Saturday, December 29, 2007

Finally...

We got new furniture!
Before:
Empty:
After:
Obviously, the room still needs a little work, but this is a huge improvement!
Thanks for the help moving it all in, Karl, Michael, & Matthew.
Now on to the next project...

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

A White Christmas!

We had another White Christmas. We got about 6 inches today. (Rick and I were thinking back...we can't really remember a Christmas since we've been married that we haven't had snow. Kinda fun. Anyway, we only got video of the kids and snow...so I have to figure out how to download stuffs.

Lexie got up around 6:00am and wanted to go get her stocking so badly but we said let's wait for Joseph. So, we opened Joseph's door and started singing Christmas Carols to wake him up. It worked and down we went for stockings. They had a blast getting everything out-esp. their new toothbrushes, baby oranges, and lots of candy. We showed them their big Little Tikes toys down in the basement and let them play on those while we made breakfast.

Then, we had a yummy breakfast and settled in for presents. Andrew started to get a bit fussy, so he missed most of the fun-but he took a great nap! (So much for an eventful 1st Christmas for him.) After the kids had opened about 3 presents (so halfway through), Lexie laid down on the floor and said, "I'm tired of opening presents!" So, we took a break. It's so fun how with every present they open they yell-"Just what I always wanted!" Happy to help. Whenever Lexie opened clothes she would say,"Fashionable." Silly girl.
It was a great day. Unfortunately, Rick's big present didn't come in time-but this way Christmas lasts longer...But he'll be really excited to see his old school NBA Superstars show he grew up watching. But, at least he has a ton of ties to keep him busy until then, right. We went down to the Barnum's for dinner and some games. Lots of fun.
It was a great Christmas and we're very grateful for our families and all you do for us. Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Sleeping Under the Tree

In honor of Joseph Smith's Birthday, we gather around the Christmas Tree and tell the kids of the First Vision and Joseph Smith's life, and then we sleep under the tree. This year only Lexie, Joseph and Rick slept there-Andrew didn't want to.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas!

In case we never get our Christmas letter done...Merry Christmas to everyone! We are so grateful for this time of year where all stop to reflect upon the birth of our Savior. We are so grateful for his life and love for all of us. What a blessing it is to have the Gospel and the hope it brings in our lives. We are so grateful to know that we can be a family forever. We hope that the joy and peace of Christmas will be with all of you.

A Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich

Lexie wanted to be the honey, Joseph wanted to be the peanut butter, which left Daddy and Baby to be the 2 breads-yum!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Happy Birthday To Me

We had a day. Thanks to Becca for taking me out to lunch. Rick had a fun time going snowboarding all day. The most eventful part was that Lexie and Joseph insisted on playing a "pin the ___ game." So I made them a "pin the candle on the cake" game. It was a lot of fun watching how excited they were for each turn. Oh the joys of youth...



Sunday, December 9, 2007

My Mother Told Me I Should Never Tell A Lie...

We had such a funny experience with Lexie-well, maybe "funny" isn't the right word...
So for dinner we had yummy lime chicken. There was pineapple in it, which Lexie didn't want to try. We told her she had to try one bite and then she could have some ice cream with everyone. She agreed on having one bite-but insisted on everyone closing their eyes for it. After 2 attempts (she got mad the first try b/c I started laughing really hard), we listened to her climb off her chair, sneak over to the garbage can and then return to the table. There, she proudly announced, "I ate my pineapple!" We followed up this proclamation with many questions of our own. "So, if we look in the garbage can we won't find your pineapple in there?" "No." "You ate it all gone?" "Yes." "You aren't lying to us?" "Nope." "So we can go look right now?" "Well, you don't have to look, it's in my tummy." Needless to say, she didn't have any ice cream that night, but she did get a lecture on telling the truth.

