Christmas Eve traditions: go to Jones family where we have a sub for santa, marvelous dinner, gift exchange with cousins, nativity scene reading and a great time! My dad hates, hates his picture taken, so I bribed him telling him his grand kids never have any pics of him in their scrapbooks...it worked! Below are some too fun people whom we love...

Derek, Ang, and Lucy Bear...

The cousin boys who are stuck to each other like glue- they loved their gift exhanges.

This month, My dad is being honored in the "Salt Lake City Magazine" as one of "20 years of Utah's most influential people." Go dad! He and my mom have had a big decision this past month- they are selling their business. My dad seems pretty torn about it- after all, it has been his life that he and my mom built...

I have the best husband ever. He has been so good to me. Next month- 11 years of marriage!

After Jones fam, we went home, got into our new p.j.'s and wrote letters to Santa.

The kids wrote the cutest letters to the Big Guy- they left out their cookies and milk and told them they loved him. That ought to score big points!

The next morning- (wait- I never got to bed between wrapping, Alex up and Jake up at 4:30 a.m.) the kids were too excited for Santa had come and been way too generous this year!

WHat 3 year old wants and gets a Nintendo DS for Christmas? Oh yeah- and PINK!

Jake asked for the ultimate Lego set ever- He has spent the last 8 hours and is amazing!

Jonah at the last minute wanted me to email Santa because he had changed his mind and wanted those "rolling shoes", so I did- Apparently Santa pulled through and got my email.

The boys got Electric scooters and Ash got some great princess toys. Alex got a Baby Einstein Jumper that mommy will love even more.

Christmas is so much fun with kiddos who have so much excitement and energy. My mom and dad, Marsh and Al came over this morning and reminded Chad and I how lucky we are to have little ones around- they add so much joy to our lives. Now, off to put them to bed. Needless to say they are especially tired tonight as are their parents. Merry Christmas to all- and to all a good night!

It's What Christmas Is All About!

What a great idea: Marsh and Al had us do a little something different this Christmas. Instead of giving each other gifts, we each brought the money that we'd spend on those gifts and donated it to Third World Countries that needed the necessities. Each family could choose how their money was donated- for example, you could purchase a flock of chickens for $20.00 and that would mean 200 eggs a year for that family in Cambodia... The grand kids gave each other books as tradition has it. Alex liked the wrapping paper best!

Nana always has the kids put on a great Nativity Scene. What is the benefit of having one granddaughter and 8 grandsons? Many to play the part (or hit the walls with the canes!)

Ash has the benefit of being the one and only Mary. Don't they make a cute pair?

Nana always does a great job- she and Jonah were the Angels while g-pa Alan narrated.

Jacob- a.k.a. King Harrod did a great job! As did the rest of the cast. We always sneak in a few laughs with this group.

This is cousin Marcus, who was showing us about the Third World Countries in need.

Counting the money; deciding what animals to purchase-

And of course, dinner...Marsh makes the best steak and potatoes- with a glass of Sparkling Grape juice for an annual toast.. Al toasted to "good health"!

Alex is in this phase now where he makes raspberry sounds and spits- it is so funny- he does it constantly. Watch out or you'll get a pretty good soak from this kiddo.

So fun doing something a little different this year. We get so much "stuff" and it was nice to give to others knowing they could use it more than we could. I loved watching the kids trying to figure out where the money should go- hopefully we will remember what this season is all about! Happy Holidays everyone!

Tis the Season!

I think this is the first year i am really feeling the craziness of the season- driving here, there and getting places on time, shopping for gifts, parties, performances, you know how it goes. With the four kiddos, I am even slower than before. Chad and I are exhausted. But I have to remind myself that these are the times we will never forget- and hopefully our kiddos won't either. And we need to take each day at a time- enjoy the moments before this Season is over! So... My friend, Bree, had a fantastic Christmas party where she made yummy seafood pasta, salad, and oh- the dessert! I had two helpings. The best was when I screwed up the gift (of course) and we had a few laughs:). But I love my friends, and I don't know what I'd do without them!

Baby Alex is now four months old. He is sweet and oh so yummy. We are loving him. He isn't sleeping as well as he used to - I am feeling that...but we will keep this cutie pie and kiss those cheeks over and over.

Ash had a school performance- she was pretty funny and emotional- she has a great friend, Lexi and she was so excited to perform with her. However, a girl cut in front of her spot, took her rattle as part of the performance, so ash started crying in the middle of the song. Oh girls- you are drama!

