Camrie turned 1

Camrie turned one this past Saturday. We can not believe she is already one and wanted to do something special for her. So we all got dressed and ready to go, but we did not know where to go. We thought and thought, but could not think of what she would want. Kyle suggested staying home and watching football, I suggested going shopping, and Dayton suggested Chuck E Cheese. But none of these were for Camrie. So after Camrie's nap we went to dinner and then came home for cake and presents.

We would like to thank all the grandparents for their sweet cards, calls and gifts. They were much needed, and have been loved and chewed on by Camrie.

Pretty as a princess for her birthday! Kyle and I wish she would stay like this forever. She already has such a fun personality and is such a joy to have in our family.

She would not blow out her candle, she just wanted to grab it. So after we sang to her, daddy and Dayton helped her blow it out.

She was not shy from the beginning and it is easy to tell that this is not her first piece of cake because she knew exactly what to do with it. My only regret was leaving her t-shirt on.

The hands were just not cutting it. She could not get a big enough piece so she went to plan "B"

You can not see clearly, but her face is covered with cake as well as the rest of her. But you can see that her tray is completely clean. She sat in her chair and ate every crumb she could pick up. I attempted to clean her up but she was such a mess I had to put her in the tub for a bath. As I took her out there was cake all down her tummy and on her legs. I think it is safe to say this was her favorite part of her birthday!

Chuck E Cheese

Went to Chuck E Cheese after Christmas with Nana and Papa and all the cousins that live out west. Dayton was so excited he could not stop jumping up and down. He collected tokens from both Kyle and I to make sure he did not run out. He played the whole time and only stopped to eat some pizza because we made him. Camrie enjoyed being held by Nana, the lights and music. Kyle and I took turns running around trying to keep up with Dayton, and of course he got lots of little prizes with all his tickets. (Dad helped him get a few extra). It was a fun filled evening and both kids were fast asleep before we made it home.
This is just after we got there and Dayton was not happy to have to take time out of playing for pictures, but Camrie is as happy as could be.

Shooting hoops with Dad, getting some pointers... Is it too early to practice?

This is Camrie towards the end of the night, though it does not look like it she did have a good time, but later that night was the beginning of a nasty cold.

After Camrie these two trouble makers wanted to take a ride. I am pretty sure they are too big by themselves, so I know they are together, but that did not stop them. The best part was that the ride was in slow motion, it could barley move with them in it, but they thought it was fun anyway.

Best Buds.We completed the night with a hug from Chucky himself. I thought Dayton would be a little shy, but he was not at all. He ran right over to him and threw his arms around him. Dayton told me he thinks Chucky is awesome!

Finally Christmas

All the candy count downs and Christmas cartoons could not bring Christmas fast enough for Dayton. He wrote several letters to Santa, and asked every day if it was time to open presents. Finally Papa and Nana arrived and the rest of the family followed. Christmas was at our house this year with most of my family, and that is no small number. It was crazy, but wonderful. We fit in all the family traditions and even had the bonus of a white Christmas. It came and went too fast, but we have great memories, and Dayton keeps telling me he is ready for Santa to come again.
Christmas Eve

Papa was a wonderful babysitter as we ran around getting last minute things. This is one of the things Papa is best at.

Every year growing up we made gingerbread houses so it was a must that we do it this year. It was a lot of work and quite messy, but the kids had a ton of fun and snuck candy for the next two days. Mom worked wonders with all the grand kids.

Also on Christmas Eve we all used to dress up and act out the Nativity scene, so this year our kids did it and were so cute. Dayton was Joseph and Gracy was Mary. We had a hard time getting Dayton to dress up but I just told him it was like Star Wars and he was sold.

Here he is holding baby Jesus. Mary disappeared for a little bit so Dayton took over.

Here are some wise men, Mary and Joseph with the donkey behind them, an angel, and a Shepard. It is always a highlight of the night.

Our next tradition is we get to open one present and it is always PJ's from Nana and Papa. We also through in a Spaulding tradition where we went youngest to oldest and clapped and chanted your name when it was your turn. It was loud and fun and the kids loved it.

Here is Camrie with her new polka dot pj's.

And what else for Dayton but Batman. The only problem is getting them off him, he tries to wear them outside.

To end the night my dad read The Night Before Christmas to all the grandkids, just like he did to my siblings and I when we were younger. All the kids even piled up on the couch the way we used to. It brought back such great memories for some of us.
Christmas Morning

Christmas morning came and the kids woke everybody up. We headed down at about 7 and Santa found our house. Presents were everywhere and Camrie was quick to find the M&M's. Her favorite gifts were her pink cell phone and necklaces.

Dayton's favorites seemed to be a Batman motorcycle, paints, and a spider man tent.
I could not help but add this one. Camrie got her first baby doll and every time she sees it she gives her kisses. So sweet.

Kyle and I also got presents, but nothing as fun as the kids, all we wanted was to go back to bed.

Kyle's Birthday

Poor Kyle gets a little jipped because his birthday is right around Christmas, but we partied all day. The night before I told Dayton, "go tell Daddy Happy Birthday". And from that point on every time he said happy birthday he sang the "Happy Birthday" song. We had a few laughs and learned that he knows the whole song.

Kyle came home from work and the kids had made him cards and Dayton and I made him a candy card, and we put balloons up. I'm not sure Kyle's thoughts, but Dayton was excited enough for all of us. He makes everything more fun! The only thing he didn't like was that it was not his birthday. He was fine with it being Daddy's birthday, but why not his too.

We went out to Dinner that night and took the kids with us. We thought about getting a sitter because it is so much more work with them, but it is boring without them, so we all went out and they were really good.

Kyle got a milkshake and had no choice but to share. I am not sure who enjoyed it the most...

When Kyle was not looking we told the waitress that it was his Birthday. Kyle was not happy about that, but Dayton thoroughly enjoyed it, he especially liked the ice cream.

Amy Came to Visit

Our Sister in law Amy came to visit just before Christmas so we all got together for a chance to catch up, any excuse for a family dinner. My sister came from Idaho with her family and the rest came up from Provo. We miss our family back in VA, and one by one, not planed, we all asked Amy when they are moving out here. We missed seeing Cache, Marae and Kaden, but it was great to see Amy and baby McKell.

Amy and McKell sitting with her sister Jen and her husband Chris. We are so glad they came to to dinner. It was great to see them again, they fit right in with our family.

Just the fam sitting around, and it is a safe bet that Sunday night football was on.

While we were together we celebrated Emery's Birthday. She turned 1 and brought a yummy cake to celebrate. (Emery is my older brothers daughter).

Here she is opening presents with lots of helpers

McKell, Tayla, Camrie, and Emery
We can not get together and not take a picture of the babies, especially because this time there were 4 with Mckell visiting from VA. The girls were not happy about it, and believe me when I tell you this was the best picture I got.