Happy Holidays!!!

Can I say how much I love this time of year.  I love everything about it: the shopping, parties, wrapping, family togetherness, etc.  To start our traditions off we head to Bear Lake to cut our tree down- so fun!!!!

 Chloe, Tessa, and Gavin waiting to cut the tree down.

 That same weekend we decorate gingerbread houses.  This may not be every one's favorite thing to do but I think it is fun and so do my kids. 

 Next it is decorating the tree.  We don't have a fancy tree but I love it.  Every vacation we go on we always buy an ornament for our tree and each year my parents give the kids on the represents an event in their lives from the past year.   I love pulling out each ornament and talking about when and how we got the ornament.

 Next is Pete.  How we love our elf.  This year Pete has been pulling some funny tricks on us and the kids love it!!

 The girls each have a small tree for their room.  They make ornaments for their tree and are so proud of it.

 Chloe made the star all by herself for her tree.

 The list!!! Tessa does not really know what to ask for or does she remember from day to day what she wants.  I find this funny because last year she was certain of what she wanted: Bitty Baby and a Snowman.  I guess that makes it easy for Santa. 

 Now Chloe knows EXACTLY what she wants and made up her mind several weeks ago.  I am sure it will never change.  This year she is asking for an Easy Bake Oven, Rapunzel Tower, and a Leapster game.  This year Chloe could write the letter all by herself. 

I can't believe Christmas will be here in 2 weeks.  The other night I was reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and had to telling Chloe that I can't read that book this early.  I got just too excited.  I still could sleep that night but I did get butterflies.  I think I can thank my mom for all of my Christmas excitement.  I think she gets just as excited for Christmas as I do.  Growing up Christmastime was magical at our house. I think my excitement has rubbed off on Christopher.  He took Tessa to see Santa yesterday.  She loved him but would not say a word to him.  I hope you all have a special Christmas season and enjoy spending time with family and loved ones.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Tessa!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl.  Wow, 3 years have flown by.  I love being your mom!!! I am so grateful that you are part of our family.  I LOVE YOU!!!

 Tessa you make me laugh every day!!

 You are a monkey, you climb on everything.

 You must have sensitive eyes because you need sunglasses every time we drive in the car.

 What a character!!!!

 I am so proud of you that you are a BIG GIRL

 You truly LOVE life.

 You are my little dare devil.

 You have a special bond with Grandma.   You can't wait to see her!!!

 I think horses are you favorite thing.  You are fascinated by them.  As soon as you get on you tell Dad, faster.  You have even learned how to ride by yourself.

 We went to Disneyland and you absolutely LOVE it!!!  It was so fun seeing the excitement on your face.

 You also saw the ocean for the first time.  You have so much fun playing in the sand. 

 You are just so dang cute!!!

 You really loved riding on Grandpa's boat.  Once again, the faster the better.

 You are an animal lover.  You care about all animals and are very nice to them.

Tessa you are one special girl.  You have killer blue eyes and a beautiful smile.  I absolutely adore Chloe.  You try to do everything just like her.  There has been several days you have tried to sneak on the bus with Chloe.  You love when Dad come home from work because then you can go outside and feed the animals with him.  You still do not sleep good.  I don't know what to do with you.  You cry at night because you want milk.  I won't give it to you until 6 so you cry and cry.  Now since you are 3 you said you would not cry at night.  I really hope so because I am so sick of getting up with you at night. 

Favorite color: purple, green, and blue

Favorite song: I don't remember

Favorite food: milk

Best friend: Chloe

Favorite TV show/ Movie: Lady and the Tramp

Gardiner Village

Every year we go to Gardiner's Village (or if you are Chloe you would call it Witches Brew) to see the witches. I think it is so fun to walk around and try to find all of the witches.  I do not advice going during UEA.  It was nuts! Tessa's favorite witch was the one riding her bike and Chloe said she just loved them all.   

 About 30 minutes into our day Tessa decided her tutu was way to itchy and wanted it off.  I let her walk around in just her tights but I thought she looked pretty cute anyways. 

 All of the kids: Molly, Chloe, Abby, Ben, Tessa, and Gavin.  We are missing Grace, Stockton, Brynn and Grant. 

 Everyone else went on a hayride but Tessa was bound and determined to go on a pony ride (not like she can't do it everyday in her backyard).  I decided it was not worth a fight and let her ride the pony.   It was the highlight of her day.  She is soooo in love with horses (or if you are Tessa they are sorses). 

No More Training Wheels

The other day we were at my parents house and Chloe looked out the window and saw Abby riding her bike without training wheels.  Chloe did not say much but the next day she came to me with this worried look.  She told me that she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels because Kyla and Abby can ride theirs with no training wheels and they are younger than her.  I told her that was kind of a dad thing and since Dad was hunting he would teach her next week.  Well that did not go over so well with her.  She was pretty worried about being older than her cousins that could ride with no training wheels.  Christopher had taken the tools with him hunting so we went to my parents to get a wrench.  As soon as the training wheels were off so was Chloe.  I had to hold her bike for about 30 seconds and she was a pro.  She could ride up and down the street and start and stop all by herself.  She was pretty proud of herself.  Ever since then she has not wanted to stop riding.   

