Yes, this is the largest piece of Christmas decor in our small town. Yes, Rex is eating the Grinch. Yes, it gives CC nightmares. 
I am certain, a man-child decides on the mascot of our town and on the decor and on what is featured at the local dinasaur musuem.
This morning we woke up to this. We decided to get on the road early. We left. The roads were bad until we hit Spanish Fork canyon and then the roads were clear all the way home. We feel blessed to have made the journey safe.
This little girl wore her cousin Emma's pajama's all the way home. 
This little girl wore this face all the way home. (j/k) It wasn't that bad. She did scream for a little while though, but she crashed and spent most of the trip sound asleep.
My brother-in-law treated us all to Pirate's Island. The kids had a blast. We ate some yummy pizza and salad. The kids had so much fun spending their tokens in the arcade. CC climbed into a little virtual race car with these girls and had a blast trying her hand at the wheel. Later that night, all of the couples went to see Savior of the World while grandpa babysat the all of the grandkids. All of the children were sound asleep when we got back. Thanks Dad, for a great night out with my husband.
I didn't get any pictures of the food. It was amazing. I am sure I was too busy consuming it to think about pausing for a moment to take a picture. Mom, made some amazing pies and besides them of course, my two favorite dishes was a layered green salad and the sweet potato casserole my sister Jennifer made. I had seconds and maybe thirds.
These two were as thick as thieves during our whole visit. I don't think I ever saw them apart. They spent every minute during the day together and the whole night cuddled up on the same twin bed. Emma read to CC every night and one day CC proclaimed Emma to be the best reader ever.
Of course all the grand kids love their Grandpa but especially these babies. They couldn't get enough of him.
I thought these two were so cute. After they ate, they cuddled up on the couch together and took a little nap. I am so thankful for my family. I am so thankful I got to spend the weekend with them.
The large storm that was suppose to hit and destroy Thanksgiving never came. Sierra woke up Wednesday morning and ran to the window and exclaimed, "I prayed mom. There is no snow on the road just in our yard. We can go to Grandma's house." We loaded up the girls as soon as Nate got off work and headed out the door, we only turned back twice to get a few things I forgot and then we were off. When we arrived at Grandma's house there were two beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the living room and front room. My girls loved them and thought they were beautiful. 
Look at that horrible eye and boogery nose. She woke up Monday with a shallow cough. Tuesday it became a more horse cough and a runny nose and the cold spread to her eye. Today her cough has become progressive and her eye isn't as bad. We are suppose to go to my parent's home for Thanksgiving, weather permitting. There was suppose to be one of the worse blizzards in years along the Wasatch front, which wouldn't permit us entering Spanish Fork canyon. My first Thanksgiving home in four years and I can almost taste my mom's pies. Hopefully, the weather will clear.
Sierra of course had to come in and check out what was going on.
When we got home from church it was raining. CC ran in, changed her clothes and grabbed her new umbrella and ran out to give it a little test run. Today we had the primary program at church. The children did a wonderful job. One child sat on my lap and counted my "beauty marks" during most of the program and kept asking, "Sister McKnight, why do you have so many zits." "I don't." "Yes you do Sister McKnight, one, two, three, four, five." and on and on she counted. CC did a beautiful job giving her part and stood and tried to sing along with every song. I was proud of her. It was the first time she has ever participated fully in a primary program. Wish you all could have been there to see it.
The weather got worse, but I love rainy days especially when I get to take a long nap.
Some people have been very upset about Sierra's bangs, even threatening to boycott my blog until their neices bangs grow out. Yes, you know who you are. Well, I think they are cute. I may let them stay forever. (Be honest with yourself sister, look back at the last twenty posts and see if she doesn't look cuter with bangs. I just don't think you are use to it. Triple check and if you are still sure, then I will grow them out. It won't be too difficult.)
Yesterday Sierra and Madison were yelling back and forth. Sierra would yell, "I am Sierra." Madison would yell, "I am Madison." It would get louder and louder and louder. I interupted trying to get MJ to say her full name. Then Sierra said her full name. Then Sierra said my full name. I said, "I am so sad I don't have middle name like you girls." Sierra said, "What is your aunt's names, just choose one you like and that can be your middle name." I laughed.
Sierra was reading to MJ tonight. Sierra is a really good little reader. MJ kept clapping and squealing, "Good job, Sara." I thought it was the cutest thing ever.
Wow, I got scissors happy yesterday. Nate wanted his hair cut, so I cut it. I have been cutting it for seven years now. I usually do a pretty good job, but not this time. I was just ho-humming around clipping here and clipping there with no set plan. It ended up looking just plain awful. He wasn't pleased. He said, "I have to go to work tomorrow looking like this." Sigh. The next morning Sierra was screaming because I was putting a rubber band in her hair again. I was done. I got the scissors out again and cut. Not sure if I like it. Sometimes I look at her and think, she looks like Snow White. Other times I think, what did you do to your child? You can share your honest opinion. I won't be offended.
Well, one of my friends has asked me photograph her family next Saturday. I am really excited. I am going to do the photoshoot on main street in Fruita. I have been down there at least four times this week at various times of the day trying to figure out the lighting, which is suprisingly really hard. My girls are a little sick of being my models. They pretty much ignore me and look any direction they want. Here is a cute one from today.
"Mommy, Sara's be naughnee," is a phrase we hear a lot around this house. It isn't always that she is, sometimes it is just simply that the things Sierra finds exciting aren't that exciting to MJ. Today we were out walking down main street in Fruita and Sierra did something she didn't appreciate, so MJ kept saying this phrase over and over and over again. 
The sun still peaks out at us at least a few times during the day and most days he stays and is in our friend through every hour of the day. This winter has come alot later than we are use to and we are glad. Today there was frost on the ground for the first time. Madison wanted to touch it. It was coldy. She wanted me to kiss her cold hand better.
The girls love to play on the school playground after school. The swings, monkey bars and for some reason the small pebbles that line the playground floor are their favorite things. Yesterday, it wasn't too cold, so after school we stayed and played. MJ refused to get off the swing even though her teeth were chattering. I finally made her and she fussed until I wrapped her tightly in a blanket. Then I put her in the stroller and headed home. She fell asleep during are walk. 
If you ever wonder how your doing, you can have a frank conversation with your daughter. She will tell you especially if her name is Sierra. A few nights ago she said to me, "Mom, you know you are suppose to tuck your girls into bed and give them a little kiss." I had been neglecting that part of our bed time ritual. Then the other day she was printing out pictures from PBS.org and given them to MJ. She said, "You know when I am a mom I am going to print pictures out for my kids and let my kids color them, 'cause that is what mom's are suppose to do." I thought, thanks for tellin' me I didn't know. I will work on these things and a few others she has informed me of. (Yes, this picture was taken in the bathroom. I thought the reflection was cool. No, CC is not going potty we are just hangin out in the bathroom lookin' at our reflections in the toilet paper holder and taking pictures.... perfectly normal.)
MJ is better. YEAH. She was completely herself today, 100% back. I was worried yesterday. She refused to go potty. She had three accidents. She whinned all day and kept grabbing at her face. She hadn't spoken a cognitive word since this illness stricked a week ago just whinned. Although, I was relieved her fever finally broke after five days, I knew something else was bothering her. Then today it passed. I think it may have been an ear ache. Oh, it is good to have her laughing and playing again.
It was hard, but nothing worth doing is easy. 