Just call us the Griswald's

Student housing had a balcony decorating contest with a $100 prize. We decided we would do everything we could to win. Luckily, we had almost everything we needed and had to buy very little. Our main competition was our neighbors across the street from us. First, we put up all that we had: the icicle lights, snowman, presents and red lights. I noticed the next night our neighbors had put up a little more so I bought some normal lights and wrapped the railing with lights and covered them in quilt batting to look like snow. The next night our neighbors had again added more decorations. I didn't realize quite how competitive I am but just like in the movies I had to out do my neighbors! So we spent that night cutting out over 40 snowflakes (I've now spent the last few days re-taping them to the ceiling as they fall). Finally, the night of the judging we even played Christmas music from our balcony and.......we won! Yeah for us!

Christmas at Disneyland

Kristi came and stayed with us for a few days. We were lucky, the rain stopped for a day and we headed to Disneyland. We had a great time, as always!

Ash's first concert!

Ashton had her 1st violin concert at school. She is amazingly dedicated and practices everyday. I'm so glad that the money my parents spent years ago on my violin has gone to good use!

You might be a redneck if .........

You go Christmas tree hunting! We're all so happy to be rednecks!

3 Christmases

Ashton told me "We're so lucky because we get to have 3 Christmases. 1 in Utah, 1 in California and 1 in Arizona." Can I just say SPOILED!

Turkey Day

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Mark's house.
Millie helped me set the table and she was so proud of herself!
The babies love to be together.



The kids and I made little apple turkeys.

Mini Me

Grandpa Mark is trying to create a mini me. He offered Kye $5 if he would let him cut his hair in a "Mark Brown special cut". Kye's no dummy he bargained with Grandpa until they agreed that after the new "do" Grandpa would go buy him a BB gun.
I think most of the boys that grew up on Goosenest Drive have had a great haircut like this at one point of their life. However, none of them were ever given such an awesome reward for letting my dad cut their hair.
Kye is an awesome shot and spent most of the weekend with his gun at his hip.
Don't worry! We buzzed the rest of Kye's head that evening. He looks as handsome as ever!

Let it snow!

When we arrived in Utah there was very little snow. Kye and Ash made this little snowman out of the bits of snow left on Grandma and Grandpa's lawn.
I called Lucy on our drive to Utah and asked her if they had any snow yet. She said "no". I asked her if she could please make it snow. The next night when it did begin to snow I asked Lucy how she had done it. She replied "Because I'm a magic winter fairy!"
Thank goodness for Lucy's magic! We were all hoping for some snow!