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!

The Paper Plate Trap

Grace was carrying around these paper plates.  She stuck one in between the bars of the baby gate and could not get the plate through.  Instead of releasing the plate or backing up to free herself, she hangs onto it, making her "trapped".  She started crying when she was unable to free herself!

Grace and her hats

Grace loves getting out hats (which, in turn, can mean a large mess of things EVERYWHERE!)  She had me put this so she could run around the house with it!!

Play Time

It's so fun to catch Grace quietly playing in a world of her own!

Miss Grace

Little Miss Grace is so adorable!! Love her so much!!!

Kevin

Kevin being productive on the couch!

Church benches

It seems as of lately, the row in the back of the chapel at church turns into a nursery during Sacrament meeting.  We had Elsie Star & Grayson King crawling underneath our bench, eating snacks, & playing with toys.  We also get Lydia Star, Avery & Page Bills coming to visit as well.  It's so entertaining!!

Marley the red-nosed preschooler

Marley's Grandpa (Papa Jerry) got all these reindeer noses from somewhere...when Marley got hers, of course she had to wear hers around everywhere!

Sitting (& crying) with Santa!

This year was Grace's first time sitting on Santa's lap, & it went over as well as I thought it would...with tears & crying!  I tried to sneakily put her on Santa's lap, but Grace wasn't falling for that trick!!!

Our Family Christmas Card 2011