Big Girl

Tessa has been begging me for a big girl bed for quite a while.  I kept pushing if off because she was finally sleeping so good in her crib.  She slept all night and took a nap everyday.  Finally one day we caved and Christopher turned her crib into a toddler bed.  She was SO excited to have a big girl bed just like her sister.  The first night was hilarious!!  She was so excited to have some freedom and I did not have the heart to get mad at her.  She kept getting out of bed and getting things for her baby (blanket, bottle, book, etc).  The funniest part was that she was so quite.  After about an hour she fell asleep and we have not had any problems.  She still takes a nap (most days) and goes to bed pretty good. 

I just can't believe my baby is so big.  She is acting like a girl now and not so much like a baby.  She wants to be just like her sister in every way.  I have noticed lately that Tessa looks forward to Chloe going to school because she gets alone time with me.  I love being able to just spend quality time with her. 

Fishing

Sad to say but we have never taken the kids fishing.  So about 6 weeks ago we decided we need to take them.   Chloe got a fishing pole probably like 2 1/2 years ago and it had never been used.  Christopher decided to take us to Cosy (?) Reservoir.  As we were leaving it started to rain.  The girls were as excited to go we decided to chance it.  Once we finally arrived it started pouring.  We went back to the truck to see if the storm would pass.  Well lucky us it did!!!                                

We had such a fun day. 

 Chloe was one LUCKY girl.  She had this rinky- dink barbie fishing pole that did not reel and she was only only one who caught a fish.  Not just one fish but  THREE!!!!  We could not believe it. 

 Tessa did not know what to think of the fish. 

 Chloe was so excited that we had to stop at Grandma and Grandpa's on the way home. 

The next day Christopher cooked them.  Tessa inhaled hers and Chloe would not even take a bit (typical).

New Pics

I am so in love with how these pictures turned out.  They were taken at a barn out by my house by Jena Hendry. 

Tessa!!!

 Tessa keeps me laughing every moment.  This is what she looks like at the end of most days. 

 She lives life to the fullest!!!

 I love you Tessa and am go glad that I get to be your mommy. 

 You make me happy!!

The Newest Addition

 Christopher gave me a kitten for our 1st Christmas.  I named her Meeko.  She was the best cat ever.  She was so low maintenance.  She ate mice and dog food.  The kids loved her.  About a month ago Christopher came home and found her in the road.  Someone had run her over.  We did not have the heart to tell the kids.  After a few weeks of Chloe asking where Meeko was, I decided we needed to tell her the truth.  She was crushed, crying, bawling.  Christopher keep telling me that we did not need a cat but since he brings horses, dogs, and goats home without telling me I decided a could get a kitten for the girls.  I found out the the Crowther's had some kittens.  The next day while Chloe was at school Tessa and I went to pick ONE out.  When I got there Faye talked me into getting 2.  Well that was the best idea ever!  No fighting about who gets to hold the kitty, they each have there own.  The whole way home Tessa kept yelling whooo, whooo, we got kitty's.  I could not wait for Chloe to get off of the bus.  I knew she would be sooooo excited. 

Tessa named her kitty, Trix and

 Chloe named hers Freddy.

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Summer recap

Chloe finished her last youth rodeo. We really do not think it is her thing.  Christopher is of course crushed but he has high hopes for Tessa.  She is more into the horse thing than Chloe is (which is fine with me!)

Kyla, Chloe, and Tessa

We were able to go to Bear Lake for a day with Christopher's family. 

She keeps us laughing, what more can I say???

Chloe loved swimming lessons, as always.  Both of my kids are such little fishies.

We spend many days in Bear Lake.  I love going there.  I love just hanging out at the cabin or going to the beach. Chloe like the boat but cries when Grandpa drives fast.  Tessa yells faster, faster all of the time.

Dad and Tessa after a long boat ride.

Goodbye Starla, Hello Trixie.  I don't have a picture of our new car, but we really did it!  It was really weird to get a new car.  I had been driving Starla for 9 years. The day Christopher first took me out was the day I bought my car.  I was so excited to get it and I think even more excited to sell it. 

More Bear Lake, Tessa loves to play in the sand. 

We were in Bear Lake for Raspberry Days.  We had a blast.  The girls and kids went up a few days before the men.  We went to the Garden City parade,

Played at the park,

and had a lemonade stand. 

Granny turned 90!!!

And we even made it to the Zoo.

I can't believe summer is over.  Where did time go?  I love all of the fun activites we do in the summer.  We went swimming all of the time but I did not have any pics.  I am ready for fall.  I love it when life slows down a little bit and we have a routine.  I love the smell of fall and the crisp air.