One of those days

It's one of those days. I crave sleep. I was delirious and chose to stay in bed.


Sometimes the alarm is just so sweet when he asks for some pink milk. But somehow my whisper can get him to stay laying down. As long as I let him twist my hair.


But reinforcements came and pulled us out of bed. She has a way with getting us right up! It must be the "I'm starving" comments. Or the "Mom look how small my stomach is, it's eating itself!"


So now we are up and going on our day. Enjoy your Friday. But now a serious question, that means you have to answer- what gets you up each day?

Stone Hill

What do you get when you put our whole family in one house for a couple of days? Pure humor, lots of food, and thank heavens there was a pool. This year's gift to us from our parents was this amazing stay in Midway. Dad found a house that would fit all of us. It was an older house with lots of history, and fun things to look around at. We were lucky no one broke anything and we walked away with no injuries.
Lucky for us, we had a pool, racket ball, air hockey, and a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Milo did find time to play the dance game. Man this kid likes to dance.

There were some serious air hockey games, everyone tried to knock Ty off his winning streak but he went to bed victorious on his birthday.

All safety measures were taken. Just in case.

Keeping ourselves entertained. Saige loves a good photo collage.

An indoor pool was a nice touch. The kiddos loved it. Milo proved his toughness and would run outside lay in the snow and run back in. He loved it!

Remember being little and not worrying about the temp and wanting to swim all day ? These kids were no different. Loved every second.



We ate way too much, played some great games, ate some more and even managed to survive the haunted rooms! Thanks mom and dad. We loved every second.

Tree Farm

Candace flew into town the night before, I was at work, and the weather was finally getting a little cold. My family decided to take the kids out to get a tree for my mom's basement. They were brave, the kids had a great time, saw reindeer, and picked out a great tree. Thanks to my amazing sisters and Mom for taking my kiddos. They loved it.








Glad to have the Heward's in town. Glad Candace is pregnant, and Josie is as cute as ever. Too bad she calls me Connie, what about all those bonding Wednesdays we had?! But it's such the compliment tone called Connie, I'll take it!!

The BIG December day.

The kids slept in. We had a yummy breakfast- grandma Foote's sausage stuff. Yummmmm. And the kids opening presents.


Saige screamed in delight about her doll house. I thought for sure I took photos but cannot see them. She jumped, she screamed, she was so excited. It was perfect.


Stockings were fun, definitely a present for moms. While at Harmon's I saw a bag of coal. I bought it planning in putting it in Matt's stocking. But I actually got Matt a lot for his stocking and nothing for mine so I put it in mine. As the kids emptied theirs they wanted us to open ours. They laughed at all of Matt's Mtn dew, and then I pulled out my coal. Both their jaws dropped and they gave me the most worried look ever. Saige came and gave me a hug and said, "Mom, maybe you cried and whined and pouted too much!" Hahaha. Next years goal, no more pouting. I did not think it would make that big of an impact but those two told everyone that I got coal.


Milo asked for a monster truck. That's it. So we got him a black monster truck, I wrapped the truck and left the controller out. He ran up and immediately tried to figure out what it was for. The truck was in the back but he could hear it moving.


It was fun to see how excited he was.


One happy kid. Lots of presents were opened. Smiles, screams, and jumping for joy. The kids had a great Christmas, I managed to surprise Matt with stuff from REI, cant go wrong there. And I got a new front door!!! Can't wait to get it up!!! We visited both families, took very little photos- shame again. Did get some great photos of the hats from my mom from festival of trees.





Thank you families for such an amazing Christmas again.

Milo's Charlie Brown Tree

Mimi came and dropped off an early present for our family.


This darling Charlie Brown tree. It came with a book, narrated by Mimi and we put together the tree and placed it on display. The kids loved listening to the story and Milo really liked the ornament. I told him he needed to be extra careful as its glass and not on there very tight. We were getting ready for bed, I think Adam and Natalie stopped by, and I heard a crash. Milo had been playing with the tree and the ornament fell off. He looked at me totally sad, and didn't know what I would do. Honestly I wasn't worried. I could easily find a new red ornament to replace it. Milo ran into his room, I assumed to just hide for a minute. I finished chatting with Adam and Natalie, and Milo came back out with this:


He had taped the ornament back together using lots of tape and it made it perfect.


Made me cry, he thought I was sad he broke it. But it was just a reminder of this little boys sweet personality and creativity. We wrapped it up, and it will be the only ornament on that tree forever.

Christmas Eve Finale

Yes. Christmas Eve is a hectic day for our family. (In the past I have often times worked on Christmas Eve too, thank heavens I have come to my senses didn't do that this year.)


