Sledding at Lindsey Gardens

Today we were introduced to the wonderful world of good sledding. Heather has told us about this place and we were so very excited to be able to go and get on some sweet hills. The girls did get sleds for Christmas, so we got all ready and loaded up. It had been snowing for most of the morning and there is nothing like fresh snow!

We joined the Barker, Lyman & Thomas families for some rip roaring good times. Victoria & Christianna saw the biggest and steepest hill there and immediately went for it. Unfortunately, they haven't learned the good skill of walking up the hill so you are a little familiar with ramps & bumps and just went down it. Christianna was fine but Victoria totally nailed a ramp and flew into the air and landed on her back. It hurt for a little, but she eventually got back into sledding. Very grateful that we didn't have to run to the hospital.

I really wish that I had used my really good camera - I would have had better pictures as well as a few more. Didn't want it to get ruined in the weather though.

Now Chris & I have to get sleds so we can all go again soon. I am thinking that an inner tube style would totally ROCK!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This year was a bit different. For the first time in years, Uncle David wasn't there. He went to Indiana with Heather for the holidays. He was missed.

We started our morning with reading the scriptures, the birth of our Savior, to be exact. We really want to make sure that they really know the meaning of Christmas.

Then the gift giving began!

We had to give Minnie her gifts towards the beginning since she had been smelling them since I opened the box from Grandma & Grandpa Fairall. This chew toy/rope thing..had a ball on it...for about 5 minutes. Then she practically ate up most of the rope in about 2 days. Are there any dinosaur chew toys available?

The girls are showing of more dresses from Grandma & Grandpa Fairall. They love it when they get more dresses.
This was a gift from Chris. It is a framed picture of Victoria and Chris while they were on a Motor Centennial Ride this past summer.

I got some wonderful stuff for my face...to help clear it up.
(Hence the strategic placement of the box over my chin.)

The most awesome gift EVER was to Chris from me! I had been searching for the best way to pop popcorn & I came across the oil method as the most voted for. I was ecstatic when I found one & that it was on sale! Yippee!!!

As is tradition, after all was opened and enjoyed, it was time to find the pickle on the tree. We had a small one that was about an inch big, but it saw it's last tree last year. I just found a new one, but this sucker is about 3 inches & therefore, not too hard to find. But I figured that it was better than nothing.

Chris found it & therefore wins the prize for being the most observant child. ha ha A lovely bubble wand, fun for all ages. (Really, I tried it out too and it was super fun!)

Christianna turns 7!

My baby - well current baby...turned 7 today. I am amazed at how fast time flies! We were able to have our family celebrations today...on her birthday.

As is often the case, we had a request for a Barbie cake this year. (Glad I got a new barbie body since Minnie ate the last one months ago.) She blows out her candles in such a funny way...she only had 7 candles and still needed multiple tries. What is she going to do when there are about 15? Need oxygen??

If you're good, you may realize that this was a gift she received last Christmas...well, it was broken, by a friend, a few weeks after she got it, so we thought we would get her another one. She was very glad!

Chris got this especially for the BYU fan. She insists that Uncle David likes her best because she likes them and not the "U" like her sister. Who knows for sure? It was set up and on her bedroom door before the night was over.

The Fairall Grandparents sent this super cute dress for her. She loved it!

This is the doll bed that I got her. She loves playing with it! It will get into a good practice/routine for when the baby comes.

Daddy brought home this lovely bouquet for her birthday. Isn't it magical how a bunch of cut flowers can make your day? Plus, she loved that vase & is thrilled to know that it is just hers!

Christianna, you have come a long way from your crazy energizer bunny days, where I would chase you 'till the cows came home! You are growing up into such a beautiful young lady. You learned how to ride your bike without training wheels this year. You already have a list of boys you have a crush on and are a great friend to others. Your favorite color right now is blue and you favor peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch practically every day, even though I try to get you to have new things. You are definitely a mommas girl and come to me for everything. I know that I will miss that in a few years when I am not at the top of your list. But I will enjoy you as much as I can now.

I love you honey!

Ward Christmas Party

First things first...the food. It was delicious! We had a great Ward Christmas party this year. I loved the fact that they really tried focusing on Jesus Christ, and the celebration of his birth vs. the whole Santa thing. They did a great job too. I brought a dessert & this is what I made: brownie reindeer.

