WHITE CHRISTMAS...

What a glorious Christmas with Brian's family! So many fun memories made and remembered this Christmas and I'm sad it's over! But every good party must come to an end!!

It all started with Christmas Eve as we all gathered for some dinner and then listened to the story or Jesus' birth and of course the traditional all famous zipper boot story from Grandma Rhea! Can't ever hear that story too many times! Then Brian and I traditionally always open one gift on Christmas Eve and it's always our Christmas PJ's! So we got into those and never wanted to get out of them! We got the kids to bed and of course doing the traditional up all night finishing the wrapping of presents and while we did that, Brian got out a train and tracks of his dad's from when he was just a little boy! So the set is like 50 years old or so!! It was really neat to see the gleaming faces on all the boys that night as they were playing like little kids again with this amazing train set! It was really cute to see--and the kids LOVED it in the morning too...

Christmas morning was great! Marcile made the best waffles for breakfast and then we were off to the tree to open up presents... Brent and Randi stayed over night too with Gavin which meant Spencer had a buddy to share his Christmas with! They were both so cute with their gifts but of course you get 2 two year old's together with new toys there's obviously going to be fighting over them! It didn't even matter if there were two of the same toy no matter what they had to have whatever each other had...it's just inevitable and I've just accepted that it will be that way for a while! What can you do but laugh at them...

The snow came falling late Christmas eve and continued all day on Christmas day - my favorite Christmas' is when you wake up to snow falling it was beautiful! But I've never had a Christmas with that much snow falling it was crazy! So much that we ended up staying two more nights at the Hirschi's! Partly b/c of the weather but also just b/c even though we live 5 minutes down the road it still felt like we were on vacation and it was so fun feeling like that but knowing you are close to home still! Also the Isom's (Brian's sister's family) stayed the next two nights as well for both of the same reasons! It was a big party and no one wanted it to end--well maybe the owner's of the house (sorry Loran and Marcile) if you got sick of us but I know you enjoyed it! We have a name for our party--it's the Local's!! Since whenever family comes from out of town of course they stay at the parents house right! Well the in-towner's (Locals) never stay over night b/c we have our house 5 - 20 minutes away so there's no reason! But we decided it's just too much fun to not do it so we'll have to make it happen more often--are the locals in with me??!!! Anyway we had so much fun and there were lots of old movies seen to remember the old days, remote airplanes to be put together and flown and wrecked of course, turkey sandwiches and leftovers galore, playing in the snow and sledding to be done and so many more fun memories made and I cherish everyone of them! Thanks so much to Loran and Marcile for everything the hospitality, living in chaos, a mess and of course the GREAT food! I definitely missed my family this Christmas like I do every other year but this was the best way to get my mind off of that, and missing our precious Brooklynn too! We are blessed with such wonderful family and friends in our lives, we love you all!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Thought I'd share some fun activities we've had this Christmas season! Started with going to see Santa! That was GREAT...no screaming or frightened children--what a relief! This was the first year Brooklynn wasn't afraid of Santa...my baby's growing up! Spencer was great as well with him! I think the Disney Cruise helped prepare him...it was no big thing for him--when our turn was over and the people behind us got to him Spencer kept going for Santa he didn't want his time to end!!! He is definetely not a shy boy...Also Ryan and Katie (Brian's cousin and his wife) met up with us there! They had their kids and were only able to get 1 of them to sit on Santa's lap--I'm sorry Katie, I've so been there!!!

Then it was time for Brooklynn's Christmas dance recital! She did so good and was beautiful out there! She got very shy and nervous before it was to begin but as soon as she needed she put her shoes on and did what she's been practicing to do for a long time now and we're very proud of her for being so courageous! Grandma and Grandpa Hirschi were able to come and her daddy Taber made the drive too! She is so blessed to have so many people in her life that love her so much!

Lastly I put up some cute pics of Spencer playing with his daddy's new snowboarding boots and snowboard! His daddy likes to think that he's going to go with him this year but mama put her foot down on that one maybe next year daddy! Spencer has some really funny expressions and stances when in these boots maybe he is a natural boarder!! Anyway that is it until Christmas day--tomorrow!!! Can't wait! We are going to stay the night at Brian's parents house tonight which was a surprise for Brian that I cooked up this last week! He's very excited and happy I thought of it...who doesn't want to wake up Christmas morning in the home you grew up in having MANY Christmas morning memories as a child! It just makes Christmas that much more special I think being with your family and sharing those memories with them as much as possible! So needless to say I scored some brownie points for that one with the hubby!! Oh yah! Well we wish all of you a very merry Christmas tomorrow and hope you are all safe and happy this holiday season. We also hope that everyone can remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it--keep our savior in your hearts and thoughts this Christmas...We love you all!

