Please, don't have a heart attack!!

Okay, so it has been FOREVER since I have updated you all on our little family so grab a snack before you read this -- it's a long one!!

Things were so crazy at the end of the year and more than one thing had to get put aside until I could get CONTROL of our crazy lives. In a nutshell, here is how our summer/fall/holidays went:

SEPTEMBER - Went to Labor Day Reunion, Alli started pre-school, Dana surprised me with a get-away to San Diego for my bday, got called to be Primary President, Connor became obsessed with golf, Emma taking cheer/pom classes, Alli continuing her dance lessons.

Connor, Emma & Alli at Labor Day Reunion with counsins, Wendy & Emily

OCTOBER - Ran kids around, went to Lake Powell for annual siblings reunion, Emma lost both front teeth, tried to get control of my life...failed, pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins, celebrated(??) Halloween.


Doesn't she look too cute without her two front teeth??


Alli's best friend is also named Emma and they had so much fun at the pumpkin patch.


Alli sorting through all the little pumpkins trying to find the perfect one!


The tractor at the pumpkin patch was a big hit.


The kiddos with cousins Kenzie, Steven & Bradley after carving their pumpkins.


Alli LOVES princess Jasmine & looked super cute all dressed up.


Emma LOVES all princesses and was a very beautiful Cinderella this year.


Connor was my little vampire - even if he doesn't know how obsessed I am with the Twilight books =)


Here are the little trick-or-treaters - boy, did they have a huge stash of candy by the time the night was over!

NOVEMBER - Ran kids around, celebrated Alli's 4th birthday, had an awesome Thanksgiving, shopped 'til we dropped with my mom and sisters after Thanksgiving.

My mom helped me (thanks, mom!!) make cute aprons for the girls for Alli's party - they all looked ADORABLE wearing them!!


Alli wanted to decorate cookies and have a chocolate fountain at her party. I think the girls were pretty sugared up by the time they went home.


Here is her very simple but cute cake that she helped me decorate.

DECEMBER - Celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary, celebrated Dana's birthday, attended Emma & Alli's dance recital, decorated gingerbread houses, went to see Santa, enjoyed kids' re-enactment of the nativity, had a wonderful Christmas with Grandma at our house, spent some time at Grandma's and played in the snow, had Tim & Steph's family at our house with their kids and had SOOO much fun, went to Wickenburg for a few days to ring in the New Year!! Oh, and FAILED to get a Christmas card in the mail but I still have high hopes for getting a New Year's letter out!!


The kids decorating their gingerbread houses. I'm quite certain Connor ate more candy than he actually put on his house.


Alli was Mary in the Nativity, Connor was Joseph and Emma was a donkey. Cerise's kids were there, too, and Kenzie was a very cute angel and great actress!


Alli loves babies and was so excited by what Santa brought for her.


Emma loves anything to do with ANIMALS and asked Santa for a sleeping lion. Luckily, Santa found exactly what she wanted!!


When Connor sat on Santa's lap he politely asked if he could ask for two things - Golf shoes and Roller Blades. Santa said he would see what he could do and he totally came through for Connor!!


Alli did NOT like the snow last year so I was a little worried but she jumped right in and had a ton of fun. She also helped me make a little snow man!!


Emma is super photogenic and looked like quite the model in all her snow gear!


Connor was really into making snow balls and throwing them at everyone.

ONE LAST THING -- We loved getting all the Christmas cards and letters from everyone. We are so thankful for all of our family and friends and the many blessings we have been given. Thank you all for your cards and letters and for being our friends =)