I had been wondering why Kenley was all dressed in white for the dinner...then after she got all accessorized, I figured it out. She was the lucky one to portray the angel.


They gave head scarves to the primary children as well, and they looked like a whole bunch of shepherds.

They had a special musical number by the activity girls & some extras. Victoria is there in the red and black dress.

They read the scriptural account of our Savior's birth and re-enacted the manger scene.

Then all the primary children sang "Away in the Manger." They did such a wonderful job.

Then the young men and women sang a song. Christianna was just amazed. She just sat and stared right up at them the entire time. It was adorable!

The evening was great and it always makes things better when you can celebrate with your family and many friends.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope we all can remember the true meaning of why we celebrate this special time of the year.

Christianna's Winter Recital

Today was very exciting. Christianna has been practicing for her winter recital for a few weeks now, and we were finally able to see it. Luckily, Chris was even able to get off work in time to head to Bountiful with us.

We started in her class room, where they stretched and got warmed up for their dance.

I love watching her do her ballet. She is such a beautiful girl!

After all that was done, we met in the main studio and were able to watch all the various classes perform a dance. Christianna's was second to go. They danced to a song as though they were dolls.

She kept looking at her instructor to make sure she was doing everything right. Maybe as she gets more confident, she can look at her audience?

After the little ladies were finished, they took a seat along the wall to watch the rest of the classes. Christianna always likes to be by her teacher or assistant, especially in class when they are at the bar.

Looking adorable & a job well done!

We ended up going to the most awesome Chinese restaurant - EVER...which happens to be located right next door to the ballet studio. It is so good, that I have these cravings for it - A LOT. It sure is hard not to stop there to eat every Thursday after ballet!

We're PREGNANT!!!

We have waited years to be able to announce this one again. I found out the week of Thanksgiving that we were indeed excpecting little Fairall number 3. I had suspicions and finally took a test and sure enough - it was positive. I told Chris via text message..."Guess who is pregnant - AGAIN?" His first guess whas JEnnie, my sister, who just happened to have her fourth child this past summer. I told him to guess again...and he said "You?" I said "YES!!!" It was funny. He was in a meeting and asked if I was serious & why in the world would he think that I would joke about that? He was excited too.

He didn't want to tell everyone until it was Dr. official. He was doubting the test I took since it was purchased at the dollar store. I figure, you don't have to spend 15 bucks on a test!

We called all the family on Thanksgiving day to make the big announcement. Christianna was the one to do it with "Guess what, I am going to be a big sister!" Everyone is thrilled.

I had my first Dr. visit on Dec. 17 and came back with an ultrasound. At the very bottom of that black hole area is a little peanut...that would be the baby. It was amazing that I could see the heart fluttering already. Now we know that we are only expecting 1. Victoria & Christianna had it all figured out: we were going to have triplets. That way they each could have one and Chris & I could share the third one. Funny huh? Now we wait until March to see if it is a boy or a girl.

The lights were beautiful!

It was wonderful to have my parents visit for the weekend. My Dad helped with a few fix-it jobs around our house. (Ok - did them while I watched - it is the best way for me to learn, you know.) We were super excited that we were able to convince them to stay another day. So we took that time and headed down to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. Chris was working at the arena so wasn't able to come with us.

We were armed with mugs of hot chocolate and all dressed in our snowy best!

This is the Salt Lake Temple. I was really liking the shots I got!

Meet my parents: Ron & Francine. They really wanted a good picture with the temple in the background...it was tough with the challenge of the lighting. So in the other ones, you could see them really good & the temple was all dark...in this one, we have the orangy glow from the lights on the tree they were standing next to.

this tree was amazing! I really wish I knew how many lights were on this one alone! It looked like every single inch was covered.

This is a picture of the temple through the reflecting pool.

Victoria

Christianna

We ran into some new friends a little before I took this picture. Tobi and her family, she hosted a show in November in Pleasant Grove. Victoria and her daughter, Justice, really hit it off and were so excited to run into each other there. Dad & her husband, Darren, hit it off and we had to break up their conversation to move along...worse than women! Seriously hilarious!

Here I am with my girls.

The little ladies with their Grandparents.