Christmas 2014

 We had a really fun December. Started by taking a cute picture for our Christmas cards. Caption:

Silent Night

Christmas party with the kids in our apartment complex.

 

Christmas Party at Church

 We did kind of a low key Christmas this year. Our old artificial Christmas tree was...well old. It was handed down from my mom, to my sister, to my brother, to us. We used it for 7 years before finally laying it to rest. I don't love decorating at Christmas time. I love Christmas and everything that comes with it, but not so much the decorating, so I kept putting off getting a tree. Finally caved when we went to story time at the library (a week before Christmas) and the librarian asked if all the kids had their Christmas trees up. Spencer was sad when he was the only one that didn't raise his hand. Went and got one that night. Just got a small one thinking we'd get a big one for next year at the after Christmas sales. But Steve and I decided we actually liked having a small one. Easy to set up, to decorate, didn't totally overwhelm the room. So we're going to stick with it for while.

 Love putting up Christmas cards though.

 Boys wanted a turn taking pictures. 

This one is Spencer's:

 This one is Rod's. He started to drop the camera right as he took the picture. That's me smiling and reaching to catch it at the same time.

 Steve had a job interview up in Salt Lake the Monday before Christmas. So we drove up and spent a couple nights with his mom. Phil's family was in Utah so they came over for a Christmas Family Home Evening. We had a talent show with the kids beforehand. There was piano playing, dancing, singing, jumping jacks, somersaults. It was great! After some group singing and lesson about Jesus' life we made homemade ornaments.

We drove home Christmas Eve day and did our own little Christmas this year. Had pizza for dinner, opened Christmas Jammies, did a Nativity program and then watched Veggie Tales Little Drummer Boy before sending the boys off to bed. 

 Do you like our barnyard animals?

 Santa delivered!

 And ate the snack we left out for him.

 Before Santa came though, I stayed up and made pumpkin pie and apple pie (new recipe with a crumble top, so I was a little nervous). They both turned out delicious!

 After weeks and weeks of waiting-woke up to a White Christmas! I don't always love the snow, but Since we no place to go...
 Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

 Santa came through and got Spencer some "super hero stuff". Masks to add to his dress up box.

 Animal Puppets for Rod.

 The boys loved all their present this year. They had the best reactions to every single one.

 

 Even though it was just us, I still made the whole traditional dinner (but halved the portion size of everything, including the turkey). Our perfect little dinner.

Little hill at our apartment complex perfect for the little boys to sled down.

Merry Christmas from the Olivers!

Spencer Turns 5!

 Spencer finally had his birthday. He was really sad on Rod's birthday that it wasn't his yet and that he had to wait another month and a half before it would be. But after weeks and weeks and him asking if it was almost his birthday yet, it finally was! He got a birthday card from his Grandpa Woodstock and a letter from Jessica the day before. He was so excited he went to bed early so it would be his birthday sooner. The next morning he got into bed with me when he woke up. I told him happy birthday and he gave me a big hug and said, "And thanks for being my mom, and making me, so I could have a birthday."   I seriously love this kid so much. He is stubborn and dramatic, but also the sweetest and most considerate person you will ever meet. The night before his birthday I was saying my prayers and starting crying as I was thanking my Heavenly Father for the privilege of being his mother.

Amber & Garrett went up to Salt Lake for a couple days with their older kids and I volunteered to watch the younger ones. So we had Spencer's birthday at her house with Taylor,Hinckley and Grandpa Woodstock (who was a HUGE help, couldn't have pulled it off without him).

We went to the store and he got to pick his own flavor of cake and frosting (chocolate, chocolate), what he wanted for dinner that night (strawberry pancakes), a drink to go with dinner (pumpkin eggnog) and a pinata (Spiderman). He also used his birthday money to buy an Electro toy.

 At first Grandpa was afraid the older kids would break the pinata too fast so he made everyone close their eyes. But we soon realized none of them were strong enough to break it. So they each got to keep their eyes open and have about 5 turns each before I finally had to break it for them (which I'm not going to lie-was actually really really fun)

 Rod would say, "Hi-yah" during his turns.

Grandpa thought it would be funny to leave the broken Spiderman hanging there to freak out the neighbors. 

 Can you tell this kid loves superheros? He knew every single one of the action figure's names. Including Director Fury.

 The biggest hit of the night was a Spiderman with sticky feet that would crawl down the wall. The kids would all gather around and watch and laugh and scream every time it moved.

 Grandpa even gave it a go and Spencer struck this cute pose while they watched it together.

 Breakfast the next morning. Best present of all was Spencer spending time with his cousins/best friends.

Thanksgiving 2014

 We spent Thanksgiving with Steve's mom this year. Did I remember to take any pictures? Of course not, I was too busy enjoying it. We drove up early Thanksgiving morning and had a delcious turkey dinner that afternoon, with homemade pumpkin and apple pie for dessert. We played a game during dinner (his family puts up with all my weird ideas as well as Steve does). Instead of going around and everyone just saying one thing they are thankful for we went around and did the alphabet. A-apples, B-Body , F-food, etc.  Rod ate more than anyone. He kept saying he was done and then coming back for more. His tummy was poking out quite a bit by the time he was really done.

The next day we decided to get out. So we went to McDonald's for some ice cream and indoor play area (it was freezing outside). Steve decided he wanted to join them by the end. 

 

That night Robin watched the boys while Steve and I had a much needed date night. We went to a movie (Meet the Mormon's-very good) and did some Christmas shopping. 

Saturday all the local kids went to Steve's Dad's house to visit. Then he took us out to lunch. It was a fun and delicious. 

We especially enjoyed our time with Jessica. A few days after we left she was set apart as a missionary and became Sister Oliver for the next 18 months. She left for the MTC on 12-3-14 and will be serving in the Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh mission.