Phew! They stayed on the nice list!

Although there were a few texts and a phone call to Santa, the kids stayed on the nice list and Santa delivered!


I only woke up an hour ahead of the kids. Well, the kid, we had to wake Blake up at 7 because Mylie and I just couldn't wait any longer!

Santa brought Mylie an easel (or a weasel as she calls it) and her requested Tinkerbell doll and new slippers.

Blakey's favorite toy is his new vacuum. I now wish that Santa would have bought him a real vacuum as he has spent no less than 10 hours vacumming the house in the last few days. You can see him going for vacuum right here.

We had such a nice day, in our jammies all day long. Grandma and Grandpa Breach came by later in the day to see the kid's presents. It was a lovely, lovely day.

Merry Christmas!

Bosco

Bosco is growing so fast! He is nearly 4 months old. He and Mylie and Blake are all the best of buds and cause lots of trouble together.



He is completely housebroken and *almost* follows the rules. He must have missed Jeff when he was at work today because I couldn't keep him out of the recliner (he isn't allowed on the furniture). He looked so cute snuggled up I had to take a picture before I booted him out!
He has been a fun addition to our family!

Winter Garden Aglow

One of our favorite Christmas activities is going to the Winter Garden Aglow. In Boise, at the old pennitentiary, there are botanical gardens. Each holiday season they light the whole botanical garden with hundres of thousands of lights. It is so beautiful. I love it for its beauty, but more than that, my great grandpa Rudd was the warden of the prison when my Grandma was a young girl. She and her family lived there at the prison. I love going to visit (yes I am weird, I have a fascination with prisons!)

We went with our friends the Hawks. Alicia takes care of Mylie and Blake while I am working and her boys Drake and Henry are BFFs with Mylie and Blake. We had a fabulous time.

Mylie and Drake are such great friends. Drake started 1st grade this year and Mylie misses him SO MUCH while he is at school. He always saves part of his lunch and when he gets home they go up to his room to play and eat the rest of his lunch. They enjoyed leading us around the gardens.

All 4 munchkins. Henry, not so happy!

Our cute family! (If I must say so!)

Blake and Henry are 5 weeks apart. Henry is a such a sweet special little boy. Alicia and Darrel are in the process of adopting him and it should be final any day now! It was been so amazing to watch the process and watch him become a part of their family. He and Blake are pals and wrestling partners!

Mylie, Drake and Prancer. So cool to get to visit Prancer and pet him.

Such a fun evening and a great way to fill us full of Christmas spirit!

Christmas, Christmas time is here ....

We are full of holiday cheer at our house! I thought I would take some pictures of some of our decorations. These are just around the tree, I'll have to do the others later this week. Our tree - Mylie and Jeff did the decorating and did a great job. Just don't ask Jeff about the stand. It was Christmas ala Craig Ritchie for a few minutes there. (Love you Dad!)
I *love* this nativity. My mom made it and it is a puzzle that fits back in the manger. Mylie is in charge of setting it up, of course she rearranges it every day.

Hands down my favorite ornament. Jeff's mom gave it to me the Christmas after my Grandma died. I tear up every year when I put it up. One, because I still miss her so much, and two, because I am just so touched by this gift. It was the perfect gift for me that year.

One of the three snowmen sitting next to my tree. My mom made these also.

I like this ornament. My Grandma gave it to me one year.

Alicia (and Mylie) made this a few years ago.

I like to buy ornaments when we are on vacation. I got this one when we were in Canada after Bailey graduated from high school. 2003 I think?

Our star, Mylie and I made it last year and I forgot about it. I was tickled to find it in our decoration box this year.

And just for fun, a funky picture of our Christmas lights! (Put your camera out of focus and take a picture of your lights, kind of fun.)

I think I just may take some pictures of more of our decorations this week and post them.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Today, I had just settled down for a long {post church} winter's nap ... and the snow started falling. Our first real Boise snowfall this year. Later we headed out and tried to have a snowball fight - it was a little tough as the snow was pretty dry. Jeff and Mylie certainly tried though. Then we decided to go on a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It was such fun. Blake was all bundled up in his stroller and off we went. It was Bosco's first real walk on the leash {longer than around the cul de sac}. We saw some spectacular lights and had a lot of fun. Jeff whipped up some hot chocolate when we got back and we watched the Christmas devotional on TV.

We had a super weekend, got the house decorated and picked out our tree and decorated it as well. We had a progressive dinner with Melanie and Melissa's family. We had a great time, lots of good food and lots of laughs. I love this time of year!

Thankful ...

Today I am thankful for many things. I teared up quite a few times today, thinking about how grateful I am. Like when I was setting my table with these dishes ...

Or when I looked down at these 3 faces who I love more than anything in the world ...



And for sure when I took a bite of this yummy carmel apple crumble ... :)

There is lots more ... today I'm thankful for

• all of Mylie's help with baking today
• for Blake learning 2 new words today (this is huge as he has a pretty limited vocabulary, today he said roll and Bosco)
• a puppy who saved me lots of sweeping today
• that Jeff is feeling a little better today (sigh, on the 3rd week of a terrible cold/cough)
• for yummy food and relaxing
• for Jeff and Mylie going 4 different places before they found a Thanksgiving newspaper (and ads) for me
• for our families - even though we weren't with them today
• leftovers (Courtney and Bailey - I thought of you when I was eating cold mashed potatoes out of the fridge tonight!)

I am just thankful. Our family has been blessed so much in the last year. We have good jobs, a nice home, the Gospel, our health, and wonderful family and friends.

"For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise."

Random Monday Night Blogging

Mylie went to a birthday party this weekend where she scored this ultra fashionable crown. She put on a dance show for us tonight.

Blake got a new haircut today, courtesy of Alicia's daycare, doggy daycare, and barbershop. Of course he couldn't look at the camera, smile, and open his eyes at the same time. His haircut makes him look SO grown up to me!

Mylie performing, she has a new necklace and wand also. Every princess has those items, right?

Blake LOVES my phone, but I rarely let him play with it (he broke my last one). I did realize though that if I did he would sit still long enough to let me take his picture. I could just gobble up those cheeks!

We are looking forward to a short work week and lots of time together this week. Jeff is off Thursday and Friday and I am off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Yippee!