Christmas

As always we had a great Christmas this year. Being in a new ward we were able to do some new things this year.

The Martinez family in our ward is lucky to have Santa visit their home and we were able to see him and take some pictures.

Christmas Eve we went to the Dockstader family party which was held in the Sanger Ward building this year. We had a great time and it was nice to see all of Dean's family. (One year I will remember to take the camera.)

Christmas day the kids were in heaven.
Carter was really excited to see that Santa visited and brought presents.
Abby really liked her new barbies.
Grant was happy eating wrapping paper. He received other gifts but the wrapping paper was the most fun.

After opening presents at home we went out to Grandma Wendy's house.
Grant enjoying some more wrapping paper.
Abby and Carter fighting over a toy.
Carter won.
Dockstaders talking on the phone with Jeffrey (on his mission in Switzerland). At the same time,talking with Sarah, Jared and Kelena on Skype in Hawaii.
All of the Dockstader grandkids (minus Kelena)
Savino helping Carter set up his favorite Christmas present.
Dean along with Jared and Chris playing with his favorite Christmas present. (Rock Band 2)
Carter and Jacob taking their turn on the drums.

Update on the kidlets

Grant is now six months and doing well. He is not packing on the pounds as fast as before but he is still a good sized boy.

Grant is 21 pounds 9 ounces (95%) 29 inches long(above the 95%).

Grant is doing well eating solids, his favorite is bananas. He is sitting for a short periods of time. And, when on his tummy he turns around in circles and scoots backward.
Carter's speech is doing much better these days. I understand most of what he says.

Carter loves spending time with his cousin Jacob.

Carter is also a good helper. Since Carter is not yet potty trained we do a lot of diaper changes and Carter is always willing to run diapers to the trash.

Carter is also very much living up to the title of "terrible twos." The days when we go out and do something Carter is a happy boy. Two weeks ago the kids and I were sick and we stayed home for a week and Carter was so cranky. Sometimes Carter is very difficult to live with. I am not saying this to complain. I want to document Carter's nature so that one day when he has kids and one of them is a pill he will know where it came from. I tell Dean regularly that Heavenly Father sent me Carter to teach me patience.
Abby is growing like a weed, physically and mentally. She is getting so tall that some of her size six pants are getting a little short. Abby is doing well in school. She recently had her Christmas program. She said that she liked being on stage.

Abby is a good helper around the house. We recently gave her a chore. Abby is in charge of emptying the bathroom trash bins every day. She does great with it and never complains. She is a great example to Carter.

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving with my family was at our house. It is pretty much the same every year. (minus Preston and Savino) Rachel, Preston and the boys were supposed to be out of town this year but due to some car troubles Rachel and the boys were with us. Savino was out of town with his girlfriend.
We started off the day with a good ol' kid toss.
Dean attacking, I mean carving the turkey.
More prep for the feast. And, Sam being silly.
The family enjoying my mom's fabulous turkey dinner
Abby looking beautiful like always.