The Polar Express

The famous train ride was fantastic!!!! We all took a ride to the north pole to see Santa and he even flew onto our train. All of the kids got a special gift if they just believe it, and hear it's sweet sound. They all did and enjoyed hot chocolate and chocolate covered graham crackers as they looked in wonder out the windows. It was a snowy cold night and they were all cozied up in their new PJ's much thanks to Bobba for them and the planning of the special ride to see Santa. We sang carols and felt the true spirit of Christmas as we were surrounded by those we love most and remembering Christ our Savior. I was a cry baby as always, watching the excitement and joy in my children's eyes, and just to be together on such a memorable occasion. I hope it to be a tradition for next year!!!!!! Maybe in the Grand Canyon though.

Skiing

Yes come one come all and ski or snowboard even if you never have!!! Well there was a few beginner's and a few pros but everyone had fun and went at their own pace. The kids went to school and were all together and had fun, well at least until the end, notice Jaxson crying because he couldn't carry his ski's anymore, he was soooo tired. Molly ans I hung out as the ski group and stayed on the easy runs, due to the bad knee and she hadn't skied in 20 years. She did great and we had many a laughs and a tone of fun. Adam and the boys and Danielle boarded and helped each other, well Adam help Ashton eat it a couple of times and so I guess I wouldn't call that help. They got better and better and even Elliot improved, it being his first time. We were a bit cold with the snow making ice cicles on Adam grizzly adam's it definitely was cold and blizzard conditions!!! We are from Arizona remember. We shivered going up the lift and Snow was all over our glasses and so cold they were all fogged up so it was impossible to see. We had so much fun though and it was worth ever second to be together and have those memories!

Snow?????

Yes that is right and lots of it!!!! We had a great time and it was a white Christmas with about 4-5 feet that fell while we were there. The kids loved it and were sooooo cute all bundled up!

Lichlyter Party 08

Here are my love bugs shivering in the cold as we were going into the annual Lichlyter family Christmas party. The average amount of people is about 70. It is quite a houseful, but great to reunite with cousins and aunt and uncles. Our "old papa" loves it and was grinning the whole time to think that this is your legacy, so much to be proud of.

Santa

Mya was a little unsure, but followed her brother who was still sporting the t-ball uniform. They did great and shared all their secrets of treasured gifts they wanted. Hope they were good!!!

Mya's preschool festivities

I love a special time with the girls and that is what we had!!! Mya had a special treat at school and we were allowed to come and share it. They got sugar cones and were able to decorate with frosting and lots of different candies as ornaments. It was so cute as she would put some on the tree and 5 or 6 in her mouth. What a great snack!!!! Whitney came along for the ride and was good as ever, slept and woke up at the end to sport her cute flower bow made by her mom!!! Fun times, she is doing great and learning more by the day, I am grateful to have her there and I hope she continues to talk and talk some more!!!!

The star singer!!!

So a big update with lots of pics and ramblings of the great and memorable trip we had and some festivities of the month!!

Here is our big Kindergartner at his first singing performance which he did great at and belted out all the songs we were in the second row thanks to dad getting there 1 hour early!!! He made us proud and got us in the spirit.

Get your sing on!!!

Jaxson got his sing on tonight as he was a star in our eyes! He got all dressed up and had been practicing for about a week with his class and at home. He wore his cute little tree hat and wore his big smile, most of the time. He was a bit distracted by a crazy dad in the front row, making faces at him, and no not his own. He loves music and learns lyrics so fast and remembered most of the words. He is just like his dad with that trait, and I love it!!! He had a great audience of grandma, grandpa, Mya, Whitney, mom, and dad. We loved sitting right in the 2nd row to give him our undivided attention. Mya got her shake on too as the tunes played and was entertaining as well. We came home and had some delicious cookies, so many to choose from! I am so grateful for his teacher and all her hard work, she truly loves her job and it shows, thanks Mrs. Connelly. I am grateful to say that this is our very first of many many class concerts and I loved every second. The principal even said, I don't know who looks more excited the kids or the parents! Merry Christmas and enjoy!

