The newest member of our Family...

My parents came down when the girls had their TaVaci concert and let the girls open their gifts early that they got them. They each got a giant coloring/games/activity sticker book.

And my mom found a trunk and about 12 different dress up outfits for the girls. Avery has been wearing them every day since they opened them. Thanks Mom and Dad! 

BUT the biggest gift and surprise for the girls(and for me) was getting a dog. Yep. Never thought I would see the day. But he is pretty cute when he is not peeing on my kitchen floor! His name is Cooper and the girls just love him. He is about 5 months old now. He was my sister's dog, but she couldn't keep him after a month, so we bought him from her. (Thanks Celeste!) He is half Pug, half Chiwawa. The girls have done so well with him. Even Avery wants to play with him. Which is funny, because the first time Avery met Cooper, she cried and jumped on the couch and wouldn't go near him. They take care of him though and feed him and last weekend we even had them go outside and scoop up his poop. They didn't care for that too much, but it made Ryan and I chuckle. They are learning a lot about a pet and taking care of it. And I never thought I would say this either, BUT he has been good for our family. Even I like him. HUGE step for me. I can't say I "love" him...that might take me awhile, but those that know me know that "liking" a dog is HUGE. I have never liked animals that much but I find myself sometimes on the floor wrestling around with him. Weird, I know.  What's gotten into me!? :)

Emily loves to cuddle with him!

Winter is here!

It has been bitter cold here the last 2 weeks! It got down to 1 degrees for a few nights! Kind of crazy considering it's not even officially winter yet! But we did get a few days of a break where it went back up into the 30's so the girls were able to play a few hours outside. They built a snowman and I love it's huge smile...

Our very own Superman

This man of mine is amazing. I took this picture of him with the girls because this is what he was doing at the time....

Madisen made her own version of the game "Guess Who?" She was showing Ryan how to play it. So they were playing it together, but at the same time that was going on Emily wanted to cuddle with him. So he started cuddling with her as he played the game with Madisen. Then Avery came up and wanted him to do their special hand shake together that she made up. Where they both snap, clap, clap again, yell out whoot-whoot and raise their arms up in a "YEA!" shout, turn around, then lastly solute each other military style. 

He was doing all three things at the same time while I was busy putting away dishes and I just had to chuckle to myself and grab the camera to document it. I love this man. He is such a great father and husband. He is our Superman!

December Birthdays!

My favorite niece, Audrey and I have a birthday in December and are just 4 days apart. So I am lucky to be able to celebrate it with her. She turned 2 on December 2nd. Here she is opening a few of her presents...she is such a cutie and oh, so smart! She talks so well and knows all her ABC's!

We got her a giggling doll, because Audrey laughs a lot and we thought she would like this doll.

Minnie mouse shoes

I got some cash and a photography CD

Thanks everyone!

Our chocolate cake that April made. 

I was trying to help Audrey "blow". She tried but couldn't get enough air out so I helped her.

Ryan and I have always wanted to buy this mouse layered cake from Costco, but just never have. But the day of my birthday it was on Sale and we decided to give it a try finally!

It actually wasn't as good as it looks, but tasty enough.

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone and for the fun birthday! Happy Birthday to Dad Hodges on the 15th!! And my baby sister on the 29th!!

Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving we headed to Colorado! We left Friday right after the kids got home from school and stayed in Pocatello over night. Then headed out  Saturday morning at 5am. It was a long drive but we made good time and got in around 3:30. We stayed until the following Saturday! It was a blast! We played lots, ate lots and laughed even more. Trudy bought gingerbread cookies for the girls to decorate and they loved that. 

Avery telling Grandpa a secret.

Ryan and I about to head out on a movie date while grandpa and grandma watch the kids. We went and saw Hunger Games

Avery's smiling bowl of cereal

Emily taking a nap but she had surrounded herself with pillows on the bed when I came into check on her.

Madisen showing Nate and Ryan how to play a game on the I-Pad.

What a cute bunch!

Aunt Erin playing dolls with Avery

Family Picture!

This is actually more of a "normal" family picture

This one too. 

I laughed so hard when I saw this one...Nathan turned around and Sean head punching Dad!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

I guess you had to be there. 

HAHAHA!!!!

Ok. I am done. I had to get that out of my system. We did a lot of more stuff, but I kept forgetting to bring my camera everywhere we went. I was so bummed! We took the girls to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. We also went to Chuck E Cheese with the girls one night. They love that place...as all kids do. It gives me a headache but anything for the kids right? hehe.

We all went over to Nate and Erin's house one day and made ornaments for the tree. We all got hard to work drawing our best pictures...Dad beat me as we copied the same picture of a little boy floating on a cloud. His picture was superior by far! We played a few games and ate pizza and everyone had a great time.

One day we drove to Denver and went to an awesome science/dinosaur museum and to a sweeeet restaurant for lunch that had divers diving from a cliff into a waterfall! Those divers were pretty buff, and had some amazing back muscles. Not that I was looking or anything....Lol. ;) They also had fun games and arcade area for the kids. And so much food! It could have fed a small army! 

We had such a great week! Thanks Dad and Trudy! Nate and Erin! And Sean and Mom Graf!! We loved hanging out like old times! Love you all!

Boise State Win and Uncle Dan's visit

Our good friend Dan flew over from Illinois to visit us and go to a Boise State game with Ryan and the guys. We always love it when Dan comes! He has a contagious personality that makes us all laugh and the kids call him Uncle Dan.

Haha! LOVE this picture.

?? This one I don't even remember taking but I thought it was funny.

And here's all the guys at the BSU game...Ryan, Dan, Adam- my brother, Josh-my brother-in law and my dad went too.

This is a picture of me just about to win the settlers game...I am winner! I can't help it! ;) hehe.