Happy New Year! (chinese that is)

Since Chinese New Year was on Monday I made Ham Fried Rice & Orange Chicken for dinner. Jeff pulled out all his China stuff and we ate dinner with several dragons and budah's. We also decorated the house with his other pictures and stuff.

I attempted using chopsticks again and tried to get a few tips from the pro - but even with Jeff's help I ended up swapping them for a fork. Emily of course tried to stab all her food with her chopsticks and wouldn't give up like me and use a fork. The only way we could get her to finish eating was for Jeff to help her.

Then for FHE we talked about China and the people there and how the little kids go to nursery and primary just like Emily. (And she got to dress up in some of the stuff Jeff brought back with him)

We wrapped the night up with popcorn and a movie. Emily enjoys seeing movies - especially when she gets to watch them with mom and dad. And she absolutely LOVES popcorn. Sticking with the theme of course, we put in Mulan. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite Disney shows - I especially like the music. I just wish they showed more of Mulan & Shang in the end.

A Playdate Fit For A King

On MLK Day my sister, sister-in-law, mom and I took the kids over to my church to run around. The kids rode bikes, played hide-and-seek, and threw balls around. Everyone seemed to have a fun time. We did have a few fighting episodes when someone didn't want to share - but Emily quickly found a solution to not getting a bike...
And Jackson, fortunately, didn't seem to mind. (Maybe because this isn't the first time she's done this?)

Grace

Lucy

Chasing each other around the gym

(and wearing themselves out for a good long nap!)

Happy Birthday Papa!

Yesterday was Papa Holbrook's birthday so we had dinner with Jeff's family. After dinner Emily started dressing up (the lei's) and the next thing I know she's leading Jeff around like a dog. He's such a good dad to play with her.
Emily also got to try her luck with her first wishbone. Here she is with Aunt Niki and daddy - although I have no idea what dad's doing. Maybe he's showing Emily how to wish really hard? Maybe Emily just tooted?

Emily won!

We opened presents with papa and then we sang happy birthday and had dessert.

Papa's new biking gloves

Carmel Pecan Cheesecake

Then we of course all joined in for Emily's favorite past time - Hide and Seek. For a good hour Emily and the five of us adults ran around the house cramming into closets, squeezing behind couches, shimmying under beds and covering ourselves with blankets. It's amazing what little kids can get adults to do.

Emily hiding in mama's broom cupboard

Happy Birthday Dave! We hope it was a good one - thanks for celebrating with us. Here's to many more!

And We're Still Celebrating

Friday morning we got together with Stacy & her kids for an impromptu playdate. We met over at my ward's nursery and let the kids run. The plan was to wear Emily out so she would take an early nap. I guess she didn't run enough though because we ended up going without a nap that day.

Lucy crawling after the kids
Emily & Jackson crashing into each other

Emily LOVED Jackson's bike

The reason for the attempt at an early nap was because we went downtown to see the U parade. Unfortunately we were late and missed Swoop and the marching band being led by police cars - which would have been Emily's favorite part. But we did get to see coach and high five a lot of the players. After the parade Gma & Gpa Holbrook took Emily home and Jeff and I were able to attend the temple.I know, quite the extreme to go from cheering at a parade to being quiet & reverent at the temple, but we weren't the only ones who had the idea. It was a rather large session. But it was still enjoyable and we were happy to have a night out.

Whittingham, Johnson & Sylvester

The MUSS

GO UTES!!!!

Emily's Restaurant

Emily has loved playing with her new kitchen and food. Last week after her nap she spent 30 min cooking and setting her food out. When I asked her what she was doing she informed me that the food was for Lisa and Spencer (my sister and her husband). When it came time to clean up she freaked out about cleaning up the table because Lisa and Spence hadn't eaten it yet. A week later the food was still there.

So Lisa & Spence were nice enough to come by on Sunday and partake of the feast Emily prepared for them. She made sure they ate plenty of vegetables, that Spencer enjoyed his doughnuts and that Lisa had her fill of french fries.

Thanks for entertaining our hilarious daughter guys! Unfortunately I think she's preparing for the next course.

Super Reader Party!

SL County Library (along with numerous other sponsors) put on a read-a-thon the month of December. If you read so many hours than you could attend a party. Last Saturday they held the party at the Fair Grounds. They had several different booths with different things to learn about - light, emotions, bugs, animals, etc. I think the highlight of the afternoon was definitely getting to meet Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat. We had a lot of fun and in the end Emily got to pick out a book to take home.

Her favorite part - meeting George & The Man in the Yellow Hat

Hugging Monkey George

Digging for dinosaur bones

Making the green water raise to the top of the bottle & boil

Showing off her butterfly that she colored in the "Rain Forest"

Getting ready for a science experiment

Making Slime

Petting one of the Therapy Animals

They gave all the kids a snack

The magic show we watched while eating

The book Emily chose at the end of the party

Another Win

Jeff's parents took us to the U Basketball game last week. It was a very fun and entertaining game - they beat LSU by 30. Emily cheered when we cheered and grinned everytime they played the "Go Utes" Song. Which they played so often that the three of us have been singing it for a week now and Emily has started requesting it at bedtime.

Clapping & Cheering during "Utah Man" Song

How Sweet It Is!!!

Sugar Bowlin'

Nothing's better than watching a football game with family. My parents and brothers came down for dinner and a little "Go Utes" action. This picture doesn't nearly show how it was in the first quarter - you'd think we got a touchdown each play with how loud we were cheering.

We couldn't be happier with the outcome of the game. GO UTES!!!!

Happy New Year!

We were pretty partied out by the time New Year's Eve rolled around. We had a very laid back night of pizza and games at Jeff's parent's house. Emily & Ella ran around for a bit while we hung out.
Emily was lucky enough to play Candyland with Papa Holbrook and Twister with Heather & Em.

Being that we're not big partiers to begin with, we headed home early and crashed. I'm glad Emily doesn't understand New Year's yet and we didn't have to stay up late.