Fun Pics with the help of a GREAT Photographer!!

Thanks to Katie Minnick (Brian's cousin's wife!) we have some adorable pictures of our little munchkins! I decided that it would be fun to get some professional pictures of Brooklynn and Spencer since I havn't done so since Spencer was 9 mths old! So she came to our house and did a fun photo shoot of them in their Christmas outfits! I am so grateful she came at such short notice and in a snow storm to say the least! Your so amazing Katie and we really appreciate you and your fantastic photos! Also Brooklynn was leaving that day for her dad's house until after Christmas so I wanted to do it before she left us for over a week :( We miss that little girl dearly and she's only been gone for 2 1/2 days!! It's always harder to not have her on the holiday's! Weekends I can handle it's not long at all but when it's a week or longer and the holiday's it becomes such an emotional time for us! We miss you Brooky and can't wait to get you back for New Year's!!!

I tried putting these into the Mosaic Maker but there were so many great shots I couldn't bare to have any part of the picture cut off which the Mosaic does so I did only the one's that wouldn't get cut off so that's why there's so many to scroll through! And they were all so cute I had to post most of them b/c I couldn't choose I love them all!

Also Katie has been needing to do pictures for her portfolio so she can start up her photography business full time - well as much as being a mother of 3 will allow ;) So she asked Randi and I to model for her and do some Bridal shots! Of course we jumped at the opportunity since hello what woman wouldn't want to get back into a wedding dress and do your hair and have the feeling all brides have!!! Ya I know it was a BLAST! Randi and I soaked in every moment of it and I couldn't stop laughing throughout the shoot b/c of how much fun I was having! So like some Bride's would love the opportunity to have a second chance at their bridal shots since they don't always turn out the way you want we got that second chance! Of course I personally didn't want or need one since mine were amazing b/c my sister took them and they were on the beach in Hawaii so I did it just for fun and to get into my old wedding dress again! Randi was VERY excited to get a second chance and loved every minute of it! So here are some of the fun and crazy pics we took that snowy day with Katie!

Oh yes and let's not forget our stalker!!! If you look closely at the top right picture in the above photos you'll see our Alley Stalker!!! It's pretty scary looking and kind of freaked us out until Brian zoomed in and showed us that it's actually a girl so no worries! But hey it still looks pretty freaky to us!

2 Weeks and counting--

So I'm looking at the calander and realizing whoa Christmas is less than 2 weeks away...Already? Really?? Where has the time gone? So much to be done-still.. But so glad I got most my shopping done in November or else I'd be in BIG trouble! Well I finished up my shopping today--WAHOO what a great feeling! Now it's trying to get everything wrapped and under the tree that's a whole other story! Have to think of sneeky way's I guess especially with an older daughter that is starting to get a lot smarter when it comes to certain things that have to do with reindeer and a workshop!! But I think I have a plan! We're off to see the big man tomorrow so I'll be posting some great pics on that hopefully soon! So check back in for that! Also I thought I'd share my Christmas tree with the ONE wrapped present under it so you have an idea of how many more I have to go ;-) Yeah better get busy I guess!!! Hope your all well and having a GREAT holiday season so far!!! I love this time of year!!

Here's Spencer helping out daddy put the tree up! He already wants to be a BIG boy!

Also here are just some fun pics of the kids playing together! Brooklynn has been such a GREAT big sister lately! She loves to play with Spencer MOST the time but even if she doesn't want to she will to help mommy or daddy out! We are so proud of her lately! I think she is just growing up--I can't believe my baby is going to be 8 next month...Ahhhh!

So long and farewell...but not forever!!!

This is a little late since she moved the day after Thanksgiving but It was a must post! Trisha was such a tremendous help while she was here. She came and helped me out with Spencer & Brooklynn one day a week so that I could get the office work done for our business. I just couldn't seem to be able to keep up w/everything without something being neglected and she made it possible for me to get caught up in the office and keep up with everything else around the house and errands. Needless to say I am very sad she's gone and am now looking for a replacement but that has been a very hard thing to do for some reason! Above in the pictures this was the second to last day she was with us just before Thanksgiving! She decided to make cookies in the shapes of turkey's, leaves & pumpkins w/brown & oarnge frosting w/the kids! They had a blast and Brooklynn had a friend over as well, I think Brook & Abby enjoyed eating the cookies more than anything! They were delicious Trish and my whole family loved them!

