The Drive Home!

John had to get this picture. He couldn't stop laughing at Noah. We knew the drive was boring, but still.

John's Birthday

We were able to spend John's Birthday with his family, but had his special dessert (In lieu of cake) on Sunday with our good friends the Markham's.John's sister Heidi made it for him...Fruit Pizza. I have never mastered, or even attempted to make it. Thanks so much Schmides!

Happy 28th Birthday Love. Man, you are getting old. These are the Wonderful Markham's minus their beautiful Kennedy. We have been friends with Brett for forever, and Chelle was a bonus when they started dating shortly before John left on his mission. Noah and Chelle have always had a great relationship. He is quite the ladies man. Thank you Markham's for hosting us for dinner. We love you guys and can't wait 'til our trip in May!

Farr Family Party

The Saturday after Christmas(John's B-day) we had a family party at John's brother Mark's house. We had a great time together. It makes me miss Sunday nights at John's parents house. John has a great family. I love all of them. Thanks for hosting the large brude Mark and Joanne. Your home is wonderful and very inviting. John's parents should be so proud of the great kids they have raised.

Snow much FUN with Cousins

I was very happy that the Willey cousins weren't sick of the snow yet and were willing to go sledding with our kids. They has the perfect sized hill in their back yard and the kids had a great time. We love you Willey's. Thank you for letting us stay with you...again.

After the presents

We had lots of fun after we opened our presents. The kids all got in their new comfys, and played with their new toys. We also got to go see what our cousins had gotten for Christmas. Lots of fun to be had, and we snagged it. Deeken was getting huge laughs with Grandma Farr. When he gets really tired he gets hysterical with his laughs. This is our kids talking to my parents on the phone. It was there first Christmas without them too. Love you Mom and Dad...we missed you. Both Noah and Micah wanted to help Grandma with the dishes. What is this? If you do it the hard way they want to help, if all we have to do is put them in the dishwasher, they vanish. John and Noah had a lot of fun working on the "Boy Toys." Deeken was having some good laughs with Grandma Farr. This is our kids talking to my parents. It was their first Christmas without them too. When Micah was talking to my mom she wouldn't let go of these dolls. She loved them. At one point she came up to me, hug them really tight and said, "I just love them so much mummy." It was really cute...isn't that what Christmas morning is about...watching your children's face when you have given them the perfect present. Priceless.

A Merry Christmas Morning!

Please have patience if you think the pictures are too numerous...my parents weren't with us for the first time ever, so they want to see it all. It was a wonderful Christmas morning. The first one we ever spent with John's parents. John and I spent most of the money we had for Christmas on a nice new camera. I thank my husband for giving up most of his Christmas, because I know I will be the one using it the most. It is awesome and makes me feel inspired to take better pictures. You will have to stay tuned to see if it actually happens. The kids got new scooters but haven't been able to use them yet between snow in Utah/Idaho and rain here in Oregon. Overall it was simpler but still a great Christmas.

First things First...including Christmas Eve.

When we FINALLY got to John's parent's, it was too late and cold to do anything outside. When it was morning however, there was not much we could do to stop them. John took the kids outside just to go down a tiny hill that his parents had. They were ecstatic about anything that had to do with the snow. Deeken got his first real taste for snow. He didn't like it much, but if he is anything like his siblings it will grow on him. This is a fun game we got to play on Christmas eve with the Matther's Farr cousins. You sit in a circle while a story about Mr. Left and Mr. Right is told, and every time you hear left or right you have to pass the present that direction. The kids had a great time. Of course everyone wanted the biggest present, but they all ended up with the same thing, new snow hats. Thank you Matt and Meriah. Here is a picture of Noah and Micah with theirs. This is Deeken sporting his Uncle Sam's hat. Sam was helping him talk on the microphone. He mostly just grunted. This is Noah getting his turn on the mic. He asked if he could sing a song. The song he chose to sing was one he learned in school. The title, "Hanukkah." Hilarious! His father and I were so proud! The last thing we did on Christmas Eve was open our traditional Jammies. The kids loved them. Micah especially liked her doll that matched. So with the opening of one present, we sent them to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.