New Years Eve

New Years Eve day we took it easy.  Owen played

doctor and Riley was the patient.  

 My kids would get way to sleepy to stay up until 

midnight so we had a count down a little before

10:00 pm.  My brother Michael and his wife Skyla

came down for the weekend and were good

sports when I suggested banging pans outside

to make noise for the new year.  My kids laughed

and felt a little silly but who cares we had fun! 

Brandon and I loving every minute! 

New Years at the Cabin

We celebrated the New Year at the cabin.  Which we've 

done before and enjoyed it.  The kids love sledding

and riding the 4 wheelers. 

On the 4 wheeler is where Owen spend most of his time.

Sierra loved riding with Brandon because she could

go fast and she did not quite have the steering

thing figured out. 

Here is a fun video for all of us to get more laughs in.

Good times, good times! 

Sierra and I hate to be cold and bundled up to the fullest.

 The little ones made it out together so we snapped a picture 

because we knew it would not last long.  Owen spent the most time 

out side.  Bailee tried the sledding a bit but Tate

would rather be warm in the cabin. 

 Owen moved on from the 4 wheeler to Grandpa's

tractor. 

 Grandma always brings up noise and mess makers

to the cabin for the kids to have fun with. 

 The adults were ready for bed time after those

noise makers the girls would not stop blowing. 

Not really we stayed up talking! 

Christmas 2012

Every Christmas Morning the kids wake up, find their

stocking and come to our bed to show us what

they got. They are still waking up a bit but are so

excited!

The kids lined up youngest to oldest to go into

the living room to see what Santa brought them.

It's a tradition on both Brandon's and my side,

Oldest to youngest.

Paige was thrilled she got her Lego set she asked for. 

 Riley loved her new coat that Brandon

and I bought her.  

Sierra was so excited that Santa got her a scooter like

her sisters. 

You don't even have to ask if Owen liked his new

train set.  That is all he played with all morning. 

 This was a fun gift for me to give my kids.  Earlier

this year I took the kids to the Zoo and they all asked

for a stuffed animal which I told them no but secretly 

got it when they were other wise occupied. 

So when they all opened this gift they were shocked 

but thrilled to get the stuffed animal they wanted. 

Owen got an Elephant, Riley a Polar Bear, Paige a Tiger

and Sierra a Seal. 

It's funny Owen wanted an Elephant since he was

terrified to stand close to the Elephants at the zoo. 

This makes me laugh!  Owen was so excited that he

got Thomas the Train Under wear.  Not because they

were under wear but because they were Thomas the Train. 

 Oh well if he probably won't be potty trained for 

months but he was proud to show them off.

Owen gave his Dad a new Black Belt.  I think

this year Owen got the hang of giving presents to

people.  But of course was quick to loose interest 

and look for one to open himself! 

Later in the day we went to Brandon's parents

to spend the evening.  

Grandma and Grandpa spoiled the kids with

more presents.  The kids absolutely love the gifts

they got.  

We gave Grandma a puzzle of a picture of all

her grandkids on the boat at Bear Lake.  It had

all their names and ages on it also.  I think she 

loved it! 

I've been dying to get another purse.  Mine was falling

apart.  I thought Brandon would have got it for me

since I showed him the one I wanted.  But When I 

didn't get it from him I was a bit bummed but

in stead Lisa got it for me.  I was thrilled! 

 Brandon got a rash guard shirt or a dry suit top, 

which ever you call it!  Which he loved! 

Christmas Sunday

Here is our traditional family picture on the Sunday morning

before Christmas.  This year we put one of Owen's Elmo

toys on the tripod to get him to look and hopefully smile

at the camera.   Oh the things we do for a smile!

Later that day we had a get together at Brandon's

Aunt Ann's house for a nice dinner and presents

from Great Grandpa Gardner. 

Christmas Piano Recital

I must have forgot to take a picture of Riley at the

end of her Recital.  But here is a video of her playing 

for those that wanted to go but could not. 

The Tree House Museum

My kids had the longest off track break.  From right

before Thanksgiving to after the new year.  So

we had to plan fun days to keep them and me from

not going crazy!  We went to the Tree House Museum

and invited my sisters to go.  Just Kami and Emery

came with us.  My girls had been there before

but this was Owen's first time. Of course he saw

the train tables and there was no getting him away

from them. 

Got to love the Fire Truck!

The girls loved pretending they were cow girls!

Owen finally realized the horses were not real

and was willing to get on one.  

I guess being off track my kids missed school.

They spent time in the school house. Even Owen

tried to participate.  Of course Riley was the teacher.

She really does a good job! 

Owen would only touch the cow and pretend to

milk it if I was doing it also so it was hard to get a picture

that close. 

Sierra is older since the last time we came

so she got right in there and milked that cow.

 The drums were a hit with all of us.  Even my sister

and I.  Something about banging on a drum gives you

satisfaction.  

Emery and Owen crawling through the 

tree tunnels. 

