Sunbeam Spotlight

I am having camera issues and can't upload current pictures, so in mentioning Chloe's first days as a Sunbeam, I went with a picture that's and oldy but goody! Last week Chloe graduated from nursery and now attends Primary as a Sunbeam! She was a little nervous about not playing with toys and going in with all the other kids, but she was beaming when we picked her up after her first day! Her favorite things about being a Sunbeam are singing songs, and coloring pictures. We were asked to fill out a "Spotlight" about her and I thought I would share her answers to their questions:

Name: Chloe Hannah McBride
My Birthday Is: February 10, 2006
My Favorite Primary Song Is: "Do As I'm Doing" & "I Am A Child Of God"
My Favorite Scripture Story Is: Jesus getting Baptised
If I Could Pick Anywhere To Serve A Mission I Would Choose: the forest
My Best Family Memory Is: Reading books together
I Like To Serve Others By: Making them treats
I Would Like 100 lbs of: Toys
I Want To Be: A friend to others... When I Grow Up

I love this little girl! She has been so much fun to watch as she has grown and I look forward to hearing about all her upcoming Sunbeam experiences!

I Have A Boy...

...Enough said

Christmas 2009 Greatest Hits

Here are some of our favorite memories from this past month...

Taking the kids to the Christmas Village and Chloe begging to meet Santa Claus.

Chloe, breaking into tears at the sight of Santa and this being the closest Noah would get to Mr. Claus - here I thought my Santa lap sitting days were over!

Having the kids be really sick for the two weeks leading up to Christmas (Noah had a cold, pink eye, and an ear infection at one point) but them still wanting to "help" decorate anyway.Noah getting bored of decorating and instead deciding to "take pictures" with the camera.Noah once again testing the naughty or nice list idea by sneaking into the pantry to make a little mess and eat some Fruit Loops.Getting to dress these little cuties up and imagining that I could get them to stay serious and pose for a picture long enough for the camera to actually be able to focusContinuing one of my favorite childhood tradions - Joe and the kids opening Christmas pajamas on Christmas EveExperiencing little kid joy in the magic of Christmas as a parent on Christmas Day. Also, laughing at Chloe's hair that morning because she slept under her blankets all night for fear that Santa might see her. Looking at the destruction left behind by excited kids and a wonderful morning Being reminded by my three year old that "Christmas is the day we remember when Jesus was born"We had a wonderful Christmastime this year and hope everyone's holidays have been merry and bright as well.

Christmas Cuties

Here are some pictures of the kiddies in their Christmas outfits. Instead of cooperating and posing, they decided it should be a dance party, with Noah copying Chloe's every move. When you flip through the pictures fast on my camera it looks like a little dance. So here's their crazy moves:

...and here is the best picture that I could get when they weren't dancing. I love my little crazies!

The Christmas Spirit

I LOVE the Christmas season and I love and needed this video reminder of what the Christmas season is really about. Merry CHRISTmas everyone...

The Christmas Spirit

(Now if I could figure out how to play the video directly on my blog, like I have seen in others, then I would really be in business!)

Viva Las Vegas

Last week Joe was sent to Las Vegas for some training. Since neither of us had ever been to Las Vegas and we had yet to go more than one night together withot kids since Chloe's birth, we decided to take the opportunity to go spend some kid free time on this trip. Vegas really is a site behold. Aside from my relaxing days while Joe was in classes, we had some fun filled nights exploring. Please forgive the poor picture taking!

We were amazed at the size and sights of the strip in itself We knew our kids would have loved the Trojan horse in Caesar's Palace's Forum Shops

The Bellagio fountains were as cool as everyone said they are

And the time spent together was priceless!
I worried about and missed the kids a ton - our nightly conversations always pulled at my heartstrings that I wasn't there with him, but I loved getting some time to spend with my Joe without worrying about what my kids wanted or needed every five seconds. When we got home and found our kids safe and happy, we resolved that this is something we need to do more often!

Thanksgiving!

Football madness hit the Hubbard home again this Thanksgiving 2009. Competition runs on high in our family and so we loved the opportunity to get those competitive, calorie burning, pre turkey eating juices flowing and have an annual turkey bowl. We had a great time and ended with a "tie". This picture has everyone in my family except for me - I thought I had set the timer, but thought incorrectly. Oh well - it probably turned out better without me in it! Joe didn't realize this picture was being taken, but as it was the only one of all four us, it gets posted anyway.

All the grandkiddies!

Another Thanksgiving tradition took place as we celebrated the end of fall by tossing the decorative pumpkins that have adorned my Mom and Dad's porch this fall season. My parents backyard has an unfinished area that is perfect for tossing these, sometimes lit on fire, gourds. Last year, we actually found pumpkins growing from previous years. Here are some videos of our fun!

Thanksgiving really is one of my favorite holidays. I love spending time with my family just enjoying the time together without thinking about presents, or chaotic lives. The members of my family are my best friends and favorite people. I have truly been blessed in life and am grateful for all that I have - a loving family, wonderful friends, and the gospel. Life is good. I am blessed. Period.

With the end of the Thanksgiving season, comes the beginning of the season of giving! I LOVE Christmas time and love all of the things that we can do as a family. We had fun attending the Ogden Christmas Parade with my sister, Amy, and her family, DJ, and my parents. What a great time the kids had. What a great time we adults had watching the kids. What a great time of the year that I wish lasted forever. At least until I realize how cold it is and long for summer again!