Happy New Year!

Tonight we had a great New Year Party! It is a tradition we have every year. The kids had a craft table set up down stairs with homemade party hats and face painting. They also had video games to play. While the adults played games upstairs and had lots of yummy food. We were able to celebrate with my family, Chad's family as well as our friends the Checketts and the Stewarts. We all had a blast. We exploded poppers and blew horns after we watched the countdown on TV.

Happy New Year 2009!

Dad loved celebrating the New Year with a Horn!

Maren and Jason (seriously, could she be any prettier!)

Kalli got way into all of the festivities!

Watching the TV, waiting for the countdown

Kenzie and Kalli

Kylee (cousin) was the designated face painter

Sydney and Gabbi working on their hats after
getting their faces painted.This is how we found Andrew. He fell asleep in the middle of the floor while the kids were playing the Wii.

A Walk, A Boy, A Grandpa, Some Dinner and A Goof!

About twice a week Chad goes and picks up my dad and takes him down to our church building so my dad can walk in a warm, safe place, free from ice. It is important for him to get his exercise and get used to using a cane instead of his walker, to help make him stronger. When Chad goes he always brings Max. Max thinks that he is Grandpa's helper. While Grandpa uses his cane to walk, Max pushes the walker behind him. Little by little Grandpa (my dad) is getting stronger, though he is still in quite a bit of pain. Tomorrow he will finish his second round of Chemo. Next week he will get more x-rays and ct scans,
hopefully we will have good news!

Max pushing Grandpa's walker

Chad has to hold onto my dad's shirt
to help stabilize him

Dad, Chad and Max

After the walk we went home and grabbed the kids. We thought that we would go to Temple Square and look at the Christmas lights before they shut them off. We kind of got a late start so we convinced the kids that instead of Christmas lights lets go get Milkshakes! Well as you can tell by the pictures we didn't make it to Salt Lake. We made it to Spankys! It's a new little 50's joint on the border of American Fork and Pleasant Grove. We had a blast. The food was great and the kids were awesome. We don't take them out much because paying for 8 people at dinner just about kills us! But it was well worth it, great food, great kids and fun times!!!

SPANKYS

Sydney and Raegan sharing a Chocolate Milkshake

Tyler and Andrew sharing a Vanilla Milkshake

Mom and Kalli with very full tummys!

After Spankys we told the kids that we would take them to see their favorite Christmas light display. There is a house in Pleasant Grove that has an awesome light display that cooridinates with music. We have probably been there 10 times this season. So Chad, right before we were leaving decides to dance to the music. The kids thought this was pretty funny. What a goof!

Chad shaking his booty to the music

A not so Merry Christmas!!

Max enjoying a little taste of snow

Christmas Eve was a blast. We have started a tradition of getting together with our friends the Checketts every Christmas Eve. This year it was our turn to have it at our house. We ordered pizza, wrote silly poems, read the Christmas story, sang songs and opened pajamas. We love getting together with this family, our kids are all of the same ages so it is definitely fun for everyone!

Tyler and Chad reading the Christmas Story

Pretty Girls, Mikayla and Raegan

Jason, Maren, Cassie and Chad

All of the Kids
(except Sydney who was sick in bed and Max)
Well Christmas came and went. I hate to sound a little down about it but it wasn't one of our best. Three out of our six kids were sick, I mean really sick. Raegan, Tyler and Sydney could hardly get out of bed and when they did it was only to throw up! And because of the sick kiddos my dad could not come around because he is currently doing Chemo treatments and his immunity is too low. So there was really no playing with toys, no sledding or playing in the snow, I don't even know if the kids even realized what they or each other got Christmas morning. Even our Christmas dinner was canceled. We were supposed to go up to my cousin Shelley's house for a big dinner but with sick kids and a wild snow storm outside we were stuck staying at home with a dinner consisting of Croisant sandwiches and chips. Which only a portion of our kids could even eat! The day after Christmas was much better. Kids were looking more alive and played and hung out together. This will be a Christmas they will probably never forget.

Santa was pretty lucky, he almost got in big trouble this year. For some reason none of Raegan's presents were from Santa this year. She was heart broken. Untill she remembered that she had left a note on the igloo outside specifically telling Santa to put her presents in the igloo. So after everyone was done opening presents Raegan was a little teary eyed. She thought that she had been a naugty kid this year. Untill she checked that igloo!

The Igloo with Raegan's note. It was empty the night before but had presents in it on Christmas.

Those Crazy Kerby Kids!