She is now living in Bend, Oregon which I'm so jealous b/c I grew up in Washington State and miss it every day! So she is that much closer to my home so I think we'll be going up that way to visit someday!!

Thanks again Trisha for everything you are an amazing person and you are so good with kids you will be such a great mother one day! Spencer and Brooklynn adore you and miss you so much! The week after you left and still sometimes to this day when the door bell rings he runs over to the gate to see who it is and I swear he's looking for you :-) You are always welcome here anytime and don't be a stranger! Take Care...

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!!

Ok so as I was coming down our stairs this morning looking outside at the beautiful snow falling this song started running through my mind--so I just had to get some pics and blog it!

I am so happy that this year decorating my house was so way much easier and faster b/c I already had all my Christmas dec's and I can't decorate that much of the house anyway b/c of some little monster that is into EVERYTHING these day's so I was limited which made for a much faster time! So everything is up and done except my garland on the upstairs banister and our tree! We were going to get it last monday but it didn't work out so now I have to wait until this coming Monday since every night this week and weekend is crazy busy--unless we get home early on Saturday we could do it that night! Well anyway I wanted to share the start of how Christmas should look like and now it's gotton me way excited for the season more than I already was! Happy snow day to, well, most of you--sorry Vegas clan ;-)

P.S. I feel terrible about not mentioning my sister's help w/the decorating of my table! She bought,brought and made them...They were absolutely the icing on the cake for it and thank you so much Rach for doing that!!! And also thank's to my mom and Lindsey and all the boys for all your help in preparing the meals and cleaning--no boy "wants" to do dishes but they all helped out in a great way wether it was dishes, cleaning, carving, playing w/the kids and so on so a big thanks for all your hard work! Without you guys it wouldn't of been a success!!! My family rocks and I couldn't ask for better!!! Love you!

Christmas time at Temple Square...

Here's the pics of us at Temple Square in Salt Lake City I promised! Thanks Rachel and Adam! The pictures turned out great!!

Thankful for Thanksgiving--

I just wanted to post a little update on our Thanksgiving this year! What a GREAT time we had.. All of my family, except my brother and his fam (we sure did miss you guys) came to our house this year! It was my first time hosting and let me tell you there is a lot of stress that comes along w/it but all so worth it! I had a blast doing it and loved every minute of it... There was fantastic company, game playing, pie eating, table decorating & much much more great things that happened on this 4 day weekend! I was so excited to decorate my table since we had exactly 8 adults and that's what my table holds...so we also did a kid's table as well and that was fun too! I'm very proud of my creativity and just had to show it off!!! So here it is!

We also had our Christmas together since it is our off year so we exchanged gifts on Friday and that was full of excitement since it was the McCracken's kids' first Christmas EVER!!! What a great moment to experience the kids were so happy and grateful...I just love those little guys! Brooky and Spencer had a blast as well along with their cousins! Even mom and dad got a little excited...

Then off to SLC for some temple square lights and dinner at PF Changs...Oh so devine I love it there but never get there since we don't have one in Logan so that was a nice meal! We happened to be at the square just as everything turned on..I have never experienced that part so that made it so much more special then it already was! We even got free hot chocolate at Deseret Book--what a great night! I guess the only ending to a perfect night had to of been losing half our family!!! It was definitely a trial trying to find everyone w/so many people but we found them and all safe! But of course it couldn't of been perfect, right!!?? So I forgot my camera and didn't get any pics but might post some later when I get a couple from my sis!

As we look forward to this month I just want everyone to know how thankful I am for this time of year! I love it b/c I remember to take the time and acknowledge all the things I'm grateful for and try not to take them for granted. Just to name a few:

My family, heavenly father, neighbors, friends, beautiful home, the gospel, gatherings, church calling, alone time w/my husband, family outings, going to the temple, good weather, our business, wonderful employee's, blogging, decorating my home, my children when there hugging and laughing together, pictures, love, peace, happiness, giving, helping others and so many more but that is to name a few!

Thank you to all of you who are so special in our lives and I hope during this great time of year you can all remember the things that are so special to you in your lives and not take them for granted! Especially while we're celebrating our Savior's birth!! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and that you all have a wonderful Christmas Season as well!