Let the Holiday Festivities Begin!

Gavin played "Joy to the World" on the bells with the other students in his music class during a Christmas Sing-a-long that his teacher put on in her garage.

We visited the man in red.  Laynie kept her hands over her eyes the whole time.

Laynie has graduated from her high chair, but boy can this girl still make a mess!

I found this ornament on our tree and said, "Gavin!  I like the ornament you made."  He replied, "Thanks!  It's Brock."  (Brock is his best friend.)

Ward Christmas Party

We drove around looking at lights and found this beautiful tree in a cemetery.  We had to get out and look at all its beauty.

The First Real Snow Storm

And hot chocolate afterwards!

Family Photos 2016

I had a hair-brain idea to take family pictures with a self-timer and tri-pod.  But overall, I think it was worth it.  ;)  We all had fun - that is, all of us except Laynie!

Trimming the Tree

Gavin was anxious to put up the tree, so the day after Thanksgiving, we donned the fake pine needles with lights, ribbons, and ornaments.

I had 2 pair of glasses where you can see a snowflake or a snowman in every light.

Gavin was stunned.

Matt was intrigued.

Sittin' Pretty

The 12 Days of Christmas book

Decorating fun

Laynie loves to take the ornaments off the tree.

 We told Gavin that his star topping days will soon be over.  Littlest one (that's capable) gets to put on the star.  We think Laynie will be ready by next year.

We hung our stockings the next day.

November News

Welp.  Two things greatly monopolized my time and November came and went without a single post.  So, here's the November News catch-up:

Laynie making funny faces into Mommy's phone camera.

I gave Gavin an art set and showed him how to make an owl.  He then made his very own owl along with multiple other art drawings.  His fine motor skills are improving and he's starting to really like to draw.

Rub-a-dub-dub!

Met up with 2 of my Canadian Cousins for lunch at The Olive Garden. Mom, Aunt Dixie, Carly's hubby and kids, and Matt and kids were also there.

Afterward, we went to Carly's house on BYU campus and played games outside while the kids played on a playground.

Laynie has been drinking milk from a bowl these days.  Did I ever mention that she reminds me of a little kitten?  Drinking from a bowl only confirmed this.

Had dinner with my lovely Primary Presidency ladies.  Karlene got a stake calling which dissolved our presidency, so this was our last hurrah at Spanky's Subs.

Met up with Chelsea and kids at Discovery Gateway.  Laynie LOVED the water center.  And by love I mean she was drenched from belly to toes.  Had to run out to the car to get her an extra set of clothes.

We had Thanksgiving in Gunnison.  Just went down for the day.  Tyler took Carly, Thomas, Matt and me on a wild ride in his off-roading 5 passenger 4-wheeler.  I may have screamed the entire time.  Matt went shooting with the boys and I stayed and chatted with the girls.  Fun times.

Now.. the two things that occupied my time for the last month and a half?  1. Sinus Infection (of course) and 2. I agreed to illustrate a children's book in 1 month's time.  My friend, Julie Christensen, wrote a darling book for her grandchildren.  She's having it printed in book form and everything.  I drew the illustrations for it, and we feel it turned out darling!  We are waiting for it to get printed right now and can't wait to see it.

Having a Ball in the Fall

Gavin insisted on getting a picture in the grocery store's pumpkin display.  It's becoming a tradition.  ;)

To enjoy the nice fall weather, we went on a hike and explored nature.  I love the curiosity of kids.  Every little rock is amazing to them.

We flew kites on another perfect day.

And we went on a witch hunt at Gardner Village.

(We may have also spotted a Pokemon.)

Every morning at our house looks like this:

Gavin does his school work on the computer while Laynie watches along or colors.  We haven't missed a day yet.

Pumpkins!  Have I mentioned before that I'm not a pumpkin carver?  It kills me to spend money on something that will grow mold and be thrown away in 2 weeks' time.  But Matt and the kids love it - go figure!?  So I joined in happily and helped Laynie carve her pumpkin.  Look at their smiles.  I guess it was worth it...

We had our LDS Ward's Trunk or Treat.  It was fun seeing everyone in costume (for some reason, it doesn't bother me to spend money on costumes we'll only wear 1-2 times that year... Ha, ha!)

My good friend, Julie (aka Lucy), and Gavin's good friend, Brock (aka Charlie Brown).

The kids loved trunk or treating!

Gavin was star-struck when he saw Ash.  Seriously.  I wish you could have seen his reaction.

My Waldo.

My Wenda.

Then came the actual day of Halloween - the kids waited 'til 6pm to finally go trick or treating around the block.  Gavin really wanted to don one of his dress-up super hero costumes and I had purchased the Little Red Riding Hood costume for $2 at a yard sale, so I thought I'd better use it after all.

Little Red Riding Hood & the Big, Bad Hulk

Once again, Laynie was in candy heaven.

Bruce Banner thought so too.