave Jaxon free game to read it again!  So tonight Jaxon lovingly said hey bud I will read that star wars book to you tonight!  OK! Said Zeke!  they jumped in bed together and away they went.  Its nights like these that I honestly don't care how long they stayed up!  Yes, Remember today and I pray that there are many more of these to come or to simply remember! 

4 Wheeling Fun

Wheeling in the snow....How fun!  I have never been before and I will definitely go again!  Oh the boys love it and it is just a great time!  We end up lasting about 2 hours and its about a 15 min drive out to Baccus Highway!  It is a perfect spot too!  There are jumps, whoops, and burms all over!  I totally jumped and got air!  OH I THINK I'M HOOKED!  Jaxon is working on shifting properly and Kaden is just out for a ride.  He is so funny.  Kaden likes to make sure and check in at the truck every 10 minutes or so.  Just a quick drive by to let us know he is doing great and having fun!  He is such a sweet guy!  Jaxon takes it serious and just thinks he is all that.  Zeke drove the Predator for the first time this time by himself! It was awesome.  He did great. He figured it all out on his own.  Gregg gave him a little instruction and off he went.  I was a little nervous a few times he came flying by the truck but he did awesome!  He is such a little stud!  Ella! What can I say, she asks to be the first one out almost every time! A quick little run with Dad and she is good to go!  I do have to say she did not LOVE the snow falling.  But she certainly loves the rides!

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a 

Happy New Year!

We just love our shouty and pouty faced boys!!!
Jaxon (12), Kaden (9), Zeke (5) and Ella (2)
Gregg (too old), Carrie (man she looks too young to have all those children....come on! :) )

A Visit with Santa

A visit with the big man!

This year my sister turned me on to 'The shops @ Riverwoods' in Provo....Now I know Provo...?! What the crap?  Yes, we ventured into cougarville for this special trip! :) We are glad we did.  It was like hitting 4 birds with one stone!  We saw Santa, we saw lights, we saw Adorable Gingerbread houses, and we got a Carriage ride!  It was great.  We had a lot of fun. Seeing how it was outside it was great verses the indoor Mall Santas.  And since my dearly loved Santa @ the South Towne Mall has gone MIA (I really hope he didn't pass away) my love for the mall Santa's has been shaken, this one has turned into quite a great substitute.  AND since our outings seem to revolve around food for my guys it didn't hurt that there was a Kneaders right in the same parking lot!  WOOT!  what fun! It was such a great way to start our December/Christmas outings!  There was even a fresh dusting of snow to set the mood.....OH I just love this time of year!  Oh ya, Kaden will totally be on board next year as I am almost certain he feels as though he hit the mother load with all of the above mentioned (especially Kneaders--he is such a pig)  PLUS  he found a $5 bill on the ground!  What luck!  I almost made him buy everyone treats at Kneaders! :)  I just don't know what it is about this time of the year.  I am almost certain it is the fond memories from my childhood I love to try to give to my children.  Oh the magic and wonder, the happy family time, the warmth of a yummy cup of cocoa and the beautiful snow we get!  Ah! Just perfect.