CHRISTMAS!

We had such a great Christmas, full of visiting family, festivities and presents. We had a fun dinner at my side of the family's on the 23rd, a Riggs family party on the 24th and brunch with both sides of the family on Christmas followed by dinner with the Riggs that evening. We are so blessed to have such fun family traditions for the Christmas season. 

The boys woke up at their usual 7:00 am and jumped into bed with us hoping to watch cartoons, completely forgetting that Santa had come last night. So John and I enjoyed our extra few minutes in bed and then mentioned that something happened last night. Jackson immediately grew excited and started running for the living room. 

 We must have had some good boys this year to haul a load of gifts like these!

It's hard to see, but every year we get the 12 days of Christmas, where every night we open up a piece of the nativity, you can barely see the almost complete nativity on the floor, the boys opened up baby Jesus first, hoping that they can remember what the season is actually about!

 Bradley LOVED opening presents, almost to the point where you thought he didn't even want the things inside the wrapping paper. He would go from person to person to help open gifts.

 Jackson on the other hand was unbelievably excited and happy for everything that he opened. What a cute little boy!

John was on battery and building duty after the aftermath. Bradley's favorite Santa find was his remote control "Choo-Choo tracks." He was really quick to pick up on how to operate it and even flew it down the stairs, putting a hole in the wall at the bottom. Jackson's favorite Santa find was his action figures, including his Batmobile!

Ward Christmas Party...

 Jackson is so cute to watch when he "performs," he gets so excited and it doesn't seem to phase him that he is singing in front of a crowd. I love it!

 Bradley was  a little bit jealous that Jackson got to sing with the primary kids and he didn't, so he marched right up there and stood while the other kids sang.

 I was asked to sub for the primary pianist...I was nervous that Bradley would "help me" play the piano. From the picture it looks like he was definitely contemplating it as well.  

Our boys were SO excited to see Santa, Jackson forgot what he wanted and had to ask me. (superman, legos, batmobile)  Bradley decided that sitting on his lap was good enough, because when Santa asked him what he wanted , he jumped off and ran away.

Snow much fun!

 John did it again, he made another awesome snow slide with almost all the snow we got last week.

 I seriously don't know what I would do without John especially while I am pregnant, I'm just not as much fun for the boys anymore.

 Jackson made use of our trusty old sand toy truck.

 Not only was the slide cool, but John built it over the playhouse so the boys could have a cool...and safe...snow fort.

Ta-Da!

It's Tradition...

 It's tradition for our little family to go see the Christmas Lights downtown. This time proved to be very warm, we couldn't have picked a better night. Despite my ever-increasing pregnant belly and the unfortunate contractions that always accompany my pregnancies, we were able to slowly see all the lights. 

 The boys were troopers and for whatever reason agreed to sit in the stroller for much of the time.

 Our littlest man in front of the beautiful Salt Lake Temple.

They were just as excited to ride on the train as they were to see the lights.

It only feels right that our little family should head down to the temple every year to bring in the Christmas season and think about our Savior and the peace and joy the Gospel brings!

Handsome!

 Ready for church in their new snazzy outfits! 

 He even let me do his hair!

So handsome!

SNOW!

First big snow of the year! The boys couldn't wait to get into their snow clothes and into the snow. 

 Brotherly love...or torture.

 John was good enough to regulate the boys as I can't move as good as I used to with this big pregnant belly.

 John is so much fun and created a snowslide for the boys to go down. It was a hit. 

 John made steps so Jackson could climb up the slide by himself and slide down on my cookie sheet...we really need to invest in a sled!

Bradley struggled climbing up the steps on the back of the slide, so John decided to give him a lift.

The smile says it all!

Jackson was pooped after all the times he went down the slide. I laughed so hard when he would slide down and lay there laughing. What a fun day! 

It's a....

GIRL!

We were both quite shocked to learn that we were having a baby girl. We both hoped for one, but thought that we make such cute boys that maybe that's all the Lord had in mind for us. We couldn't be happier to mix up our all boy assemble and add some pink.

Jackson came with John and I to the ultrasound and has always been sure that he was having a sister. He logically told us I already have a brother, so I'm going to have a sister now. He patiently sat through the ultrasound but was nervous that there was a monster baby inside my tummy instead. After explaining that this only looks at the baby's bones and such he felt a little bit more assured that his sister won't come out a monster. Bradley on the other hand will point to my belly and acknowledge that there is a baby in there, but has mentioned be wants a truck instead.

This pregnancy has been night and day different than my other ones. I have been very sick with this pregnancy and have had a hard time wanting to eat. So, I am not as big this time around...at least right now. I also have been able to avoid having major contractions now as well. Although I still have them they are not as frequent as with my other pregnancies. I'll take whatever borrowed time I get in that department as well.

So until March 17th, my life will be consumed with hitting all the baby clothes sales and making bows and headbands.