Christmas

Christmas Eve Day we did a little last minute shopping, I wrapped presents and Warren took the kids sledding on the hill at his parents house.
Christmas Eve we had a nice dinner, acted out the Nativity, watched a nice Christmas movie.  Then Mindy sent the kids on a treasure hunt for their pj gifts and for the gift that she got our family.  (She had our name)  Mindy got us a starter library with a few children's chapter books- the 1st in a few series and a couple of picture books.  After opening gifts we watched a movie, then came home and put the kids to bed.

Christmas morning I told the kids they could not come upstairs until 8 am.  I started some cinnamon rolls just before that, then they came up and saw what Santa left them.  We ate breakfast, then we Factimed with Grandma and Grandpa Gerratt while we opened their gifts.  After that we finished opening our gifts.  We went over to Grandma Haws's and opened over there and enjoyed some scones.  In the afternoon the kids went sledding again.

We had a nice Christmas and we are glad we are able to celebrate Christ's birth and life.

 Ready, Set,

 Go!

 Kristie's idea of sledding.

 Looking at what Santa brought

 Kylie wanted a horse with a stable.

 Opening presents

 Hello Kitty diary from Kenna

 A big alligator from Kylie

 A bear from Daniel

 Opening more presents.

 Daniel opening another one of his "guys"  He got 4 more of them to add to the collection- making a total of 17!

 Kenna and her dress from Mom and Dad

 Kylie with her dress from Mom and Dad

 Kylie with her flower balloon hat that Kenna made with the balloon kit that she got from Mindy

My new microwave that Warren got me. 

Christmas presents

My parents came to visit for a couple of hours- bringing us our Christmas gifts.  I had them open their gifts from us.

I made these blankets for them.

Salt Lake Trip

My sister put all of our emails in for the random selection to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert.  My older sister's email got tickets, but she was not able to go so Warren and I were able to go.  We dropped the kids off at Joyce and Homely's then left Saturday afternoon - I had found a good deal on a motel on priceline.  We were blocks away from Temple Square - which was really nice.  We walked over there and saw the lights, then walked across to the Conference Center and saw the concert.  Afterwards we walked over to the Gateway mall area and found the movie theatre that was showing Star Wars.  The next morning we drove home.  It was nice to get away for a little bit and do something fun.

Finishing a room

*Warning: Long post 

We saved up our money and were able to finish a bedroom in the basement.  We started digging the for a new window in August.  We finished the room last night.  It took a long time and was a big project- but we are glad to be able to have another bedroom.

 August 12th- Starting the digging.

 August 20th- more digging

 Kristie swinging (a way to keep her out of the way)

August 28th  Rides in the wheelbarrow

 Sept. 16th - taking down panelling walls and measuring for window.

 Daniel helping to take down walls...

 Sept. 22nd- taking up the floor.

 Sept. 29th Cutting for the new window.

 Choosing carpet- I liked that paint sample until later- we went a little lighter...

 Taking up more of the floor.

 October 19th- Cement slab from coming out.

 Kristie being silly- I had to keep her in the garage and out of the way.

Look at that big hole in our wall!

 November 3rd- window got put in.

November 10th- Warren and I put in the well and then filled the big hole back in with all the dirt.

 November 17th- Framing went up- Daniel wanted to measure just like dad

 November 21st- Installation went in.

 November 23rd- 28th Dry wall went up

 November 25th- closet being built

 December 3rd- New door got put in.

 November 30th- December 5th- Taping and mudding.

December 7th- 9th texture went up- I hung up paint samples to see which one I liked.  I went a shade lighter than the one I had against the carpet.

 December 10th- Primer went on.-  Kenna helping put 2nd coat up.

 Daniel helped...

Kylie helped.

 December 11th- Paint on the walls.

 December 14th- 15th Trim up around window, door, closet and bottom

 December 16th - Carpet got installed

 December 17th-18th Inside of closet got built

December 18th- girls beds got moved down.  (all the drawers, mattress, and blankets also got moved- I just didn't get a picture)

Warren did almost all of the work.  He had a friend come help dig one time, we hired someone to put in the window and do the electric work, and a friend and his brother Greg helped put up the dry wall. Warren did a great job with it and we are all excited to have a new bedroom!