Cookies anyone????

Cookies cookies and cookies! That is what we had last night. People brought over 10 dozen and left with a delectable 10 dozen different ones. I love this time of year and the fun and gathering's that come with it. We had good food, friends and some laughs. My favorite was to sit and enjoy some Carmel corn and watch the biggest loser. Yes a New Year will bring new habits and no more Carmel corn. Hope everyone had fun and are loving their cookies to eat, share, and savor!!!!

The Shower!!!

Yes it was a big hit, the diaper cake I made!!! Molly had her shower yesterday and it turned out great. Lots of food, friends and funny laughs. We had cute decor like this cake and a clothes clothesline with the most adorable things for him to wear. I made little flower pots with brownie bites as the flowers that was delectable. We also had chocolate fondue, fruit pizza's, spinach dip, quiche, shrimp cocktail, croissant delight, meatballs, and blueberry punch with fresh blueberries. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. Laughing is always a guarantee with my sister and our cousin and we burned a few calories, and laughed so hard danielle and I were in tears, great times!
I am so excited for my sweet sister and this new little guy. He is going to be dresses and accessorized to the T!!! I love him already and his little cousin Whitney even tried out his bed it was the most comfortable in the house she said!

Life

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experiences." Gordon B. Hinckley
I came across this and am grateful for life and the things it teaches us and our children. A couple nights ago we did some secret Santa things and Jaxson got out and ran to the doorsteps. I loved the sparkle and excitement in his eye as he tip-toed to each door and was so glad to give. He commented," This giving is great!" What a great son I have and a choice spirit of our heavenly father I am continually grateful.

Little Whit!

She is officially 3 months old! I cannot believe how fast time goes by. I have loved and enjoyed the snuggles and cuddles. I love your fresh smell especially right after a bath. I love your little grin and your cute sad cry! I love how you can follow my voice and watch me around the room. I love that you love your bath and hate to be cold when you get out. I love how you grin at your brother and sister. I love you little bald head and rubbing my hand to feel the fuzz. I love your chubby little cheeks and can't get enough of your kisses. Oh so much to love in just 3 short months. Happy birthday!

Love the Holidays!

Decorating, lights, and wrapping!

Trees falling down right after all the work of decorating it! Yes that is right it fell over with lights and a whole gallon of H2O all over my floor and lots of broken bulbs. I was ready to take it outside and not have a tree, but my loving husband told me it would be fine and we would clean up together. This was him being positive with 2 thumbs up. Well it is up again and s far so good, hopefully no more mishaps!

We did however have a great time this weekend at the temple lights with some hot chocolate too!

Good friends and family time are fantastic!

Whitney is getting soooooo big and soooooo cute. She is all smiles and cheeks! She will lighten up any bad day and love to be a snuggle bug! She will be 3 months this week time sure flies when you have to go back to work in 1 month! I can't believe it!

Oh Christmas tree,

We went Christmas tree hunting this weekend, and boy was it a hunt. We did this last year and thought what a fun tradition it would be. Well last year we learned a lot and our eye's were a lot bigger than our house. We cut about a foot off last year and it still went to our roof which is about 11 feet.
So off to the cabin we went after church and everyone slept on the was there which was very enjoyable. We got up there and made a delicious BBQ chicken dinner thanks to the boys(Adam and Aaron). The girls cleaned up and we sat down to watch a movie while the kids played great downstairs. We made Carmel corn and apple pie with ice cream for dessert. Then off to bed for a long day of hunting.
We woke up and the boys once again made a great breakfast of pancakes and eggs and bacon. Then they took a little nap while we played some games with the kids. We packed up and were on our way to find the perfect tree. We drove and drove and drove some more. We finally found one for Aaron and Kiersten. Then after two more hours of looking, due to my husband who was very picky we found a very large tree that will have to be trimmed to fit into our house.
We had a great day a many memories made. I love this time of year!!!!!