while I'm thinking of it

So I have tons of pictures to post from the last few weeks but tonight we had a primary class party and I wanted to write about it.
We had Brent's eleven year old primary class over tonight for a party.  They are such good kids, we love them so much.  We fed them Corn Dogs and Doritos and I threw a bag of baby carrots on the table for some nutrition. :)  Then we threw on our coats and walked around to some of our neighbor's houses and caroled to them.  I've always wanted to go caroling and this was our perfect opportunity because kids make it so much fun.  Our neighbors seemed to really love it.  This one couple invited us into their home and fed us homemade mint truffles and showed us their awesome 100 year old home.  They had beautiful Christmas Decorations and they turned off the lights at one point to show them off better and all the kids in unison went, "oooooohhh!".  Us adults really got a kick out of it. 
We're gonna have to go again this December.  It was awesome!  Another fun part of entertaining kids as guests is for some reason y ou don't feel as worried about having the house spotless and looking your best and stuff.  Why is that?  Not sure, but it's nice.  I miss Primary, I can't wait until they call me in there  again someday. :)

So our tree is up, our house is decorated, and we've gone caroling.  Doing pretty good on our list so far! (see post below).  I've planned and helped plan and attended FIVE parties in the last five days.  Ward party, Nelmo's "blessing-fest Sunday", Brent's class party, and two family parties that I attended but thankfully didn't have to plan.  I'm pooped!

Thanksgiving 2010

Brent was in love with this Turkey. The flavor was so good you didn't even need gravy, and was sliced really thick. Apparently the reason it was sliced so thick was because the electric slicer thingy broke so Nate had to use a knife. Brent feels like that was a happy accident that should be repeated in the future. These sweet potatoes don't look so sweet, but they tasted really good! Brent and I peeled 15 pounds of potatoes. I don't know why we thought 18 people (6 of which were kids) would eat that many potatoes... oh well! We had tons of leftovers!

My awesome sister in laws...

Chico's best friend happens to be his cousin. It's so fun. His cousin called has called Chico a few times to see if he can play. They're only 2! How cute and funny is that!? Brent went outside and took these awesome photos from his Dad's house up by the "B".

Activity Advent Calendar

This year I am determined to do fun things throughout December and I think I have a good way of making that happen.  Last year I saw this idea on someone else's blog but December was practically over by the time I saw it, so we're doing it this year instead.
It's called an Activity Advent Calendar. You plan fun things to do everyday in December... or maybe the 12 days of Christmas... or whatever.  I didn't think I could handle everyday in December and I also didn't want to mush them all into 12 days before Christmas.  So I just spread them out throughout December and planned it out.  So I wanted to share my list in case any of y'all might want to do something similar.

Send out Christmas Cards
Fondue Night
Go to Temple Square with the kids
Put up our Christmas Tree
Read Christmas Stories
Go to Ikea for our favorite Swedish foods (Brent served in Sweden on his mission)
Go to Carl Boch exhibit at BYU
Go Caroling at my Grandma's Rest Home
Make Toffee, Carmels, and Carmel Popcorn
Go Christmas Caroling with Brent's Primary Class
Make Gingerbread Houses
Build a Snowman
Make a Fruitcake
Have a Candelight Christmas Dinner with just my little fam
Have the kids act out the Nativity with their cousins

I thought of another one the other day but I can't remember... if it comes to me I'll add it. :) 
Do you have any fun ideas/traditions that I haven't listed that you'd like to share!?

Happy Holidays!

back by popular demand

okay, so it's not "popular demand" but Brent thought the potato header was really cool and was a bit sad when I changed it off.  I love the picture of our little one so much though... so instead it will be on our sidebar. :)

Nelmo's First Time Swimming

Two years ago we went swimming with Brent's sister's family the day before Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun that we decided to make a tradition of it and went again this year.  It brought back fun memories of Chico's first time and how small he was.  Well Nelmo simply felt right at home in the water.  It was a blast!

behold the cuteness that is my baby...

His smile melts my heart.  He smiles best for me, but if you get eye contact with him, he might break out a smile for you too. :)

p.s.  I think he might stay dark haired.  The little underneath hairs are coming in dark and his eyebrows are looking dark too. Speaking of hair, he's got an awesome bald spot where the hair has rubbed off on the back of his head.

Thanksgiving pictures and Nelmo's first time swimming coming soon!

Long Awaited Pictures

Remember how before the baby came I said I'd post pictures of our finished front room? Well I kept forgetting obviously and now a month and a half later I'm finally showing off my husbands handywork.

First let me refresh your memory of an example of what we had to walk through every time we went in and out of our apartment.  (We live in a basement apartment in case you didn't know).

It didn't always have the window missing, that was only missing for a few days while Brent repaired that wall.

And now I will show you a picture of it FINISHED but without the furniture and decorations.

drum roll please

*

*

*

 and whalla!

and now for the room with stuff in it.

I LOVE this front room.  We needed it badly, we were going crazy having our couch in Chico's room and our computer in our bedroom. If guests came over they could sit in our little kitchen or in Chico's room.  If people came and needed to see something on our computer, we'd have to take them into our bedroom.  It was fine for a time but it was starting to wear on me.  

 We're in the front room all the time now, it feels so happy in here.  I think having this room finished has greatly influenced the ease I have had in coping with having two kids.  Besides the fact that our new little angel is just a really calm baby that sleeps a lot. :)  After Chico goes to bed I can just lounge around on the couch and watch a movie or read while Brent photo edits at the computer (which is directly across from the couch).  The other day I even got ambitious and broke out my painting again and painted while he edited.  It was a grand old time.  Oh and during the day, having NATURAL LIGHT pouring into our apartment is just priceless.