Christmas 2011

 Christmas Morning the girl's slept in until 8:00am.  Chad and I were up showered and waiting for the fun to begin.  Peyton was excited to see toys but grabbed the first candy she saw.  She opened Brynlyn's twizzlers and was ready to check out the toys.

 I think Brynlyn's expression explains how happy she was about her very first rifle!!!

 We managed to get a few good photo's on Christmas before going to church!  After church we spent the afternoon and evening in Worthen circle celebrating with family and eating good food.

When we returned home Christmas night we still had presents to open.

We were very spoiled and had so much fun this year.  It was very magical to watch my sweet daughter's excitement over every new item they received.

Christmas Eve

Opening the traditional pajama's for the entire family before reading stories and going to bed.  Peyton was very excited about her dad's really soft shorts.  What a quirky kid.  She rearranged the ornaments on the Christmas tree, so there is a big blank spot in all the pics!  The girl's went to bed without a problem...  I think they were worn out from all the fun with cousin's.

Decor and Traditions

 We finally put our tree up and began decorating the house Dec. 9th.  I was feeling a little Bah! Humbug! this year.  Postpartum depression has kicked my butt.  Our kids had a blast decorating the tree.  Chad did not enjoy putting new strings on the ornaments, but he did it for his sweet little girls.

 I started a tradition last year with our kids.  Each night in December they open a Christmas book to read before bed.  We have a fun collection of cute and religious stories.  We always end with a story about baby Jesus and his birth on Christmas Eve.

 Adorable happy girl!

The girls looked forward to each night, and sometimes morning if the night before was a little hectic!

Hair

 I came home from Utah and found that Brynlyn and Peyton had been wonderful for their dad.  So good that he bought them both pet fish!  We have yet to take a picture of the fish.

So, about twenty minutes before I got home... the girls found my sewing scissors and played hair salon.  Big sister Brynlyn decided to trim most of little sister Peyton's hair in the front and left side.

I was so sad, I love Peyton's cute curls.  Then we realized Brynlyn had given herself a small haircut of a few random pieces up to her chin throughout her head.

 So we had Chad's cousin Rachel chop it all off!  And she layered Peyton's so it wasn't such an obvious chopped look.  Brynlyn loves her new hair, and bounces around the house to make it fly.

This sweet little angel was the perfect travel buddy.  She slept the entire time and never asked "are we there yet?"  I am so thankful for my husband and his willingness to solo parent his oldest daughters for a few days.  I know it was good for him! ;)

Quick Utah visit

The week after Thanksgiving I made a quick trip to Utah for a funeral.  It was just me and Miyah.  Chad had the oldest girls at home.  We were able to party with my brother's family for his oldest son's birthday!  He is such a cute kid, his personality is hilarious!  It was great fun to be part of my family's celebrations.  It seems like I don't get home to visit as often as I would like now that my oldest is in school.  It's also tricky for me to travel with three munchkins by myself, but very worth it.

down time

 After the busy funeral weekend, we took time to just be... with family and loved ones.  My mom set up cookie decorating for the kids.

 They took turns playing Brynlyn's leapster and showing Grandma how awesome it is.

Miyah really enjoyed being at my parents.  Someone was always holding her!

Grandma's Funeral

During the Thanksgiving Holiday we had my Grandma Blackburn's funeral. It was a very beautiful service, so many people participated making it a special but very emotional day. All of her grandson's were the pallbearers.

 The flowers and photo's looked very nice.

 It was a little chilly but not terrible outside.  It was very nice to have the entire family together for the Holiday and to celebrate my grandma's life.  We miss her like crazy.