Chocolate chip pancakes

We have started a new tradition since we moved to Spanish Fork. Joshua makes chocolate chip pancakes every Sunday morning. At first I wanted to pass on the stomach ache producing combo, but then soon discovered that they were so good, you don't even need syrup! After breakfast, he cleans up everything (including dishes that I have saved from Saturday for him). He even sweeps the floor. This is such a big deal at our house, because he has only cooked about 3 times since we were married. He also made brownies last Sunday and learned quickly what happens when you drop an egg, shell and all into a kitchenaid full of batter. After several minutes of picking tiny shell fragments from gooey chocolate, and thirty minutes in the oven, the entire family was impressed with his blooming culinary skills!

Our new house

okay, this picture is for those of you who continue to ask for pictures of our house...sorry it is only the outside. I have been waiting to get the Christmas decorations down first. Now that is done, so maybe this week I will hang some pictures and try to make it look homey!

Our little Dancer!

This is her first little dance performance. Her class performed in the studio, for the parents to see what they have been working on. This has been Adalyn's first time to take dance. She has only been to eight classes, but I think she did so great! The following are short video clips of a few of the dances that they did. She will have a big dance recital in the spring on a big stage. Can't wait for that!
Her dance class is actually on our street. Our neighbor finished her basement into a dance studio. Each week Adalyn and the neighbor girl walk down the street together in their snow boots with tights, and their little dance skirts barely showing under their big winter coats. It is the cutest thing ever! I will try to take a picture and post it next week.
The last video is of Adalyn's first solo. After her dance, some of the other moms asked me, "so Addy has had dance before?" I told them "Oh no! She just is imitating the movie- Barbie and the Nutcracker!" They loved her facial expressions-very dramatic! Next stop- acting class!

Wildlife Museum

We were able to go the the Wildlife Adventure museum while on vacation. The kids had a blast! They always love dressing up. Their favorite thing was the African lion display.

Our new nephew!

While we were in Denver, we were so lucky to get to see our new baby nephew, William Stuart Norris.
Ryan and Katie had number four on Dec. 29th! He is so cute! And we all couldn't believe how good Katie looked. You could hardly tell she had a baby! I now get weekly updates from my Mom. She says is just gets cuter and cuter.

Five year flashback!!

Okay, I was browsing pictures on my computer and came across this great picture! This was taken over five years ago. It is hard to believe! (For those of you who don't know, this is Joshua's fam- left to right: back row,Tara, Joshua, Adalyn,Gary (father), John, Shae(sister), Kyle(brother), Paige. Front Row, Garrett(brother), Lorelei(mother) Jason(brother)). We have now added five more people to the family. It is exciting to think what the new year will bring...maybe three new people, maybe four???

Sledding

My Dad and I took the kids sledding. They loved it! This pic is my Dad pulling them up the hill.

On our way to Grandma and Grandpa's

We were all so excited to go to my parent's house for Christmas (Santa came early to our house). The kids were excited for the plane ride, the bunkbeds, sledding, 80 candy canes (all natural with no artificial colors!) and more presents!

Christmas morning!

You don't need to say much about it! It was huge fun and a huge mess. It doesn't get any better than that!