Mommy-Daughter Day

I asked Izzypop what she would like to do while I was off of work for the week. She said that she would like to have a girl's day, just me and her. So, today we dropped Skeeto off at Grandma and Grandpa's and we went off to have a day to ourselves. We first went and got pedicures. 

After the pedicures we got lunch at Izzy's choice -- the food court :) where we showed off our nails a little more.  The other stops included going to see Wreck It Ralph (again), picking up a Jamba Juice, and going to Walmart to find a suitable replacement for Izzy's bacteria trap of a Pillow Pet.  We ended the day by going out to dinner at Red Robin (YUM!) with Grandma and Poppa.  Izzypop even acquiesced to allow Skeeto to join us.

My favorite moment of the day was when the manicurist started to put a cute little white flower on Izzypop's tiny purple fingernail, Izzy turned to me from her massage chair and said, "Best....day....EVER!"  I think she had fun.  So did I.  Love you Iz.

All Aboard the Polar Express

We started our Christmas at the crack of dawn...well, actually, earlier.  I woke up at 5:15 and got the kids up at 6.  Santa was definitely good to us.  Our elf on the shelf, Elfie, must have put in a good word with the big guy.  These kids are spoiled.  The bean bags and kid friendly tablets were the big hit.

Once Christmas at home base was complete, we piled in the old Prius Express and headed to our first stop, Grandma Sherrie's.  We wore our new Christmas duds, of course, which we were happy to model.  We were so starving that Izzypop actually opted for breakfast before presents.  I know, crazy.  Once our bellies were full of ebelskivers, we got back to the task at hand.  Skeeto was getting pretty good at this gig by now.

Izzypop got her very own American Girl doll and Skeeto got a car track.  Good thing Uncle Jeffrey was there to help assemble it and, more importantly, play cars with.

The next station was Grandma and Grandpa Orr's.  They really outdid themselves on the decorations this year.  The stockings were definitely hung with care.

It was like watching piranhas devour their prey.

We had a great time hanging out with family.  Love you guys.

ALL ABOARD!  Next stop, Grandma June's!!!  A good time for a quick nap.  Unfortunately, mommy forgot the camera when we saw Grandma June, so no pictures, but we did have a nice time talking with her and Jim and Margaret.

Poppa and Grandma Bennion's up ahead!  More unwrapping?  We're ready.  You're talking to professionals, here.

After the unwrapping was done, we got to relax a little.  We learned about how to babysit a Grandpa.  We also manned the train station.  Skeeto was not a fan of the "CHOO CHOO!" at first...."Too loud!"  But I knew he would not be able to resist the call of the railroad for long.  Pretty soon, he was hooked.

We even got a quick pedi in.

Our final stop was Poppa and Grandma Yo-Yo's.  The kids were so tired, but they were troopers and pushed through to the end.  Mommy on the other hand was too tired to take many pictures.  This was the only shot she got.

Even though it was an exhausting day, it was a wonderful Christmas.  Thank you everyone for your love and generosity.  We hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did.  We love you!  Merry Christmas!

The Stockings Are Hung...

We've been working on our Christmas list.  We have finally gotten the tree trimmed.  Thanks Dad and Mom for lending us the cool fiber optic one.  The more color the better!  The mantle is complete.  I love my new "JOY".  Thanks Mom for buying it for me and letting me use all your supplies.

The kids also like the Christmas Story Village.  Our village has grown a little since last year.  It now has the theater, Higbee's department store and Schultz's Optometry :)  The fragile leg lamp is proudly displayed in the window, have no fear.  For some reason, I just didn't get a shot of it.

 

We also decorated the railing this year.  White Fluff, the elf on the shelf, likes to use it as a slide.  I also tried my hand at making a wreath.  Not too bad, I would say.

But the biggest hit of the year has been the train! 

We have even built a tunnel using presents.  Skeeto is a big fan.

A few more presents to wrap and I think we will be ready.  I am feeling pretty prepared this year.

Hopefully, I can keep up the pace.  We should be good to go by the big day!

Another Bennion Girlie With Two Missing Teeth

Well, Izzypop has lost another tooth. She actually truly lost it in grandma's carpet. After a moment of panic, we assured her that the tooth fairy would leave her something anyway. So she left a note explaining what had happened and hoped for the best. Not only did the tooth fairy leave her money, but she also went to grandma's house, found her tooth, and left a note telling her so. Those tooth detectors are handy gadgets.

