Santa Claus is Coming to Town

While in Idaho, it's a tradition to have the family Christmas party out at aunt Jennifer's house, Where Santa Claus always makes a special visit to see all of the 40 something cousins on the Stosich side. The girls were so excited & had such a good time. They sat so still waiting their turn for Santa to pull out a present with their name on it. After delivering all of their presents he led us all in singing "Jingle Bells." It was another fun night! Oh & Thanks Jenni for the darling Madi Moo Christmas skirts you made the girls.

Isabella asked for the Tinkerbell movie and a Peter Pan Movie

Sofia asked for a Barbie

Ava just sat there very still & would not give any kind of eye contact to Santa

Isabella is such a pretty lil girl waiting to open her present from Santa until all the kids had a turn.

Sofia also sitting patiently, however right after that I saw her tear into her gift! That's so her!

Ava's expression here is priceless as to her excitement on the Christmas Bear Santa gave her! I love it!

Let it Snow (Idaho Style)

Okay so we came up to Idaho last Thursday to visit my in-laws & the day after we got here there was a huge winter storm. I mean it's been so cold the highs have been like 15 and lows -3. I've never felt it this cold in the past 7 years of coming up here. So wouldn't you know the week we're out of town it snows in Vegas. We were so mad. It would have been so fun to see snow in our own yard! But despite the cold, the kids are having fun. Isabella is just like her dad and loves to be outside in the snow. She even helped him clean out the chimmney on the roof. She plays out there for hours. Sofia is like her mom, and doesn't like the cold very much. She'd rather be inside snuggled by the fire drinking hot cocoa. That's why I haven't gotten any pictures of her in the snow. She did however go out the next day for a while and as soon as I get some of her I'll post them. Ava is a little like us both. She likes to go out and plays a while, but doesn't last long. She is so cute though. We are having fun and will be sad to go home next week.

Our little snow bunny!

Gingerbread Houses

We had a great time decorating Gingerbread houses for FHE this week. Thanks to Aunt Jennifer who hosted it at her house, the girls had a blast as usual. She always does the funnest things for the kids. It was nice to have some warm soup on such a cold night, and to spend some one on one time with Grandpa Marshall (Hartman's grandpa) Then the kids had a blast decorating their gingerbread houses with Jennifer, Audra, Traven, Mom, Dad, & Grandma Stosich. There was a lot of decorating but I think there was even more eating. Ava especially just kept licking the frosting. The kids were on such a sugar high that night (they were wild) & I must have mentioned it because as the girl were getting ready for bed I heard Isabella tell Sofia, "Your so hyper, you ate too much sugar tonight." Thanks Jennifer for a fun night.

The finished products...

I Hate This...

These are the images I received on my phone after the fact...He knows better than to tell me in advance that they are doing a routine training on top of City Center. Stuff like that makes me sick. I know it's part of the job & just routine, but sometimes I just take for granted how dangerous it can really be for these firefighters, police officers & service men & woman! I know somebody has to do it, but it's a little hard when it's your husband. So I guess he knows best after all that it is better for me not to know ahead of time, so I don't worry so much

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We ate twice...On Thursday we ate at the station with all the firefighters and their families since Hartman had to work. It's become one of our favorite traditions. Then on Friday after being up all night shopping from midnight to 7:30 am with LaRon for black Friday, we had another Thanksgiving meal at our house with just family! We have so much to be Thankful for and wanted to share our top five at the moment....

Ava

Binkie

Books

Mommy & Daddy

Mickey Mouse

Sippy Cup

Sofia
No poop in Diapers

No Spankings

Magnet Doodle
Mommy & Daddy
Sisters & Grandparents

Isabella
Family & Friends
Princesses
Disneyland
Daddy
Shopping with Mommy

Emily
My Healthy Children & Family, My Temple Marriage & my husband
Russell coming home safely form Iraq
Hartman has a secured job
The gospel & my Savior
My TV Shows along with DVR

Hartman
Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost
My Wife, Kids, Family, & Friends
Temples
My Career
My Health & the Heath of my Family

Here are some photos of Thanksgiving Weekend. Sorry there's so many, but we did a lot and wanted to capture it all!

Our family, LaRon & John & their kids, Hartman's sister Jennifer & her family from Idaho were all at our house for Thanksgiving on Friday!

Isabella enjoyed getting ready with her older cousins Shara & Audra

We played games & watched movies

We enjoyed all the yummy food! We love our traditional Southern Dishes as well as John's famous stuffing & his delicious turkey!

LaRon & John

Our little Turkey Ava

The kid table


On Thursday we had Thanksgiving at the Station

It is always fun and very delicious

Ava went around cleaning up every body's plates after they left!

Isabella & Sofia

While Hartman was working we took the girls with Jennifer & her family & Julie & her kids to see the water show at the Bellagio & the Gardens. They loved it!

Aunt Jennifer & Sofia

The Gardens were so beautiful

The whole Gang at the station

The girls think they run that station when they are they!!!

Sofia's little thankful wreath she made at preschool!

Sofia's preschool class singing "If Your Thankful & You Know it..." while dressed as Pilgrims. Watch how Sofia has to put her little booty shaking moves & her own twist to the song! It's so her!

Happy Birthday Hartman

Our old man turned 30 today!!! I've been waiting for him to turn 30 since I turned the big 3-0 so he couldn't tease me anymore! Now it's here! I wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday Honey~ We are so glad you were born! We love you & appreciate all that you do for you family!

So glad you were born. You grew to be great at so many things...

A Great Father

A Great Husband

A Great Friend

A Great Uncle

A Great Son

A Great Brother

A Great Hunter

A Great Missionary

And a great Hero!

Hope your day was fun! Love your Girls!