Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from the Layne family...

 Jakey was a lamb this year for the nativity...

 Bri was an angel...and took the job seriously...

 Jakey was not so eager to meet Santa this year...

 but Bri couldn't wait to get on Santa's lap and get her candy cane...

The kids on Christmas morning and playing together :)

We had such a wonderful Christmas together as a family.  Anthony was even in quite good Christmas spirits throughout December this year :)  We wish we had more time this year to enjoy the season and reflect on family and friends and most importantly the birth of our Savior.  We were blessed to be able to see family and friends from out of town and I have been missing them, but it was so good to see them.  We love all of you and hope that you were able to enjoy your holiday as well!

My Favorite Jakey December Moments

 Okay, well, maybe not my favorite...but Jakey learned to climb up on the dishwasher this month and has been obsessed with it ever since...

 Yes, those are his pants...

 I love randomly finding him standing or taking steps when he's not thinking about it...

 This is the month that little Jakey becomes quite adventuresome and my life with him becomes a little more of a challenge...he is into everything and quite pleasantly ignores the word "no"

 

I think I will forever remember Jakey's obsession with our Christmas tree.  Sabrina would eventually leave things alone...but not this guy...he has a mission.

I love my Jakey Bear...he is my little man and is such a joy in so many ways.  He drives Bri and me crazy sometimes, but he always does it with a smile on his face...well, unless he's whiny :)  It's crazy to think that last Christmas he was not here, he has been such a fun addition to our family.

My Favorite Bri December Moments

 This is usually how Bri is with getting her picture taken lately...

 But we put on her new Christmas jammies from Grandma and look what happened...

 Yeah, I don't know where she learned this pose...but funny

 She traded the dolly for her rubber ducky...but check it out...looking and smiling at the camera without moving...amazing

 Not sure why she chose the trash can as her backdrop for this one...but still cute

 Wrapping up for her grand finish...

 and fini...my cute, funny girl

My favorite memory this Christmas with my Sabrina girl was hearing her sing Christmas songs and decorating trees.  She was so cute and loved to decorate this year...it made it so much fun.  And I love that she is starting to get it.  Her little voice is so fun to listen to when she is singing and she totally gets into it.  Her favorite songs this year were We Need A Little Christmas, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, and Deck the Halls.  Oh, and she loves Mr. Grinch...and so I also love hearing her sing Fa Hoo Forays...so cute!

Our December...Here We Go...

 Bri and Anthony checking out one of the Christmas tree contenders...

 My cute guys...

 We went to ZooLights and Bri got to feed a reindeer...

 and ride the carousel...

Super cold, but it was pretty fun!

We had a crazy busy December, but it was so fun and good to have time with Anthony after he finished his semester.  We were so busy we never even made to Temple Square to see the lights (I am still grieving)...I think this is the first time in my entire life that I have missed the lights there.  We were pretty prepared this year though and it reduced the stress of Christmas tons...we even made Christmas cookies for the neighbors - I would have posted pictures of the process but Bri got her shirt wet and promptly removed it and wouldn't put another on for the pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The kids having fun with Daddy...

Anthony cutting onions for his stuffing...

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am so grateful for my cute and crazy little kids...they mean the world to me and I can't imagine my life without them.  I am so grateful for my hubby who makes me laugh and loves me even when I am tired and not so lovable.  I am grateful for all of my family and so grateful for all of their love and support.  I am grateful for good friends.  I am grateful for our little home and all the conveniences we enjoy and the blessings we receive daily.  I am grateful for so many things...it's nice to have a day to reflect on it all.

Halloween

 Gretel

 Hansel

 My little Hansel and Gretel...

 Pumpkin Carving on Halloween = good times...

Some Catching Up....Our October

 Anthony & Jakey @ Gardener Village

 No pictures with the witches this year...Bri was a little afraid of them this time

 We went to 'This Is The Place' for Trick-or-Treating and had lots of fun

 Lots of fun at Cornbellies

Fun pic with the cousins

We had a very busy October with lots of fun activities...it's funny to me that most of them were spent in shorts and tees.  We about died from the heat at Cornbellies...no yummy fall treats this day, it was snow cones all the way.  Crazy!