Christmas 2008

We had an awesome Christmas this year. Last night we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Reed's for our Christmas Eve party. We had great food and lots of fun. Corbie wasn't as interested in opening his gifts as he was climbing on everything possible and trying to mimic everything that Brycen was doing. Everyone was there including Arnauld's brother Kevin and Matt so we had a great time hanging out together. Corb's spent quite a long time just hangin out on Grandpa's lap. He sure loves his grandpa!

This morning we had everyone on my side of the family over to our house for a Christmas breakfast and gift exchange. We have had quite a few inches of snow fall over the course of the last 24 hrs, but despite it all everyone was able to make it safely. Thanks to Grandma Bateman's cooking expertise we had our traditional Ebelskievers along with a baked ham and Monkey bread. We all took turns opening gifts and I think everyone had a great time and I am grateful that everyone came. It really made Christmas special for us.

Corbs and Cierra were spoiled to death by everyone. Corbin got a cool train table and a Shake and Go track, among many other things, that entertained even the bigger boys for hours. Cierra got a little purse with a dog that she was carrying around on her arm like a little princess. It was so cute. I'm not quite sure what we are going to do with all of this stuff, but Corbs sure loves it. Layne and I got each other new IPhones and we are both acting like a bunch of little kids with our new toys. It is totally amazing the things that these little devices will do and we don't even know the half of it yet.

This evening we visited Grandma Bateman and the rest of the clan at her house for yummy homemade ice cream and candies. We were able to talk with Brian while we were there which was lots of fun. He was sunbathing on the top of his apartment in Florida today for his Christmas celebration (wouldn't that be rough?).

Afterwords, we visited Grandma and Grandpa Green. Grandpa was been sick today so they weren't able to come for breakfast this morning so we stopped by late to wish them a Merry Christmas. The snow was really coming down, but the beamer was a champ and just moved right along and we were able to get there with no problem.

Thank you to all that made this Christmas so wonderful for me and my family. It truely was one of the best Christmas's that I can remember. Merry Christmas to you all. We love you!!!

Visit with Santa

Tonight we took Corbin to see Santa. We had to stand in line for a while and Scooter watched intently as all the other kids sat on his lap. It was a whole different story, however, when it came to be his turn. He didn't cry....but he certainly wasn't going to stick around for any kind of picture taking. Santa had given him a candy cane, which he initially accepted, but when Santa wouldn't let him down he gave it back to him...I think in trade for letting him go. So this is the picture that we got in the split second that he was with Santa. Oh well....we tried!

Granny's Annual Family Christmas Party

Tonight we went to Grandma B's for our annual family Christmas Party. We had our traditional soup bar that grandma works so hard to prepare for us. We are so grateful for all her efforts.

After dinner we all opened our gifts from Grandma. Traditionally Santa has been kind enough to drop in to deliver the gifts, but since most of the kids have gotten older he hasn't come the last few years....a big sigh from the adults!

Corb's got a Thomas the Train that he enjoyed, but he was more interested in Cierra's princess phone. Good thing Cierra is so patient with him!
The kids also enjooyed pounding on Grandma's piano. I think we have a couple of Liberace's on our hands!































We had lots of fun....THANKS GRANDMA!

Thanksgiving

I had to work today so some of our day was spent apart. Layne and Corbin went to Grandma and Grandpa Reed's for a while to visit. Fortunately for me, Layne was kind enough to bring Scooter to the hospital to eat a turkey lunch with me. It was was lots of fun and I am very grateful that they came. Once I got off work we went to Grandma Bateman's for dinner. She worked very hard and made a fantastic Thanksgiving meal as always. It was kind of a smaller group than we normally have a Grandma's, but we still had a good time. Of course it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without some of Grandma's amazing homemade ice cream. Afterwards, we drove to Grandma and Grandpa Green's house for a visit. It was really nice to see everyone and appreciate all the great food. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Halloween

It's Halloween....one of my favorite holidays. I know this may come as a surprise to many of you haha, but today we decided to go back to my favorite era....the '70's (....I mean really where would we be without the Bee Gee's?).This morning we took Scooter over to the hospital for the annual Halloween daycare parade. There were tons of kid and lots of admirer's at the parade and everyone just loved Corbie's costume. Layne and I were absolutely amazed that he kept his wig and glasses on the entire time without a fight. He got lots of candy and I think that he had a good time.

Once I got off work, Layne and I decided to join in on the fun and like a big bunch of dorks dressed up as well.

We spent the night trick or treating at all our friend and families houses. Along the way we met up with Ironman (Brycen) and the most adorable little stinker....Cierra! I'm not sure any of them really knew what was going on or why their crazy parents had them dressed in these funny outfits but they were really good sports about it. Happy Halloween everyone!!!!

Pumpkin Patch

Tonight we took Corbin to Cochran's Produce to pick out some pumpkins for Halloween. He didn't really get the jist of what was going on and the pumpkins certainly weren't all that interesting to him, but in his mind there sure was a lot of space to run around. We actually had to either put him in the big metal wagon or trap him down in a middle of a big stack of pumpkins to get him to cooperate with any picture taking.The Hassell family had the same idea in mind and they met up with us there which was a lot of fun. Corb's had fun with the kids and enjoyed climbing up the haystacks. We all had a really good time and I don't think we could have planned it any better if we had tried.
Afterwards, we had a nice dinner at a new restaraunt in town called Zucca's. The waiter was very nice and really had a good time with Corbin. It was a really nice family night out.

Annual Halloween Party

Layne and I got invited again to the Cook's annual Halloween Party. It's just a big excuse for a bunch of grown adults to get together, look and act like idiots, and have a great time.

This year the theme was the '60's. They did a murder mystery again (...luckily I wasn't the murderer this time). I was supposed to be "Aurora Astral," a hippie who believes strongly in the psychic auras and energy of all living things. I apparently practice astrology, tarot and I Ching divination and I seek to cleanse my body of negative karma and impurities. Layne was "Juan Valdez," the Columbian coffee enthusiast who manufactures and sells organic coffee beans.

We had a great time and as you can imagine the costumes were hilarious!!! Everyone really puts a lot of time and energy into making this a very fun party each year. Thanks for keeping the invitations coming....we had a GREAT time and look forward to more Halloween fun in the future.










After the party, we stopped by Shanna and Mark's Halloween bash to get in on a little of their fun as well. Unfortunately, we missed most of the party but we were able to check out their awesome haunted house. It was truly unbelievable!!! There certainly wasn't anything spared in making their party a hit. There really are no words to describe how well there party was done. The decorations were amazing!!! Shanna worked her tail off for several weeks to make it happen and I think she did a fantastic job. Thanks for inviting us as well....Sorry that we were late.

Labor Day

Well it has been a wild and crazy weekend. It's kind of one of those times when the saying...."when it rains it pours" would be very fitting. Grandpa Reed is still in the hospital, but he has been moved from the ICU to intermediate care and is doing much better. We anticipate that he will get to go home on Monday or Tuesday. Unfortunatly though, Randy Muchmore is in a hospital in Idaho Falls after sustaining severe injuries from an ATV accident in St. Anthony this weekend and John Mason (Tyler Hover's dad) has passed away unexpectantly. We hope that all of our family and friend know that our prayers are with each and everyone of them!!!