The Girls

The Boys

By The Tree

Today was the Sunday before Christmas. I always have my kids wear their Christmas clothes to church this Sunday. Well since Chad is not around on Sundays, the picture taking and distracting while picture taking all must come down to me. So this is what we got. I don't think I got one picture of every kid looking at me, oh yes I think I got one but of course it came out dark. Oh well, they are cute kids and guess I captured personalities instead of perfection. Maybe I can do better next year!
My Favorite!

Christmas Carols, Gingerbread Houses and Giggles

Sydney putting the frosting (mess) on her house.

Tyler was way into his creation. Him and Andrew even set up guards (Christmas candy corns) around their houses.

Sainie, Elle and Mckenna

The Girls

Last night Raegan and Kalli had a Christmas party with some friends from school. I think we had about 14 girls total. So lots of giggling, squealing, some drama and a whole lotta fun! The girls made their own gingerbread (gram cracker) houses, had a white elephant exchange game, ate popcorn and watched Eloise's Christmas. All of the girls came in their PJ's and left with Smiles. Tyler was even helpful and not obnoxious which was a shock with that many of his sister's friends. I think we are almost done with partying this Christmas, besides a small BYU one tonight...
Go Cougs and Party On!

Tis the Season!

Max's first experience with snow!

Wow what a week. We have had a preschool program, a second grade play, a first grade sing a long, a ball room concert, a dance recital, a ward party. Tonight Kalli and Raegan are having a Christmas party over at our house and tomorrow we have a BYU football party. Man, you would think we could spread things out a little bit. Plus the craziness of baking, Christmas cards, teacher gifts, decorating, wrapping, shopping, helping at school parties, etc, etc, etc. Whew, I should be worn out! I am hoping that next week will be a lot slower and relaxing
(who am I kidding)!
Tis the Season!
Sydney was totally into her first grade sing a long!

Kalli got to choose a partner at the end of her Ballroom Program.
Chad was her lucky guy!
Max and Andrew just after Andrew's preschool program.

Sydney was determined to dress "Christmas" for her Christmas school party.

All my kids were so excited to wear Santa hats to school today.
It was "Christmas Spirit Day".

What a Blessing

One of the bonuses of having my husband be a bishop is getting to see the amazing acts of kindness presented to so many deserving people in so many different ways. This holiday season my heart has been full seeing the many miracles, sacrifices and generosity given by so many. This Christmas more than any other that I can remember truly has blessed me with the Christmas Spirit...The Real Christmas Spirit. I am grateful for the little opportunities the Lord has aloud me to be apart of and the many blessings he has manifested to me. With a more willingness to serve and an acknowledgment of his existence, this Christmas season has been the best one yet. He is there and he is aware of our needs, desires, dreams and hopes. He knows us individually! I know that! I have seen for myself the tiny miracles of his love. What a blessing to know in this day of uncertainty that we have a Heavenly Father who wants us to be happy! REALLY HAPPY! I hope we can all be blessed with the Christmas Spirit this year!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!!

If it is going to be cold than "LET IT SNOW"! I love the snow. I love how clean it makes things look (fresh fallen snow, not dirty black old snow) I love that my kids play and play and play in it and it completely wears them out, I love to watch snow fall, I love to shovel snow (my only form of exercise in a long time) and I love that I can make a hot meal and it is SO appreciated! I LOVE SNOW!

The Goings On...

You know this month has been very busy for us as I am sure you all can relate. I just haven't had much to take pictures of or blog about. Well today I finally do. Tyler had his second grade play, GLOW. It's all about bugs. He got to be a Bumble Bee and he was so dang cute! I absolutely love this age because they aren't "too cool" yet. He totally got into his character. I loved it.Tyler, Grandma and Andrew after the play.

Tyler, Conner and Scott Robley. Scott was the play's director and was awesome! Scott and Chad are great friends. He is also the primary chorister in his ward.

Elizabeth VanUitert (sunflower) and TylerTyler and Sydney after the play.
Sydney would love to be behind a microphone all the time if she could be.

Dang Cute Bee!!!

We also have a new addition to our family. Sadie! My mom and dad got a dog. A little Shitzu. She is very cute and follows my mom everywhere. My kids love her. Especially Sydney. She (the dog) is trying to get used to my dad (she has a problem with men for some reason) but she is starting to warm up to him.
Sydney is in Heaven with this dog!

Even Max gets really excited about "Sadie"

And one last thing...
Who needs action figures? Not us!

I NEED YOUR ADDRESS!

Calling all friends, family and whoever else would like one, We are in need of your address to send our 2008 Christmas Cards out. If you wouldn't mind emailing me those addresses ASAP we would greatly appreciated it!

Please email me those addresses at www.familylaughs@gmail.com

Thanks and have a great holiday season!!!!