Cousins....

Peyton and Kael only have one cousin....Claire! They don't get to have much cousin time since we live in Dallas and Claire lives in St. George. They only get together usually the two times we come home to Utah in August and December.

They had so much fun together this last time we were in Utah.

Peyton introduced Claire to light sabers, or "flashlights" as she likes to call them. My mom actually gave them real flashlights in their stockings and they would run around the house looking for "bad guys" with their flashlights. {another new one for claire. she had no idea what a "bad guy" was but she new they were supposed to be looking for one}.

They played so well together! For the most part there were no incidences...just happy, laughing children.

We are all excited that Peyton and Kael will be getting another new cousin in the early summer!

It's finally Christmas....

Seriously. It has taken me forever to get all of the holiday goodness on the blog.
So, it's finally Christmas!
Peyton was very excited for this day...Kael didn't really care too much...until the presents came!

The tree on Christmas Eve.

"Santa came!!"

And delivered his General Grievous mask and spinning light saber.
All he wanted.
After he opened those two presents, he was done. When we tried to give him more presents and he said, "No. I already got my presents!" Ha ha!

But once he realized that there was some cool stuff in those other presents, he was okay with opening more!
Kael thought it was pretty neat too. His favorite present was his Buzz Lightyear backpack!

We left a fun gift on the tree. Ha ha! My mom bought some cologne and left it in the Abercrombie bag and put it on the tree. My dad's response, "Who put that guy on my tree?"
He he! I think we have found a new family tradition!!

Kael got a Lightening McQueen outfit for Christmas. The hat kills me!
Both of my boys love costumes....especially superhe


Not a fabulous picture but nonetheless, he was ready to go to church! He got some new Christmas clothes to wear to church that day! Kael was sound asleep and my dad elected to stay home with him!!

Blake had to work on Christmas, someone had to load those planes!

Christmas: Round 2.
Later on in the day we went down to Bryan's parent's house for some more Christmas.

Even Mia the cat got into the days festivities.

I have no idea what is up with the picture. Weird. But Bryan's dad surprised his mom with some brand new chairs for her family room. He was hiding them in the basement. She was certainly surprised....especially after he called them "ugly" in the store! Ha ha! What a sweetheart he is!
{and for the record, i didn't think they were ugly}
:)

The boys playing with some of their presents!!

It was an amazing Christmas!! Our parents DEFINITELY spoiled ALL of us! We can't thank them enough for everything that they have given us over the years! They are both such great examples of the kind of parents that I hope Bryan and I can be someday!
We love you guys!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve at the Movies....

On Christmas Eve we went and saw "Arthur's Christmas," with both of our families.
I thought that the movie was descent but Bryan thought it was the worst. {he's so dramatic ;) }

Peyton and his cousin Claire.
She brought her backpack to the movies! Bryan didn't know she was bringing that or he would have had it chuck full of M&M's, Milk Duds, and Mountain Dew. {those were his words, not mine} Poor Claire probably wouldn't have been able to walk! :)

Popcorn! Seriously, I LOVE movie theater popcorn!! There is nothing better!

My mom brought kiddie bags for the popcorn.
Poor Claire fell asleep 30 minutes into the movie and when she woke up she had a fever and was crying. So sad. They took her to Instacare and she had an ear infection! Poor little girl!

These two loved the movie! ;)
Afterward we all went over to Bryan's house for pizza and games.

"Santa came to my house!!"

Peyton was so excited because, "Santa came to my house!!" Every year my Uncle becomes Santa's helper and visits the kids on Christmas Eve morning! It was very cool!

They were so excited! Kael just stared at him at first, but once he realized that Peyton was excited to see him, then he could be too!

Say "cheese" Santa!

See? So excited!!

Claire however, not to so excited!

I think that she had the death grip on her mom! Oh well, maybe next year!!

Thanks Uncle Scott! What a fun tradition!!

Gardner Family Christmas Party....

Every year Bryan's mom's side of the family has a Christmas party. They always have delicious brisket and put on a cute nativity.

The three little shepherds waiting for the nativity to start.

They all looked so cute!

Peyton bailed on being a shepherd, but the show still went on without a hitch!

Jana and Peyton watching the nativity.

Every year Grandpa Gerald and Grandma Lois give the kids presents.
Kael couldn't wait to see what was inside.

Squinkies for both boys!

Nate always tries to get Kael to smile, sometimes he is a little grumpy at new people. I guess tickling will do the trick!

Peyton saying, "thank you" to Grandma Lois.

All of the great grandkids watching a movie on the air mattresses!

It is so good to get together and see everyone!

In Utah we did lots of things....

In Utah we did lots of things....

We played in the "skiff" of snow....the only snow Utah received before Christmas....it melted by noon.

They didn't care that it was only 1/8 of an inch! ;)

Kael was happy no matter what!

We went to a gingerbread house contest....and there was a stage...these two, totally took advantage of that with some dancing!

They danced with the polar bears!!

And saw SANTA again!!

Kael loved dressing up as Batman. It was so funny! Every time we went to Bryan's parent's house, he had to be Batman!

And Cor-bud went to a dance!
I can't believe you are that old Corey!

Santa at Chick-Fil-A.

We saw a lot of Santa this year. My mom had made arrangements for the boys to go to see Santa at Chick-Fil-A. It was very cute, they even had presents for the kids! My little brother actually works at this Chick-Fil-A in Layton.

As soon as we opened the door Santa was ready to see them! I love how he opened his arms and they both ran to him.

Kael pretty much does anything that Peyton does. It is pretty cute!
At first Peyton told me, "Why do we need to go see Santa again, I already saw him at Bass Pro Shop!" We had to convince him that he needed to see Santa again to tell him that he was now in Utah and needed to deliver the presents there instead of Texas.

He remembered that he forgot to tell Santa that he was now in Utah instead of Texas! Luckily he was able to stop Santa before he left! It was pretty cute!

Bryan's family also came to have breakfast with Santa at Chick-Fil-A!