New Year's Eve

This year for New Year's Eve we went to my parents house. Dan and his family were in town from Boise and Afton was excited to see her cousins!

We had such a fun night. We ate pizza, watched a show about bugs, ate ice cream, and best of all, had our own personal firework show. Dad and Dan braved the freezing cold weather to keep the kiddies entertained. They went out onto the deck and the little kids were able to stay warm and dry but still have a front row seat. There was squealing and laughing, jumping, and shouting. The kids all loved the show and I think Uncle Dan liked lighting the fireworks.

I loved this year because we were actually home by 9:15. The holidays can be exhausting and Afton was tired and overwhelmed. Her schedule had been off and she really needed a normal night and some good rest. And honestly, she wasn't the only one. I needed it too!

I also loved it because Brett and I were able to spend some time together watching a movie. The movie was ok (some werewolf movie from the redbox) and the little candy bars were delicious but we were ready for bed by 11:30. We watched as long as we could and as we were finally climbing into bed we heard fireworks and peeked out the window.

I was not the least bit sad to be home in bed by midnight on New Year's Eve. I love my life and I love my family. I've had a lot of great New Year's celebrations but this felt good. Knowing my sweet Afton was cuddled up safe and sound in her bed and knowing my amazing husband was home spending time with me was exactly what I wanted.

It was the perfect way to start a new year!

Christmas ornaments!

These are just a few of the things I had around the house this year. I was really excited about my ornaments. I wanted to make these last year but ran out of time so I made sure they were ready for the tree this year. I made them for Afton and have one for each of her Christmas's. I think they turned out really cute.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was so much fun this year!
Afton had a smile on her face as soon as she rounded the stairs. She saw her new kitchen sitting in the living room and almost jumped down the stairs. She cooked up some fruit snacks for everyone to share and loved hearing the pot bubble.

Afton was spoiled this year and I am ok with that. I was going to stop at the kitchen but then I found this scooter and knew Afton would love it. I got such a great deal on the scooter and helmet I couldn't resist.

She also got some new undies, her cute little brown track suit, a bracelet, and a little Christmas book.

We spent Christmas morning at home with our little family. It was nice to be home in our p.j.'s and Brett and Afton were able to go for a walk once the initial chaos wore off.

Around lunch time we headed over to my parents and spent some time there. Lunch was delicious (soup and bread bowls along with yummy sandwiches). It was a nice day and we were able to spend most of our time outside. It was great. It felt good to put everything aside and just sit in the fresh air and talk. Afton really needed that!

Brett's parents met us at our house that afternoon and Afton was excited to see them. They gave Afton a container full of food to go along with her kitchen. She was really excited!

Afton took a late nap and when she woke up we spent the night playing with her new toys, eating yummy leftovers from lunch and just enjoying the quiet of our home.

Christmas Eve

Every year we go to the Keetch's for Christmas Eve. This year we got there around 6:30 and started munching on yummy soup and various goodies everyone had brought. Everyone was there except for Russ's family. We missed them.

After eating we headed downstairs where the kids were excited to dress up for the Nativity play. Afton was excited to wear a crown and she even put on some robes and a belt.

She quickly decided that she was in charge of baby Jesus and where the baby slept.

She spent time organizing the blanket, moving the cradle around and at one point she was even sitting in it!


She got really excited when it was her turn to help out!

Some of the kids did a talent show and Afton wanted to be in the middle of it all. Kenna is such a good cousin. She always let's Afton be involved.

Afton was trying to get some attention during Riley's solo.

Finally it was time for presents and Afton opened a bathtub Dora doll from her cousin Porter. She was in heaven.

A cute photo of everyone. No one is crying. Wow

Steve found these great BYU hats for all the boys. They had to pose for a ton of pictures and were even brave enough to attempt a pyramid. Way to go Rich.

An attempt at a family photo.

We gave up and just got one of the two of us. Brett's such an angel.

We made it home by about 10:45 and once we got Afton to sleep we were able to start setting up Christmas! So exciting!

Another snow day

For whatever reason I am a sucker for snow photos. I always seem to take a million even if we are just going for a little walk. I love following Afton when she's all dressed up in her cute snow outfits.

I don't love the cold weather (or the heat for that matter) but thank goodness Brett does. He is always willing to bundle up and take Afton outside. Whether they are going for walks, shoveling the driveway, or just building a snowman, Brett is always game.

I love pictures of these two together. Brett is such a great dad and Afton adores him.
In this picture you can see their hands crossed over while they're trying to get the snow into the perfect spot.

I love the concentration on this little face. She needed to get the snow in her hands way up to the top of the snowman!

