Christmas Morning at the Doll House

Christmas was absolutely fun this year (actually every year is fun ... but we REALLY enjoyed this Christmas). We put a lot of thought into our gifts for the kids this year and we could tell by their reactions Christmas morning that they were happy. The toughest part about the morning was trying to get everyone to stand still in front of the tree and take this picture before opening presents.

Joshua and Elyssa must have been extra good this year ... Santa brought them exactly what they wanted: a Transformer and a Barbie. It was fun to see the twins get into Christmas this year. One evening during dinner we were asking the twins what they wanted for Christmas and they said a Transformer and Barbie. We asked Elyssa if she had told Santa at the Ward Party that she wanted a Barbie for Christmas ... you could tell she was thinking for a few seconds and then said ... "We need to go back to church" ... so she could find Santa and tell him. We let her know that Mommy and Daddy had already told Santa what she wanted.

Kella was given a balloon art kit by one of her grandparents and immediately started creating dogs and giraffes. FUN!!!

Amy also made David and Kella fleece balnkets. They are super soft and warm AND they have slept with them every night.

One of little Lyssie's gifts was a ballerina outfit and ballerina shoes. She is such a little princess and acts every bit like one.

Lyssie also LOVES clothes ... top a new Sunday dress off with a microphone that amplifies and records her voice and you have a little girl in heaven.

Joshua was the perfect little dude opening presents. He loved tearing the paper off, but also spent a lot of time playing with all of his toys. The blocks were a big hit with him ... just like Lyssie is all girl, he's all boy and likes blocks and trucks and planes.

When we were in Utah this past October Kella got into painting her fingernails with designs with Amy and Grandma Mindy. This gave Amy and I the idea to buy her tons of nail polish, a book that shows different designs and some tools to make it easier to make designs on her fingernails. She couldn't wait to paint her nails ... and Lyssie's nails ... and then their toes.

The best part about Christmas is making a mess all over the living room with all the boxes and wrapping paper ... and then making the kids clean it up (just kidding ... we all cleaned up together).

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Our Christmas House

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Our Amazing Kidz

The kids have been busy this holiday season ... band concerts, choir concerts and a visit from Santa.

David learned how to play the clarinet in the Middle School band this year. His favorite songs are "Wipe Out," "The Theme from Jurassic Park," and "The Can-Can." He's gotten really good with the clarinet and has figured out how to play the keyboard this year (we really need to get a piano).

The video is of the band playing "The Can-Can." We were really impressed how good the kids played since it's the first year most of them have played an instrument. You can't see David in the video ... but if you listen really close you can hear his clarinet.

Machella has been singing in the Desert Willow Elementary choir this year. Her favorite song in the concert was "Pumpkin Pie Polka." She is also singing in the ward choir and dragged her dad along with her to choir practices. (she's on the 2nd row to the right). I tried to get some video of her but trying to wrestle the twins while taking video didn't turn out too well.

Lyssie and Joshua understand who Santa Claus is this year. They were really excited when he dropped in on our Ward Christmas Party. Elyssa wants Santa to bring her a Barbie and Joshua wants a Transformer. We'll have to wait and see how good Santa thought they were this year ...

Our STAR Scout

David has worked really hard over the past 4 months since earning his First Class rank in Scouts and was able to earn his Star Scout award at the court of honor last week. He passed off the First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Music, Environmental Science and Swimming merit badges during that time ... giving him a total of 7 merit badges. For his service he volunteered with the family at the El Tour de Tucson bike race and fundraiser.

He now has his eye on earning his Life Scout award by the end of the summer, which would make his next advancement after that Eagle Scout. He is totally motivated and into Scouts and does a really good job with all the activities and requirements. His work is exemplary. He wants to earn his Eagle before he's 14 and beat his Dad who earned it when he was 16. He's on his way to making this happen.

Grandpa and Grandma Doll and Aunt Jenn were able to come to the Court of Honor and celebrate David's awards.

We're so proud of David!!!

Joshua and Elyssa are 3!

Joshua and Elyssa celebrated their 3rd Birthday! I can't believe we have survived the last 3 years. It has had its crazy times, but has definitely been worth it. Joshua and Elyssa have such strong personalities. I love the times when they play together and laugh at their own private jokes.

For their birthday, Joshua wanted blue cupcakes and Elyssa wanted pink cupcakes. Even at 3 years old they definitely know what they want and are pretty good at letting us know what it is.

Joshua talked for weeks before his birthday about wanting a train. He had a picture of a train set and would hold it all day and even sleep with it, so of course we had to get him a train set.

Elyssa wanted dress up clothes for her birthday. She got lots of fun dress up things and jewlery and even lip gloss. She loves to pose for the camera.

Well, we made it through the first 3 years. I am so excited to see how much Joshua and Elyssa will grow and learn in the next year.

The Twin Connection

Lyssie and Josh are the cutest ... especially when they're sleeping. It's funny how they will have to touch each other during nap time ... I never really believed in the twin connection until we had two of our own.

Josh loves his little "blankie" and can't sleep without it. He's the only one of our kids whose been so attached to his blanket. Isn't he cute as he snuggles with his blankie?

