Christmas In a Nutshell

Christmas Morning. Hayden shows Lovey what Santa brought in his stocking!

Ethan was so excited about this present! He really wanted it! They have been having nerf wars everyday since! I am finding those bullets everywhere!
Shawn got a gun too, but his is not an inside toy...its a BB gun. He was very excited too!

Shawn is always taking random pictures of my belly. Not me, just my tummy. He is a little obessed with it. Its sweet, I am glad he likes it, because I hate it!

The tree. Every year I always worry if the boys are getting enough presents. But then come Christmas morning there is always way too many presents. The kids have their favorites and then after that it just feels like a waste. They both still have toys that are still in the packaging! Can you believe that? So then I always say I wont buy as much the next year, and I swear I didn't buy as much this year.

Ethan writes a letter to Santa! He and Lovey made Lego cookies!

Christmas Dinner

This was the year of building toys! Lots of Legos, a huge marble maze toy, that was a nightmare to put together.

The boys in their Christmas clothes.

This is Hayden at his school program.

A blurry picture of a Christmas party.

Christmas was great this year. It felt very relaxed. We were able to just enjoy each other this season. My Mom and step Dad came to visit for Christmas week, and it was so fun having them. Thanks Mom for doing all my laundry! You two are the best! We love you!
I hope you all had a great Christmas too!

The love of my life

For our big anniversary this year we wanted to do something extra special. It was after all our big 1 0! So we were thinking big. A get away, just the two of us! Maybe a cruise? Maybe a weekend away somewhere that we've been wanting to get to. But then when it came down to it we decided to spend the money on something else. I know we are no fun, so practical. But then I think both of our parents decided that we really needed to do something, as if our marriage was dependent on us celebrating this huge feat, it is an accomplishment, at least it feels like it! So my Mom sent us money to go out on our actual Anniversary, and Shawn's parents sent us a very sweet card telling us to pick a hotel and a weekend and they will book the hotel and take our kids for a our getaway! Very generous, and thoughtful. So don't worry guys our marriage might be okay. We will getaway, just the two of us, which does seem odd, we don't do that very often.
On our anniversary we got all dressed up and went out to dinner at Ruth's Chris, which is very fancy steak house.
Thanks my love for putting up with me, you are the BEST!

Thanksgiving in the Desert

The CLAN!

Ethan loves Radley but has never been interested in holding him. Can you imagine my relief when he finally wanted to hold him. He is going to be my right hand when the baby comes! Doesn't he know this, he better get used to holding babies!!

Hayden and Grandma cuddling in bed for a few extra minutes!!

Aunt Amberly brought some fun board games to play! Thanks Aunt Amb!

Me and my sisters.

Hayden had a blast riding the quad, not so much on his own bike. But whatever, at least he was out there riding! It was funny all the younger kids (Xander, and Ethan Thomas) wanted to ride the quad so they took turns riding, and even giving each other rides when they couldn't wait their turn. It was silly because there was two perfectly good bikes just sitting there that they wouldn't ride. Are these kids lazy, or what?

Thanks you Becca for riding Hayden's bike... someone needed to!

Uncle Jim was on turkey duty! MMMmm! Look at that gorgeous turkey. Nice work!

Hayden's Thanksgiving Program

Hayden was the cutest little Indian! I had a great time helping the kids finish their program costumes, it has been so fun to actually be able to work in the kids class rooms this year. He had fun with his class singing all the songs. He loves kindergarten.
Shawn and I went to the special thanksgiving lunch they had for the parents. It was fun to see both Ethan and Hayden with their friends. We found out that the little girl, Isabelle, that Hayden is quite fond of is the principles daughter! Am I the only one that thinks that is hilarious?

Tinsel Town

i know its a little early to be getting ready for christmas. i am sure that by the time it actually rolls around i will be so ready for it to just be over. kinda like how i feel about all the holidays. its just so fun to decorate though, i cant help myself. this year i am hosting a progressive dinner for a bunch of women in early december and since we will be gone the two weekends before, i feel totally justified to start setting up the tree even before thanksgiving.

i've always wanted to make a little christmas village like this one. i just made it out of milk cartons that i have been saving for the past several months. and then put twinkle lights inside. super easy. it was fun to be a little creative, its my stress outlet.

i am making advent calendars this year for family gifts, for my family. i want to put in all the holiday traditions, like looking at lights, reading polar express and drinking hot cocoa, and building a gingerbread house. on some days i think i will just put in chocolates, i am sure some days will be to busy for an extra thing to do. but i need a few more ideas. whats your favorite holiday tradition?

Hot dogs & smores: yes please!

Last Friday we went up to Table Mesa for a bon fire to experience the best parts of camping with out the back aches that come in the morning. The boys found an old door and decided it would make a great sled down the hillside (that was covered in glass). Why cant they be satisfied with an open fire, roasting dogs and smores. Maybe a few stories could be shared around the crackling fire. You know just sit back and hang? Oh no, not my fam, they like to live life on the edge. But no one was hurt, and the boys all had a good time! Its just another Hancock adventure! Whats next??

Hair cuts

You know how you feel like a whole new woman after you get a hair cut? Well I kinda feel that way after my kids get their hair cut too! Their hair was so long it was ridiculous. They always shower at night so they always wake up with bed head and they hate hate hate it when I put gel, or jelly as Hayden calls it, in their hair. I usually leave their bangs a little longer so I can style it on Sunday, its the only day I make them do their hair. But please isnt that ridiculous to have crazy every day, just to have cute styled hair for three hours one day a week. So we buzzed it. And I love it. They look so much cuter now. I dont look at them and think ohmigosh what is their Mom thinking, I look at them and think how handsome they are...just like their Daddy...when he has his hair cut!