Cute boys

Yesterday we went to the Bountiful temple for a sealing. While they were taking pictures outside, we got this picture of Kaden and Bosten with 2 of their cousins and a friend. Trust me when I say this is the happiest and most still that they were the entire time! :)

Kaden was so excited to go to the temple! He asked me, "Are we getting married to Bosten today?" Sweet little boy!

6 Straight!

Last night Bosten slept 6 hours straight! HALLELUJAH! It was so nice to get in a good chunk of sleep. Hopefully this wasn't a one time occurance because it was SUPER GREAT! Way to go, Bosten.

A new yummy treat

I was reading one of the scrapbook blogs that I follow, when I saw this receipe. Its super easy, Kaden could help, and they were so good!

PRETZEL HUGS

1 bag pretzels

1 pkg. M&Ms

1 pkg. Hershey "Hugs"

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. (Believe me, its much better if you do!) Place pretzels on cookie sheet. Place a Hug on each pretzel and bake at 200 degrees for about 8 minutes (just watch for the Hugs to melt). Remove from oven and promptly place a couple of M&Ms on each pretzel, pressing into the melted chocolate. Allow to cool before serving. The picture shows square pretzels...I used regular ones and it was fine.

Kaden's masterpiece

Last year we decided to start a new family tradition. Kyle and I never did gingerbread houses growing up, but thought Kaden would like doing one. Last year's was a total fiasco and ended up in a big pile. I have pictures somewhere, but they're not pretty.

Tonight we did this year's masterpiece. We pretty much let Kaden do the whole thing by himself:

Not bad for a 3 year old! Even Bosten got in on the action. :)

Our "fresh cut" tree

Before I say anything else, I'm sorry if I offend any lovers of fake trees. :) Growing up in a (if not THE) Christmas tree capital of the world, I've always gone out into the muddy tree field to cut a fresh tree. Its pretty fun, usually cold and wet, and we deliberate for more than a couple of minutes to find the perfect tree. Well, since moving to Utah its been a whole different story....both years we've been here we've gone to a tree lot to get a tree. I'm sure they've been cut for awhile (since I know when harvest season is in Oregon), but there's nothing like the smell of a fresh tree in the house! Yes, I can see how just pulling a tree out of a box, not dealing with pine needles or keeping the tree watered, etc. could be real motivation to get a fake one....BUT, this Oregon girl won't succumb....

Kyle and Kaden went without me this year to get our tree (yes, a little scary!). They did great though. I put lights on the tree during the kids' nap, and then we decorated when Kyle got home from work.

Family Pictures

We recently had family pictures taken by Emily (Dave's sister). She's taken them the last couple of years, and we're always happy with how they turn out and the miracles she works with Kaden! (You can check out her stuff at http://www.carpediemportfolio.com/ or http://carpediemphotography.blogspot.com/ ) We wanted to go outside again, but decided that Bosten was too little for this year!

Success!

We have taken Kaden every year to see Santa, whether it was at the mall or at the ward Christmas party or wherever. He always wants to go see him, but once we get there he says he's too scared. Usually our pictures end up something like this:

Notice how they're both crying? Kaden because he doesn't want anything to do with Santa once we get there, and Kyle because I want him to so bad! :)

We decided to give it a go today. We've been talking about how we get to show Santa what we'd like him to bring us and his new favorite movie (Polar Express) has the little boy sitting on Santa's lap at the end....

So, armed with the catalog of toys that came in the mail (with everything that he wants circled) and the camera we headed out. We thought Bosten might get in on the action too, but he fell asleep in the carseat and there was no way I was getting him out to get a picture. Anyway, Kaden went pretty much right up to talk to him and show him the toys he'd like:

Pretty good, huh?! Santa was great and there wasn't anyone else waiting, so Kaden got to talk to him for a few minutes. And, he even sat on his lap for the long awaited picture!

Success!