Happy New Year!

I know I am a little behind the times here...but I wanted to put up a few pictures from our Christmas!

I was trying so hard to get her to look at me...not a chance!

Jada gets presents too!

She finally got the hang of it!

She needs a bigger room now!

I got some Halloween decorations...

and a new game...

I didn't get many pictures of Trenton since he had the camera...but I got a couple pictures of him with his big present!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Santa Claus came to Orem Fire Station 3 today...and we went to meet him!

This was Aiden's first time meeting Santa...

it did not go well!

She wouldn't even take her present!

But she did at least show some interest in opening it this time!

He brought her a Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head...with a few changing faces!

She seemed to like him! We had a good time...even though it seems a little cruel to force a terrified child to go sit on some crazy/strange guy's lap...but funny memories for us!

I am pretty sure she will recover!

A Night On The Town!!!

We went to see the lights on Temple Square last night. We haven't been in years. And Aiden had never been before. It was so much fun!

Our Little Family!

There weren't as many lights as I remember...but they were still beautiful!

Aiden was so bundled up she could hardly move!!! And she still got cold!

Me & Aiden!

Aiden & Daddy!

This made the cold totally worth it!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Stranger

At Christmas time there was a man

who looked so out of place,

as people who rushed about him

at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,

the tinsel everywhere,

The shopping center, Santa Claus,

with children gathered near.

The Mall was packed with shoppers

who were going to and fro,

Some with smiles

and some with frowns

and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches

or they hurried on their way,

to fight the crowd for purchases

to carry home that day.

The music from a stereo

was playing loud and clear

of Santa Claus, and snow men,

and a funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk

about the good times on the way,

Of parties, fun, and food galore,

and gifts exchanged that day.

"I'd like to know what's going on,"

the man was heard to say,

"There seems to be some sort

of celebration on the way.

"And would you tell me who this is,

all dressed in red and white?

And why are children asking him about a special night"?

The answer came in disbelief,

"I can't believe my ear!

I can't believe you do not know

that Christmas time is here,

The time when Santa comes around

with gifts for girls and boys,

When they're asleep on Christmas,

he leaves them books and toys".

"The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly,

The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.

"His gift packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer,

As he flies quickly through the air,

while darting here and there.

"The children learn of Santa

while they are still quite small.

When Christmas comes,

he is the most important one of all.

" The stranger hung his head in shame,

he closed a nail-pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief;

he did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face,

his voice was low but clear,

"After all these years, they still don't know."

And Jesus shed a tear.

- Author Unknown -

I love this poem. I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas...and that you don't get too busy to remember why we celebrate.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping Paper Or Gift Bags? wrapping paper (with ribbon & bows)

2. Real Tree or Artificial? Artificial...less mess!
3. When Do You Put Up Your Tree? Thanksgiving weekend..try to anyway!

(this Santa was given to me as a wedding gift...he goes out every year...and that first year he was pretty much it as far as decorations go!)

4. Do You Like Eggnog? Absolutely NOT!!!
5. Favorite Gift Received As A Child...? Don't know if I have a Favorite...but I remember getting our sleds...and when we got the Nintendo we were pretty stoked!
6. Hardest Person To Buy For...? Doyle...my father-in-law
7. Easiest Person To Buy For? Trenton...but I always spend too much money!

8. Do You Have A Nativity Scene? Yes I do...and I love it!!! unfortunately so does Aiden!
9. Mail Or Email Christmas Cards? can you send email for that...? who knew? I always mail out cards!
10. Worst Christmas Gift Ever Received? can't really think of one...guess that is good!
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Tied between White Christmas and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon version)
12. When Do You Start Shopping? Early fall usually

(my first wreath...I was so excited...it has lights too thanks to my husband)

13. Have You Ever Recycled A Christmas Present? ummmm...yeah probably

14. Favorite Thing To Eat At Christmas? we always made candy, mmmm...and the big breakfast!

15. Lights on Tree? yup...white ones!

16. Favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night

17. Travel At Christmas Or Stay Home? have traveled before but usually stay home

18. Can You Name All Of Santa's Reindeer? I can name 7 at the moment!

19. Angel On Tree Top Or Star? A silver Star

20. Open Presents Christmas Eve Or Morning? usually morning, but one year Trenton & I couldn't wait...and we opened them on Christmas eve!

