Mascara

Marley came in wearing her version of "mascara". It never fail to make me smile when Marley attempts to put on her own make-up!

Benihana & The Nutty Nutcracker

After Benihana's we went to the Capitol Theater to was The Nutty Nutcracker.

Benihana & the Nutty Nutcracker

Grandma Ruth & Papa Jerry invited us for dinner & the Nutty Nutcracker. We had taken Marley to a tepanyaki grill before, but she was only 1 1/2 to 2 years old. She cried when we went last time & they started the fire on the grill. This time, fortunately, was different...she loved it!! She got to use the chopsticks they made her & she was pretty good at using them!

Laundry Hamper

Marley often likes to play hide-and-go-seek before bedtime...she continues to try to find unique places to hide. Tonight it happened to be our empty laundry hamper. When Grace realized that you could actually get inside the hamper, she was begging to get in as well. She didn't want get out of it!!
As a side note: Marley makes me laugh because as she's finished counting she says "ready or not you shall be caught!"

Kylie & Marley

We went to visit Kylie (whom Marley adores) & they both got dressed up...so cute!








HOMEMADE CUPCAKES

Marley often makes treats when she is visiting her Grandma Ruth.  They made cupcakes & Marley really enjoyed the end product!!!








PLANKING

So "planking" is the new thing to do.  People find odd places to lay face down, stiff like a board & snap a picture.  Of course we all had to try it!  Even though I don't have the picture to post, we got Miranda's daughter Sadie to get into it! She's so funny!

Marley's plank is so hilarious!

Laid-back

I thought it was so adorable when I got Grace on the couch, just laid-back & lounging, casually shaking this rattle toy! So cute!!

Sheep headdress

Marley put this sheep blanket/pillow on her head & wore it around like a hat. She's so goofy!!

Gotta have the hood!

We left Marley's regular coat at church so she has had to use her snow suit coat that has a hood. For whatever reason, Marley decides that when she's in her car seat with that coat on, the hood needs to be on! She was freaking out at me when it was stuck behind her back & she need help getting it on.

Toddler with a Tiara

I love that Grace let me put this tiara on her and that she actually wore it around without trying to take it off!

Master bedroom

A few years back we went to a parade
of homes in St. George, Ut, & one of the rooms in the houses was completely silver...& I LOVED it. So now, finally, we're almost finished making our master bedroom "silver". We just need to paint!

Midway Ut

During the first weekend in December, we spent the weekend at the Zermatt because I was at the crater to certify for scuba diving. Kevin's brother, Ryan, & his family are going to Cancun for Christmas. Since Ryan is certified, he wanted his family to be as well so they could all go diving. His wife, Trina, convinced me to go with her daughters, Emorie & Isabelle, because then they could pick their own day/time for the classes. Diving at the crater would be considered our first open water dive. The diving was ok, I didn't like some of the exercises we had to do (like emergency accent--ugh!), it was FREEZING, & much to crowded for such a small space (Emorie & Isabelle weren't feeling it either). But I ended up getting certified anyway. I'm sure the ocean is much more fun!

While we were up there, the Homestead was having displays from mangers around the world (a crèche, I think). After looking at those, we went upstairs for some craft time!

Midway Ut

Midway has fun little Christmas activities & since we were up there for my scuba diving certification, we decided to check out the festivities!

Midway Ut

We also got to dress up as angels for a picture in a manger scene.  I had to dress up as well because there is no way that Grace would have sat in that picture without me holding her!!! But Marley & Grace look so cute!

Along with making ginger bread houses, we also got to make a Christmas tree ornament (a candy cane) & she was so excited that Kevin helped her out!

Christmas Eve with the Cooke Family

For Christmas Eve this year, we went to Jerry & Ruth's house.  Kevin's sisters Noelle & Kristen were there with their families (Kevin's brother, Ryan, & his family are in Mexico!)  We had a wonderful dinner (as always, Ruth does a fabulous job), played Left Right Center (even though it's like "gambling" on Christmas, no one seemed to complain when Ruth was handing out dollar bills to everyone & guess who won all the money in the middle? Ruth! So classic!), and opened gifts that we had given each other.  Marley had such a good time.  Even though Seth & Luke Bennett are a few years old than her, they love to hang out with her & she thinks it's a great time. 

Grace got PJ's, I got a bracelet, Kevin got a snow ball shooter, & Marley got just what she loves: crayons, scissors, markers, & paper!

Grace opening her present.

 Back row, Left to Right: Papa Jerry Cooke, Aric Bennett, Aaron Fowlks, Alyssa Fowlks, Grandma Ruth Cooke, Grace Cooke

Front row, Left to Right: Ethan Fowlks, Luke Bennett, Marley Cooke, Ryan Bennett, Seth Bennett, & Dickens

Christmas with the Cooke Family

We spent Christmas Eve at Kevin's parent's home.  I love this dress on Grace and her adorable little face!

Back Row, L to R: Papa Jerry, Aric Bennett, Aaron Fowlks, Alyssa Fowlks, Grandma Ruth (holding Grace). Front Row, L to R: Ethan Fowlks, Luke Bennett, Marley Cooke, Ryan Bennett, Seth Bennett, and little doggie Dickens.

Grace's bracelet

Grace put on a bracelet and was so happy she had it on she had to show us!

Talking Grace for a Walk

Marley is often messing around with Oscar's leash.  This time she decided to hook it to the neck of Grace's PJs so Marley would "walk" Grace around!