Gingerbread Houses

Last week we went to Chad's parents house for our annual Gingerbread construction project. I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to it because it is always so messy with the kids. We usually have our house fall down (which it did this year), and it was hard to get the kids to do anything but eat it. It was so much better this time!! The kids had a blast, and we were able to fix our house after a small catastrophe. I am happy to report that our house is still standing, and looks like it might make it to Christmas this year!

Ward Christmas Party

I was asked in church if Grant could be the baby Jesus. I didn't mind, and then I was told that I would have to be Mary and Chad Joseph. I wasn't to excited about that part. Luckily the primary saved me, and just gave our family a narrative part. We had to be a family and Claire would ask questions about the Nativity, and then the primary would sing a song or act out a part. The best part was that all week I tried to get Owen to say a part and he wouldn't. But, when we were using the microphone, he wanted a chance. He finally got it when I wasn't paying attention and said something - it was quite funny.
Santa just walked into the room - Claire happy, Ellie, happy/scared, Owen - not really sure what to think.
Owen wasn't so sure about Santa. Chad had to carry him up on the stage, but after Claire took her turn, he couldn't be left out, or look scared, so he sat on his lap. The best part was that he told Santa he wanted a train. Santa gave him his bag of treats, and Owen got down and dumped the whole thing out. He looked up at me and told me that there wasn't a train in there. He then gave me the bag and wouldn't hold it because there was no train. After that we would ask him if he liked Santa and he would just say that he wanted a train. I don't think he quite understands yet, but hopefully on Christmas morning it will all make sense.
Grant was just tired at this point. It's not that he doesn't like the big guy, he just doesn't care!
Claire loved talking to Santa. She was very excited all day, and wasn't even scared a bit!! A big change from last year. She asked for Princess blocks this year - we'll see what happens.

Can't Get Enough!!

I just thought I would share how cute our little guy is getting. He loves to smile (when he isn't tired or hungry), and is getting so cute!!

We got our Christmas tree up for FHE this week. The kids absolutely had a ball with it, and were so fun to watch. Claire is becoming quite the little tree decorator and makes sure that she tells Owen how everything should be done. They are so much fun to watch this year. Owen gave up on putting ornaments on the tree pretty early on, but Claire lasted until the end. After we got the tree up we put the nativity out and talked about all the people. I just love how much they listen and soak up. They help me to get excited for Christmas.
Owen designated himself as the light tester. He loved to plug them in and make sure they all worked.
Grant loved watching Claire and Owen and loved the lights!

Chad helping Owen reach up high

So proud!!

Embarrassing!

I'm not usually one to share all my embarassing moments, but since this is my journal, and I'm sure you all need a little laugh - here goes.

I went to ISU to pick up my paycheck. I usually leave the kids in the car (don't judge!! - they don't want to come in anyways!), and run in . I'm usually out in like 2 minutes. Well, Grant was screaming so I decided to take him. He was being quite loud, and there are all of these college students, so I get my paycheck and decided to hurry out. Well, instead I tripped on Grant's blanket and knew I was going down. I only thought of protecting Grant, so I landed right on my elbow - I have a beautiful bruise to prove it. It was seriously so embarassing. The guy from behind the counter came out and said "mam - are you OK." I thought don't mam me!!! I swear he was older than me. Anyways, I ran out of there as fast as I could, and was so embarassed. I must admit that I must have fell pretty good because I was sore for quite a few days. Oh well, the joys of having children and protecting them more than yourself!

BSU Game

Living in Boise, you get a little bit of Boise State fever when it comes to football. It is not hard to catch, and very addictive. Thankfully my dad also has caught the fever, and the day after Thanksgiving he took us all to a game. We headed down to Boise in the morning, and made it in time for the game. They played Fresno, and seriously blew them out of the water. I think it was 61 to 13 (not positive!). My good friend Stephanie and her mom watched the kids for us so we could go. The best part was that my dad didn't decide until a little late that he wanted to go to the game, and since our neighbor is the ticket manager for ISU, he made a few phone calls and got us some tickets. Well, I looked at them and they said row BB. I figured that couldn't be to bad, B is close to the beginning of the alphabet - wrong!! The rows started at A and went to Z, then it went AA, BB, CC - Presidents box. Yes, we were at the top, but we could see great and were one the 50 yard line. You really didn't want to go down for any reason though. The best part is that Chad decided he wanted a hot chocolate, so he headed on down, he walked up the wrong section, had to walk down, then he came and sat down, took a drink and it was coffee. He had to go all the way back down, and then come back with his hot cocoa. I'm sure his legs were jello.

We all stayed the night in Boise and then went out to breakfast the next morning before we headed home. Thanks for the great time mom and dad!

Thanksgiving Recap

We headed to my parents for Thanksgiving this year. We ended up bringing our niece Lilly with us since my sister found out on the day we were leaving that she had to be put on bedrest and couldn't travel. We enjoyed having Lilly with us, and were just so grateful that she slept so well.

We were at my parents house for 3 days. We managed to cut down a Christmas tree. My mom laughed because we bundled the kids up in their snow clothes and headed out on the 4-wheelers (there was no snow in sight!!). But, it was cold, and we were so glad that they were bundled up. We found the perfect tree, and headed back home. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures. I took some with my mom's camera, so I should get some posted soon.

Thanksgiving was great. My Aunt Karen, Uncle Jim, Grandma and Grandpa Bock, my brother Roy and his family, J.R., and Amber were all there. We enjoyed each others company and had a great time. The kids loved playing with their cousins, and Owen was overjoyed to find out that his cousins own a GeoTrac (his ultimate all time favorite toy, and he doesn't even have one). He seriously played with that thing all the time!!

We were so grateful for the wonderful food, and many blessings we have, and are looking forward to the holiday season.