CHRISTMAS

Morgan’s parents, Mary and Gary came for a visit just prior to Christmas as well as Morgan's brother, Brian who made the trip all the way from New York. They arrived just after Morgan was finished with his finals which was perfect timing. We were definitely ready for family to come into town and we sure had a wonderful time.

Grandpa with Samuel.

There was no room for gifts under the tree when Grandma and Grandpa arrived.

Samuel smiling at Grandpa.
Noel played with Grandma for the majority of the time. Morgan and I really didn't see her or talk to her much when Grandma and Grandpa Young were here. Noel sure enjoyed her time with Grandma.

I absolutely love this picture of Noel with her Grandma.
Morgan got to play one of his favorite games, RISK.
Noel hanging out with her grandparents.
Morgan and Brian made breakfast one morning. Man, was it good.

Gary and the turkey.
Since Mary, Gary and Brian weren't there for Christmas day, we celebrated Christmas with them on the evening of Monday, the 19th. Here is our Christmas dinner. It was sooooo good.

We later read the nativity story in the Bible and sang some Christmas songs and opened up presents.




Mary and Gary opening their gifts.

We played a little bit of the wii on one of the evenings.
Morgan and Brian went on a hike the day Brian was to leave. They had a good time.
View of the valley.



We had a photo shoot with Brian before Morgan took him to the airport. Noel sure loved spending time with Brian as did we all, we don't get to see him too often.



I love this picture. Now that is some brotherly love right there.

THANK YOU MARY, GARY AND BRIAN FOR MAKING THE TRIP OUT HERE. WE SURE ENJOYED OUR TIME WITH YOU GUYS AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME WE CAN SEE YOU. WE LOVE YOU!

In between Grandparents coming and going Morgan gave Noel a bath and I walked in to find this crazy hair-do on her head.

The day after Mary, Gary and Brian left, my parents arrived. My brother, Mikey, had been there for 5 days or so prior to their arrival and stayed with Chris and Kareena.

Noel hanging out with Grandpa.

Samuel and Grandma hanging out.
Noel and Grandpa fell asleep watching a movie on his ipad.
My brother Chris had just graduated from BYU so e celebrated with some mighty fine food along with some IBC root beer.
Congratulations Chris!
Grandma and Ty were matchy matchy.
I found Mikey and Noel in the mancave having a little bit too much fun. Noel would lay in the lovesac and Mikey would run and jump in the air and land on the lovesac next to her. They both just laughed and laughed.
He's got some pretty crazy poses.
Then Mikey started throwing my daughter into the air onto the lovesac. She was still laughing.


These just crack me up.
Morgan and his boy.
Me with my precious Samuel.
Christmas Morning. We went up to Chris and Kareena's to open gifts because they have so much more space. We had yummy cinnamon rolls my mom made for breakfast.

Samuel trying out his new gift.
Mikey opening up his gifts.
Our little happy Noel.
Morgan got Nutella!!!
My parents opening up their gift from us kids.
Noel got blocks from mommy and daddy...
and a Complete Kitchen Set. She absolutely loves all of her gifts she got this year, which was a lot. She is sure spoiled a.k.a. loved.
Kareena, Ty and Chris. My wonderful parents.

Ty and Samuel in their "My First Christmas" onesies.
Christmas dinner. Mmmmmmm. So good.
My mom and dad brought my Grandpa (my dad's father) to our place so he could meet his newest great grandchildren and so we could see him. He is pretty weak and he may not be around for too much longer. But I asked him how he was doing and he said with a big smile, "Oh, I'm chipper."

4 Generation photo. My brother Chris, with his son, Ty, my dad and my Grandpa Watkins.
4 Generation Photo.

I love these pictures of my dad with my Grandpa.

Noel gave him a big hug before he left. It was precious.
THANK YOU MOM, DAD AND MIKEY FOR COMING OUT HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. WE SURE HAD A BLAST. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DEARLY.

I believe I took this picture when it was all over. It's a good sign that we had some fun.

Post Thanksgiving

Getting ready for Christmas.

Noel was a big help. She was so excited to put the Christmas tree up and help with decorating the tree.


I had a few sewing projects that I was working on before Christmas. I made some curtains for Noel's closet because she doesn't have any closet doors. I tried to match her bedding. Please note: her walls are no longer purple and green. Morgan painted them a week ago or so. We were going crazy with the purple and green.

I made these pillows as a gift for my sister and her family.

My brother Chris and his wife Kareena had a baby, Ty, just after Thanksgiving and a couple of weeks after he was born we took a picture of Samuel and Ty next to each other. What a difference huh? At this time Samuel was about 6 months and Ty 1-2 weeks old. What is fun to think about is Ty was born at 8 lbs exactly and Samuel was 8 lbs exactly when he was discharged from the NICU. So Ty in this picture was about the same size as Sam was when he was discharged (except a lot of Sam's weight was in his cheeks... and still is;))
Samuel the "Big Bully".
Random story. Noel was playing with her doll one day while Samuel's Occupational Therapist was over for her bi-monthly visit and Noel asked me to unclothe her baby, so I did. She told me her baby needed a diaper change and I told her she could use one of Samuel's. Later after the OT left, I went into Noel's room and found this on the ground.
Noel and I making play dough.
After getting back from doctor's appointments one evening, Noel cuddled up in Samuel's car seat with her "ugly bird" and watched a movie. It was too cute.
Sometimes Morgan and I will wake up in the morning to hearing Noel having her own conversations in her room. We hear all of this through a monitor. One random morning Morgan and I woke up to a knock-knock-knock on her window and then we heard, "Birdie, come here." Then again, knock-knock-knock, "Birdie, come here." Morgan got up, opened her door and she was sitting on her windowsill on the other side of her blinds talking to a little birdie friend that she made.
Best buddies.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my brother and his wife Kareena. It was a blast and the food was D-elicious. Morgan made the most amazing turkey.
Noel sure loves helping out in the kitchen.


Yummy food.

Yummy pies! We had 5 different pies!