A day at the ranch

My friend Kelly has a ranch about an hour away with 35-40 miniature horses (smaller than ponies) and about 5 full-size. We went out over Christmas break to see them. Brooklyn has started taking riding lessons (on the big ones of course) from Kelly's daughter.

These are frozen images from the video footage.

I Believe in Santa!

The girls informed us that Santa came when they saw the living room like this.

We had to drag Zack out of bed.

Let the fun begin!!! Brooklyn saw her new American Girl Doll, Elizabeth. The girls had been saving every penny for months to buy an AG doll... they almost had enough... then Santa came!

Makenna and Felicity

Zack spent the past few months seeing any toy commercial and saying, "I want that, I want that, I want that!!!" But he really wanted the Batcave.

Tanner just likes to eat everything. The aftermath

Tanner is a party pooper!

Last time at Seaworld

Josh's parents were able to sneak away from Utah for a few days during Christmas... We all had passes to Seaworld... so we spent one of the days there!

Dear Santa,

...define GOOD!

Piano Recital

The girls and Dana (their piano teacher and one of their favorite babysitters) after the recital. They have been taking lessons for about three months... and they love it! Thanks for all your hard work Dana!

Barlow Spa & Hotel

The girls had been asking if they could do some "spa" treatments from their American Girl book... so we had a sleepover with some friends and they did hair, facials, nails and makeup... super cute!This is their welcome sign to their friends Brooklyn giving Emily a facial with oatmeal and yogurt.
The girls getting the salon ready.

Trottin with the Turkeys

Does two in a row mean this is an annual event?? Melissa, Julie and me before our Thanksgiving Day 10k run (or trot... definitely not a gallop!)

Family Pictures

We needed to take some family pictures for Josh's parents' Christmas card... one Sunday we seemed to all be close to the same color palette so our good friend, Melissa took some for us. Zack was super grumpy and Tanner wasn't quite old enough to smile and look at the camera... but it is what it is!

Johnny Jumper

Remember this thing from the 80s? We have had it since Brooklyn was a baby but none of the kids have liked it much... so before sending it to Salvation Army... we thought to put TT in it... he has his own little party every time!

Disney Days...

... must come to an end. Our annual passes expired the end of November... these are photos of the kids living up the last couple of times.

3-D glasses for the Toy Story ride The girls trying to beat Josh in the Toy Story competition
Mom & Brooklyn on California Screamin... Brooklyn is finally tall enough!

Girls outside of It's a Small World

All decked out for Christmas

Makenna and her friend Emily

So Big

First rice cereal

Does it really make them sleep better?

BOO

For Halloween this year... we took a journey to Neverland and dressed up as Peter Pan characters. I couldn't find patterns/costumes for most... so I ended up making all but Tinkerbell's costume. Heres' the group photo at Josh's work (they have trick or treating every year for the kids)
Mr. Smee and Peter Pan at Zack's parade

Tink sitting at her parade

Captain Hook and his right hand man, Smee

Wendy getting ready for flight

Kids at the trunk or treat at church

Wendy and Tink... friends at last! (and Josh and Makenna's jack o lanterns)

Birthday Bash

My Gram will turn 85 later this month and her twin brother and sister turned 80 in October... so we had big birthday party/family reunion in Santa Cruz. My extended family has always been close and I have always attributed it to my grandma (the oldest of the 5 kids) being a peacemaker. All of my dad's cousins made it to the party weekend from across the country. It was so much fun to see everyone!

Gram (right), Aunt Lu (middle), Uncle Buck (left)Donna and me... and Tanner. Donna (my dad's cousin) was my nanny when I was about 2 or 3 until she got married. I was a flower girl in her wedding. She has always had a special place in my heart. It was a blast to see her and all her kids... and her new little grandbaby!

Little Tanner...

... is getting so big so fast! Perfect place for the chef's helper!I thought this was so cute... he fell asleep (a rare occasion) in the car while playing with his toys.
"My new favorite face to make!"

He is a sweet, smiley, talkative, cuddly little guy! We sure love having a baby in the house again!

San Diego

We had a chance to spend the weekend in San Diego for the BYU v. San Diego State game. We had a fun little getaway. Tanner at Sea World. Gotta love Shamu!No trip to San Diego is complete without seeing Dieter!

Brooklyn and Jerett and Mikelle (two of my BYU roommate's (Kate) kiddos.... they came from Nevada for the game)

Tanner at the game... unfortunately I had to put this girly hat on him... we were in the sun for most of the game.

Post-game smiles! Obviously BYU won :)