It's a GIRL!!!

Looky what Santa left at our house:


We would like you to meet Ivy our cute little yellow lab




The kids had no idea they would be getting a puppy for Christmas so it was quite a surprise! Nate was sitting in the chair with Ivy on his lap, when the kids came out to see what Santa had brought them they walked right by and didn't even see the puppy. Nate had to say, "hey you guys look what Santa left at our house." Then came the jumping up and down. They were pretty excited!

I think I got about 2 hours of sleep on Christmas Eve. It was a combination of, trying to keep a whiny puppy quiet so the kids won't hear, Hudson, and my own excitement for the kids to see what Santa brought.




Christmas morning fun.





Hudson gets a kick out of his Tickle me Elmo, and The Shake and Go Crash-ups Speedway is tons of fun.

We went out to my mom's for Christmas dinner and it was one to remember. What can happen on a windy, snowy day in the country. A power outage. Power outage =no heat, no water, no lights. Luckily the power went out after the potatoes and ham were cooked, but before the rolls were cooked. Luckily we are neighbors with the Poteets who let us come over and borrow their oven (and their power) Dinner was delicious and the fire was warm. What a wonderful day!!

So I guess my days and weeks will now be filled with keeping one eye on the dog at all times, and saving the baby from the dog and the dog from the baby. She is a really good puppy though, as far as puppies go. She has settled right in to our family and she loves Braiden, and Braiden loves her. After the kids have gone to bed I have found her curled up in Braidens coat, Brody's coat, in Braiden's coat that is in the car seat, silly puppy! She must like us.

Happy Birthday Scott!

On Saturday was my brother Scott's birthday. We went out for pizza with not all but a good portion of the family it was fun, he loves his birthday. We are so lucky to have Scott as a part of our family, we love him.





Cousins (some of us)


Sarah and Jerica showing off their cute tummies.




After pizza and birthday cake we all went to the movie, it is tradition to go to the movie on Scott's birthday. We went to see Marley and Me (how fitting :) ) it was a tear jerker, I don't think there was a single dry eye in the place, including my dad and Nate. (don't tell them I told you ;o) )

Santa Comes to the Catmull Christmas Party

Every year the Catmull family has a big Christmas party where there is always lots of food, a hilarious white elephant gift exchange for the adults, and a visit from Santa for the kids. Santa, being the jolly old elf that he is, usually brings the big brown bag filled with toys as an "appetizer" lets say. The kids anxiously gather around his feet waiting for him to call their name to sit on his lap, recite their wish lists and receive a little gift.

Braiden's turn:


Brody's turn:

He is saying, "I'm 4!"

Hudson's turn:

Birthday Party

Well I have been in Slackerville this week, so I am just getting around to posting about Brody's birthday party.

We had a yummy ham dinner with grandpas, grandmas, uncle Scott and Great Grandma Ranae when we got home from church on Sunday. After dinner we let him open his presents, FINALLY! He started asking on Friday if he could open his presents, it was torture for the poor little guy.




He was so excited about the "Hulk punchers" ummmm yeah! What was I THINKING!!

Helmet Heroes Police Officer


He wanted a Batman cake for his birthday.





After we ordered the cake on Friday (yes, I said "ordered" I did not make this cake, told you, I have been in Slackerville. :) ) Anyway after we ordered it he was so upset that we could not take it home with us. But after I explained that they had to write his name on it he was OK. He is not quite grasping the concept of time, especially when cake and presents are involved!!

He also got to take batman cupcakes to preschool on Monday. He has been so excited about this, he has asked every preschool day all month if it was his turn to take treats.

He had a great birthday!




Handsome little devil.

My 4 Year Old Boy

Happy Birthday Brody!!!

We love you!!

Four years ago...


Three years ago...


Two years ago...


One year ago...




4 Things you love:
1. Playing with Braiden.
2. Sports.
3. Chicken Nuggets.
4. Riding bikes with grandpa, but anything with grandpa will do.

4 Things we love about YOU:

1. How you always want to play ball.
2. The way you watch out for Hudson.
3. Your "mad" face, we get to see it quite a lot, it's pretty funny.
4. When you don't have your mad face on, you are such a sweet boy.

The funny little things you say to make your mom laugh.
I love it when you get excited, like when we were decorating the tree, you were so excited and happy. Until one of the balls you were putting on the tree fell and broke, then we got to see your "mad" face. When we plugged in the lights you said, "WOW now Santa Clause will be able to see."

We love you Brody-ody

Raggamuffin Garland

I saw this idea on the Nesters blog, if you've never visited her before you must, she is awesome!! I thought it would be a great way to dress up the changing table hutch. Love it!!

Deck the Halls!

Here are some of my favorite Christmas decorations!

Here Comes Santa Clause...


Oh little town of...

Krissy, Kim, and Niki I want you to notice the little snowman that sits among the houses.
I made this little wooden snowman with my roommates during my freshman year of college. I still love it and think of them every time I put it out.


Away in a Manger...


Chestnuts roasting, in a one horse open sleigh... (wait a minute ;o) )


I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...


Oh Christmas Tree...

Birthday Surprise!!

My sweet hubby surprised me with these beautiful flowers on my birthday. Thanks Nate they made my day!

I had a great birthday; went to lunch with my mom, dad and grandma we had one of the BBIT (best burgers in town) AKA Edith's. Later that night Nate and the boys took me for mexican food that's one thing about where we live, you can usually find some pretty authentic stuff! YUM!

I was glad to be close to my family this year and not 1000 miles away. OH and this was the first birthday in our whole married life where Nate wasn't studying for or taking a final YIPEE!!!

Baby's First Haircut

OK so it was just a trim, but hey we're getting there. He sat nice and still for the clippers, quite different from two others I know. :)

BEFORE:



AFTER:

Finish it Friday!

Today I finally finished Hudson's stocking. Thanks to my mom who helped me on the tricky parts. I am glad this little project is finally done, it's been on my list for weeks. Hurray for Finish it Friday!!!

Disco Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanksgiving Fun!

Yipee! I finishd the ironing, now I can blog.

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with the Douglass' this year (that would be Nate's mom's side of the family.) It was awesome. Months and months ago Terril reserved The Albion Campus Grove for the whole family. Albion Campus Grove is an old college campus originally established in 1893. After giving out 6,460 degrees they finally closed the doors in 1969. Since then the buildings started wearing down with time; until 3 Idaho families decided to purchace the entire campus from the city and start renovations. The first building they renovated was Miller Hall where our Thanksgiving dinner was held. Miller Hall housed all 50 (ish) of us for the night giving each little family their own rooms. You can check it out here. Now the Douglass family has some of the best cooks known to man So dinner was AMAZING:) I need gravy lessons from whomever made that gravy because it was SOOOO good! After dinner of course there was a wide array of desserts to choose from all very delish!

Uncle Paul carving the Turkey, and Nate making sure it tastes good.


Travis, Natalie, Kiley and Hayley waiting for the OK to dish up.


That night we had a talent show, Braiden sang:

Mr Turkey, Mr Turkey you are getting big and fat, we will eat you on Thanksgiving, tell me what do you think of that.

Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey do you ever wonder why, we eat you on Thanksgiving right along with pumpkin pie.

Very cute.

Brody showed a turkey picture that he made in preschool.

Some of the other talents included:
Emmett and Michelle's kids, Tommy playing the violin and Taylor singing.


Madelyn playing the guitar.


Hayley singing I am a Child of God, with help from grandma (but not much) It was so cute!!



Uncle Cobby reading the kids a story.



Aunt Louanne, Michelle and Emmett singing, Grandmas Feather Bed.



After the talent show everyone went on a hay ride. (night vision pictures are really hard to take because if you move a cm. they blurr, but I did my best)





Nate and Hudson enjoyed a late night snack. (except Hudson didn't want to share)


On Friday we went up to the mountains to cut a christmas tree.

This is Braiden preparing to whack one down!

Friday night we headed to the Rupert square where we enjoyed cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and anxiously waited for Santa to come and turn on the lights. After the square was lit we enjoyed a little fireworks show. By the time that was over I was frozen solid, but hey that is part of the fun, right????

On Saturday our friends from dental school were up from AZ so we hung out with them and took them to lunch, it was so good to see them!!! After that we took the kids to Madagascar 2 Escape to Africa. Hudson is getting to that age were it is no longer fun to take him to the movies. About half way through I wanted Nate to give me the keys so I could just go home but, I decided to stay. (I don't know why)

We had a FUN weekend and it was good to see everyone again!!