It's Almost Christmas!

Yesterday we went to the Nutcracker at the Mesa Art Center.  The boys loved it.  Matthew's favorite part was when the rats fought the toy soldiers.  Cute little Ruby Hughes was a sassy little mouse in the ballet and did a great job.  That's her just behind Cannon.  Afterwards, we had the Hughes, Wrights and Ted and Martha over for an almost Christmas dinner.  The biggest hit?  The chocolate fountain.  By the end of the night, the kids were covered in chocolate.

James actually preferred whole strawberries, but took his chocolate on the side.

This was our kitchen afterwards.  The picture does not do it justice.  There was chocolate on every surface, including the floor (which was a bummer because my mop literally broke just as we were about to mop, so we were on our hands and knees scrubbing).  It took us 2 hours to clean up.  Of course, the mess was worth having family visit.  And we're just glad we have a big enough house to have everyone over.

When Matthew was supposed to be in bed, he was helping us "clean up" the chocolate.  He was in heaven.  

Car Crashes and Knee Pads

Today Matthew had a Christmas party at school and got to wear his pajamas to class.  He got a big kick out of that.  This morning on the way to school we were listening to Christmas music and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" was playing (probably my least favorite holiday song)  and when the song was over Matthew said, "I wish something was wrong with our car and we would crash into other cars."  Perplexed and a little disturbed, I asked, "Why would you want something like that to happen?"  "Because then somebody would write a song about it," he so matter-of-factly replied.  "Oh, like the song about the grandma being run over?"  I asked, a little relieved.  "Yeah, like that."

James will NOT stay in his blankets at night, and although we live in Arizona, it does get cold at night.  So I bought him some pajamas with the feet on them.  He absolutely loves them.  Like my mom put it, they have built in shoes.  What's not to love?  

He has also developed another fashion trend, knee pads on his arms.  He wears them around all day and I seriously think he believes they make him tougher.  

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas

Lindsey and Adam have named their new little girl Holly Francis Mallory.  She was 7 lbs 5 oz. and 20 inches long.  Holly is peerfect for a December baby's name and Francis is my Grandma Huff's maiden name.  I hear she is very tiny and has a very cute nose.  My mom also says she is very aware of her surroundings and takes everything in. 

GO HERE TO SEE A CUTE BABY!

She's almost here...

I have some SUPER exciting news, Lindsey's baby is joining the cute, little Mallory clan today!  I can barely wait to catch a glimpse of her.  I hate being so far away, it's times like these that make it the hardest to live away from family.  I'll keep you updated and put pictures up as soon I receive some.  

*Update*  She is here!  She was born around 10:08 pm and is a beautiful little girl!  I can't wait to meet her.

One year wiser and older too...

I haven't really had much to blog about, let alone anything to take pictures of, so I've been a little MIA lately.  Last night I went out to dinner with the boys to celebrate my birthday.  My birthday was actually Monday, but both boys had pink eye and Matthew had a double ear infection, and I had a pretty bad cold.  Needless to say, going out was not a great idea.  After dinner we drove around looking at Christmas lights.  This is one of my favorite December activities.  Although a few days late, I had a great birthday.  Yeah, Happy Birthday to me.  

Like my "B" wreath?  Why thank you, I made it.  Yes, yes, I am super talented.