Putting up the tree 2012

We were really late putting up the tree this year.  We usually get our tree and put it up the day after Thanksgiving, but with all that's going on we got really behind.  But we finally went and picked out a great tree from McCoy's trees down the street.  We've bought trees from Home Depot before, but it's so much more fun to get them from small local places.  The trees are in much better condition. One of these years I want to go in the woods and cut down our tree.  Maybe next year. :)

We always watch "Mr. Kruger's Christmas" while we decorate.  The kids did most everything this year and despite most of the decorations being on the bottom half of the tree I think it looks great.  Jacob redecorates the tree on a daily basis anyway so it doesn't matter.

I love the no flash photos where the blurry spots are the kids running
around putting ornaments on the tree.

Putting the angel on the tree

Daniel enjoyed watching all the excitement

We have tons of Christmas books that we only get out at Christmas.  The kids spend a lot of time
reading them and it's more fun because they are only out once a year.

The next night Christopher had scouts.  These are all his scout buddies.  They wrote a note to someone they admired and then decorated cookies to give to them.  Christopher chose to give his to the bishop.  They also made this cute Christmas tree with ornaments that symbolize the true meaning of Christmas.  It has a cute story to go with it.  Christopher read it for us when we got home.

This was the serious photo (except for Ryden who is making a crazy look).

Daniel's Baby Blessing

We finally blessed Daniel on December 2, 2012.  We waited because we thought some family was going to be able to come.  In the end it didn't work out, but he had a very nice blessing day anyway.  I was just glad he fit in the little blessing outfit since he was almost 3 months old already.  Jeff gave him a wonderful, sweet blessing.  We are so grateful to have the priesthood in our lives.  Those that stood in the circle for his blessing were: Bishopric members (Bishop Dyer, Bro. Barrett, Bro. Blais), home teachers (Bro. Avery, Bro. Amos), Bro. Brown (our ward grandpa and candy man), and friend Bro. Cheney.

Serious face

Smiley face

Thanksgiving 2012

We went to Utah for Thanksgiving and celebrated with family.  It was actually an off year for Jeff's side of the family.  Most of them were with the other side of their families, so it was a small gathering......only about 23 people, if you call that small.  But when everyone is there it's usually about 65+ people so this felt small. 

Here are the highlights.

The kids got to help grandma break the bread for stuffing again this year.  2 years in a row...it must
be a tradition!

 

Always a puzzle to be done at grandma's house.

Annie loves cousin Sophie

 

The kids table.  Cousins Scott, Sarah and Sophie took care of everyone so we didn't have to do much.

My mom came over too because my sister was in Hawaii.  Daniel got lots of holding on this trip

We got to watch cousin Seth open his mission call.  It was so fun and I'm glad the boys got to witness the excitement that goes along with going on a mission.  He is going to Singapore!!

This isn't Seth, but Scott who will be next to serve a mission in their family.

Spreading the exciting news!

Christopher got to go to a BYU basketball game with grandpa.  He had so much fun !  They didn't get any pictures there, but this is them before they left.  Christopher's coat reflectors really do a good job!

Traveling is exhausting

Aunt Tatia was in Hawaii for Thanksgiving.  She got lots of sun and
was excited to meet Daniel when she got back.

Daniel - 2 and 3 months

I can't believe Daniel is 3 months old.  At his 2 month appointment he was already 11 pounds....pretty good for 2 months old.  He is such a sweet baby.  He is starting to smile and coo more.  I love it when babies talk and gurgle.  I am seriously a baby person.  I love all stages and ages, but 0-6 months old is my favorite.  I don't mind getting up in the night to feed them and cuddle them.  It's such a special time and I wish I could just keep one of my babies at this stage forever.   Daniel is such a good baby.  He puts up with his siblings holding him all the time and he loves to be kissed and cuddled.

2 months

3 months

 

 

A little nervous about his bath

Sutherland eyes...gotta love 'em

Get in the picture

I read something about how when you look at a families pictures you rarely see the mom in any of them.  That is because she is usually the one taking the picture or she doesn't want to be in the picture because she may not look her best.  It talked about how it's important to document your time with your kids and save visual memories of your love for them.  It is so true.  I am very rarely in pictures.  Jeff isn't even in very many of them.  We just take pictures of our kids...and who can help us...they are so cute.  But I thought it was a great point that when they get older they will want to see their parents in pictures with them and see us being happy and loving them.  So, I'm trying to give the kids the camera more often and let them take pictures of every day life.  Sometimes I end up with a lot of pictures of the floor or people's feet (when Jacob gets the camera), but it's been fun to have more candid shots of me with the kids. 

A lot of Jeff's pictures with the kids are like this.  They are good at putting
each other to sleep.

Absolutely LOVE this picture.

Doing reading homework

I wanted an individual picture of me with each child.  I don't look great in these, but who cares, they will know I love them. :)

Snuggles

I love to try and catch pictures of my kids being kind to each other.  Since some days I feel like all I do is listen to them argue, I like to have pictures like these to remind me that they really do love each other. :)

Anne had just had a bath so her hair is a little crazy.
I love how she put Daniel to sleep

Michael had the flu for like a week and lost enough weight that it is
visible in this picture.