Christmas Eve

First of all, Merry Christmas! I thought I would post about Christmas Eve before we get into the Christmas celebrations and presents today. It is 8:00am an Kyle is still asleep! It is great having a kid who is a night owl!

Last night we had our nice dinner and Christmas program. Kyle loves ham, and tore it up. Then while we did our white elephant gift exchange, Kyle started playing with the Christmas presents under the tree. He was playing tetris or jenga with them. He had a bunch stacked up and he was calling it his tower.

Note the saying on Kyle's shirt. So true!

Then we had sandacakes for dessert (it is our families dessert on around Christmas, it is Swedish). This was Kyles first year really eating them on his own. He did a good job. It is hard to eat with the hard pastry shell then custard and whipped cream on top. We gave him his own and let him have at it. He wasn't too messy.

Kyle eating his sandacake. Mmmmm!

I will post pics. of today later. Hope you and your families have a great Christmas!

FHE at Chuck E Cheese

Monday, our family was invited to go caroling to a retirement center with some other families in the ward. It was a really neat experience. It is so sad to see all these people in a center like that. Henry says they are getting the help they need. It smells so bad in centers like that! Kyle had fun singing. His favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells.

After we went to Chuck E Cheese with Dad, Mom, and Brian (Uncle Rat to Kyle). Kyle and Brian had fun. Kyle kept wanting to ride the train ride. Brian and Henry played the football game and skee ball. Henry threw the football a little too much and had a sore shoulder afterwards.

Brian playing Skee Ball.

Henry and Dad waiting for the pizza.

Cookie Houses

Last thursday we decorated cookie houses. It is a tradition with Henry's Mom and he wanted to carry it on. We everyone over for Mom's birthday then after we decorated the cookie houses. They were actually graham cracker houses. The kids all have a blast with it. Of course Brian got into it too. This was his first year decorating a house. He is usually up at school but he got out earlier this year. Yeah! We all have a good time, and go home on a sugar buzz.

Kyle and Henry

Kristen, who never looks at the camera! ;)

Ashlee with her house.

Brian with his University of Utah house. For those who don't know 48-24 is the score from the Utah BYU game. The other side says "New Orleans or Bust". It was all red and white.

Recital, Santa Claus, Train Ride, and Santa Lucia

This weekend has been a busy one!

Friday night I had my piano recital for my students. It went really well I think. The students did a good job and the parents seemed to like it. I do a sing-a-long recital. The students have to pick a holiday song with words, and they also learn to conduct. Then the parents have to sing while the students accompany and conduct the songs.

Then Saturday we had our ward Christmas party. I had to make 2 dozen rolls. I ended up making a batch of cinnamon rolls and a batch of orange rolls. The kicker, we were the last table to get food so we didn't even get any rolls! We got some Sunday morning but I will tell you about that later. I also had to play some background music. I got a call Wednesday afternoon from the activity chair, she asked if I could pick 2 songs to play as background music while people ate. She said she wanted simple songs, hymns or primary songs. So I chose Picture a Christmas and a medley of all 3 Away in a Mangers. I get there and play my songs first, then the other two women go. They had elaberate songs, that were hard! Didn't I look dumb! I could of done that if I had known, or had the time. Oh well.

Kyle got to see Santa though. This was the first year he did not freak out at the site of him. Henry and I have been trying to hype up Santa. We also have been "training" him to tell Santa what he wants, after all if Santa doesn't know what you want, he won't bring you a present! Kyle was the second in line. We walked up to Santa and Kyle started saying "firetruck!" We put him on Santa's lap and Kyle said "firetruck". After talking with Santa and getting pictures taken, he got "Snowman Soup". He didn't understand why he didn't get his firetruck. He wasn't happy about it for a while. We explained Santa will bring him presents in two weeks. He was happy after that.

After the ward party we took Dad home. On the way home we stopped at a muddy parking lot. You see, earlier in the week we had our truck lifted (more of a leveling lift) and had bigger tires put on. Kyle loves to "go 'round", and he wanted to show Papa "go 'round". So we did. Kyle just laughs and laughs and keeps saying "more go 'round!" He is his Dad's boy!

After we dropped Dad off we went to the Train Museum for the Santa Claus Express. We rode the train and we were going to see Santa, again. The line was long for Santa though and the wind was blowing and a strom was moving in so we left.