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This year was a lot of fun for Halloween, especially since the twins figured out that "Trick or Treat" means candy. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Doll's house for pizza and to Trick or Treat with their cousins Noah and Zoe. It was absolutely awesome to see Joshua running at the head of the group to be the first one to be at the door to say "Trick or Treat."

Spider Joshua.

We tried to convince Lyssie to be a Spider Girl ... but she was insistent on being a "princess" ... she wouldn't budge ... oh well ... she made a cute princess.

Darth David and Spider Kella.

It was fun seeing all the excitement from the kids as we made glo-stick necklaces for them before hitting the streets.

A Princess, Spiderman and a Little Ninja (cousin Noah).

Donnie was also in the spirit of Halloween for work. The theme was Star Wars and he dressed up as Darth Maul. Little Lyssie was so scared of this. She saw us looking at how to do the make-up the night before and flipped out. She popped right out of bed the first thing in the morning to see if her Daddy had put on the scary make-up. We had to reassure her a few times that the make-up washes off.

Halloween was GREAT this year and all the kids (big and little had lots of fun).

Our Trip To Utah

The first week of October we drove up to Utah to spend time with family and celebrate David's and Rachael's wedding. This was the first time in over a year that Donnie had taken off a week from work for just vacation. It was fun to get away to cooler weather and see some family we haven't seen in over 2 years. We had a lot of fun and we're looking forward to going back again in 2010.

These are just a few of the almost 400 pictures we took while on our trip ... starting from the Reception all the way to our first days in Utah.

Aunt Laura showing Joshua the finer points of slow dancing.

This was a rare moment where David actually looks like he enjoys dancing ... with his mother. I guess we should enjoy this moment now. It won't be long before we have to keep him away from girls.

The dancing at the Reception was a lot of fun. The kids really got into it.

The happy couple at the Red Iguana for the family lunch after the wedding. We actually saw this restaurant on Drive Ins, Diners and Dives on the Food Network. We've been here before years earlier and Davey and Uncle David had a salsa eating contest. This time Kella brought enough salsa game to the table that she can give the boys a run for their money.

Little Joshie really liked hanging out with Grandpa Mark.

The family just "chillin" after the wedding.

Who is this handsome dude? I think David is "voguing" (what do you think about that Madonna)? Can you say "Rico Suave?"

The wedding was really nice. You can tell that Rachael and David really love each other. The kids were great and we were glad that we could come up to Salt Lake City for the wedding.

We always enjoy hanging out with Grandpa Mark and Grandma Mindy. They are so much fun together.

Two sisters enjoyed their time together.

David and Savannah.

Kella and Brenna were like two peas in a pod. Kella slept over at her house almost every night we were in Utah. They had so much fun together. I know they would have lots of fun together and do things together often if we lived closer. Maybe someday ...

Grandpa at the grill ... showing how it's done.

Amy thought I was going to hurt myself doing this ... ouch ... I think I'm an inch shorter now.

One of the days we were in Utah we spent the morning and early afternoon at Temple Square. The kids enjoyed seeing the Temple. It is also a beautiful time of year with all the leaves changing.

Our beautiful Kella in front of the reflecting pool. She keeps mentioning that she wants to get married in the Salt Lake Temple someday. It will be awesome to see her get her picture taken here again in the future with her eternal companion.

We love going to Temple Square.

Joshie's favorite part of going up to Temple Square is riding the train into town. It is one of the traditions we keep every time we're in Utah. We did the same when David was little and he enjoyed riding the train just as much.

Little Lyssie and Grandpa Mark waiting for the train. Grandpa is so good with the kids.

One of the afternoons we were in Utah we went to the local pumpkin patch. The kids had a lot of fun running around the corn maze, sitting on tractors and picking out their own pumpkins. Joshie was so cute pushing around a little wheelbarrow.

I enjoyed pushing Amy around in a wheelbarrow. Crazy ... I had to let my hair down a little during the trip.

No ... not which one is my head ... look how STRONG I am.

One of the mornings we were there Amy and I had a wonderful opportunity to attend an Endowment session in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We went with Mark and Mindy. It was a beautiful experience. I wish we could have spent more time doing more temple work and feeling the Spirit of the temple.

We also spent some time visiting friends in Utah. We lived next to the Frasures when we lived in Tremonton over 5 years ago. We had so much fun when we lived close that we always take the time to visit them when we're in Utah.

We also had the chance to visit the Norris family. They were our neighbors when we lived in Bakersfield. The kids played so well together in our little California cul-de-sac. When they moved to Utah the kids were so sad and the neighborhood wasn't as much fun. The kids were really looking forward to seeing Logan, Maddie and Meghan again. Amy misses living close to her friends like Lani.

One afternoon Grandma and Grandpa took us up into the mountains to pick autumn leaves and see the snow. There was just enough snow to make a 4" tall snowman. When the time in the snow was over, the twins were more than happy to get in the car since it was cold. They haven't had to worry too much about the cold living in California and Arizona.

Grandma Mindy is such a good sport and so much fun to be around. She's always creative and involves the kids.

As I mentioned before ... we had a great time in Utah. It was fun seeing everyone and we look forward to the next time we can go back. Our plan is for sometime in 2010.