After two amazing family get togethers we rushed home. Saige was so worried that Santa was going to beat us home and thought every red light was santa's sleigh. We made it home and Saige quickly pulled out the cookies and milk.


Thanks to our amazing friend/neighbor Jen, she baked up some of the most delicious cookies (bottoms were even dipped in chocolate!!!!). I hid them and saved them for the perfect night. I may have helped Santa eat them.





After the cookies were out, we sprinkled some reindeer food out on the lawn to attract the reindeer. Thanks to cute Aunt Shana- the kids loved it!!


A little glitter never hurt anyone right?


No snow this year! But at least it wasn't too cold!! The kids quickly jumped to bed, fell asleep quicker than ever- and the nights festivities were just beginning for me.


My Dad and Mom, I mean Santa, bought Saige this amazing dollhouse from this cute old man in Orem- hand made wooden furniture, cute shutters on the side, perfectly pink. It was such the perfect gift for Saige. She loves it and plays with it every second.


My Dad came and dropped it off, and then I wrapped up all the accessories so she would have presents to open in the morning.





After getting most the presents wrapped, it was time for the stockings.


Santa must shop at target. Lots of undies, socks, oranges, and Chapstick for everyone. Do you have stocking traditions? Ours are toothbrushes, bananas, oranges, and chapstick. Always have and probably always will.


Girly stuff.


Matt's stocking. He got an extra little something.


I seem to stay up too late every year-I'm going to copy Jenni's idea and do it with a friend earlier and just be done. That's the goal next year.


Santa wrote the kids a letter, thanking then for being good, Alex the Elf dropped off some yummy treats


The house was cleaned, decorated for the big day, all in anticipation of it becoming a huge wreck in the morning.





And best of all, my helper of the night. He was asleep the same time as the kids. He did offer to help, but his eyes had a different plan haha.


Merry Christmas Eve.

McDonald Christmas Eve... A bit different

If you know our family, or remember previous posts, you know we have 6 girls. 6 loud, crazy, talented, out spoken, creative, sweet, loud (did I already say that), and competitive girls. We are all about a good time and a McDonald spin on EVERYTHING. Christmas eve is no exception.


First off we start everything with food. Not very many of us were hungry but all found something to eat. The shrimp were everyone's favorite.


We gathered in the living room, pulled costumes for everyone, and got ready for the nativity of the year. Presenting: The Shepherds.


This was an exclusive group. They saved the best for this group, and let's be honest no sheep were ever lost with this group. LtoR: Bonnie, Matt, Grant, Ty, Mom and John.


Our boys. Brave boys. Think about it, until 6 years ago when Matt and I were married, there were no boys. Our Dad is so glad they are around.


I'm really glad this shepherd was around. I think I will keep him, just have to bribe him with shrimp.


Isn't he handsome? Sorry ladies he is taken.


He looks thrilled to be in costume doesn't he.


Oh and meet John. Not Jon as in Bonnie's Jon. This is Katie's John. Apparently looking oddly similar for Bonnie and Katie was just not enough. They needed two Jo(h)ns. And don't get me started on the Onnie's in our family. Thats another story. Welcome John. You are brave.


Meet the angels. Sweet, angelic, and perfect Angels.


Staci was the ring leader, you know those angels had a good time.


Saige. Oh Saige. She was born for the angel role. She adored it.


Ms. Josie. She was the traveling angel. She didn't want to stick around too long.


And the wise (wo)men. Oh it's just trouble here. No wonder it took the wisemen so long to get there. These 3 probably slowed everyone down, but did it fashionable. Ha.


Ms. Ella. Oh this girl. She is a hoot. Funniest Mary, with her sippy cup.


Milo pulled off the Joseph role again, hey when you are good why change right?!?


Sweet kiddos. Reminding us why we are celebrating Christmas.


And of course the bravest narrator-


We had a great time. Small minor changes but all in all a perfect nativity. After the nativity our mom, even though she promised not to, had some gifts for us.


For many many years, my Mom has given us ornaments. Usually some symbol of the year's activities, and some random Christmas ones. But she gave us a beautiful box to store them in and keep them safe. Thanks momma.


We then got our cute Pj's for the kiddos and warm clothes for the adults. The kids loved their slippers and matching pjs.


But while we were getting jammies on we heard something on the roof top. Quickly we found out it was SANTA on the roof!!


Santa called down to the kids and told them how good they have been this year.


Milo was so excited. He wanted to climb up there and find Santa. Oh the excitement to be a little kid again.


We followed Santa's orders and hurried home. The drive home was so long for the kids, they were so worried he would beat us home. Thank heavens Matt drives fast. Merry Christmas Eve.