Wii Love Christmas!

Well, what a wonderful day couple of days we had! We spent christmas eve together as a family of 5 this year. We went to a movie and then walked around Orchard Town Center. We just love that new movie theatre...and of course the boys loved the HUGE Christmas Tree! It was so beautiful and even got to ride the little train! Blake loved it. He is so funny and makes all sorts of car, train, and loud noises to immitate those things. Too funny. We had a great dinner, and surprisingly Blake was semi-happy through it all. He has ANOTHER ear infection...spent Christmas eve at the Dr.'s office. way fun! Anyway, after dinner, we got home, got in jammies and read from the Scriptures. I love that part of our family tradition at christmas time.

We told the boys they couldn't get out of bed until like at least 7:30am...but that back fired! Matthew was awake at 6am, and just came to our room and laid on the floor. We had a great christmas morning. So relaxing and fun. Santa got the boys letters and thankfully had everything in his workshop. Nathan was so worried that he ran out of IPODs and Matthew feared he couldn't fit the power wing into his sleigh. But Santa succeeded! Scott and I had a great time just watching the little excitement in our kids eyes! Of Course, the Wii fit into his sleigh and what a joy that has been.
I have to laugh that it took us this long to enter the Wii world, but at least we are there! That has been on since last night. Scott played a few games after we came back from spending time with his family, and the boys have been on it since breakfast....so for like 4 hours now! Too much fun!
Blake had a great christmas too. He loved the ride on horse that Santa brought him and all the Little People cars and fire engine! Thanks to his Aunt Gigi, who gave him ALL the loud making toys, he is just in heaven! Oh! I did get some new pots and pans from my awesome in laws, and a DS game called Personal Trainer...from Scott. Is someone trying to tell me something? :)

We hope you all had a great time with your families. I loved to be able to talk to all my siblings in far off Cali and tell them how much I love them and miss them. Didn't get to talk to my bro in Utah, or my other brother in Cali, but I hope they know how much we love them...Families truly are a wonderful gift from Heavenly Father. Here are some pics from our crazy christmas eve and day!
Enjoy!

Christmas Family Fun

Last night we had our family christmas party with Scott's family. His Aunt is going to Cali. for Christmas this year, so we decided to exchange gifts, and eat lots of food before she leaves. We still will join them on Christmas day in Arvada. We had a great evening, and had lots of elves even come by! Thank you for all the yummy treats and gifts!


We have a family tradition that we eat Abelskivers every year at christmas time. They are a Danish Donut like yummy fattening treat. Scott's family secret recipe gets made and he cooks them! It is his fav. thing to do. They turned out delicious as usual, and I think his mom is glad that she doesn't have to cook them anymore, while the tradition still continues. :)


While we were opening gifts, Santa stopped by to all our delight! HE surprised us this year by dropping by a bit early. The kids were ESTACTIC and loved every minute they had. Ally even wished he could just stay a little while longer. It was so darn cute! Blake however, wanted NOTHING to do with him, but we did get a quick shot of him on Santa's knee. He loves Santa from a distance...but who really would blame him? Think about it, a man in a red suit, with a belly and really white hair wanting to hold you? Yea..my thoughts exactly. :) We had a great night and can't wait for Christmas to get here! Hurry up!











Fun times!

Matthew gets to ask Santa for a wii..good luck!

Nathan asks Santa for an IPOD...once again good luck!

Blake actually sits on his lap! Whoohoo!

Lucky me!

Scott reads a Story to all of us...so sweet

Abelskiver time!!! YUM-O!

The handsome Lowry boys!

Mom and her sweet boys...LOVE THEM!

On the way to Bethlehem

The boys and I had a great time with our friends and neighbors last weekend. The boys dressed up as "shepherds" and we traveled to Bethlehem. It was great to sing songs, read scriptures and eat yummy food! Blake with the Sheperds

Here is the Nativity Scene!

What a cute Angel, Wiseman, and Shepherd!

Mischievious Blakers

Two days after we made the gingerbread houses, Blake discovered his favorite candy...Chocolate Covered Pretzels! He couldn't keep his hands off of them, until they were gone!

Gingerbread Houses!

Last monday, we joined the John Family in decorating Super awesome Gingerbread houses! Brooke is so talented in baking them, that I really can't ever do the basic graham cracker ones ever again! We had such a great time with them and the kids loved all the yummy treats to decorate with. I think I ate more than I put on the house! hahaha! The pictures aren't in chronological order for some reason...oh well. Enjoy! Blake loves this house!
The next day it is still standing!
Crazy buds
Yeah we did it!
The final product
Matthew ever so careful with Santa "Um Daddy? This tastes Yummy!"

Snow!!

You want to know the best thing about when it snows? I think it is when you get to sit in the hot tub late at night, and watch the snow fall! Your hair is frozen white, but you are nice and warm! I love to see the snow fall late at night! So beautiful!

Ugly Sweaters!

Last night Scott and I had an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. It was a blast! My sis in law gave me the idea after my brother won the Ugliest...last year. I think I had so much fun shopping for the sweaters..not in my closet of course, but at the Goodwill. That was an experience in itself! So funny! Anyway, here are some fun pics of the Ugly Sweaters. Thanks for the great times and for being great sports! I loved Caleb's sweater the best...so UGLY! and Dan's was HILARIOUS! I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time!

