Snowed In

We've had lots of snow days and bitter cold.  We were happy when it warmed up a little bit so we could go sledding.  

 Thanks to the un-identified person who left their two-seater sled.  All we had was swimming inner-tubes:).

 Lily looked about like this the whole time, even when we took her down the hill.  I guess she found her happy place.  

 Rachel and one of her favorite friends, Emily.

Hannah's Room Decor

I finally finished Hannah's room!

New Years

New Years Bell Towers

 Rachel did her bell tower all by herself this year and did a great job.

 Lincoln ate his before it finished drying.

Shared Birthdays

Joe's birthday present last year gets to share a birthday with him this year.  They both had big birthdays this year.  Lily turned 1 and Joe turned 30.

Presents

 Joe's present is symbolic of the possibility of a basketball hoop and small court in our back yard.

 Lily loves to push things and has loved this present.

The Party

Christmas 2013

We started of the season with a Kids at Keeneland Christmas Party.

Lily with Santa Buckles

 The activity had ornament making, cookie decorating, and lots of fun other things.  The kids favorite thing was getting their faces painted.

We enjoyed the Ward Christmas Party

Lincoln with Santa.  My favorite part of the whole party was that I wasn't in charge this year!

New Years Eve Traditions

 We had some friends over to act out a Nativity.  It was a lot of fun.  Notice our awesome back drop.  (Lest any rumors get started...I'm not 6 months pregnant like this picture looks).

We did Christmas Eve Pajamas for the first time.  The kids were pretty excited.  Poor Lincoln outgrew his old pajamas a long time ago. 

Christmas Day

Kids ready to come down to open presents.  We surprised them with a Wii this year.

 Christmas dinner and cookie decorating with the missionaries.  It was a great Christmas!

Thanksgiving Time

Fall Leaves

Hannah preforming at her pre-school Thanksgiving performance and feast.  My friend caught this cute picture of her waving.

 Kids Making the traditional apple and gum drop turkeys at Grandpa and Grandma's new house.  They just moved from Collierville to Bartlett to be closer to the temple since Joe's dad was called into the temple presidency.

 Joe's brother Steve lives right by Joe's parents' new house so we got to see his family a lot over Thanksgiving.  This is the park we went to a lot.  I realize 3 pictures of the same thing aren't necessary, but it made me laugh to see how someone was falling apart in every picture.

We had fun visiting Memphis.  The kids even did well on the drive, which makes any vacation an automatic success.  They're so many things to be thankful for at this season:  family, the Savior, the gospel, a warm home...  It's nice to have a holiday to reflect on our blessings.

Halloween 2013

  Everyday is Halloween for Rachel and Hannah.  They were a dog and a cat for Halloween...and every other day.  I guess it's a really fun game.

 This is the carving pumpkin FHE where I happily let Joe take charge.

 Joe and I went to a just grown ups party where we actually got someone to watch our kids.  It was fun.  I spent a long time trying to make my hair big like a guess who player.  It was sad when I realized that I just did what normal people do to get ready.

 We had our friends over for a Halloween themed dinner and then took the kids trick-or-treating.  We were an intimidating bunch with 12 kids rushing the doors.  Some how our group got bigger and bigger as the night went on.

The final costumes for the night: Lincoln-ninja, Rachel-cat, Hannah-dog, and Lily-BYU cheerleader.  Lincoln was supposed to be a boxer for Halloween.  He had this muscle packed boxer costumed that I spent a long time making a boxer robe for, but he wore it to the trunk or treat and decided he didn't want to wear it for Halloween.  Sad.  Lexington officially moved their trick or treating to November 1st because of bad weather. We were happy because Friday was perfect weather.  Good times!