Our Charlie Brown Tree

Our first Christmas in Idaho. I really wanted a beautiful Christmas tree for our little apartment. Kevin agreed that we could splurge on a small tree. So, we took the kids out Christmas tree shopping at one of those corner tree lots. We toured around the lot, looking at all the tall trees. The cheapest tree we saw was twenty dollars. A little steep. So, when we found a tree helper Kevin asked how much for the one by the entrance that was propped up in some hay. He looked at us like "you actually want that one?" and then said, "10 dollars." We walked over to it and the guy's boss joined us. He saw the one we were looking to leave with and said, "You can have that one." Kevin heard, but politely ignored the first offer of a free tree, willing to spend the 10 bucks. But the boss insisted, "You can just take it." We said, "Really? Free?" And he said "Yeah, Merry Christmas." Tim, the tree helper guy, said, "They want the Charlie! You want me to help you with it to your car?" He asked a little sarcastically because he could see that Kevin could lift it with his little finger. But we said, sure we'll take the free service and the free tree! We reached the car and he asked, "Do you want me to tie it to the top of your van with like six feet of twine..." I just said, "I think it'll fit in the trunk." And it did, quite nicely.

We went home and showed Preston and Eva "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and had some Christmas candy. It was a wonderful family night.

We made Charlie a tree stand out of a cookie cutter box and created a homemade angel to put on top. What a lovely tree Charlie is now:

Ellie Giggles!

Not the best view, but great audio! She is SO SO SO SO adorable!

First Day of Snow

The very first day of snow in Boise: November 21st, 2010. Daddy had the day off and we went downtown to see "Hymns of Thanksgiving" at the Qwest Arena. It was a free event that sounded beautiful, for what we got to hear. We left after the first song, realizing that we accidentally brought three monsters to a quiet/spiritual event (which we had already done earlier that day, aka church). Way too much for them and us!

Our first time seeing snow here at our new home, but definitely not the first time being freezing cold! It feels like all the cold is finally paying off. If you are like me than freezing cold weather should equal SNOW! Preston and Eva really enjoy it.

Snowball fight:

Couple videos

Ellie's giggle is caught on camera, a little bit. She already has her camera radar fully developed and stopped laughing as soon as she saw it. Lots of cute smiling, though. It is a good thing we can capture the happy moments of life. I don't know how the pioneers lived and everyone before them. They couldn't re-watch their kids being cute, how did they survive? I am so grateful for modern technology allowing me to better remember the happy moments so that in the terrible want to bury my head in the sand moments I have some sanity left.

Preston always introduces himself as "Preston Michael Hunter, come here. That's my full name." But yesterday at church I heard him tell someone, "I am Preston Michael Hunter, come here. That's my full name. My mom says that people think it is funny when I say that." Silly boy.

They will probably call me to nursery. I helped out for a few minutes in nursery on Sunday because two of the helpers were just released and they hadn't called anyone else yet, and I let slip that I still don't have a calling. Goodbye break from my own children.

A glimpse at bedtime at our house:

A few pictures

Ellie's new stocking from Great Grandma Anderson.

All the stockings hung by the fire... yes I know Thanksgiving hasn't come yet, but we had Thanksgiving dinner early this year at Grandma Anderson's house.

Eva admires her stocking while Preston encourages her to "look at mommy" for the picture. He wouldn't follow his own advice.

Preston wanted to show Grandma this "secret" picture. He is holding Ellie up behind the blanket, shhh! it's a secret!

Eva singin' and dancin' into the Spirit of Christmas!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I just watched this video. It was inspirational to me. I loved seeing the genuine answers that people gave to what they were thankful for. It is a question that doesn't stump anyone. I love that. We live in a country where everyone has something to be thankful for. We live in a beautiful world.

I wanted to add a list of my own, in the spirit of Thanksgiving:

my family (immediate and extended)
my home
Jesus Christ
the gospel in my home
my husband, who holds the priesthood
my space heater
the trees, flowers and grass
the rain
lightning
thunder
my health
my husband's health
our newest baby and her health and good attitude
learning
entertainment
WinCo, our local grocery store
time to think
Christmas time
computers and other technology that connects me with family
animals
cooking
the testimonies of others that strengthen mine
BYU
Murrieta Valley High School
my teachers
books

and I am thankful for having so many things to thankful for that I cannot list them all.

Eva's Birthday Pictures