Birthdays Begin

 We have what we call brithday row.  With Ben starting us off in February the rest of our little family follows in the next two and a half months.

 Things get pretty busy, especially because the boys are just a week apart.

 Here are a few of the pictures from Benny's two year old photo shoot.

 Grandma found this awesome little jacket.

 He is growing up so fast and figuring out how everything works.

 This little guy is pretty relaxed and fun to be around.

and he is all boy!

I scream You scream

In one of our recent conversations we discovered that our children did not know what a banana split was.  After we recovered from the shock we decided to educate them properly.  For family home evening a few nights later we made one up proper (well mostly proper, it was minus the pineapple).  We bought vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream.  Piled it high and deep with chocolate, caramel and strawberry syrup on top.  Can't forget the whip cream and sprinkles. 

 We got done and I realized that we forgot the banana at the bottom so we added some to the side.

Doesn't it look awesome.  I didn't get any pictures of us enjoying it but the kids pretty much looked like Benny does below.

Yum!

Snow!

Mike and I took a quick weekend away to Brianhead Resort just above Cedar City.  We picked a perfect weekend to go.  On Friday night during the drive up there it started to snow and in the morning we had a blanket of fresh powder.

I have to say that the one and only time I have been skiing before was when I was a very fit 17 year old and we just went for the two or three hours of night skiing.  This time was quite a bit more exhausting but so much fun.  We think that were are gonna make it a yearly tradition.

Wrapping up the Year

 We finished out 2012 with a trip to Utah, which of course would not be complete without going to see the lights at Temple Square.

 Uncles are the best at helping Dad haul around all the kids.  This is my favorite corner of the Square.

 We experienced lots of awesome snow.  Grandpa had downsized the number of shovels so the kids had to make do with brooms.  The snow was so fluffy the brooms worked great and I think the kiddos even made some money.  Grandpa sure pays more than he used to.

No visit up north is complete without a dip in Grandma and Grandpa new big tub.  There is room for everyone in there.

Christmas Morning

Lots of excitement.

 



Lots of little pieces.

Princess pink.

 

Tired faces.

 

Big clean up.

And happy smiles.

 

Your classic Christmas morning.

The Pre-Holidays

I love this picture of Ben and one of his friends.  Little boys are simply too cute sometimes.

For most of December we had small activities that we did each night.  It was really fun to do things on purpose as a family.  One of our bigger activities was to go and ride Santa's train out in Boulder City.

We got to sit in the dining car.  It was from the 1940s and they are half way through restoring it.  The kids loved it and all things train.

We also decorated a gingerbread house.  More frosting and candy on the mouth than on the house but it looked great anyway.

November

 We are plugging away here, the kids are helping me write the posts so we can catch up. 

 Here is a common sight at our house in the evening.  With both of our callings one of us is gone at least two nights a week.  The kids love it cause they know that one parent at home means you can get away with so much more than when they are teamed up.  Generally all the weasel out of us is an episode or two of Phineas and Ferb- our all time family favorite.   

 Every once in a while we do put them to work.

 We had Thanksgiving at the Parrish household this year.  It was fabulous so of course I have no pictures.  The day after, my family came to visit.

 Benny is a one scoop in the bowl one in the mouth kind of a guy.  There is no end to the fun when we are with family.

The customary setting up of the Christmas tree always begins with much enthusiasm.  It usually ends with kids running around while mom tries to finish up.  I love having the tree up.  It makes it really feel like the holidays have begun. 



October Part 2

Happy Halloween!

Mark is in love with all things Star Wars.  His costume of choice this year was Obi-Wan Kenobi not to be confused with Luke Skywalker.

Megan was a little bumble bee.  The wings were quite pathetic but live and learn.

Benny was Super Man and for the most part he was a little happier about it than he looks in this picture.

We carved the customary pumpkin.  We got all three kids to stick their hand inside.  Mark and Ben are both funny about getting their hands yucky.

 

It was our first time attending the school Halloween parade.  Gotta love our weather- it was so hot just standing there on the black top while the kids walked around.

October Part 1

We appreciate your patience- here we are finally with an update.

 Part of our visit with Papa and Mimi included a show in St. George.  At one point everyone wore 3D glasses.  The kids played with them for hours afterwards.  I think they look pretty cool.

 Megan's preschool group went to the pumpkin patch.  This little patch has become quite a part of our Halloween traditions.  Benny as you can see was a little skeptical about the whole thing.

 However he ended up having a great time.  

Megan had a blast as well.  She got up enough courage to tackle the really big slide.  I was proud of her.

 Wahoo!