I love, love her little tongue sticking out.

This kid is so cute I can hardly stand it. I love how she is admiring her handy work.


On a side note - I have been looking for my sorels for a long time. Brett said I do this every winter but I haven't ever found them. I should probably buy something new but where could they have gone? This drives me crazy.
I'm sure a good pair of boots would get me out the door a little faster! Maybe I should invest.
For Afton's sake right?

Christmas photo shoot

Afton is getting harder and harder to photograph. I wanted a few Christmas shots of Afton in her cute red and white shirt and of course I needed one with her Santa hat.

While I am taking pictures she is wiggling, jumping, twirling, singing, dancing, making faces, and just about everything but smiling for the camera.

Even still, I did manage to get a few shots I am in love with!

Another birthday

Brett's birthday (37 WOW) happened to be on the same day as a BYU game so we dressed up, headed to the Keetch's and celebrated with burgers, cupcakes, and a fun football game. Brett will take any chance he gets to dress Afton in her little BYU cheer outfit and she loves wearing it.

Afton loves spending time with her dad and as you can see, blowing out the candles, even when they are someone else's. Brett didn't mind.

My camera battery died after a few minutes but luckily Tiff had her camera. Thanks Tiff for the great photos.

Sledding with Daddy

Whenever it snows Afton goes straight for her boots and wants to go out. Brett is like a little kid when it comes to playing with Afton so they always have fun. I love watching them play. Sometimes I stand at the window, just watching. It makes me smile to see them laughing and playing and spending time together. Brett is such a great dad and Afton adores him.

This particular day they decided to make a sledding hill. They started rolling snow toward the garden and eventually had a pretty good hill. Afton couldn't wait to climb on her little round sled and go for a ride. The hill was just her size and she went again and again!

This video is quick and sideways but it shows Afton's little ride down her personal sledding hill.

Merry Go Round

Afton LOVES riding the Merry Go Round. She likes to take her time and choose her seat thoughtfully. Once she's on she can't wait for the ride to start. She holds on tight while her animal goes up and down, around and around.

This particular day we had gone to Southtowne Mall to see a free concert by Peter Breinholt and we also saw Santa Claus. The Merry Go Round was definitely the highlight for Afton.


Somehow she even talked Daddy into going for a ride!

These things always remind me of the old movie, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Have you seen it?

Oh Santa!

Until this year I hadn't even considered taking Afton to see Santa. I've always said that when she 'asks' to see Santa, I'll take her.

But... the other day Peter Breinholt was putting on a free concert at South Towne Mall so Brett met us there. Brett and Afton rode the carousel, we tried to eat lunch, I managed to sit through one of Peter Breinholt's songs and then we found our way to Santa.

They were just about to close for lunch and we were the last in line. There were only two kids ahead of us so we figured we'd at least try. Sure enough, Afton got in there and wanted nothing to do with Santa. It wasn't until he put his arm around me and then Brett and then offered her a candy cane that she finally sat on his lap. I couldn't believe it.

She checked him out for a while, opened her candy cane and we managed to get one picture of them both looking at the camera. That was the closest she ever came to a smile.

I wasn't expecting them to get a photo so of course I was a little bummed when they actually got a few good ones. How can I not buy them? Tricky, tricky. So $30 dollars later I had the rights to 3 pictures and we were on our way.

Oh and did I mention that Santa looks just like Santa? Wow! He even stayed in character a little too long and Brett started pulling me away when Santa was remembering me sitting on his lap. Hmmmm

Dancing queen

These pictures are from my little digital and it was really dark so don't judge.

Tonight we drove all the way to Roy to join in the celebration of Dale Condie getting married. Dale and Brett have known each other for years and work together at QED. Dale has a band and his new wife isn't shy so the night was spent on the dance floor listening to them play and sing.

For some reason the dance floor was deserted (everyone was sitting in chairs or standing around the edge) until Afton appeared. She heard that music and wanted to dance. She got right out there, dragging a cute gal from Brett's work and danced her little heart out. Once she lost her original partner she found someone her own age! This little boy wanted to dance with Afton and the two of them put on a good show. Everyone was cheering and clapping and Afton got her boogie on!

I like this first picture because it shows the new couple framed by these cute kids (who happened to hold still for a minute).

And this picture shows Afton's anticipation. She was having so much fun she could hardly stand it.

At the end of the night we changed Afton into her p.j.s and she quickly fell asleep on the ride home.

And then she spent the next day throwing up carrot cake and fondant frosting. So fun!

I do have a lot of video, just not time to load it. Watch for it!