Christmas!

For Christmas this year we had our 5th annual Christmas Eve fondue party. It was very special to be able to spend it with Nana, Papa, Grammy, Pops, Uncle Drew, Uncle Anders, Aunt Chelsea, Uncle Cory, Cousin Isak, and our friends Canyon, Sawyer, and their parents Stacie and Greg. Despite Aunt TT and Uncle Jesse (and Laila!) not being here, it was such fun. 

I made sure we read T'was The Night Before Christmas (tradition) complete with passing the ball every time the word THE is said in the story. Grammy won the prize. How I remembered this was a tradition a year later is still amazing everyone.

Picture is missing Uncle Drew

Uncle Anders even read me a story in the middle of the organized chaos.

I was more than ready to go to bed (in my new Christmas jammies--also a tradition) so Santa could come. As previously mentioned, I really wanted a fake Christmas tree of my very own...complete with my own lights and ornaments. Santa snapped a quick picture before wrapping it up...

We woke up at the relatively reasonable hour of 6:45 am. To all that don't know...this is actually sleeping in for the Cheney household. (Mommy loves the picture below because it clearly shows how much Kai loves me...he watched EVERYTHING I do and repeats/parrots EVERYTHING I say.)  I was a little nervous while I was opening stockings that Santa hadn't brought me my tree...then Daddy plugged it in. I saw the glow through the wrapping paper and was SOOO excited. 

After opening our stockings and gifts from Santa we were able to Skype Grandpa. He enjoyed watching chaos resume as we tore through all of the other gifts from extended family. Shortly thereafter your typical Christmas morning began...I fell into the bookcase and smacked my head (Mommy thought for sure I was going to be gushing blood). After an hour of crying, Kai decided he wanted in on the fun and split his lip on the bathroom counter. Yup, just how Mommy pictured Christmas morning. After we composed ourselves we went to Nana and Papa's house to open more presents.

Isak caught on to opening presents quickly...we were very impressed. His technique of sitting on the gift while unwrapping I might need to master for next year.

For the afternoon/Christmas dinner we went to Grammy and Pops. I got to practice riding my new bike...the pictures are on Daddy's phone so you'll have to wait to see those :)

Merry Christmas!

Herding Cats

 Great Grandma wanted a picture of the 3 of us in our matching sweatshirts. When I told Isak this, he didn't believe me.

Isak insisted I teach him how to do it.

 First, Nana helped appropriately place us.

Then, I instructed them on the appropriate group picture taking etiquette. First, fold your hands nicely in front of you. 

Okay, maybe Isak is too little to fold his hands.

New tactic...Nana, we may need your help again. Okay, Isak. Skip the folding your hands part. Instead, sit still. Then, stick your tongue out.

Okay, Kai got the folded hands thing down...and Isak is still here. We're on a roll.

Okay boys, now put on your best face.

Hmm. That's the best you guys can do?

 Okay, fine. Just be cute.

Sorry Great Grandma...I tried.

Rub a dub dub

Bath time is so much more fun when there's THREE boys in the tub. Especially when there's new bath toys to play with.

Big boy snow shoes

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 

Kadyn's hope from Santa: his very own fake Christmas tree, with lights, and ornaments. Bet you haven't heard that one before! 

Kai's hope from Santa: a baby doll. 

But amidst the wrapping, hustle, bustle, gifts, and nog...remember the reason for the season. The birth of the Ultimate Sacrifice. Happy Birthday Jesus.

So much to catch you up on...

We've had a very eventful December. Since our birthday party we've been keeping mommy busy with all of our social gatherings. We went to our good friend Cohen's house with some of our other buddies for a Christmas cookie decorating evening. 

 Mine was meticulously covered.

 Kai's was, well, he got distracted by all the goodies and decided they were more fun to eat than put on the cookie...

I even had a preschool presentation of The Little Red Hen. In case you can't tell, that's me in the middle.

My preschool class. 

And we even got to babysit little baby Laila. We each took turns holding her.

 And I even got a chance to feed her. I've become quite enamored with babies.

 I also celebrated my REAL 4th birthday. Kai helped light the candles on the cake.

 And I decided to talk to Kai about the importance of noticing what color the snow is.

 He was a bit confused. After all, yellow is his favorite color.

We had to say goodbye to Laila; she's moving to Texas. I hate goodbyes. 

 But not all is sad because Cousin Isak is here from Denver for the week! We have been looking forward to this day for weeks.

 And Mommy said that it's almost Christmas!

Argh...Ahoy Matey, Welcome to Our Party

This past weekend we had a Pirate Birthday Party to celebrate my 4th birthday and Kai's 2nd birthday.

 We made our very own treasure chests, colored some skull and cross bones and pirate ships, and had a treasure hunt.

 And of course, we ate lots of yummy piratey food.

 We had a lot of day-of cancellations (20 kids and adults) due to the civil war football game and sicknesses. But we had a great time with Gracie, Elliott, Lily, Aberly, Laila and Maddie.

 We even had a surprise visit from a Transformer.

 It scared some of my friends.

But I assured them, it was just me.

Thanks for coming everyone! And thank you for all the wonderful gifts. It was a very special day.