Christmas Dresses

I love having a family full of girls because I get to play dress up with them. One tradition we have is to get them a new Christmas dress. Yes I know they aren't twins and they don't always have to match, but I couldn't resist one more time. I am sure Samantha will start to protest matching. I snapped a couple cute pictures of them before we headed to church. I love this time of year!!!

The Love of a Big Sister

The other night Samantha had a few friends over to watch a Christmas movie and as they arrived I thought is was so cute how Saige would run to the door and greet them as if she was one of the group. I thought to myself Saige probably thinks this is so big time hanging with her big sister and all her friends. Samantha never thought twice about it she included Saige in everything she did in fact during the movie she even let Saige sit in the middle of all the friends. With this group of friends being in the middle is a huge deal!! I must have been having an emotional night because I got teary thinking about the love Samantha showed for her little sister and how much Saige looks up to her and wants to be just like her. Don't get me wrong they have there little cat fights but right after they are best friends. I hope as they get older and more involved in things they continue to be so close.

Chicago Bear Country

Clark leaving our mark and Gino's

one can dream




Clark decided to pull a Ferris Bueler and climb up and look down as he said," I think I see my dad down there"

Pictures of our view at the Sears building

Waiting for the Subway

The boys at the game

It took awhile to wipe the grin off clarks face

the girls outside of the theatre, Wicked was so gooooood

us girls had so much fun looking at the dolls at the American doll store

the boys patiently waiting for us to get done they were good sports

Me and Clark all bundled up infront of our hotel the Allerton

We just go back from the windy city of Chicago we had so much fun. We went with our friends from high school. There was a group of us that hung out together about five of us married who we dated in high school (crazy I know) and it is so fun to get together. so we have known some of these guys since elementary and middle school. We loved our hotel the Allerton it was right on the Magnificent mile. (Perfect for shopping) the first night when we got there we went to dinner at a little Italian restaurant and then we hit up a movie. When we got to the theatre there were some ladies waiting at the entrance to offer us a fee movie with free popcorn and a drink to to try out the the Premier of the movie "Not easily broken" it was a movie about a struggle in an African American marriage. We were the only white people in the theatre which was eye opening. The movie was excellent and what made it even better is it was free!!! We went back and got hot chocolate and sat in the lobby and chatted. On the second day we met up for breakfast at a little cafe. The next stop was one of my favorite but it made me miss my girls !! We went to the American doll store which was amazing a little girls paradise. They had a salon,portrait studio ,a restaurant etc. that the girls can take their dolls to we spent so much time there and I feel like I could have stayed a lot longer. They were smart they gave the boys little Nintendo games to play while we shopped. I defiantly want to take my girls there. This day was game day so Clark was like a little boy and couldn't get to soldier stadium fast enough. the guys were ready to ditch us by 3pm so they could get on with their guys night out. They guys went to some sports bar were they all got a big juicy hamburgers. They were at soldier field right when it opened. They couldn't have asked for a better game it went into overtime and the Bears won 27 to 24. they yelled so much that Clark was hoarse for several days after. While the guys were at the game the girls went to dinner at the Cheesecake factory and then shopped til we went to the Broadway show Wicked. The store we spent the most time was H&M which had lots of fun stuff for the girls we realized that it was almost time for the show so we had to put everything on hold and run to the subway to get to the show. Wicked was so good I recommend it to all. The music in it was amazing. I now have a different opinion of the Wicked Witch and Dorthy on the Wizard of OZ. On Friday we all went to breakfast at another cafe and then headed to see the Sears building. It was fun to see the whole city from up there. We stopped at H&M to finish up some unfinished shopping. We all went to Geno's East a famous deep dish pizza place it was fun . They let you leave your mark on the wall. We decided to catch a another movie after we sat in the lobby and chatted again and we decided that this need to be and annual event or at least every other year. Saturday was a travel day which started early. We got taken off the first plane due to weight issues because of weather. They really know how to make a girl feel fat. We finally got home really late on Saturday night. I was bummed the girls were already asleep. They had so much fun with grandma and grandpa Nyman. Thanks mom and dad for watching the girls. They even took Saige to her Christmas dance recital I had a really hard time missing they got lots of cute pictures and I got to watch it on video when I got home. Thanks Budges and Hess' for such a great time in the windy (cold) city you guys are a blast!!!

