Thank you to my Husband for a Lovely Birthday . . .

My dear husband, Steven, took me to the Chef's Table for dinner. He had a steak and I had the nut crusted halibut, delicious. When we came home, there were several cars in the driveway. Steven had organized a party for me with my children, parents, and several family members. It was a really nice surprise.

Steven bought me these beautiful roses for my birthday.

Don't you love the yellow and red roses together, so beautiful?

Steven ordered me this yummy carrot cake. He knows I always love carrot cake. Thank you for making my birthday so special Steven.

Birthday Lunch with Family . . .

My parents and sister, Lynette, took me to Mimi's Cafe for lunch a couple days before my birthday. This is a family tradition and we had a wonderful time together. Thank you Dad, Mom and Lynette for a nice day.

Things to Do During the Christmas Break . . .

Our kids had fun playing different instruments.

We set up Faith's new princess bed that Santa brought her.

No more crib for Faith, she has a big girl bed and fun new room.

Faith is all dressed up to go play in the snow. We sure had a lot of snow over the break.

Taylor and Faith going for a walk. Be safe you two.

Christmas Day . . .

I told Steven that he has to believe in the magic of Christmas.

Santa came and the kids were so excited.

All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

McKay got this cool monster radio controlled truck from Grandpa Butala

Faith loved her new dalmation puppy.

New Christmas Eve Pajamas and Excited for Santa . . .

We always give the kids new pajamas on Christmas Eve. we even got Faith to hold still for a picture. What a fun evening with our family.

Here are the girls together.

McKay was so excited for Christmas.

McKay sure loved wearing the Santa hat.

He always likes to put out cookies and milk for Santa.

Christmas Eve Dinner with Dad and Mom . . .

My parents came over for dinner on Christmas Eve. We had a nice ham dinner and a great evening reading the nativity from the scriptures.

All Dressed up for Church . . .

We had a lovely Christmas program the week before Christmas. The kids were really good in church and excited to get dressed up. Only Faith and Jessika got new clothes for church.

Decorating Gingerbread Houses . . .

Taylor made this gingerbread house.

How cute with Faith looking in.

This is Jessika's gingerbread house.

Winter Wonderland . . .

Every year for Christmas, Steven decorates our living room in a magical winter wonderland. He puts it up the day after Thanksgiving and leaves it up until after New Year. He used the LED icicle lights this year, so gorgeous.

Our new spiral trees.

Everything looks so pretty sweetheart, good job.

Our kids are so excited for Christmas.

Yearly Christmas Party with Friends . . .

Every year Terri, Norma, Alisa and I get together at Christmas time to go out to dinner, exchange gifts and enjoy each others company. This year we went to the Macaroni Grill in the Riverwoods Shopping area and enjoyed the festive Christmas lights. We had a wonderful evening.

We had a fun evening and enjoyed reminiscing about our fond memories together.

Our Ward Christmas Party . . .

We had a wonderful ward Christmas party. Steven and Faith were sick so they both stayed home and I took Taylor, Jessika and McKay with me. We also sat with Mom and Dad and Jeff, Natalie, Brynlie and Hallie.

Jeff, Natalie, Brynlie and Hallie are such a sweet little family.

Sweet little Hallie.

Natalie and Brynlie.

My cute Mom and Hallie.

Hallie and her wonderful great grandparents.

McKay was in a couple of musical numbers.

They had a wonderful slide show with a lot of beautiful music.

Jessika was excited to sit on Santa's lap.

Here is McKay and Jessika on Santa's lap.