21. Most Annoying Thing About This Time Of Year? the lines in the stores!

22. Favorite Ornament Theme Or Color? our tree is red, silver & white...and we have a lot of snowflakes!!!

23. Favorite For Christmas Dinner? Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

(doesn't Trenton do a good job? this isn't even all of the lights...this was our first year putting them put too...so fun!)

24. What Do You Want For Christmas This Year? I want my husband to LOVE what I got him. And I want to watch Aiden get excited opening her presents. I wouldn't mind some new books...and there is a picture of the Timpanogos Temple that I would love to have! Is that too much?

Happy Holidays!!!

I tag Danielle, Wendy & Tiffany!!!

Husband Tag

I have been tagged...Thanks Ali! So here goes....

Trenton D Batty

5 Things He Loves

* His Family (Jada included)

* His Job

* Muscle Cars & Trucks

* Hunting

* Projects

(he always has to be doing something)

5 Things On His To Do List

* Grout the tile in the kitchen

(backsplash...one of his projects)

* Clean out his Orem City car (and return it)

* Mow the back yard...again

* Get his hair cut

* Finish Christmas Shopping

5 Foods He Enjoys

* Steak (usually ribeye)

* Fried Potatoes

* Pancakes

* Burger Supreme Pastrami Burgers

* Cream of Wheat (and oatmeal)

(he is the one running with the ball here)

5 Things You May Not Know About Him

* He had never flown in an airplane until his mission

* He is a very good cook

* He has a crooked arm

(he broke it in 7th grade, he can't throw a ball straight with that arm)

* He untucks the covers every night so he can sleep with his feet out

* It takes him longer to get ready to go out than me

5 Quirky Things
* He talks in his sleep

* He has a touch of OCD

(maybe not quite, but he is a perfectionist...have you seen our yard?)

* He has a hard time throwing things away

(we have a broken mirror in our spare room)

* He cheats everytime we have thumb wars!

* He hates most kinds of cheese!!!

There you go...my husband! I love him!

I tag Brittney, Kalli, Jen & Amber.

Having A Good Time!!!

I am not sure who was having more fun...Aiden, Jada, or Trenton!!!

(sorry it is blurry...they were going too fast)

Happy Birthday Aiden!!!

So On Saturday November 15, Aiden Turned ONE!!! She Is Getting So Big! We Love Her So Much And Are So Happy To Have Her In Our Family!

The Hat Lasted Longer Than I Thought!!!
This Was Her Little Cake!

So Cute!!!

My Pathetic Attempt At Decorating!!!

She Got So Much Stuff!!!

(Thanks Aunt Mandy For The Doll House!)

(Thanks Grandma & Grandpa)

She Had A Hard Time Opening Her Presents! She Wanted To Play With It All!

Great Grandpa & Grandma Batty Gave Her This...She Gave It A Kiss As Soon As She Opened It!!!

The Party Of Course Didn't Go As Well As I Had Hoped...But What Ever Does?!?! It Was Still Great! And It Came All Too Soon! But It Has Been An Eventful Year...And We Were Excited To Celebrate Her! I Am A Little Sad That She Has Grown So Fast...But I Am Seriously Proud Of All That She Has Accomplished. She Is Amazing...And Beautiful!!!

She Loves All Of Her New Stuff!!! Thanks Everyone For Coming & Sharing In The Fun!

Delicious!!!

Enjoying Some Cake!

She Needed A Spoon!

So She Could Use Her Hand!

She Was So Tired...She Had Skipped Her Nap!

Looking Lovely In Pink!

She Loves To Share!

Mmmmmmm!!!