Jr. Jazz

 Yesterday was Cole's first Jr. Jazz game.  He lives and breathes basketball these days.  If I don't hear a basketball being dribbled in the kitchen, or shots being taken on the little hoop against the door, then something is wrong.  His team is the "Mini Thunder" (named after Westlake Thunder). He adores his coaches and had a great first game!

Cole's coaches always say he's a mini Michael Jordan because he always has his tongue out when he plays.  So intense!

This is the first shot Cole took in the first game

Baby Time

 Last night was Allison's baby shower.  It was so fun to spend time with great friends, but was so funny to all be pregnant at the same time! Had to get a picture...what a fun memory to have one day!

In order from when we are due (right to left) Allison, Shelley, Michelle, Shelley, Laura

Luckily Colleen came before we were done taking pictures.  How fun to all be having new, sweet, little babies at the same time!

Christmas Morning

The kids had such a hard time sleeping. They couldn't wait to get downstairs and open presents! They came in our room at 12:40, 4:00, 5:00....so at 5:30 a.m. we finally gave in and got out of bed. What an amazing Christmas. Cole's favorite gifts included football pads and a jersey, legos, an indoor basketball hoop (spends ALL of his time on this!), BYU blanket, and movies
Josh's favorite gifts included a huge car track, star wars guys, legos, robot bug, huge nerf gun, and a car game
Alaria's favorite gifts included a pillow pet, dolls, barbies, polly pockets, a cat piano, sing-a-ma-jig, and her letter factory.
They also love their new ZhuZhu pets!

After we opened gifts and had breakfast, Grandma and Grandpa Gillespie and Kelly and Laura came out to visit! Then we packed up and headed to Price. It was like Christmas morning all over again. What spoiled kids! We were so blessed this Christmas!

Josh hanging out with Grandpa Gamber (and Charles)

Only One More Sleep 'til Christmas!

Christmas Eve was the best! We went to the Gillespie extended family party, and then came home, played games and watched The Natvity movie. We had a fancy dinner with candles and yummy mango sticky rice for dessert. Then the kids got to open 2 presnts. Every year they do an exchange with each other, and then they get to open their new pajamas.Alaria gave Josh a huge army guy set, complete with tanks, helicopters, fences, and more. He absolutely loved it and spends hours playing with it.

Cole gave Alaria a Ken doll. She is so happy to have a Ken to go on dates with all of her barbies!
And Josh gave Cole a Prince of Persia guy and some legos. Perfect choice!

Josh even got a huge Cole-hug!

Cole made us a fingerprint calendar at school. He wrapped it and put it under the tree and it said "To Kris and Mom, Love Santa" He was so excited that he let us open it on Christmas Eve night. It was really cute, it talked about how the little fingerprints that are all over the house will disappear soon because he is growing up so fast, and then each month they did finger paints to make things that corespond to the month...hearts, raindrops, trees, etc. It is so cute and even made me cry! (not hard to do when you're this pregnant!)
Cole also made Josh a bookmark at school and wrapped it up for him

New Christmas jammies and slippers

No Parents Party

For Kris's work party this year, we went up to West Valley and ate at the Cracker Barrell and then went to the Hale Centre Theatre to watch 'The Christmas Carol'. We were so lucky that LauraLee could come and watch the kids. While we were gone, they had a little par-tay of their own! They frosted cookies, made gum drop trees, watched lots of Christmas movies, and played games. When we came home, there were "No Parents Allowed" signs all over our doors. Thanks, Laura, the kids had such a fun day!

Cut-Out Cookies

The week of Christmas we made sugar cookies. This is one of my favorite traditions!

Christmas Breakfast

We had a fun ward breakfast this year. The kids loved getting to see Santa again!

The Davis Party

The kids love the Davis party. Between the ball pit full of prizes, Santa, and a pinata...what's not to love?

We didn't get a great picture of Cole hitting the pinata, but he was very proud that he broke it open!
And now the infamous ball pit. I couldn't even get a picture of Alaria in it becuase she was handing out so much stuff. She came home with a whole garbage bag full of stuffed animas and other random things
Alaria was obsessed with this giant Santa. I kept finding her sitting on its lap