cHrIsTmAs DaY

We had such a fun Christmas morning. I loved watching the kids faces when they opened each present. I think one of the best parts was how excited they were for people to open their gifts. Their school had a little Santa shop - so they bought presents for each person in our family. Hadley picked out the greatest present for Devon. She found a little purple picture frame...at the top in jewels it said - Diva - we were all cracking up. A few days later - I asked Had what made her pick out that present and she told me... because it almost said Devon! I thought that was so sweet!

The twins were very excited about the wii - the especially liked boxing - they got really into it!

here are Maren and Kurt rocking out!

Christmas Eve...

I think that I love Christmas Eve as much as Christmas morning. I love watching the excitement build for the twins. This year was super fun! My sister, Maren, and her family came and spent the week with us from San Antonio. I felt really bad for them...they left the 80 degree weather of Texas to the 7 degree weather of Willard! It didn't get that much warmer the rest of the week...but they still acted like they had fun hanging out with us!

We had dinner and hung out at Devon's mom and dad's house. Granddad read the Christmas story and the kids interacted with the story. They paid their "taxes", found shepherd crooks (candy canes) and searched for a star...

Grammy always gets the cousins matching Christmas pj's... and this year she had them hanging up so cute!

Here they are lined up in front of their new pj's!

Here are some pictures of the cousins together...

the girls...(hadley's pants were the wrong size in the package...she was so great and wore her pink sweats)
the boys...
Barrett...

When we got home...Hadley and Cayden sprinkled the grass with reindeer food before bed...

When we were getting ready to say prayers...the twins saw Santa walk across the front yard. They were excited... and a little nervous also! Hadley was so worried that because they were awake - Santa would not leave any presents. We had to keep reassuring her that he would come back as soon as she was asleep!

Here is the tree before we went to sleep...it is my favorite part of Christmas eve...having the tree lights on and watching "A Christmas Carol" (the one with George C. Scott only) and "It's a Wonderful Life"... aren't we cute in our matching pj's?!?!

SaNtA

At the ward Christmas Party...Santa made a guest appearance! The twins were very excited to see and talk to Santa. Cayden told him that he wanted a black and grey watch... and Hadley asked for a cell phone (yeah, right!) and an "nbc" (mp3) player! Barrett - as you can see in the picture - just wanted to get down! We really, really, really love this Santa!

Gingerbread Houses with Grammy!

The kids had a blast with Grammy decorating Gingerbread houses. She had a house for each kid...and the middle of the table was filled with every kind of treat to decorate with...or just eat! It was fun to watch how different every house turned out. It was a great way to kick off Christmas break. Thanks Grammy!!

the jarvis boys...

On Monday, when Cayden came home from school, he had a note in his bag from his teacher...but it was the good kind of note! She picked Cayden to receive the "teamwork" award for his class for the December Super Tiger assembly. On the note, there was a place to put why she had picked him - and she wrote "he is a great example to others." So - he got a RED paw on the wall at school! Go Cayden!!

Now...for the other Jarvis boy, Devon...he is my hero! Last night, I was washing a load of laundry...all of the sudden there was a loud noise - and the washer stopped spinning! It is important to know that it is an old washer...passed on lovingly to us by Devon's aunt and uncle...but still - I really rely on my washing machine. I am not a girl that responds well to things breaking or not working when I need them to! So - I was a little stressed - and did not really want to think about buying a new washer the week before Christmas...
Next thing I know...Devon has the washer taken apart and has found the broken part. He found online how to take the motor off and replace the part! Today, he went and got the part (for a total of $9)- and right now as I am typing this...my washer is rerunning the unfinished clothes from last night! It even runs better than it did before! I feel like I fell in love with him all over again as I watched him fix a very important and favorite appliance in my house!

Barrett Gray Jarvis

Barrett turned one on Saturday! It seems so crazy that he has been in our family for an entire year! He is the sweetest little man! He is walking all over the place - and always has the biggest toothy smile!

We had family over on Sunday for cake and ice cream - and Barrett took full advantage of having his own chocolate cake to eat!

beginning

middle

end

I didn't pay attention to how much cake he really ate...but at least he had fun doing it!

I was thinking back on the last year - remembering all the fun things that have happened...it is crazy to think of all the huge milestones that happen in the first year of life. He started rolling over, sitting up, kneeling, crawling, standing up, walking, talking, eating real food, drinking from a cup, getting teeth...the list could go on and on. I just feel so lucky to be his mom and to have him in our family. He adds such a happy spirit to our home. I love you buddy!

Here is a look back at his first year!

tHaNkFuL...

So - I don't know if it even still counts to say that you are thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - when it is two weeks past...but I feel like I haven't even had two minutes to update the blog!

We went to Dallas to spend the Thanksgiving break with my family! It was a blast! Two of my brothers and their families live in Dallas. My parents flew in from Florida and my little sister Maren and her family drove up from San Antonio! It was great to have so many of us together ...and really nice of Scott and Richard to host all of us!

Thanksgiving morning we drove downtown to run in the turkey trot! My mom and dad were so nice and walked with the twins and Barrett. Over 35,000 people participated in the trot! It was madness! Devon and I ran with Scott and Maren. When we reached the starting line - the race was already 30 minutes in! My parents were in the very back - since they were pushing a stroller - and I think the race was over an hour in when they passed the starting line!

It was fun to run through downtown! It brought back a few memories. When I was in high school - They Might Be Giants came and did a New Year's Eve concert - my dad, being the good sport that he is, took me and some friends to a club downtown to see them! We ran past the club during the 5k! The twins had fun walking with Grandma and Grandpa and their cousin Lydia. When we finished the race - we went back and met up with them. Cayden and Lydia really wanted to run - so Devon ran the last mile again with them! Cayden was so proud that he ran in the turkey trot! Hadley was content to walk - and even persuaded Grandma to rub her legs at each mile marker! Then she convinced Uncle Scott to carry her on his shoulders the last mile! Barrett pretty much slept through it all! (I know... he is such a hard baby!)

The rest of the break was very relaxing! We had a great time hanging out with everybody. My nephew, Jacob was baptized on Saturday - and it was great to be there for that!

I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful family that I have!