French Lick & The Polar Express

We met the Sorensens in French Lick, Indiana for a weekend of fun to kick off the season! Right after we checked into our rooms we went down to sit on Santas lap.

Josh asked for a green race car.

Natalie wouldn't sit on his lap so we opted for a group photo! She did, however, love the candy canes!

That evening we rode The Polar Express to the North Pole and back!

While we were waiting to board the train the kids colored pictures for Santa.

And even mailed them.

Josh, Jon, Natalie, Mackenzie, her friend, and Tyler.

On the train!

Waiting for the Conductor to punch our tickets!

The Conductor came around and punched our tickets.

We got delicious hot chocolate!

And cookies.

We waved to Santa at the North Pole...then we picked him up!

Tyler danced with the elves.

Mark and I had just as much, if not more, fun as the kids!

Josh even got to put on the Conductors hat. He was so excited!

Santa came around and gave each kid a bell from his sleigh.

All of us in front of our hotel with all the lights lit up. Notice the snow falling. It was the perfect night to go to the North Pole!

After our train ride we went back to the hotel and swam all night.

There is something about kids and goggles that just makes you smile.

Natalies favorite place is in the water.

The kids loved the hot tub. It was snowing outside but being in the "hot pool" was a hit.

The following morning we had breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Natalie still wouldn't go near Santa but she loved Mrs. Claus.

We love vacationing with the Sorensens! We are always in good company with them. And the cousins go crazy together!! It was the perfect way to kick off the season and to get everyone excited for Christmas!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Everything about it. The traditions, the goodies, the smells, the music, the weather, and all the hustle and bustle and happiness that goes along with it. This year is our first year to put up a real tree and I am SOLD! I love the smell of it and how pretty it is. We are all ready for Ole' St. Nic around here!!

I love the craziness of the season!

And listening to Christmas music while putting all the ornaments on.

And of course, we are so independent that we must put them up high by ourselves!

Simply perfect!

From the front door.

I love everything about Christmas. I can't get enough of it.

But most importantly remembering the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2010

Okay...okay. I have been the worst at blogging for the past 2 years. I have such an awful memory and if I don't update this blog I am going to forget about all the fun things we do as a family. My computer is up and running again and I figured out how to upload my pictures without them deleting off my SD card, so I have absolutely NO excuses!

This year I hosted Thanksgiving and my side of the family came on out for it! These pictures are all out of order...but its better than nothing right?!

We played games.

Uncle Aaron and Natalie made cookies.

Lots of relaxing! This awesome couple, Aaron and Becka, are getting married in January!

Newly engaged...super cute couple...David and Leslie came up from Oklahoma.

Mark and I cooking on Thanksgiving. And yes, his apron does say Grandma!

We watched the Macy's day parade. A family tradition of ours!

We lounged and talked and laughed ALOT!

The girls making homemade pies the day before thanksgiving.

It was so fun to have everyone out. We had a basement full of air mattresses and people everywhere! Exactly how holidays should be. I am so thankful to have such a fun family. One who places importance on getting together and creating memories.

Thanksgiving 2010

Summer Recap - July

July was fun for the kids! They had 2 very special visitors come. On July 1st, I had to have back surgery. I was having a new rod put onto my spine. The healing time is quite long so my mom came out to help with the kids for a few weeks.

Grandma put together a "Summer Book" for each of the kids and every day they made a new page to put in to their book.

They LOVED this time of day.


We had a couple great rain showers this summer.

If it wasn't thundering and lightening then the kids were out playing in it!

Josh and Grandma had fun taking pictures of each other.

Natalie burnt her back pretty bad on the fireplace this summer and so we had to put a stop on going to the pool for a while until the burn healed...so this was the substitute!

They built blanket forts.

I read books to the kids because all I could do was lay in bed or on the couch.

Grandma spent a lot of time sitting out front watching the kids ride their scooters.

And as always...according to Grandma...having an empty cookie jar is a sin. So Natalie and Grandma made cookies, quite often!

The kids LOVE when Grandma comes to play!!

The Critchlow Family Reunion was in French Lick, Indiana this year. I wasn't able to go but Mark took the kids and they had such a great time!

Sophie was blessed.

Cousins played.

Family relaxed and enjoyed each others company.

And cousins played even more! It is always a good time with the Critchlows and I wished I would of been well enough to go too!

We were lucky to have Daddy home for a few days and the kids couldn't get enough of him!

Grandma made Josh a cardboard set of armor and he STILL plays with it!

I couldn't do much. But I could paint Natalies toe nails, which she LOVES!

And my mom treated me to a amazing pedicure before she left!

My special spot on the couch.

After Grandma left Nana came to help for a couple weeks. I'm telling you, these kids were spoiled this summer! 2 Grandmas in 1 month! It can't get any better than that!

Nana and Josh sat and watched the thunderstorm.

I turned 25 (gasp)!!

More blanket forts...they are the best entertainment!

The kids liked swimming in our blow up pool in the backyard too.

Of course we played cards while Nana was here. It wouldn't be a trip without games.

The kids had so much fun with Nana while she was here. They went to story time at Barnes and Noble everyday. They played lots of games and read lots of books and went to the pool. They ate popsicles and played trains. And much much more. They were so happy to have Nana come play. It was a sad day when she had to go - sad for all of us!

Because I was out of commission for the rest of the summer we did lots of activites inside.

A favorite was painting rocks.

Cream cheese bagels were a favorite snack this summer.

Natalie had serious withdrawal from the pool! In fact, she would pretend she was swimming on our living room floor.

Surprise packages from Grandma always make the day great!

Summer 2010 Recap

To be continued...