Stuff that is SO LAST YEAR

If I've said it once, I've now said it twice. Take a long time to update your blog - then when you finally do post it makes it makes your life seem way more exciting because you have lots of news and fun pictures. So here's just a few of out pictures from October to December:

Hannah learned to ride her bike with no training wheels on her first try. (It helps if you wait until you are almost 7 to take your first try.) She is loving the freedom of only 2 wheels.

Halloween. Jono a Power Ranger, Jane a Fairy Princess, Hannah a cat, Taylor a BYU football player. Logan refused to wear a costume, but still enjoyed all of the benefits of free candy. Grant went as the cutest baby in the world and didn't even need a costume. Best of all, we managed to beg and borrow enough that we didn't even have to spend a penny on the awesome ensembles. 

Good times in the basement with me, the three little boys and an entire Geotrax and Cars village.

Hannah and Jono wanted to do a photo shoot of them jumping off furniture and other frivolity. Here are some results.

 

Grant has started solid food and is loving it! He has also learned to get from one side of the room to the other in a steamroller-like fashion.

Decorating our Christmas tree. We did it downstairs for the first time.  We may buy a really nice big tree with fancy ornaments one day, but for now this little guy was just as loved and much more appropriately suited for the affection and decorating and redecorating of our enthusiastic children.   I told Jef that he could put the star on so that the kids would stop fighting over who got to the honor. As you can see, it was a spectacular ceremony.

Hannah turned 7.  She got her ears pierced, had her first friend party, and received a Rapunzel nightgown that has been worn constantly.

Tried to take a family photo for the Christmas card in our backyard using our remote control. Let's just say that family photo shoots are not for the faint of heart. It is a miracle we got at least one with all of the kids in it and no one crying or running away.

For some reason, Jane has dreamed of owning a stuffed snake for ages now, so we decided to be all creative and make one. My first completed project with the sewing machine I bought months ago. Jane helped sew a little too. You can tell the parts she sewed herself - they are much better than the ones I sewed!

 St. Nicholas Day shoes - pre-presents

Beautiful temple square on a freezing cold night.
Taylor getting the old Webelos award. First pack meeting I've actually been able to sit through since Jef was out of school and stayed home with the other kids. Yea for Christmas break.

Jono never leaves Grant's side - they are even starting to look alike.

The Gingerbread house FHE is becoming a tradition. This year we did a train too. Both were completely eaten within a couple of days. Gross.

Taylor showing off a BYU tie on Christmas Eve at my parents. He can now complete his goal of wearing a BYU article of clothing every day of the week.

Some people leave Santa cookies and milk, but not our kids. They made a sort of Santa shrine and left it by the tree. Top right is a box with perfume in it and a note to Mrs. Claus from Hannah. I guessing that is a first for the lady of the North Pole. Very classy, Hannah, very classy indeed.

Grant opening his first-ever Christmas present on Christmas morning.

The ladies in their matching pjs and all of the kids minus Logan Christmas morning. He doesn't like being in group pictures.

Logan chilling on his new couch Christmas day at Jef's parents. (Make note of his hair length.)

So, so so cute. Can you believe he's 1/2 a year old now?

We usually go sledding at the park over Christmas break, but I'm not complaining too much.  We had some really beautiful sunny days. 

This is how Jane and her siblings pose nicely for a picture before she opens her birthday presents.

This year after Jane's parties with family, we had some of the girl cousins stay for a sleepover.  Grandma even had one for the boys at her house so they wouldn't feel left out.  It was quite the New Years Eve celebration.  (A night early, but who cares, we didn't stay up till midnight anyway - thank heavens.)

Last but not least, Logan with his new haircut.  He tried to cut his own hair and so we had to even it out.  (Even meaning nonexistent)  If you ask him where his hair is now, he says "all gone."