Kyle on the Santa Claus Express

Then Sunday we celebrated Santa Lucia Day. It is a holiday in Sweden, and being of Swedish decent we try to celebrate it. It is really celebrated Dec. 13th but we had a busy Saturday. We had Mom, Dad, and Brian over for a brunch. We had gingerbread men (a Swedish Tradition), Orange Rolls (Saffron Buns are nasty!), and Hot Cocoa (we don't drink coffee). It was good!

Just a side note, it was 58 degrees yesterday and today we set a new record for a low, -15 degrees! Our high today was 11 degrees. Talk about cold.

Another Foot of Snow

We woke up tuesday morning to another foot of snow. I guess Mother Nature is making up for a warm October and November. Henry and I went out to shovel the snow and took Kyle outside to play, he just wanted to help shovel the snow. Later on that day while out running errands I found a kid size shovel. Now Kyle can really help shovel, although he will probably just track snow over the already shoveled parts. He looks like Randy from A Christmas Story all bundled up in his snow gear. Good thing he isn't potty trained yet!

Kyle fell over in the snow.

Kyle decided he wanted an icecicle, this was the end result.

Our house decorated in the daytime.

Parade of Lights

We went to the Parade of Lights this weekend. Kyle was so excited to see Santa and all the Christmas lights. It was so crowded, there were people everywhere. We were lucky enough to find a parking spot 3 blocks from the parade and we found a good spot to watch the parade from. We have a plan for next year already. The weather was great too! When we got in the car after the parade we were reading 52 degrees still! That is not December weather, but good parade weather. Everytime we get in the car now, Kyle wants to go to the parade.

The three of us at the parade.

We have also been busy getting the house ready for Christmas. Here are some pictures of our tree and the house with the lights on. I will post pictures of the house later when I get them taken. Kyle loves all things Christmas. He loves to look at Christmas lights and watch Christmas movies, and read Christmas stories. He already has what he is going to ask Santa for ready. Trucks! He is all boy.

Our Christmas Tree

The house at night.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We sure did. Brian, my brother, came home from college for a week. It was fun to hangout with him again. Kyle really liked having "Uncle Rat" home again. He always misses him when he is gone. The picture to the left is Kyle and Uncle Rat sleeping on the couch.

We had Thanksgiving at Dad and Mom's house. Mary and I made the meal and Henry smoked the turkey. It turned out really well. Smoking a turkey is the only way to go. The only problem is no homemade gravy. But we made do. Mom, Michael, and Melissa were sick so it was a fun day. Kyle and Kristen ended up coloring, with marker and pen, on Dad and Mom's comforter. Luckily it came it. That was a close call!

On Friday we laid low. Henry had to work a little so Kyle and I set up the Christmas decorations. First we set up Kyle's Christmas train, Michael and Mary gave it to him last year. Kyle was so excited. He just sat and watched it. He loves to make "Kyle tunnels" (see picture). It is were he straddles the rails and the train goes between his legs. He thinks it is funny. We have most of our lights up now. We just have a few finishing touches to do.

On Saturday we went to Dad and Mom's and helped with their Christmas decorations. We got the tree up and decorated with the help of Michael and Mary and family. Everyone was sick, getting over it, or coming down with it so we didn't last very long. We got a few light up outside for them but the roof was wet from snow the night before and we didn't have the right lights for the bushes. So we will finish them this week when the weather gets better. We are not Black Friday people. We hate crowds, especially stupid people in crowds so we didn't head out on Friday, but we went to Costco for some Christmas gifts and got one for Henry too, a 37" HDTV. He is not one for waiting for we set it up when we got home.

Today we woke up to snow. It was bombing snow and we were only supposed to get a dusting. By 10:00 am we got a call, church was canceled. Thank goodness! I was sick and wasn't going anyway, but who wants to make the 20 min. trip in good weather in the snow and icy roads?! When it was all said and dome we got a foot of snow. Boy did they drop the ball on that forecast! I worked on getting the lights on the tree while Kyle and Henry played in the snow. Kyle has been waiting, impatiently I might add, for snow to play in. He really wanted to build a snowman the snow just wouldn't pack real well. After a nap we decorated our tree with the ornaments. Kyle would pile 4-5 ornaments on one branch. Henry and I had to go back and move them later. His favorite ornament is the Thomas the train ornament.

Kyle and Daddy playing in the snow.

