Happy 12th Birthday David!!!

Our little boy is no longer a little boy. He just turned 12, graduated from Primary, was ordained a Deacon and is now in the Young Men's program. It seems just like yesterday that he was learning to walk and talk.

We grilled hamburgers and made his favorite dessert for his birthday: Dulce de Leche cake.

All the family came over for his birthday ... and he enjoyed all his cards and gifts.

Donnie conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on David and then he was invited to pass the sacrament with David the following Sunday. Grandpa Doll stood in the circle to ordain David, which was awesome since he was the one who conferred the Priesthood on Donnie. We are so proud of David.

Making Chocolate Chip Cookies With Mommy

Lyssie is already learning the fine art of making Amy's chocolate chip cookies. She helps measure the ingredients, crack the eggs, stir it all up ... AND ...

... lick the spoon (Daddy's favorite part of making cookies).

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.