Happy Anniversary!

Seven years ago today, I had a fairy tale wedding and married my very best friend....

We actually like each other more now than we did seven years ago, so I guess we are doing something right.

On the 3rd day of Christmas....

...we made our first batch of Christmas cookies!!!

We decided to start with some red and green M&M cookies. All the kids helped...

And when we turned away for a moment, Danika stuck the spoon in her mouth!

Sadly, the cookies looked kinda pathetic when they were baked. I don't know why, but every time I use the Nestle Chocolate Chip cookie recipe they turn out flat and thin. When my mom uses it they are fat and yummy. Not sure what I do wrong : ( But the kids don't know the difference! Just hope Mammy send some good ones our way because I know the difference!

On the 2nd day of Christmas....

...we took the kids "ice" Skating and played in the snow!!!

Last night we dressed the kids up in one of their cute holiday outfits and took them up to Tempa Marketplace. They had a fake ice skating rink set up. Since it wasn't real ice, it was much easier for the kids to do. And they loved it!!! Especially, Laynee!!! Then we had pizza and hot chocolate for dinner. And finally, it snowed!!!! The mall made it snow for 10 minutes. The kids were running around trying to catch it. So fun!!! And it was all free (except dinner)!!!


So here are the girls in their elf dresses.....

And Kyler wore his new reindeer shirt that Mammy gave him. It has his name on it! Yay!
I caught this beautiful picture while Laynee was watching Danika and Kyler skate...

Kyler....

And Danika, who was so proud of herself.....

Makenzie, who never let go of daddy.....

And Laynee, who I have never seen so happy (even though she fell a dozen times at least!)...

Danika sitting next to the huge, beautiful Christmas tree that they lit.......

Time for the snow!!!

Love this one of Kenzie striking a pose.....

Eating snowflakes....

Nursing School Graduation!!!

Edited to Add: Wow! I am overwhelmed by all the sweet comments about the nursing school graduation invite! For more info about how I made the invite and about the details of the party check out this post: http://searsfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/pictures-from-graduation-party.html

Scott is graduating from Nursing School in 13 days!!! I am so very proud of him. I have no idea how he has managed such a tough course load with a large family and a full time job. He has lost so much sleep!!!! But it will all be worth it in the end!!! He already has a full time position as a nurse lined up at the hospital he works at, Phoenix Children's Hospital. Yay!!!!

Months ago I decided that I needed to throw Scott and his classmates a fun party. They have all worked so hard! Nursing was no easy program!!!! So I have been planning this party for a couple of months and it is going to be a blast. It's all in a medical theme. I don't want to give away too many details before the party...... Here is the invite....

If you are a friend or family member, then I hope you can come!!! The party is on Friday and his pinning ceremony is on Sarurday. And you can be sure that we will have tons of pictures to share with the rest of you.

On the first day of Christmas......

If you know me well at all, you must know how much I LOVE the holidays!!!! It's not just CHristmas, but all the festivities leading up to Christmas that I get so excited about. I always have the month packed with fun family time!!! This year I had really hoped to make a scrapbook album that documents each day between Thanksgiving till Christmas. But then I got real!!! I don't have time for that!!!! So instead I have decided to document all the fun through pictures that I hope to share daily. Then MAYBE one day (when I am done with school!) I could turn it into a scrapbook. Otherwise, at least I have it documented somewhere!!!! So I am already a couple days late and playing catch up!!!! Here is the day after Thanksgiving....

On the first day of Christmas we took our annual family pictures and put our Christmas tree and decorations up!!!

This year we decided to be a little wild and include my parents and my brother's family in our photo shoot. But all in all, everyone did a fantastic job and the pictures are already hanging in my front room!

I think that the kids individual Pictures came out fantastic this year!

Here is Laynee....

And Danika....

And Kyler....

And Makenzie....

Here is Mammy and Papa with the grandkids.....

And the WHOLE gang.....

Then later that night we got the tree and decorations put up. I just LOVE how my house looks all decorated!!! And that nice warm glow of the Christmas tree lights always makes me smile!

Decorating the tree...

I have so many special ornaments!!! I think I could make a whole album about the stories behind these ornaments! I might share some of those stories later in the month. But for now, here is one of our family personalized family ornaments....



My decorating helpers....

I have a serious addiction to snowmen decorations! I have no idea why. I just think they are cute! Maybe because I don't have to shovel snow or drive on ice!!! So my whole house is basically decorated in snowmen. I will show more of my decorations another day (like the snowman bathroom!!!) but here are just a few shots.....

And finally our 14 foot Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of ornaments!!!!

Thanksginig

Can you believe that I took 200 pictures on Thanksgiving? I guess if you know me at all, it wouldn't shock you! Here are just a few.....

Here is my very cute family as we leave for my parent's house.... (the first time. We had to come back when we realized we forgot the pumpkin pie. lol)
My little turkies...

And my sweet hubby and I...

We are celebrating our anniversary on Monday!

Here are my kids with my niece and nephew....

And the whole gang.....

Brady, my nephew.....

Scott and I did a little craft with the kids. Here is Kyler showing off his pinecone turkey....

The turkies were our place cards!

Now just check out our Tom the Turkey! Mmmmm....

Every year at Thanksgiving everyone gets a Christmas ornament at the their seat. They are always special ornaments. Here is the ornament that my mom got me this year....

Here is aunt Jamie and Brady....

And here is my very favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner, the Squash......

I really don't like cranberries, but I was just having too much taking pictures or all the food!

Here is the kid's table....

Cheers!!

It was a great holiday and I was so thankful for not having to cook since I am still just not 100%!