THE HOLIDAZE

It came, it went, it's done and a whole new year is here. It seems like the years get faster and faster and I don't enjoy the little things enough. So this year that is our family resolution, to do better to enjoy what we have and the people around us. Brennen and I also decided we wanted to read more, a book a month maybe- I am already behind. 2013 had it ups and downs, mostly ups looking back now so bring it on 2014.
We had a great month of fun with family and friends. Foster loved having his cousins around for a few weeks. It was fun to seem him interact with them and he is doing better in public situations. Still needs his Mom, but he is getting better. He played a lot of Just Dance with the kids, all four of them love to dance. Since my last post we have say good rid-dens to the bottle, working on the binky- (not so easy), trimmed his hair (well Brennen did because he didn't trust my hands, while he should have because I have much better fine motor skills), and started jabbering a lot more. Kids our amazing, they learn so fast. While I wish he wouldn't remember some things, like where grandpa gets his treats from and that grandpa will always give him treats. He is very good at brushing his teeth though so hopefully that will counteract the sugar. He is already being bullied about his little pop belly, it seriously grows when he eats and then he walks around rubbing it. It's cute, but because he is so short he looks like a old man in a little body. He was spoiled for Christmas, between aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents we didn't need to get him anything:) we did but shouldn't have. He loves it all, we still have yet to find something that holds his attention span but he loves to play ball and read books (well at least look at a bunch of different ones, never sits long enough to read the actual story.
I still think pictures tell the story better than anything so the rest of this post will be pictures.

My friend snapped a few shots of him when we were visiting one day and they turned out so cute, he is pulling all his excited faces. I am glad we captured them. You can't help but smile, right?

We hit up the lights at temple square, truly amazing, both the lights and the amount of people that cram themselves in the block just to see them. While the Christmas lights are beautiful, the best light comes from the gorgeous temple all light up. #familiesareforever

 I asked a cute old missionary to snap a photo for us, I was actually surprised that more of us were not cut out, sorry grandma.

 Tuck and his finest.

The next weekend we took a two hour drive to the polar express station so we could bored the train to the north pole. Foster was ok with it all but not near the excitement as Tuck and Presley had. 

I tried to snap a quick photo of tucker under the mistletoe and his mom kissing him, but I was in such a rush I only got the kissy face, Tucker was trying with all his might to dodge it.

 The whole train car sang happy birthday to Presley. I tried to avoid putting any picture up of the overjoyed elf but I couldn't resist Presley's face in this one.

 Foster and Hazel loved trying to move around on the moving train. Only fell a few times.

 This Picture captures the magic of Christmas in Presley expression, love her

 Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down The polar express train.

 But Foster did not want him to come...............................not a fan of the real Santa, but the one on his shirt was another story he liked him.

 I was to busy taking the photo to notice that Presley and Foster should have switched places.

The Skidmore family party was another success, yummy food, pinata, a cute program by the kids, and of course the best company around.

 Then it was Christmas Eve and the Godderidges arrived, We had everyone but Carly and Mike and their kids. Once again great food, people and fun. We even had an ugly sweater party this year, and while not everyone participated, I thought we did pretty good with a few things from the DI.

 While its hard not to notice the screaming face, check out his sweater, he was asleep for our family portrait.

 I took this picture to capture this moment....... All the kids were so interested in there bags that they got that they didn't care that Santa was still here, but Presley sat right there until he walked out the door all by herself.

Jingles did not disappoint this year either, We all got cute jammies, Hazel was asleep :( 

 We got up to my parents house at 7 am, thinking the kids would be awake and ready but they weren't we had to wait til 8. Foster was satisfied with the Toothbrush that was in his stocking.

 We had many performances of ROAR by Katy Perry from Presley, she brought the house down with her talent.

 Grandma Janice sledding

 Grandma Janice crashing

 Foster did not love it the first time

 but then his mom took him and he did much better as he didn't go down 100mph, I don't know why I let Brennen take him first I should know that by now.

 Foster scored and of course Brennen and I were spoiled, thanks to our wonderful families. We hope to someday give you half as much as you give us.

Most importantly this last month and a half I have learned that life is to be enjoyed not just endured. You never have enough money, someone close will always be struggling, bad things will always happen to really good people, cancer sucks (but grandma is a rock star and kicking it's butt), and some people are mean. BUT there is a lot of good out there, and life is what you make of it. I am always happier when I make time for others and do good. So I will keep trying and enduring, but most of all I am going to be so much better at enjoying EVERYTHING! We are blessed!