Goodbye 2013!

Oh my goodness has this year come to an end already?!? This has been a HUGE year for our family. First we found out we were moving to Iowa, then Brigg and Brooks joined the family. Cody went house shopping alone and picked out the perfect house for us. Rilyn graduated from Kindergarten and started 1st grade (in 3 different states let alone schools!). Casen started preschool. Cody graduated from Med School! Man I thought for sure we would be in school forever! Cody started residency. Another big deal because I thought for sure we were never going to see a paycheck ever again! We moved into our first home. It is so AMAZING to know that the house I live in belongs to me! This year has been amazing to us. Sure we've had our rough spots and adjustments, like sleepless nights and a husband who has to practically live at the hospital. I am so excited to see what next year brings to us! Happy New Year!
Here are some pictures from the last week to make you smile.

Best Christmas Ever

This week Rilyn was on Christmas break so we made cookies. Went sledding. Went on Skippy hunts.

Until Christmas Eve when Skippy showed up with the BEST SURPRISE EVER.... wait for it... Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Cody!!

The kids were so surprised and we had so much fun! We opened presents on Christmas Eve because Dad had to work on Christmas (Boo). We all got totally spoiled as usual. Christmas Day we played in the snow (this was Uncle Cody's first white Christmas) and built snowmen and went sledding in the backyard.

Santa brought everyone matching University of Iowa pants so we had to get a picture of our whole family wearing them, it only took 6 tries to get a good shot.

The next day Grandma and Grandpa and Mom and the kids went sledding at the middle school.

The babies fell asleep while we were out there. I guess their new snow suits work well to keep them warm. It was so wonderful to get to spend Christmas with my family. Since they usually spend it in Mexico, this was the first time in 6 years that we have gotten to celebrate together. We loved every minute of it and even though they prefer warmer weather we are hoping that there is another Christmas the Mexico doesn't work out for them soon so we can celebrate together again!

Getting Ready for Christmas

This week had more of Skippy, of course.

More sledding and snow, of course. And some of Casen dressing himself.

He has hit a bit of in independent streak (not that I'm complaining) and has decided to dress himself. Some days he does awesome, some days I have to try hard not to laugh because it looks like his head is on backwards. Brigg and Brooks had their first bubble bath.

They thought it was great. They also discovered that they fit in the kitchen cupboards.

 Things will never be the same again.

Let it Snow

We have been getting lots of snow and it has been getting super chilly around here. I'm excited for a white Christmas!

The kids have been loving playing in the snow. They decided that going down the slide on sleds is way fun. Crazy kids! Skippy has been keeping us entertained with his daily exploits.

And speaking of keeping us entertained, the three little boys that I have been blessed with are keeping me very busy. Brigg and Brooks are into everything and Casen is, well, Casen. So far this week they have emptied my bathroom drawers pretty much everyday, emptied a bottle of hair stuff onto the bathroom floor, emptied baby powder onto the floor, soaked the bathroom by getting in and out of the shower at their pleasure, and splashing everywhere in the bathtub.

Oh and we can't forget Casen sneaking onto the stage during the primary's performance during our ward Christmas party.

He figured if Rilyn got to go up then so could he. Never a dull moment I tell ya!

The Return of Skippy

With this week being the first week of December, our favorite little elf returned. The kids were so excited to see Skippy.

That little elfs hiding spots keep us on our toes. Casen got to make a gingerbread house at preschool this week so Rilyn made one after school one day.

They're so creative. Oh and can't forget Brigg and Brooks. Those crazies started standing on their own this week!

They are going to be walking before we know it! Slow down boys! This weekend we got to have breakfast with Santa! It was so fun.

The kids made reindeer our of candy canes and watched model trains drive around (Casen's favorite). When the time came to meet Santa the big kids did fine, Brigg was a little nervous but didn't cry, and Brooks slept through the whole thing. It was too funny!