 I think we spent the most time in the Baby Nursery.

Riley pretended she was a doctor taking care of the babies.

And Kami and I got to sit down and talk while they

all played.  And yes even my boy wrapped up a baby

and took care of it.  He has 3 sisters so he knows

what he is doing! 

 There was even more to do.  The new art area.

The kids painted, cut, glued and decorated a card 

to take home.  

 We also played with the life size U.S. map, the

play kitchen, blocks, tracing dinosaur bones and more. 

Kids could spend all day there if mom's had more energy! 

Dinner with my Dad

This will be the second time and most likely a new tradition

we do every year.  My sister Kami and I have dinner with my

dad and his wife around Christmas time. 

We don't see my dad all that much so this is something to

look forward to. 

Kami, Emery, Gloria, Grandpa, Kristie, owen, Riley, Sierra and Paige

Brandon and Mikel were also there. 

Family Time

With all my siblings busy schedule we finally

found a night we could all get together for a Christmas

dinner and party.  We had it at my house.  My sister

came in from Pennsylvania, my mom and brother

from Idaho and my little sister came up from Orem.

And my other younger sister lives in Clearfield which

I'm thankful to have one family member close by. 

It was fun being all together.  We don't get that very

often.  My older brother Patrick and is wife

were unable to make it from Oregon.  And it was

not quite the same with out them.  

Anyway my kids love "Uncle Mickey"!  And 

find all sorts of ways to have fun.  They giggled 

and laughed when Michael picked them all up 

together in a bear hug and turned in circles.  

I love this picture of my mom with all her Grandkids!

I know she loves it too! 

Riley, Grandma, Paige, Maddie, Owen, Aidan, Sierra and Emery

The rest of the night after a yummy dinner we played

some games with the adults and kids and then the

kids played down stairs while us adults played 

another game.  The night was short but we had a good

time.  It probably won't happen again getting all together.

Life takes us in many directions.  So I'm glad we had one

good night to remember. 

Specially for my mom.  I know that means the world to her. 

Great Grandpa's Birthday

It was a Friday and Brandon had the day off so we drove 

to Bountiful to visit Great Grandpa Gardner for his birthday.

He was having a party that night but it happen to be the only

night all my family could get together for Christmas so we  

were unable to go. 

It was a short visit because Grandpa had to head off to a 

funeral.  Not the funnest thing to do on your birthday. 

We love Grandpa and the Great man that he is. 

He is such a good example to our family. 

We are glad he is in our life. 

Bluff Ridge Christmas Concert

Our family went to Clearfield High to watch

Riley and Paige perform for their Bluff Ridge

Elementary Christmas concert.  Riley has 

performed in one the previous year but this was

Paige's first year. She said she was a little nervous

but afterward said she had fun. They did a great job

and I could actually see Riley do some of the actions

which is a big step for her! 

Brandon and I were lucky enough to get tabernacle

choir Christmas concert tickets which was on this same 

night so we had to give them up. But making my 

kids happy is so much more fulfilling. 

Riley's 9th Birthday

My Riley is turning 9!

We had a family party for her birthday. We did

a winter wonderland themed party.   The only bummer

was that it was completely dry of snow outside.

But in side we had snow flakes hung all over.

Riley does not like cake and specially with frosting

so we had brownies, one of her favorite desserts.

I told Riley she could invite one friend to her party

since she was not having a friend party this year. 

She chose to invite her friend Hallie Kofoed.

We had her Party on Saturday because on Monday,

 her Birthday we had other things going on. 

Hallie Kofoed and Riley

Riley and Sierra

Riley and Paige

Riley, Cousin Emery and Aunt Kami

Grandpa Corrigan, Riley and Gloria

Riley, Aunt Katie, Cousin Bailee and Uncle Spencer

Aunt Karissa and Riley

It's great we have birthdays so we can get together

as a family and have fun!  Grandpa Gardner played 

horse and the kids loved it! 

The next day, Sunday with just our family we did

more of the birthday traditions we have and Riley

picked what she wanted for dinner.  She picked

fried chicken, mashed potatoes with Gravy and

Squash. 

On Monday the 3rd her actual Birthday

she spent the day at home with her sisters

playing because she was off track.  I asked her 

if she wanted to go somewhere fun and she said she'd 

rather play at home.  Brandon got off work

a little early so we could take Riley to

Boondocks. 

But before we went to Boondocks we let Riley

open her present from Brandon and I.  She was so

excited and had been waiting all day for her dad

to get home so she could open it. 

She got a new bike.  Her first one with gears. 

Riley has asked ever time we've gone to Boondocks to ride

the cars.  We always told her no.  Until today on her

birthday. The other kids were to short.  So it was just

Riley and her dad racing.  It was only those two on the

track.  Yes it was December and cold but actually 

not as cold as it could have been.  Riley was a little

scared to drive at first but after a couple of times around 

the track she let out a smile. 

 She loved earning a ton of tickets.