Thanksgiving with Paul's family

After a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family we went up to Salt Lake today to do Thanksgiving with Paul's family.  It was so much fun to hang out with family again.  Ben and Annie (Paul's nephew and wife) were there with Jack and their baby Tommy.  He was so cute to see.  Paul's sister Julie was there from Texas, Paul's parents, and Aunt Billie and Glen.  We ate and visited for a while and then we went to go see the lights at Temple Square.  That was so much fun to take the kids and family to see the beautiful lights that are put up every year.  It was cold and crowded, but it was worth it.  I am so grateful that we can create memories with our families. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was Thanksgiving day and it sure was fun.  I had so much fun that I didn't get any pictures.  I could kick myself for that, but oh well.  This morning I spent the time making my pumpkin pies and watching the Macy's parade on TV with the kids.  Then we all got ready to go to my sisters house.  It was so much fun being around family.  Mom and dad were there, Paul and I and the kids, and my sister and her family, and Michael (my brother in law's) brother and his two boys.  We had a wonderful lunch with turkey, potatoes, dressing, salad and rolls and of course dessert.  There was so much food I think we all could roll out of there.  Paul had to leave early to get to work, but the kids and I stayed and had fun.  The kids played with their cousins, the men watched the football and the girls played games.  That is my favorite part of the holidays is getting together as a family, eating and then after playing games. 

Time to put up the Tree

Tonight we got the whole family together and decorated for Christmas.  We got all the boxes out and put on some Christmas music and started the holiday season.  It was so much fun to see the kids faces light up as we opened the ornament box.  This year Hans was old enough to put the tree together by himself, so that is what he did.  Liesl loved looking at the ornaments and Gabi of course was just getting into everything.  I was working on putting up my 35 nutcrackers that I have and Paul was there to make sure things were put on right on the tree.  It was definitely a fun moment for us that we wait for all year. 

Happy Birthday Becky!

Today was a fun day for me, even though I am getting older.  I had a wonderful birthday with my family.  I woke up and before Hans wen to school the kids game me their gifts.  I got some awesome stuff from them.  I got candles which I love, makeup, a hairbrush, and fuzzy socks and hat and a cold stone gift card from my sister which I am definitely going to use.  My visiting teacher was so awesome to stop buy and bring balloons and a cake for me.  After we got ready for the day we ran errands and then had fun in the afternoon.  Lito and Lita came over and brought me a scarf and gloves which I was so grateful for.  I also got pink fuzzy house shoes.  It was fun visiting with them.  They stayed and played with the kids while Paul and I went to Tucanos, my most favorite place ever.  I had gotten a free meal for my birthday there and I couldn't be happier.  After that we went up to the new outlet mall at Traverse mountain and looked around there.  It was so much fun just being able to spend time with Paul.  It was such a relaxing day and fun too. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabi

Today my baby girl turned 2 years old.  I cannot believe that time has gone by that fast.  She definitely has grown up so much.  She walks, talks a lot and knows how to express her feelings.  She is a very independent and does her own thing.  I am so grateful for this little blessing in my life. 

Morning fun: Before Hans went to school we sang to Gabi and gave her some gifts

Gabi opening her first gift

Gabi opening her second gift from Mom and Dad

Hans and Liesl enjoying one of Gabi's toys

Afternoon Fun:  That afternoon Lito and Lita came over to give Gabi her gifts

Lita gave Gabi a stroller that daddy had to open

This gift was the second one from Lito and Lita and it was a homemade diaper bag

The third gift which was a baby doll.  Lito opening it for Gabi

 

 

 

The final product

Night time Fun: After we had a fun day, we sang Happy Birthday to Gabi and ate the cupcakes I had made her. 

Gabi's cupcakes

ready to blow out the candles after singing to her

Of course Gabi goes for the frosting first

Liesl with her cupcake

Hans with his cupcake

Gabi enjoying hers

Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter

Halloween Day

Today was a very eventful day for our family.  It started out with Hans having a little parade and dance at his school.  Paul, Liesl, Gabi and I went to go and see him and the girls loved it because they could dress up as well.

Liesl dressed up at a beautiful witch

Hans standing in line with his friend Conner

Hans and Conner

Hans holding Gabi the dragon waiting for the dance to start

After the fun we picked up Hans from school and went straight to Lito and Lita's house to celebrate Halloween with them.  We had a wonderful dinner and the kids got to play outside for a while.  Then we went trick or treating and got a lot of candy.  Mommy was very happy because there was a lot of chocolate.

Hans trying to bounce Lito on the trampoline

Liesl playing with Lita with the play kitchen and table

Hans as Batman, Liesl as a Witch and Gabi as a dragon

Halloween fun

Today was a fun Saturday for our family.  The kids went to the church to practice for the primary program so that gave us time to spend some time with Gabi.  After the kids came back we got ready to go to the Fresh Market grocery store where they had some fun things for the kids.  Hans, Liesl and Gabi got dressed up in the Halloween costumes and we went to trick or treat at the store.  They also were able to get some pumpkins and decorate them.  After we had done the grocery activity, we came home and carved our home grown pumpkins.  That was a fun experience, although the kids were not helping gut the pumpkins because they were not liking the feeling of the insides.  So Paul and I did most of that.  We had the kids draw out the faces they wanted on the pumpkins and Paul carved them out.  They turned out great and we are so proud of them.  Gabi had fallen asleep so she was not able to participate, but maybe next year.