Kyle decorating our tree.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

So I have been listening to Christmas music for a week or so now. I wanted to do a Christmas background awhile a go but decided to do a Thanksgiving one first. But there are no really cute backgroungs for Chrsitmas, so I decided I better get on it before they are all taken. I liked this one the best but my sister-in-law put it on her blog first (and she gives me a hard time for not celebrating the holidays in order). I tried a few other backgrounds but they aren't wide enough. Sorry Mary, this one won out in the end. I did try to do another one. But for the record I had this one picked out after Halloween before I did my Thanksgiving background.

Kyle had been watching Christmas movies. We usually wait until after Thanksgiving but with Thanksgiving being sooo late this year we pulled them out a week ago. This way we will have time to enjoy the movies this year (hopefully). We are always so busy this time of the year. Kyle is always asking for "doggy". He loves the Peanuts movies. "What a goof!" But we love him.

Utah Beats BYU, GO UTES!

This week has been uneventful. Last Sunday we went to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant in downtown Denver with a few friends we haven't seen in a long time. We rode the train into town and walked to Maggiano's. The food was good but we hate family style. You have to decide among 7 people which two choices you want. There are 5 courses; appetizer, salad, entree, meat, and dessert. Then you choose 2 items in each course. They bring out as much as you want. So when the plate is empty and you want more they will bring you more, bottomless. "More of everything!" It takes forever to get the next course too. It took over 2 hours to eat. We like to eat and go. We don't dilly dally in restaurants.


Dad and I went to Costco this week too. Kyle loves going to Costco. He loves the samples and then after we are done shopping we get a hot dog meal for him. Here is a picture of him eating a sample while sitting on some boxes in the cart. He was so good.



Yesterday we watch Utah beat BYU. What a good game! When Utah would score everyone watching would cheer and Kyle would start cheering and clapping and yelling "Go Utes!" and then started giving everyone high 5's. What a ham!

Henry has been in Kansas again this weekend hunting for whitetail. No luck though. He is now offically done with hunting for the year. Yeah! Now I can get the garage cleaned up.

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Beta - R.I.P.

Last night I went upsairs and Kyle's pet fish Beta (it is a Beta fish and we named it Beta), was dead. Poor Beta. We had Beta for over 6 months. That is pretty good for a fish. So now we will get a new Beta fish and we will name it VHS. Do you see the pattern we are going for? I am sooo looking forward to cleaning the fish tank.

Last night we had some people from the ward over to watch the UFC fight. They get together and order the pay-per-view fights. We hosted last night and we all had a great time. Henry smoked some wings and we had veggie dip and 8 layer dip. It was good food! The fights were really good too.

This past week we have been just doing the same old thing. Friday Ashlee had school off so Mary and I took the kids to the museum. I think they had a great time. Kyle got in trouble for not playing well with others in the Discovery Zone (a playroom for the kids in the museum). I had to take him out and we sat in the hall for about 15 min. He really needs to learn to get along with other kids. He gets along with them, he just plays rough. Hopefully he learns soon. The picture above was taken in the Discovery Zone.

That is about our week. Brian comes home on Sat, just in time for the Utah vs BYU game. GO UTES!!!!!!!!

Kyle on the horse at the grocery store. Ride 'em cowboy!

Fall in Colorado

Henry left for Kansas Friday morning to hunt whitetail deer with a friend. They plan to be gone until Sunday evening, so Kyle and I have been hanging out with Dad and Mom (Papa and Mama to Kyle). The weather has been so nice here. We haven't recieved a drop of moisture in quite a while (that is bad) but the temp. has been so nice! Saturday, Michael and Mary and family, came over to help rake the leaves in Dad and Mom's yard. There were a ton of leaves! Michael had to get the leaf blower out to blow the leaves out of the rocks and into the middle of the yard where we built a large pile of leaves. We got about 10 bags of leaves when it was all said and done. The kids had a blast playing in the leaves. They were jumping in them, laying in them, and throwing them. Melissa was into eating them. She's a baby, what can you do?!

Kristen, Kyle, and Ashlee playing in the leaves.

Kyle and Ashlee raking leaves.

Kyle loves to read! He loves to have us read to him, but sometimes we just can't read to him. I walked into the family room the other day and found Kyle sitting in his tunnel from IKEA (the tunnel was tied up) and he was reading a book. Of course he can't read, but he was telling himself a story!

Happy Halloween!

It has been about two weeks since my last post. Sorry, life has been chaotic! Last weekend we went to Boo ath the Zoo with Michael and his family. Kyle was Mickey Mouse, Kristen was Minnie. They were so cute together. Ashlee borrowed my old Strawberry Shortcake costume. She got many compliments from the 30+ crowd. Kyle had a blast. He likes the candy but he was more excited about the animals. He asked to see the monkeys the whole time we were there. Of course we started on the wrong side of the zoo so he had to wait until the end.

The 3 cousins together

Later that evening after a much needed nap we had our ward trunk or treat. It was fun. After the trunk or treating there was a baked potato bar for dinner, so we stopped and got dinner on the way home.

Kyle trunk or treating. His costume was a hit with the ward.

Then on Sunday we ran up to the train museum to ride the Trick or Treat train. They had a train running with the cars decorated for Halloween and then there were a few trick or treat stations around the museum. Kyle's friend Drake and his parents met us there. Kyle was really grumpy so we were there for a short time.

Kyle watching a short clip on trains at the museum.

Then of course there is Halloween day. Kyle spent most of the morning making treats. We made chocolates, suckers, chocolate dipped strawberries to look like ghosts, and pretzles dipped in chocolates. Kyle liked eating the chocolate best of all. Then he helped me carve his pumpkin. Then that evening, Drake and his dad came over to go trick or treating with Henry and Kyle, while the women stayed home to hand out candy. Henry tells me Kyle ran the whole time. Not to the next house, but just ran down the street. He was just so excited to be outside with all the kids. I think he was on overload.

Kyle with his pumpkin.

Natural History Museum

Henry left for High Point, N.C. early saturday morning, so he decided to take Wednesday off and spent the day with Kyle and I. We decided to use our new museum membership and see the Dinosaur exhibit. Kyle had a blast! He kept running around making dinosaur noises and pointing out the dinosaurs. The museum is about an hour away, so it is a long car ride there. Kyle lasted only about a half hour before he wanted to "go sleepy time", his way of saying he wants to take a nap. Hopefully he get used to the ride and little by little he will last longer. It was fun none the less. Afterward we went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe.

Kyle and I took Henry to the airport Saturday morning and then we went our doctors office to get our flu shots. They have a "flu clinic" 2 weekends in the fall. If you go then, they are free. Kyle got the flu mist and I got the flu shot. Kyle woke up this evening just sobbing! He had a low grade fever, so I gave him some apple juice and tylenol and he went back to sleep. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

Hot Chocolate Milk

Here it is the middle of October and we finally got our first cold snap. It hasn't snowed yet, but we have dipped into the 20's at night the past few night. Kyle has to have chocolate milk in the morning so I made him hot chocolate milk (actually it is barely warm) with whipped cream. He loves it! He calls the whipped cream "ice cream". Now he wakes up and asks for "hot chocolate milk, pweeeeze!"

Estes Park

This weekend we went to Estes Park with my family. Every October we rent a cabin and invite everyone up for a weekend. We always have a good time and this weekend was no exception. Henry, Kyle and I went up on Thursday to enjoy some family time together. We went to dinner at the Dunraven Inn. It was awesome! If you ever get to Estes Park you have to eat there! After we went back to the cabin and watch the Utes play Oregon State. It was a great game and the Utes won.

On Friday, everyone else came up including Brian. We were all so glad to see Brian again. We just hang out and play games. We celebrated Mary's birthday with cake and presents.

On Saturday the 5 aduly children went on a ghost tour of the Stanley hotel. For those of you who don't know, The Stanley is where Steven King got his inspiration for his book "The Shinning." The original movie was not filmed there but the mini series was filled there, and it is more like the book. It is also one of the most haunted locations in the US. If you watch Sci-Fi channel, the Ghost Hunters go there often and it is their favorite location to investigate. Infact, they were just there last weekend filming and they will be back for their live Halloween show. We saw no ghosts and nothing happened on the tour, but we learned a lot about the hotel and it's history.

Of course, we go up there because of the elk. Some say Garder, MT is the elk capital of the world but Estes Park, CO has more elk. Usually the golf course is covered with 200+ elk. The past few years it has been so warm they haven't come down into the valley yet. We still found a few elk and heard a few bugle too.

We are always sad to leave Estes Park and get back to reality. But we always count down the days 'til we can get back up there!

The family playing Uno Attack

Kristen, Ashlee, and Kyle eating suckers

from The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory