December randoms [part two]

I helped Brooklyn and Jake make blessing bags in preschool.  They were bags full with a water bottle, wash cloth, oatmeal, applesauce, socks, gum, etc. to give to homeless people we saw.  Right after we did them, we saw our first guy on the way home.  Jake was so excited to hand it to him and said excitedly "Merry Christmas guy!"  It was a proud mom moment.

Remmy loves being outside and loves the swings.  I love her!  She is happy, crazy, and so full of personality.

showing off her tricks on the bar

Brooklyn's turn to hand out a blessing bag.  I felt bad with this one actually.  She thought the guy had it but he didn't and so it dropped.  He was in a wheelchair and had a hard time picking it up.  Sorry sir!

Jake and Remmy have fun (mostly) in the mornings together when Brooklyn is at preschool. They love playing outside, doing puzzles, and playing dress up.

Jake has gotten SO much better at his balance bike.  We gave it to him for his birthday last year and for such a long time he was so bad (that was probably my fault because I never took him out to practice in the 110+ weather).  But after a little practice he is getting so good and I'll even let him ride it all the way to the park because he can make it without me having to carry the bike.

Remmy and Tayvri splashing in the puddles on the basketball court at the park.

We did our gingerbread house on December 23rd.  My friend Kandas gave me this gingerbread house and I love it.  It is her family's tradition, but it's made out of plywood.  You make the icing, buy the candy, and decorate.  And the best part is when you're done with it, you soak it in hot water and all the icing and candy falls off.  Then it is all ready to go for next year.  I want to make family members one for Christmas this year.

Brooklyn and Jake were really in to it.  They each did a side.  Remmy was interested in just eating the candy.

Brooklyn's side.

Jake's side.

December randoms [part one]

When they all match I can't resist taking a few pictures of them...this was before church one morning.

We met friends at Cafe Rio in Mesa and then went to see the Mesa temple lights.  John's rotation has late hours so he wasn't able to join us.  But we still had fun and the weather was perfect.

I love Remmy's "cheese" smile right now.

The Quirls - Tal, Tayvri, and Alison

some of the kids - Tayvri, Jake, Remmy, Madden, Brooklyn, Reese, and Jensen

John and I's Christmas present this year was a new tree.  I found a pre-lit 7.5 ft tall tree at Costco and had to have it.  I loved my tree this year!  It turned out just how I had it in my head and I am excited that this will be our tree for the next several years.

I took a cookie decorating class from a lady in my ward and loved it.  I have wanted to get better at making and decorating sugar cookies and have had lots of fun practicing.  My friend Kayla came over one night and I taught her what I learned at my class.  I think the cookies turned out pretty cute!

The kids and I went to the zoo one last time before our pass expired.  We've loved this zoo and got a lot of good use out of our pass over the last year.  B and J thought the baby zebra was so cute.

My friend Morgan held her annual Christmas movie/cupcake decorating family night.  It was so fun!  The kids went in pajama's, Morgan had snacks/treats and blankets and pillows covering her living room floor with a Christmas movie playing.  The kids also got to decorate cupcakes and had a fun time playing while the adults got to visit.

Remmy was cracking me up - couldn't possibly wait one second longer to eat that cupcake.

Brooklyn and Reese

Devouring that cupcake!  At one point she was squeezing the frosting from the bag right into her mouth.

Christmas Sunday outfits - I loved these outfits from Crazy 8 and couldn't pass them up!  

28 1/2 weeks

We got great 3D pictures of this sweet little girl!  I love that face so much already and cannot wait for her to come.