Going to see Santa

Before we headed to the mall to see Santa Sammie got him a letter ready so he could remember everything she wanted.(She figured if she had it on paper she might not even have to talk to him). Saige's Favorite treat right now is candy canes which I hate because they are so sticky and they make their mouths,face , and everything else they touch the color of the candy cane, which is usually blue. When we first got there Saige announced, "theirs the fake Santa helper" as she gets in line. In her defense this was a very young skinny Santa I think the mall could have done better than that! Samantha gave Santa her note and figured that was good enough but Santa got her to talk and she asked him for a Webkin for Christmas. Saige asked Santa for a horn for Christmas. Santa gave them both a coloring book. Saige said to Santa, "hey I thought I was going to get a candy cane". I was so embarrassed. We wished Santa a Merry Christmas and then we were on our way. As we were walking through the mall Samantha realized she forgot to tell him what kind of Webkin she wanted so we had to go back and clarify!!

Topping the Christmas Tree

I just wanted to share a picture of the girls topping the Christmas tree. for family night we decided to string popcorn for our Christmas tree. The girls lost interest pretty quick so we just have one popcorn string for the tree I have a feeling that is all we will get done this year!!!

The Nutcracker

At the first of December I took Samantha to the Nutcracker with her friends. The girls looked so cute all duded up for their night out. Before we took them to the bluebird for ice cream. This is a fun tradition I can't wait until Saige is old enough to come with us.

Samantha and the Singing Stars

Samantha with her friend from carpool Sophia

Sammie with her teacher Shelley Hamilton

Sammie's friend Morgan came to watch and support her

Sammie and her duet partner Annie

Girls from the carpool: Kali, Mia, and Sammie

This year Samantha started singing in little singing group here in Cache Valley called the singing Stars. The younger group that she is in is referred to as half notes . Samantha loves to sing (at home of course) She was very shy and got a little stage fright. I was so proud of her at her Christmas performance I could actually see her lips moving and she would do some of the actions. I was so nervous for her. She had a duet part that she did with another girl named Annie and when she got up to the mike she sang her part I was so excited for her. This group has really help her with her confidence and prepares her for being in front of others. I asked if she wanted to do it again and she said yes so she must have had fun up there. Great Job Sam we are so proud of you.

My three year old had a sleepover

Samantha and Olivia

Now there is trouble waiting to happen

Saige and Kaylex

On the Tuesday before thanksgiving I was gone shopping and left dad home in charge of the girls when I called home to tell them that I was just going to stop and grab something for dinner Samantha answered the phone and said dad said we could have a sleepover tonight. I thought that would be fine Samantha's old enough and we had all of Thanksgiving weekend to get caught up on sleep. Well I found the "we "part meant Saige was having here little friend Kaylex sleepover who was three as well. Call me crazy but I don't remember having sleepovers at the age of 3 I think that was way to young. Clark said he just told the little girls that because they had heard the older girls planning the sleepover and he thought that there is no way they would really want to sleep without their parents well without saying much more Saige had here first sleepover at the age of 3. Saige fell asleep way before her friend who was a night owl. The girls did great. They all had a blast sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag. and dressing up as princesses. As a kid I loved having sleepovers now I wish I would have started asking my mom and dad when I was three so I could have fit more in.The girls are lucky they have such a cool dad!!!

Thanksgiving

Grams and Gramps got the kids a Christmas picture to color

We were really lucky this year my in laws were going to be out of town for Thanksgiving so they had their Thanksgiving dinner on the Sunday before . This way we were able to have dinner with both sides of the family which was perfect!!! Thanksgiving day is one of Clark's favorite holidays because he gets yummy food and watches football all day with out his wife nagging him, I am busy looking at the ads for the sales the next day. Sammie and Saige were excited they had went and helped grandma Carol decorate nut cups with Turkeys to set by every ones place (They stole most of the candy corns out of the mix). It was so fun to have everyone together. During dinner Samantha read all the things she was thankful for from a book she had make in school it was really cute.After dinner we decided to go see the movie Twilight while the kids went to Spot that wonder dog movie. I liked the movie but I am probably the only girl that has not yet started reading this series. After the movie it was back to grandma's for leftovers and pie. It was a great day. I am so blessed to have both families so close and I am so thankful for them and the time we get to spend together!!!