Sledding at "Boys Town"

Sledding at Grandma Dalley's house is always a blast! This year we headed out to the Sand Dunes to hit the big hills. As we approached the sledding hill I noticed the snow drifts forming. We all piled out of the car and realized that the famous Idaho wind had started to howl. Mitch and Zack made it up one time and we all got back in the car before we died of exposure!!

We decided to go back to "Boy's town" and see if we had better luck there.

It was fun to watch the kids get more and more brave. Little Caden was very very nervous. Betsy is such a good Mom and started going down the hill to show him it was okay. I got to use my new zoom lens and take pictures--until my fingers were about frozen!!

While we were there another family came to sled-as they were getting out of the car I realized that it was my cousin Kassie and her little kids! Emily and Samantha had a ball sledding together.

Mitch and Zack kept trying to make trains but seemed to crash every time. Justin was a little die hard! He climbed up that hill over and over. He kept turning backwards on the saucer so he never knew when he was going to hit the little jump--and then fly and crash! He got up laughing every single time!

We are always trying to get good family shots. This is the first year with baby Bentley. Weird to think that sweet baby Christa is a Momma. He is such a sweet little tiny thing!

The LeCheminant's

Christa, James, and Baby Bentley

The Carrigan family wasn't too excited about their family shot. Justin was nowhere to be found-at least not willing to stand for a picture!!

In the glow

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the tree lit up in the dark! This year our little tree greeted me every morning at 4:30 am on my way to the gym. I would look at it and enjoy those little glowing lights.

As another Christmas and year fade into the recesses of memory I hope that I can remember those sweet moments of the season. It seems that some years are harder than others for varying reasons. 2010 seemed to be one of those years. However, there were blessings. There were moments of joy. One fact that I am grateful for is my knowledge of my Savior. Christmas gets really crazy with four children. It is easy to get wrapped up in the chaos. In those quiet moments in the glow of our little tree I am glad I have this knowledge.

Christmas Morning 2010

Santa Arrived!! During the night of Santa's visit he and his Elves moved our Christmas tree into the family room! It must have occurred to Santa that the piano room isn't big enough for a tree, presents and six people! There also isn't a chair for Daddy to rock in!

Justin was so excited about his Star War lego sets. He is quite the builder.

Ashley and Mitch were struggling being awake-Ashley said that her room is NOT the sleepover room ever again! Emily and Justin Started asking if it was time every half hour at 2:30am!

There always seems to be a crazy mess! I hope we didn't lose anyone in there!

"All I Want!"

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

This cute little guy lost both his front teeth within two days! The second tooth he lost on the day Mom and Dad went to Boise. He dropped his little tooth box in the snow and lost it. He was heartbroken! How would the tooth fairy ever know? Lucky for Justin after everyone came home the tooth fairy found out about his tooth!

I just need to smooch on that little toothless face constantly!

Christmas Eve 2010

New Christmas P.J's!

For Christmas Eve we almost always go to Grandma Janet's house for clam chowder. Before that we let the kids open a present--it is always new pajamas!

This year we really wanted the kids to give gifts to each other. We haven't always done this. We began a new tradition of opening the gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. This way it won't get lost in the shuffle on Christmas morning. Justin and Emily really got into buying their gifts. They really really thought about their purchases. They both used their own money--Justin's coming from losing his teeth! We went to the little dollar store and he really thought about his gifts. A necklace for Ashley, a porcelain doll for Emily and some safety goggles for Mitch(so he could use them with his air soft guns). Even though he only spent a few dollars I think that his little heart was totally in the right place. Hopefully, they will get better at really thinking of others and understand how good it is to give! Emily really thought about her gifts as well. She went all out for Justin, buying him a great pirate outfit. She got Ash a necklace and Mitch some Dr. Pepper--his favorite.

Christmas Eve we also let them open one other gift. It was Just Dance 2 for the Wii. It was hysterical to watch the kids trying to "karaoke dance" to the image on the screen! They must have danced for two hours--maybe more! After the two little kids went to bed Ashley and Mitch sat around showing Dad funny youtube videos. It was after 1:00am before they went to bed. It was a fun Christmas Eve.

Ward Christmas Party

When we were getting ready to leave for the church Christmas party Justin became very serious, "Mom, I need to put my suit on, to look nice for the program." Ok, my little man! He certainly was a mighty fine dressed young man right there on the front row!!

Father Christmas came to talk with the children. He visited with them and then gave them a sack of treats with an orange in the sack! The kids all thought that was great. I remember when we used to have an orange in the bottom of our stocking!

While we were waiting to eat dinner Justin pulled out his front tooth! Just in time for Christmas! The tooth fairy was one tricky gal! She hides that money so well that usually Mom has to go in to help find it!

Grandma Dalley's Christmas Box

My children look forward to "Grandma's Christmas box!" It is a tradition that she has done for years. At the beginning of December Grandma Dalley sends a special Christmas box. In it are special ornaments. My children know with anticipation that these special ornaments will be angels for the girls and Santas for the boys. All the children are amassing quite a collection. We could have a separate tree decorated with only Santas and one with only Angels. This is a tradition that I hope will continue for many many more years!

Our "Polar Express Trip!"

At the beginning of December we went to Heber, Utah and took a train ride on the "North Pole Express!" It was such a fun night. We knew that we needed to go this year or Emily would be too big to love it. Justin was so excited!


One of Justin's favorite things to do in the whole world is sit next to his Daddy!

Justin and Em were all dressed in their jamma's---Justin even had on his robe--with no hole in his pocket-we checked!

As we headed toward the North Pole Justin watched out the window. We looked and looked for the reindeer. As we came around the lake it wasn't frozen over. Which explained why we were not driving ON the ice. Justin noticed the lights far off in the distance. He told me, "Mom, that is the Elf Village over there". I just started to tear up.

After the children were given hot chocolate and a cookie a special surprise--Mrs. Claus! She came by and spoke to all the children. She told them how proud Santa was of them for being such wonderful children.

Then we passed the North Pole! Santa was there waving. Santa then got on the train and came and visited with every single child. He gave them a special little gift-a little wooden top! Emily wasn't feeling well at this point so she didn't sit on his lap.
Justin asked Santa for some Star Wars legos!

After Santa left we sang Christmas Carols. I had one of those "Mother Moments" when I could hardly contain my emotions. As I tried to sing the songs I kept looking at these two little ones and just felt such love for them. I am so glad that we got to go and have this experience with them. The sheer joy and excitement that they felt could almost be touched. I know that they will treasure this experience forever. I know that I will!

We got silver bells for all the children so that they could always remember to "Believe."

Getting our 2010 Christmas Tree

While is was still November we made our annual trek to get our fresh Christmas tree. We have had a fresh tree forever. It has become a ritual for Dave and I. The little kids still love it, the big kids-not so much. However, this year I told Ashley that she had to come with us because it might possibly be the very last time that she ever goes with us to cut down our tree. She balked but in the end was the one that found our lovely little tree.

We go to a local tree farm that has been owned by this elderly gentleman for years. He is only open a few days now, if can't get there you are out of luck! We didn't go to Idaho so we were in town!

Emily helped Mitch with cutting duties and Justin helped with his cuteness! Mom has to remind everyone that we can't have a massive tree. We have to use my shortness to actually make sure we don't get more tree than our house can handle!!

We were sad when we realized that Mr. Knapp was not well enough to run the farm this year.

In the end we brought home a darling little tree.