Yeah it snowed!!

The boys were so excited to shovel the first big snow fall! Yippee! They did a good job, as Scott was out of town and couldn't help them!

Beginning to look at lot like Christmas!

So, for our Christmas presents to each other this year, Scott and I decided to jump into a new 12 foot tree! Scott has always wanted one and so this year we got it! It is HUGE but slim..:) and we just love it! Christmas will be so fun this year with Blake and the boys! I can't wait!

BFF's

We were crazy enough this year to arise at 4:00AM...and drive to Longmont...can I just tell you it was 28 degrees when I left my house? Seriously! There were LINES outside Best Buy as I drove by, and thought..."what Crazy people would stand outside in line...sleep outside, I might say...for a TV? " Well, I was one of those Crazy People today! HA! ;) I didn't sleep out side though! Ginger and I met Angela and her mom at Wal-Mart first, then hit about 6 other stores! We had a great time...spent some money, got great DEALS...and were BFF's!!!
BLACK FRIDAY FANATICS!! HAha!~ Thanks for a great time Ang! I had such a great time...Thanks for encouraging me to ARISE bright and Early! Too bad I missed you at Kohl's at 4 am! hee hee

Thanksgiving Memories

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! Scott cooked his infamous Turkey on the BBQ and tried something he saw on the Food Channel...INJECTING the turkey with marinade this year! So yummy! It was right up his specialty! HAHA...

We had the Lowry's over for a great meal and fun times. The kids all had a great time and we were so stuffed at the end...that I just had to sit and do nothing for a while. We visited with family and friends on the phone...missed my parents..who were in Hawaii..Aloha to them! What a great day! We ate yummy left overs today...here is a picture of our Turkey-Stuffing-cranberry sandwich! YUM-O!

Gratitude

Today as I it is Thanksgiving Day, I am quietly drawn to reflect upon the wonderful things I am most grateful for. First of all, I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves me and cares for me. I am so very grateful for an awesome husband who loves me too and is able to provide for our family. Day in and day out I am amazed at what an awesome person he is. I am filled with Love for my 3 beautiful boys. I love their smiles, their hugs and just being their mom. I am so blessed to have married into a wonderful family, and treasure all that the Lowry's do for us. I love them so much. I am so lucky to have wonderful parents and brothers and sisters. Too bad we can't all be together today to share in our love for one another! As Mom says to all of us..."Be Loving, Sweet, and Kind!"

It is 7 years today that my mom was diagosed with Breast Cancer, and we all thought that would be the last Thanksgiving she would share with us. Well, after fighting breast cancer, and now colon cancer, my heart is just bursting with love that she is still here with us. I wish we lived closer to spend more time together, but am just lucky she is still alive. We are truly grateful for the things that matter the most, like family and friends, and I thank my Heavenly Father for them. I count my blessings and am so grateful for all that I have!

Happy Thanksgiving! May all of you take a moment to say Thank You to those who matter most in your life!

Brave One

This morning started very early for us! Matthew had to be at the hospital at 6am, so we were up at 4:30am getting ready for his surgery. Matthew had an inclusion cyst removed from the left side of his neck. He has had this cyst for only like a couple of months, but it has gotten bigger and he was getting very aware of it. So, we decided to have a plastic surgeon take it out. The surgery went well, and he did great! He really liked "Mr. Sandman" ( our anestheisologist) and the nurses were great! We are just chilling today to keep him rested. The incision looks good too, and hopefully will have minimal scarring. Poor dude! He has gone through a lot! We love you Matthew!

Adventures in Babysitting

I had a great time watching some really great kids. Some really great things happened...played Nerf gun wars, lost a tooth, hid out in our forts, and Made some really good fattening food! Most of all...they still liked me at the end of the day!
What a fun Adventure for us!

Happy News!

I just got a phone call from my mom, and well....with LOADS of tears...happy tears...she just told me she got her cancer screening tests back, after finishing chemo..and she is CANCER FREE!! oh the joy I feel right now is unexplainable!!! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father right now for this wonderful blessing! We are so glad that she is still with us, and that the battle she continues to fight is worth every moment! I just had to share with my dearest friends....I guess November is truly a month of Thankfulness and Gratitude!

Easy Pumpkin Cookie recipe

So I thought I would share this way yummy easy recipe for everyone! I have been enjoying eating these yummy cookies...
They don't even take that long and so good!
Enjoy!

1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 can 15oz. Pumpkin
3/4 cup chocolate chips
(for variety, I have added butterscotch, or milk, or mini chips too )

opt. 1/2 cup chopped Pecans

Place all ingredients in bowl, mix for 3 minutes. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 10-12 min.
Yields 3 dozen

Scouts!

These were taken last week at our Ward's Pack meeting, and with Halloween festivities, I didn't get to post them. We are so proud of Nathan! He earned his Bear Rank in cub scouts. It is probably hard to have his Mom as his Den leader...but I am enjoying it. I know with 3 boys, I have a long road in Scouting to endure! :) Yeah Nathan!

He is holding a Bear Claw necklace that he gets to wear at this pack meeting.
Proud Dad and Nathan

Halloween FUN!

Last night we had a great time trunk-or-treating and at our Halloween party at Grandmas! So much fun! Here are some pics from last night....we love Halloween!