Crew is 1...how did that happen?

 I made him a Birthday hat - he hated it!

 His present...a ride on truck!

 I made him a cake...he hated it even more than the hat!

Birthday Cake - so cute but Crew was scared of him

Crew Crew Crew....I LOVE you!  You are the sweetest, most lovable cuddle bug.  I could hold you all day long.  You will lay your head on my shoulder and just stay that way for long periods of time.  You give sloppy kisses.  You LOVE your brothers.  You are SWEET.  You are KIND.  You are getting just a little bit spoiled...and I love it!  You are ALMOST ready to walk.  You have taken a few steps.  You make me want more babies but you will always be my baby.  You are smart.  You are just a little bit devious and a lot CUTE.  If daddy would let me - you would sleep right next to me ALL night long.  You make me stay in bed just a little longer than I should because you will cuddle right up to me when daddy brings you in.  You have a little piece of my heart twisted around your pinky finger and I am afraid it will ALWAYS be that way.  I Love You Chicken Butt!

Grandma & Grandpa Hansen

 We went and said Hi for Thanksgiving Day and those two were in full force...they are in their 80's still making turkeys and putting on a family feast - they are CRAZY!

 We got Brogan this year for Thanksgiving and he is hoping Grandpa flings a chicken bone his way

 Cheer made these darling favors for everyone

John's Parents Visit

Christmas Decorations...

 THE tree - there is an elf in there

 Garland (thanks Costco)

 I love these big ornaments

 So this is my wishing tree - the photo doesn't do it justice...it turned out great!  I tried to buy branches and couldn't find them and then when we cut our tree I actually just cut a few white birch branches and hung tiny ornaments on them.  Camden said, 'oh pretteeeeee!'

 wreath - needs something...I still have to figure out the front walkway

Our stockings - the last one (all red) is Molson's (our dog) that is why it is ALL red.  I actually have the pottery barn kids stocking holders (which weigh about 5 lbs each) but Camden pulled on it and it landed on his head!  Concussion (I'm not kidding - it was awful).  So I went out and bought these at Bed, Bath and Beyond - they are so so cute - SOFT and little snowmen and about 1/3 of the cost!

THE CARSON FAMILY TRADITION...

So, growing up we NEVER had a fake tree - ALWAYS real and at least one.  My mom would even 'spray paint' the needles different colors according to the theme that year.  One year (ask my Aunt Cheer) she did a Pink and Black tree (they thought she had lost her mind) but it actually caught on and people would ask where she got her trees.  My dad would have to run all over Jackson looking and buying every strand of lights in that years color.  (believe me...it is hard to find pink christmas lights - or it was back then).  Sometimes he would even buy the all colored lights and and then go through and replace the bulbs to have an entire strand of one color.  They were a good team once...Thanks for that memory...it is a good one. 

So...anyway, when I met my Boston Boy (who had only bought or used a fake tree) we started 6 years ago going out and getting our own.  In Jackson it is easy!  In Utah it is tough.  Seriously, who knew?  Last year I was having a baby and so I had to break down and I had one delivered (fresh cut from Oregon - it was dead upon arrival).  I had researched it and found that you have to go up to Heber as they only give out 2000 permits.  1000 on Friday and 1000 on Saturday.  PEOPLE SPEND THE NIGHT!  I'm not kidding!  So, I asked Shannon if she would do it with me and she said sure and since her friend Dafnie had done it in the past we all met Friday morning at 5am and then waited in a line until they opened at 8am.  UGH!  (haven't they heard of the internet???)

 Going on a Tree Hunt...I'm not scared (I should have been, however)

 AHHHHHH - there she is in all her Glory.  Taylor's came with us and it was so funny, Shannon found THE tree and she was running for it yelling 'Come to MaMa.'  Cory didn't like it so the search went on and on and on.  Shannon and I could have found a cut a tree in minutes.  What is it with these guys (grass is always greener syndrome).

 Watch out - I have a Saw

Go John Go - TIMBER!

I forgot to post a few pictures...

 Those are milk chocolate skeletons and in chocolate GRAVES

 'tubby time' at our house

 Crew laughing and Carson giving him loves...so so cute!

just blogging...

Carson has been saying the funniest things lately...

The GIRLS from our old neighborhood came to play and as we were driving them home I asked what was wrong with him and he said 'well, I am just feeling lonely inside!'

I was explaining the voting and campaign signs and I asked him if he knew who the President of The United States is?

Carson said, 'hmmm....Jesus?'

Today he was trying to talk me into letting him sleep in my bed and I said probably not.  He said, 'why?  If I sleep in your bed I am sure I will sleep longer than a BEAST!'

He makes me LAUGH out LOUD.  Which reminds me of one of my most favorite words...'giggle'!

And one of my VERY most favorite sounds...is when the heater turns on and you can hear the sound of air coming through the vents.  We could be in the middle of meltdowns and candy negotiations but when I hear that sound everything seems to be blissful!  Which is ONE reason I LOVE winter! 

Carson just came in and asked for icecream with sprinkles - how much fun is it to be a child in a home with heaters and icecream with sprinkles:)

Some days being a MOM is seriously hard (the small font makes me feel better saying it out loud and TYPING it) and then there is a MOMENT...one single moment can change our lives, our perspective, our future...

Sometimes I wish I was just more thankful that it was just who I was! Some inherent gene of thankfulness...and then I have one of these 'MOMENTS' and I am overwhelmed with GRATITUDE.