Christmas 2011

Christmas with kids is so much fun! Our kids are so happy and grateful for everything they get that it's just fun to watch them open presents.  

Christmas Eve

To put it plainly, it was AWESOME! While we miss being with family horribly at this time of year.  There is something that is very relaxing and wonderful at staying home and making a great dinner for just your family.  We loved it!

Christmas Break

 The boys got out of school on the 16th so we've had a lot of time to sleep in, play and just be together.  I've loved it!  We had friends over and did ginger bread houses and played.  The kids also made these finger snowmen.  I love how unique the boys turned out.  Olivia did a few things on hers but I mostly did the faces:) They were really fun to make.

Another night we took the kids to the Woodland Lights.  They had carnival type rides there and a walking path to look at lights.  Santa was there in a little wooden house and to say it mildly HE TOOK FOREVER.  We waited in line for about an hour, the whole time thinking it was the kids in the line who were taking so long.  Then when we got there we realized it was Santa who took forever.  He would ask what the kids wanted and then ask what else and our kids would look dumbfounded at Santa and sit in silence for what seemed like forever.  If you can't tell I was slightly annoyed with Santa that night:)

Basketball

Porter finished his basketball season off with a bang! It was fun to go and watch him play.  It was good to see his skills improve too.  He remembered every shot he took and would want to talk about them all on the way home from each game.  We love this boy!

Family and Friends

For Logan's baptism we had a houseful, and we loved it.  Nate and his family came out, my mom and Brandon's parents, and the Arrhenius family all came out.  We mostly just hung out at our house, ate, played games and ate some more.  I'm always kicking myself for the lack of photos that I take when a big group is together, but here are some of the ones I did get.

 These 3 cuties finally got a turn to jump on the trampoline with just each other and loved it.  The weather was great that they could be outside playing and not freeze.

 My mom brought out her "money jar" for the kids to grab as much money as they could hold in their hands.  Olivia had just woken up from her nap and was the 2nd one to go, and she was not very happy.  She picked up a nickle and was done.

 Porter with his competitive nature got the most out of my kids with $7.55.

 Logan kept trying to cheat and use both hands to get his money out. He came out with $6.35.  My kids loved it.  It's one of those things that we miss out on every year because we don't live in Utah. :( 

Brandon's parents were able to stay a couple extra days, and Brandon took a day off of work.  We decided to go bowling and get lunch.  Porter talked a pretty big game and did really good the first game.  The second game, he started to get hungry and not scoring as high. He had an emotional break down, but it all ended up being a lot of fun.

We love it when people come to visit.  We felt especially grateful that we had so much family come out for our special weekend.

Turning 30 and 31 weeks along

After we got back from NC, I turned 30. I think I was so busy with the trip and then the next weekend was Logan's baptism that hitting that mark wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be.  I had a very relaxing day with my family and going to church.  Brandon made all 3 meals and cleaned up each one, which was awesome.  So the point being made by this is that 30 feels no different than 29:) 

 Here I am at 31 weeks I think.  I had to laugh when I saw this picture because I am pointing straight out with my belly.  This pregnancy is going way too fast.  We still don't have a name for the little guy but we're excited for his arrival.  My doctor said he would induce me on the 24th of Jan if I want him to.  Which I will just so I can plan.  When you live away from family and have just moved to a new area it's a little nerve racking trying to find people to help you out.  That and I'm not very good at asking for help:)

Thanksgiving

We went to North Carolina for Thanksgiving to spend time with Nate and Jami and their family.  The weather was beautiful, the food was great and the company even better.  I'm grateful that I have one sibling out in the east with me. 

 These 2 little girls were so cute together.  Olivia loved spending time with Jilli and was so sad to leave.  On the way home she kept asking where Jilli was. 

 The boys are all at such a fun age where they get along really well.  McCade and Jaxton showed our boys their "fort" and they all spent a lot of time there building in it and playing the Wii.

Jami and I did black Friday.  We went to Walmart which wasn't too bad, and we were able to get everything there.  I almost put myself into labor by carrying a huge box of pogo sticks thinking I only had one.  Brandon met us there and got a few things for me too.  Then we headed to Target and after we waited for about an hour decided to just head home because the line was too long.  When we got back to Jami's car we realized that we had a flat.  Yes, we could have fixed it if we had to, but luckily Brandon came to the rescue and came and changed our tire for us.  Then he happily told us to go on in to the store and get what we wanted there.  We were able to get what we wanted everywhere.  I counted it a success.

We really need to do more trips to see them. It was so much fun.

Breaking Dawn

I went to a Breaking Dawn midnight party when the movie came out.  It was so much fun! My friend Kori came up with the idea of dressing up as the book covers.  Since I had the big belly I made mine the apple from the cover of Twilight.  We lots of comments on them and even more looks. 

 I actually really liked the movie.  It was much better than any of the others and the specail effects were really good. 

Brandon went in to work a little late so that I could sleep and he got the kids up and ready.  Unfortunately he forgot what time Porter's bus came and had to wake me up so he could take him. 

It was a fun night!

Logans Baptism

 We had Logan's baptism this last weekend and it was amazing.  I loved seeing my sweet boy make this decision and to be able to see Brandon baptize him was awesome.

 We had Nate and Jami and their kids come.  Grandma and Papa Bishop, Grandma Peterson, and the Arrhenius family come.  It was such a blessing that people were willing to be here for this special day.  We truly felt loved.

 Logan loved every minute of it.  He had pure Joy all over his face the entire day.  He is such a good boy!

 We asked Logan who he wanted to give talks and prayers, and who he wanted to confirm him. He had Nate give the talk on baptism and Grandma Bishop gave a prayer.  Then Papa Bishop confirmed him a member of the church.  There's just something so special and amazing when the words, "Receive the Holy Ghost" are said.  He gave him a sweet blessing and Logan was so glad that his papa could do that for him.

 We had a double baptism with another family in our ward.  I tried to get a picture of them together which neither of them were too thrilled about.

This was a great day for our family.  We're grateful for family and friends who are willing to come out and support us and those who support us from far away.