The Elf on the Shelf

A friend wrote about this fun book and I ran out and bought it! I love fun traditions and this is one that will last a long time I am sure, I can even imagine doing it with our grandkids. The elf flies to the North Pole every night and tells Santa if you were good or bad and then in the morning appears in a new spot, but kids cannot touch him.

You can go online and register your elf, we named ours Alvin! You can also play games and track Santa!


The kids really got into it and were so funny asking questions about Alvin the elf. How could he fly when he looks like a toy...... Magic dust!
Does he blink, do all toys fly up to the north pole, and if they could tell him what they wanted for Christmas to name a few.

We are so excited to find out where Alvin will show up in the morning! They all quickly brushed their teeth and went to bed, so who knows maybe they will be extra good since Alvin is reporting to Santa :)

Bloomington Lights

Looking at these pictures made me crack up, we all look like orphans lol. We could post the family picture as a need help for Christmas photo! We had been putting up Christmas lights and taking Hunter to piano when we decided last minute to go to Bloomingtons tree lighting ceremony. I quickly got all the kids coats and we were out the door. Pretty much the same things as last night except there were donuts.

Christmas in Dixie

Christmas in Dixie is always on a Monday night and TJ works late, but that didn't stop me from dragging all the kids out in the cold to watch the Christmas lights being turned on. Nothing better than starting the season off with some free hot coco and cookies, visiting Santa, school children singing Christmas songs off key, and counting down to see the big tree all lit up. Sophie wasn't a fan of Santa but she loved the candycane, she also didn't want the camera pointed anywhere towards her. Hunter was upset after we talked to Santa he said he was listening to Brielle and couldn't hear that he wanted an Ipod touch that wasn't pink lol. I laughed and told him we will write him a letter and I am sure he will bring him and Ipod that isn't pink!
Callaway was all bundled up the entire time this is him before we left! Also if you sing Christmas songs to him he laughs, so cute!

Callaway's first game

I forgot to add this picture my Dad took with his camera phone, I love it because Callaway is fast asleep and the cute lil white snowsuit he is wearing has been worn by all 4 kids during their first Utah game. Yep it is almost 8 years old! Callaway's first kill as my Dad would say :)

Mom and Boys Weekend

We spent 36 hours up north, just me and my boys. It was a mini vacation for me only having 2 kids with me. We were able to go to the Jazz vs. Lakers game thanks to my parents friend Tom Nissalke. Hunter loved every second of it, I had no idea he would be that into basketball but he was like a kid on Christmas. I bought him a shirt and he picked out Williams #8 because he said he was the best and Hunter was right, he played awesome!! During halftime Hunter got my Dad to buy him Williams bobble head, he knows who to take to the fanzz store :) Callaway was in awe of it all and the noise didn't bother him until the end when everyone got really loud, but we covered his ears with the blanket and he was good to go. Jazz won 102-96 woot woot!!







The BYU vs UTAH game was great, Hunter really understood the game this year and was really into it. The weather didntt get really cold until the second half and sweet Callaway was so warm and cozy he slept most of the game. The whole game once again came down to the last seconds but luckily the kick was blocked! Utes win 17-16!!! Then we headed home since Sunday had a severe winter storm advisory. Thanks Mom and Dad for the fun weekend, we are so lucky to be able to go and have all these fun memories with you guys, we appreciate it!! GO UTES!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at our house:
No school the day before so lots of turkey crafts.



Boys wake up early and go Hunting

Usually we go to Grandma Cannons but I think a new tradition of going to Grandma Bentley's has started. We always bring a Pizza Factory salad and ranch and as usual TJ makes it way too big.

Cooking, cutting, everyone helping before the big feast.


Football and naps are a must


At the kids table with your Cousins



We have so much to be thankful for! I am thankful for my amazing family and friends and these 4 lil turkeys!

Jubilee of Trees

The Kindergartner's each made a sugar cookie for their tree at The Jubilee of Trees. We were able to go see it as a field trip, I thought it would be awful having all the young kids around all those breakable tree ornaments but they all were so good! We had a great time looking at all the pretty decorated trees. The school made the gorgeous red, white and blue one and the theme this year was to raise awareness for breast cancer!