Family Christmas Traditions

Rick's parents get a new candlestick on their mantle for every Christmas they've been married.
Cheryl's family acts out the Nativity and goes Christmas caroling.
What are your favorite family traditions?
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Thursday, November 29, 2007

November 2007

Well, we really are trying not to make this a montly event...we'll get better at this.
It has been a busy month. My sister Megan came home from her mission (really last month, but she travelled around Europe with Dad and Janae). Welcome Home, Megan. We finally got to go see her at Thanksgiving, very fun. They also went to visit Erik & Tiffani's family in Germany. Their new little one broke the gender tie that Andrew worked so hard to create... Now my parents have 20 granddaughters and 19 grandsons. (Poor Audrey, not only did she break the tie, 3 weeks later, she went on to break her leg. Hope all recover quickly!)
Jason, Rick's brother, came out for a quick, but busy visit. Rick, Jason, and Lexie went to Nuggets vs. Knicks game on the 17th. They also went with some CO cousins. It was "Family Night" at the Pepsi Center, but unbeknownest to them it was also '70s night. And wouldn't you know it, but the only people that stood the entire game happened to be sitting right in front of them, wearing gigantic afro wigs (not the easiest things to see over). Oh well, it was a fun game anyway. It's always fun when the home team wins.
Two days later, Rick and Jason went to Monday Night Football and got to see another win for the home team. Before the game, they stopped in at the Jack n' Grill for a "small" bite to eat. It's a good thing we didn't try the 7 lb. burrito, because those burgers were bigger than some countries.

Too bad Rick doesn't like professional sports...he hasn't been to many games lately.
The rest of that week was full of cleaning, packing, and more cleaning before we headed off to Utah for Thanksgiving. Heather hosted it this year for my side of the family but unfortunately, only 45 could make it. Maybe next year... No, it really was so much fun to have so many of us together. Lexie and Joseph loved playing with all of their cousins. They especially loved playing "Builder" with Grant. They still ask when they can go play with him again. Andrew sure loved all of the attention, too. It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone, playing games, and just being amazed at how beautiful, talented, and awesome all of our nieces and nephews are. We sure have a great family.
Friday night we all headed down to Lindon for a rare Smith Family gathering. What a great time having-don't even know how many cousins/aunts/uncles together! So much fun!
Then, to top it all off...we had another family gathering with Rick's family up in Boise. Rick's brother, Scott, blessed his baby and it was fun to be able to make it to that event and see lots of family there as well.
On the way back to Colorado, we stopped in Utah again and got to see Rick's Grandma & Grandpa Reeder. The kiddos sure got a kick out of seeing "Daddy's Grandma & Grandpa." We think they sure got a kick out of the kids, too. Luckily, we also got to visit with Rick's Uncle David & Aunt Andrea.
We had quick stops with the Armknecht's, Rytting's, Hogge's, and Jensen's. It was a quick trip, but very packed with lots of good family time. Thanks everyone for your hospitality and letting us win some games!
Rick got a new calling before we left. He is the 11 yr old Scout Master (moved up from assistant). Sadly, I got a new one, too. I had just gotten used to teaching Gospel Doctrine, feeling like it was the "perfect Mom calling"...and then- I got yoinked into Primary. I'm the new 2nd Counselor. It's fun, but also a lot more work (we don't exactly have a small primary). I'm slowly getting the hang of things and a few names here and there.
Now that we are looking at our November calendar, Rick noticed he'd forgotten Stephanie's birthday. Sorry, Steph. Happy belated birthday!
And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few random pictures of the kids.
Joseph & Lexie playing balerina-Rick hates it when they (Joseph) play this...
Just being plain cute.
Lexie riding her trusty steed, Cactus.
Joseph riding his trusty steed, Cutie.
I wonder who will win this horse race?

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

And the answer is...

Thanks to all those who participated in our fun game. Sorry it's taken so long to post the answers. We hope you enjoyed it though!

Answers:
A: Andrew
B: Lexie
C: Joseph
D: That big weird guy.

Congratulations to the 8 of you who got it right (Brett, Matthew, Lori, Heather, Nathan, Grant, Kristy, and Jess)! Good work!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Cruise with Andrew

Rick's parents took us on a cruise through the Caribbean (13th-19th). We went to many places like Haiti (we've been there before) & Puerto Rico & other places in the Eastern Caribbean. Last time we went to the Western Caribbean. It was an enjoyable time. Rick did great on the rock climbing wall competition (won) and we had a fun time with his family. We also had fun on the wave rider. Andrew was a trooper & a happy little boy! We're happy to be home. Here are some pictures from our trip.
Heading out of Miami.
Each night we took a picture of Andrew & the towel animal.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Rock Climbing Speed Competition.
Labedee, Haiti
Such a happy boy & a fun trip.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Who's Who?

Below are pictures of Alexis, Joseph, and Andrew. Try to match the right picture with the right person. Hint: Not all pictures will be used. Post your guesses in the comments.
Good Luck!

A:
B:C: D: