Everything Christmas 2011

The Last "TRUE BELIEVER"

Mia is our last believer in all that is Santa. She sat on the old mans lap and asked him for an American Girl Doll, something that when the catalog came over a month ago Daddy said no way too. Well one month later who do you think walked out of the American Doll store over $200 dollars lighter!?!? Argh!!! The clothes are too cute and they have PJ's that match the dolls PJ's... give me a break!!! She also asked for a blue snow bear, lots of candy in her stocking and of all things a "helicopter"... what! She is not getting a helicopter! The "Non-believers" also pose with Santa to make their parents happy.

Christmas Cookies. Due to the animal ban by Daddy the kids are all very animal needy (I guess the "stuffed" ones are not enough). One night Mia and Mommy fed a stray cat out the front door and guess what- We now have pets! This is Cayden and Mia feeding the rascals on our front step. -Christmas Carmel- just can't seem to get them right in Georgia!We have tried and tried and re-cooked and tried, even buying a new candy thermometer and they still come out way to soft or hard as a rock. I think we will stick with the toffee. Several months back Mom made a comment of being sad that she no longer felt she knew where we lived and the kids played as we moved and all. So what better time than Christmas when your house looks its best to give those back in Utah a tour.... Here Goes- The Dining Room. The Front Room Our Family Room The Kitchen And the cool garland that Mom sent us on our upstairs banister. And as our bed rooms are a mess, the tour ends there! This is a picture of the "project" that I have been working on for the last several weeks. It started out a thing for us and has evolved into a "project" for everyone! I hope that you have all received them buy now and they look great in your homes and that you like them, I know that we do!

Callaway Gardens 2011

Callaway Gardens

and Fantasy in Lights

Once again we went down to Callaway Gardens for Fantasy in Lights. The Taylor family went with us this year and we all had a great time. The bird show was new this year and with owls and hawks flying over our heads it was quite the experience, and the gardens were beautiful as always. All of us in front of one of the many Christmas Trees. The crew in front of the sign stating that there were 2200 butterflies in the butterfly pavilion that day.... until Daddy entered.

Ever since one of the lounges on one of the cruises we went on was decorated in butterflies all over the walls, I have been hooked. Over the years that we have gone to the butterfly pavilion I have been infatuated with them and in the gift shop at the end they have all kinds of butterflies in frames to purchase (75$ for the cheapest one). Much to Nikki's threats, dirty looks and ultimate disapproval, this year Daddy managed to leave the pavilion with several in his pockets! As it is posted all over the place not to take anything from the pavilion, I know it was wrong but I just could not help myself!
They are truly beautiful on my wall and now I guess there are only 2197 in the butterfly pavilion! Not a great picture but this is the only one we got of the finally- The Lights!

They were amazing as always!

Brenner Turns 11- Yes 11!Brenner and some of his gang at his skating party.

Eating his favorite food- PIZZA!

Mimi came over on Saturday and started to teach the kids how to oil paint. Brenner and Cayden are bolth doing beach pictures while Mia wanted to paint dolphins... and they are going to be pink!
Mommy and Mia at her Thanksgiving Day Celebration. As you can see, she was an indian and did a great job with her parts and singing- Very cute!

Brandon Flowers I have known for some time that the lead singer one of my favorite bands of all time the Killers was LDS. Take a look at his mormon.org interview in the link below. I think that his little boy is the cutest thing next to Cayden at that age! Very Cool- Check it out!
http://mormon.org/me/5233/

Halloween

This year Mia was a Lady Bug, Cayden a Grim Reaper and Brenner decided to break the bank and wear his Soccer uniform to go Trick or Treating! Who leaves candy on their door step? I guess these people!?!

In the end and all the spoils layed out for trading and such- Fun Fun Fun!!!

Family PicturesFamily pictures in the park with the fall colors. Costume change.
Just the Kids. To cute!
And the whole Douglas Clan!

Nikki's All Girl Cruise

In October Nikki left on her first "Girl Trip", and I don't mean she went to the movies with the girls- No... She went on a cruise with them! All the other guys seemed ok with the whole thing, but I can't lie, It made me a bit jealous.

Formal Night.

Looks like they all had lots of fun.
Nikki at the Roulett Table. She was "way up" in the winnings (you may need to ask her about that), but ended up losing it all!

The Girls in front of their ship.

This weekend all the "family" that she left behind =) went camping again and had a great time too, although Daddy forgot the camera so no pictures! So I guess in the end we all had fun.

So when is the "Guy Trip" Planned.... Oh yeah.... NEVER!!! =)

Family Camping Trips In September and October we camped out several times. With friends and without. All the trips were lots of fun for the kids but most of all, relaxing for Mom and Dad.

The trailer you see in the background in now ours and we look forward to many great years and lots of memories in "our little camper". It is just so nice to go camping and not be on the ground. The soft beds don't hurt either! Mia and a fish she caught. As you can see, she is not to sure of what to do with it.... Daddy is not so sure either! All the kids our kids like camping with. I just think this picture is too cute!

And this is a picture of me included for all to see back home of how skinny I have become. I weigh in at 155 lately. No more doubble chin, those jeans are 29's and are falling to the ground and that is a medium size shirt I am wearing. All the old XL stuff just hangs on me like bags so it just hangs in the closset waiting and waiting to see if the weight will stay off. We are into the winter months when I usualy pack a little on and it has not come back yet.

We Saw Wicked and it is truly amazing, but until I find out how to get the photos of my phone all you get is the logo above that I was able to pull off the web. This musical is truly great, the music is wonderful and the staging is awesome! My new favorite right behind LES MISÉRABLES of course that will be here in February- We will let you know how it goes!

Wall Art

Vinal lettering has been around for some time now I know but as we have some new walls to fill with stuff I pulled out some from the closet that we have had for several years and stuck it on a board. It turned out pretty nice I think!

The end of a Great Summer!

After a fun boating trip to Lake Lanier with the Taylor's... And a great day at Six Flags Over Georgia with the Thomases, it was time to go back to school!

Boo say the kids. Hurray say Mommy and Daddy!

Back to school, back to school...

Getting on the bus for her first day of Kindergarten. She is so big!

We Moved

After almost five years in Loganville we decided to make a move, we now live in Sugar Hill and are loving it! Although we will miss so many friends in the Monroe Ward, it is a great move for us and our family. Ten minutes from the Mall Of Georgia, Lake Lanier and much more! WOO HOO!

Our new address is:

1371 Primrose Park Rd.

Sugar Hill, Ga. 30518

The Fourth of July

We had a great 4th of July. Lots of fun and the fireworks at the gates of Tara were as great as always. Just the three kids. Mommy and aunt Natalie at the water park. Fun Fun!

Mia floating on Mommy's Back.
Cayden in the water fall.
And Brenner doing a splash-down!