Christmas Day

It was a very Merry Christmas at our house. We made it through the morning with happy kids which is what I worry about most. They seemed content with what they got.Ashtyn opening a box full of Junie B. Jones books. We are set for at least a month's worth of reading. If she had it her way, we would have read them all within the first 24 hours. She also got scrapbooking supplies, a Nintendo DS Lite, games & jewelry.

Entering the room Christmas morning youngest to oldest and a family tradition of ours. I always loved the excitement of pulling back the sheet that covered the room so I hope that my kids feel that too as they entered the room to see what Santa had brought. Brigham happy about Woody. Buzz also joined his toy collection along with a Thomas train set, guns, books, puzzles and animal toys. Haylee playing with her new Barbie house. She also got a Nintendo DS Lite, Barbie stuff, jewelry, play makeup and games. Brigham got a tool kit from Grandma and Grandpa. He went to work right away fixing their wall. You can't see it very well, but he does have a tool belt on. Too bad he didn't take the time to put pants on too. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We sure did.

Annual Burton Christmas Eve Dance

Oh the memories this brings back. We attened the 103rd annual Burton Christmas Even Dance and danced around the Christmas tree...well sort of, the kids we too scared to get out and dance so we did this instead. The boys (Brigham and Brock) enjoyed sitting on the heater rather than dancing around in the gym. The one time we allow them to run and have fun, they don't take us up on the offer. Haylee sat contently against the wall with Grandma and Grandpa not breaking out any moves the entire time. Branson, Brock & Ashtyn did walk around a few times. Look how happy Ashtyn looks to be here. I remember having a very good time at these things. I guess there are funner things now days to keep kids entertained so this was pretty lame. I had a fun time coming back and seeing everyone and all the new kids. I think I will drag them back next year too.

Christmas Light Drama

This year we decided we would scale back the lights since last year when we took down the lights they had fused together looking like a fire should or could have started. We purchased the cute trees and a projector to put a picture on the side of the house. I had this all thought out in my head on how it would look. When Scott attempted to put them up, the ground was frozen solid so I had to settle for the trees up against the house and the projector is so close to the house the picture is lame and smaller than I wanted. Next year our Christmas lights will be up in July...we are not going to let the frozen ground ruin our decor. Oh, and yes Scott decided at the last minute (in the dark) to still put lights up on the house. Merry Christmas to all!

Crafts or Bust!

I don't know what it is lately, but the kids have wanted me to do sewing and other crafty activities a lot with them. I am guessing it is because they are cooped up in side, but at any rate I always think I am going to be fun and all is going to go well. Each time we do it, I want to pull out my hair. Why do I do this to myself? Maybe because the alternative is to listen to them wine about wanting to do it. Ashtyn and Haylee sewed their very own stockings......or did Mom really get to sew them both and thread the needls 20 times before they were done?Here we are attempting to make home made snow globes from baby food jars. I could not find my glue gun so we resorted to glue dots which do not hold well under water. Eventually our penquins and trees were floating in the jars instead of being snowed on. Notice Brigham's green tummy. He leaned across the table to get something. We had bathtime after this project! Foam Gingerbread houses seemed much better than doing the real thing. They should just come right together and you wouldn't have to mess with sticky frosting and too much candy....if you ever attempt these, make sure you have all the supplies. Sticky dots are the only way to go. We figured this halfway through the project as I was desparate to find a way to keep the items stuck to the house. I finally found those darn sticky dots that I knew I had I just couldn't locate them for awhile. Awwwwww! They did turn out cute however and the kids were pleased with them.

Elfed

This is way too funny! Check us out as elves. Sadly, only four of us could do the dance so Scott opted out... http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1133871713

Teton Spectrum Raceway

We have started a tradition at work that every year around Christmas we rent the Teton Spectrum Raceway for the night, bring in pizza, lock the doors and let the kids run wild. The adults fight it out on the go carts and whoever gets the best time wins a trophy to display on their desk all year. The following year they have to give it up to the next winner. This years winner was Derek Tingey. Way to go Derek! There was some pretty stiff competition among all the diesel driven fast paced men. (I am so competitive I think I got 8th place out of maybe 9 or 10 that competed in my bracket) Thank you to Flashlube for sponsering the night.

My camera had a hard time focusing, but this is Brigham going down a tall slide. He had a really fun time and pretty much bounced for three hours straight. I thought for sure he would crash on the way home but he did not go to sleep until 11:30. He was pretty wound up. Ashtyn and Haylee making their way down the slide. Steve and McCall taking a break from bouncing. Brigham driving a car game. He like the car and the gun games.

Here is where it gets brutal. This year was safer than last because we all got a "warning" email. There were no teeth lost or whip lash occurances this year thankfully. Last year a few people got a little out of control and suffered some minor injuries.