She is a cute little thing though. We had fun watching these kids onstage- hilarious!There is always that one kid picking their nose, right? This year, it was a little girl down from Ash.

Thanks to my mom, Lucy and Ang for coming. They got their laughs as well. We all went to dinner afterwards because it was Jonah's actual birthday!

We love Ash's school- Mrs. Bobbi is such a great teacher. Jonah and Jake are great readers because of their preschool where AShley now goes. I was able to go to the boy's class parties this year and thank GOODNESS FOR TEACHERS! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! HOW DO THEY DO IT????

Then, off to Jonah's 7th b-day party at Hollywood Cionnections- again. My kids pick the dirtiest, crowded places to have their parties. They love it and look forward to their parties and I have to admit- I don't mind paying extra if I dont' have to have it at my house.

This year we had quite the crowd. Lots of cousins and friends. Thanks to aunt Abby and Chelsea for staying and helping with the chaos. Thank you! Thank you! it was chaotic for us adults but at least the kids had fun. And hopefully, everyone went home without catching anything- we kept telling the kids to wash their hands.

Ash and her favorite cousin, Max. Aren't they the cutest?

Jonah gets so excited- he couldn't stop talking about this party- Chad and I put the boys to bed and kept catching them up late, in Jonah's closet trying to open every present. Naughty!

What fun times! yes, it is chaotic and exhausting, but well worth all the smiles on the kids' faces. Just like Christmas! Now, another week...

Happy 7th B-day Jonah!

Jonah was due on Christmas Day. Good thing
his doctor didn't want to work- nor did we really want to have our baby boy to have a Christmas Day birthday- so Jonah came a little early and we are so happy to have this kid in our family because:
-Jonah has a smile that makes your heart melt.
- Jonah leaves notes to Mom and Dad on our bed that makes our day!
-He is my tender son who still gives me big hugs and kisses.
-Jonah will help around the house, especially with Ashley and Alex.
-He loves to read and is great at it
-Jonah is a great friend- he has many and always gives to them before himself.
-His best friend right now is his big brother- I often have to tell them to stop playing and talking so that they will go to bed.
-He is kind, fun and can always make us laugh!

Now- if I could just break you away from your favorite thing right now: video games! You love the Nintendo right now and as long as you keep doing well in school and being such a great kid, I don't mind.

We love you, Jonah for so many reasons. You add love and laughter to our home and miss you when you are at school. Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow and a great year!

Santa had better have a great memory!

Tradition on the Roger's has it that Santa comes early one Saturday morning before Christmas and we gather together as family and friends for a yummy brunch that Marsha makes for us. Each kid gets to visit Santa- he tells them something they have done well each year- what they could work on- and gives them an early present. Well, this year, cousin Carden (Abby's little boy) said something that had us all laughing pretty hard... I don't have the picture of Carden on Santa's lap, but Santa asked Carden, "What would you like for Christmas?" Carden replied, "Santa, I already told you at the Christmas party last week." Like, DUH!!! You should remember, Santa. How funny is that? Never a dull moment with these kiddos.

Above is little Alex meeting the Jolly Man for the first time. Below are the two that make this fantastic tradition all happen: We love you, Marsh and Al!

Ashley and her cousins, Max and Carden. Ashley especially loves her cousin, Max, who puts up with her girly stuff. Max and Carden are huge Utah fans- don't even mention BYU around them

Jonah is still trying to decide what he wants for Christmas- better get going...and his b-day is this week so get thinking- Jo- mom and dad need ideas. Jonah has done AWESOME in school this year- he is growing up so fast. He and Jake play all day together and I love that!

This is a pic I took earlier in the day of the two youngest- the new "seek and destroy" is what I call them- Ash is a handful right now but so dang cute. She is teaching her brother the ropes. He is getting a little personality of his own. How cute are they? How can I ever get mad with these faces?

Ash wants....what is happening to these kids younger and younger they want these crazy, expensive things....she wants a NINTENDO DS! What? I know. Santa- get a raise!

Ash and Max....the two peas in a pod. We missed Chels and JEff this year!

Jake is too grown up for his own good. He can''t be going on 10! He loves, LOVES to build Legos. Our basement is filled with Lego Star Wars ships and Lego City. Our basement is Lego City- He is so creative. I love watching him- he is facinating and so smart. Jake has also really grown up in helping me around with the kids.

This is most of the gang- all anticipating their presents from Santa. Have you been good?

Our family together with Him- I had to get one with our newest addition. Fun day!

We are excited for the Holidays coming up- this tradition is so much fun and something we always look forward to. What would life be like without our family and friends?!!! Nothing!!!