Christmas Christmas All Around

We have a tradition in our house to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving because Troy has the day off and I can almost guarantee that he is going to be in town. I don't have any other day I can say that about. I wait until after thanksgiving to do anything Christmas (except shopping of course!) so it is exciting to get to hear our favorite old Christmas music and finally listen to any new music we didn't have last year. Here is our living room before the Christmas makeover. I always take a couple of pictures of the process. Troy sets up the tree and the kids and I take over from there!

The Tree decorated in all its glory! I know that most people have the perfect Christmas tree with ornaments perfectly placed and all in matching and coordinated colors. I like to see the ornaments that the kids have made me over the years and let them see how they have grown. It is what we in my family like to call a memory tree.

The Piano

The side table/sewing machine. ;-]

This is mine and Troy's first ornament. It has been hanging on the Christmas tree at our house for 14 years now. (ahhhhh!)

I thought this was a cute picture because you can see me and Owen in the ornament. I have the camera in my hand (obviously!) and Owen is holding a red ornament in his.

Morgan's Birthday Party

This year for Morgan's birthday I went bigger then I usually do but I was so excited! We had my sister Kara and her family, Troy's sister Pepper and her family and Troy's Dad Mike and his wife Cynthia over for dinner. We started with my eatable center piece. I made these chocolates. They were bats and witches and ghosts and vampires etc. I made mummy dogs for the kids to eat and Potato chowder that I served in pumpkin bread bowls. We had slimey lime slush with spiders already making them selves at home. We made candy necklaces and the kids loved them! The cake Morgan designed herself and we ordered special for her. (I am no longer cool enough to make the cake :-[ ) Everyone left with a goody bag of homemade chocolates. The perfect ending!

I think she had a blast and enjoyed her birthday party. I just love having her. I thank my heavenly father everyday that I am lucky enough to have her as my daughter.

I love you Morgan!!! Happy Birthday!!!!

Family Pictures and Trick or Treating

This year Halloween fell on a Sunday and if you live in Utah you know that means that trick or treating happens the day before. Well that year that included a lot more then trick or treating that day!

We started the day with family pictures with Troy's family. They turned out so cute! I am so thankful to Kelli for making sure that we all looked fabulous! Also Kelli and I made all the skirts for the girls and I think they turned out amazing! This is my new favorite picture of my kids!

After family pictures we all met at Chick Fil A to celebrate Morgan and Grandpa Beardall's Birthdays.

Then it was time for Trick or Treating. We started out with Grandma and Grandpa Beardall it was rainy and wet but it didn't phase the kids one bit.We ended with Grandpa Mike. The kids got enough candy to feed a small army!