What's even better is that her Boston counterpart is now going on year number two with two missing chompers. Is she telling Izzypop's future? I think they may have planned it this way.

Good Times Had By All

Today was the day Izzypop has been looking forward to for a very long time. She has been nagging me nonstop about how much more time until the Christmas Skating Party. It finally came. And it was everything she had hoped it would be.....or at least so she told me.  I barely saw her.  She was running non-stop the whole time playing with all her cousins.  I may have caught a couple sightings and quickly snapped a pic, but it really was like trying to get Sasquach on film.  Skeeto on the other hand was practically glued to me....until he found this little scooter.  Then off he went too.

I was able to wrestle them together for one quick shot...though Skeeto didn't seem happy about it.

Then back to fun with the cousins.

Santa was a hit as always, he put on his famous magic show....

...and some of us sat on his lap.....

...and some of us wouldn't.

And, incidentally, this is what happens when you give Uncle Layne your camera to take pictures for you. :)

PRESENTS!!!!!

Izzypop got a My Little Pony and Skeeto got some matchbox cars. 

We had a great night with family, not to mention some great food.  My happiest moment was when I was able to get the pair of them to sit at a table amidst all the fun and actually eat a taco.  Izzypop even tried a burrito for the very first time and.....gasp.....liked it!!!  Seriously, mom of the year right here.  Actually, I don't think it had anything to do with me.  It must have been a Festivus miracle.

Get A Haircut, Ya Hippie!

Skeeto got his first real haircut today.  I thought he would scream and yell, but Ashley did a great job making him comfortable.  She even pretended to cut Mater's hair to get him into it.

He liked making mommy hold his hair...

...and just relaxing on mom's lap.

So much better!  What a handsome guy.  Thanks Ash!

Today We Give Thanks

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I didn't take many pictures, though, so this post may be a little wordy.  We started by going to Grandma and Grandpa Bennion's to visit for a bit.  We got the kids to hold still for a millisecond to get some pictures (not really).

 We did get a train ride in.  Choo!  Choo!

After that, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Yo-Yo's house for dinner.  The kids scattered immediately due to all the kids running around.  It was impossible to get pictures.  After that, we had hoped to hook up with Grandma Sherrie, but alas she had to work today.  We were bummed we couldn't see her. We hope to see her tomorrow.  So we went to my Grandma and Grandpa Orr's for a little slice of pie.

We had a great time spending time with our family today and we are so thankful that they are all a part of our lives.  For those of you that we did not get to see today, please know that we were thinking of you, missing you and wishing you were with us.  We are blessed to be part of a wonderful extended family who lives so close by.  What would we do without you?  Lots of hugs and kisses from all of us.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Harry Potter Halloween

I have successfully brainwashed Izzypop into liking Harry Potter.  Someday she will love it as much as I do.  But, needless to say, I was ecstatic when she said she wanted to be Hermione for Halloween.....I may have suggested it, mind you, but the point is, I did not force her :).  We started the day off by taking Iz to her school Halloween parade.  We met up with Ginny and Dorothy there and made the rounds.

After school, the first stop was Grandma June's for the reveal of Harry himself and that horrid Daily Prophet reporter, Rita Skeeter, complete with Quick Quill.

We had a great time talking with the Grandmas and Grandpa...and always love the hugs!

Wingardium Leviosa!

The next stop was Grandpa and Grandma Orr's.  Where Skeeto did some more major spell casting.....

EXPELLIARMUS!!!!

 

There we also met up with Professor Trelawney who made sure to insult Hermione. :)

Then it was on to the important stuff: Trick-or-Treating with Grandma Sherrie!  Izzypop got into it this year.  We took our cauldrons and went out for some loot. 

It wasn't quite the quality of Honeydukes, but we didn't complain. Last stop, Hogwarts.

All in all, it was a wonderful Halloween.  The kids had a riot and I would be lying if I said that getting to dress my little ones up as characters from one of my favorite stories didn't have anything to do with it.  I also probably felt the holiday spirit due to all the work my mom and I put into my costume (thanks Mom).  I haven't dressed up for Halloween since I was a teenager.  It was worth it.  Except, for the last time,

 I AM NOT EFFIE TRINKET!