Santa

Santa....wasn't a big fan of this big guy this year.  The mall didn't do a lot of research on finding the perfect Santa.  Let's just say I didn't push Myah to hard....I was a little leery myself.  But the boys all seemed to like him and he did a good job relaying the message to the "real" Santa as my kids would put it!

The Polar Express

We decided to drive down to Heber this year and go on the Polar Express ride.  It was a fun night and I think the kiddos had a good time.  The entertainment was a little cheesy, the m.c. a little over the top and the price was a little high, but hopefully it will be a memory the kids will remember for a long time.  Here are the pictures.

Lesli and Brandon came along with their kiddos too!

My parents came too!

Clara and Myah

Grady, Clara and my newest baby nephew Graham!

waiting for Santa!

It was a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit!

basketball

Carter and Camden played basketball again this year.  It was Carter's first year and he was pretty excited!  He did a good job and had a blast doing it.  I didn't get to watch him a lot because almost all of his games were at 8:00...Dawson and Myah are usually still sleeping at that time.  I did manage to get a couple of turns in so here were my pictures of him!

Camden also played and loved it.  His games were mostly at 1:00 or sometime in the time frame of Dawson's afternoon nap so I only made it to a couple of his games as well.  Apparently I never took the camera to his games so I don't have any pictures.  Darin was the coach of his team so he never had the chance to take pictures either.  He did have an end of the season party though and here are all of the boys that Camden was able to play with.  He had a fun year!

The coach handing out awards!  Isn't he a handsome coach!

Top row:  Aaron S., Logan H.

Middle row: Jalen H., Jordan H. Kaden C.

Bottom row: Nick S., Camden and Kaden J.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent with the Chase side this year.  Once again Jeanie rented out the Institute at USU for a day full of fun.  We had blow up toys, a gym full of fun and even our own little movie theatre.  It was perfect and the kiddos had a blast!

Boxing was a big "hit" this year!

Uncle Dan was back from Iraq! Yeah! He always has such a fun time with the kids!

Darin always gets mad when I post pictures of him pulling this face....I'm not sure why he keeps pulling it for me then:)

The traditional Chase family pinata time!

And what better way to end the day then the chance to box with your hubby.  A lot of aggression can get released in this activity:)

dawson

Dawson.  What can I say about monkey #4.  He is the sweetest little guy with a gigantic place in his heart for yours truly.  He can't hardly stand the thought of me leaving his side and his most favorite word and most used would be Mom..mom...mom...mom repeated over and over again until he can spot me in the house.  I love him more than words can describe.  That being said he is soooooo busy!  Possibly my busiest.  And this tired mom of four doesn't have quite as much energy as I did four kids ago.  He can be found doing any of the following.....

1. jumping back in the tub after he is ready for bed.  It doesn't help that the older three think it is just hilarious!

 2. Vacuuming.  He has a major love of it.  When I start to vacuum I have to get this smaller vacuum for him to use so he doesn't cry and whine to have mine.  It really is pretty cute.  He will be a good dad!!

3.  Emptying out any drawer I have.  He loves this.  In fact for Christmas I told Darin I just wanted him to child lock every cupboard and drawer in the house.  I am cleaning up much fewer messes!

4. Dumping.  Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, oatmeal containers, lotion, and today's item of choice....strawberry milk.  If i'm not careful he would dump out everything in my entire pantry.  The toy room these days is a joke.  Every night I clean it up only to find the next morning that he has dumped out every single basket and container full of things.  If I didn't adore him so much I just might have to get rid of him for a while until he passes this dumping stage!!

He also is a climber.  He climbs on beds, tables, chairs, piano and he even managed to jump out of his crib a while back (the crib was lowered to the lowest setting the very next day:).  Santa was smart and brought him an indoor climbing toy for Christmas.  It has helped but I still can manage to find this little guy anywhere at any given moment.  I have to constantly listen for him and pray that any bonks I hear are not followed by screams.  He definitely keeps us on our toes, but I wouldn't change a thing about this adorable little monkey!

Happy 33rd Birthday Joanna!!!

Well, I am typing this this morning as I look over and see Dawson eating dog food.  We are caring for Domino, our neighbors dog for a couple of days, and her food is in the kitchen.  Dawson was over by her bowl with a cheek full of the stuff.  Cute, but really...

Joanna turns the big double 3 today.  She's never been more beautiful!!!  If you're reading this today, make sure to let her know you care about her by wishing her a happy birthday! 

Here's a shout out from me---Happy Birthday Joanna!! I love you, I love you, I love you.  I hope your birthday is the best one ever.  You are so deserving...You have been in my life for nearly 20 years and I could never be more blessed to have such a wonderful, caring, loving wife and mother by my side.  Thank you for you!!    Have a super fantastic birthday!!!  LYAAF-- Darin

halloween

Oct. sure flew by at our house.  We had a fun month.  For family night we decorated haunted houses.  Everyone had a good time, except maybe Dawson.  Every time we tried to let him help it just ended up in his mouth so he was banned from the decoration table.  He wasn't very happy about that!

Darin and I were invited to a couples halloween party...we hadn't done that in years.  We had a fun time and dressing up as Nacho Libre and his favorite nun was pretty fun too! I have to admit he looked pretty darn good!!

Halloween night rolled around and it was the mildest halloween I remember.  I lasted the whole night with the kiddos and even tried to convince them to go longer when they were ready to go home!!  That never happens!  Carter was a storm trooper, Myah a cupcake and Dawson a monster.  Poor Camden had planned on being a mummy but ended up sick in bed with hand foot and mouth disease.  Luckily it just affected his mouth but he ended up at home from school for an entire week.  He had dressed up for the ward Halloween party but I forgot the camera that night so I don't have any pictures of him in his costume!  I might need him to dress up some day just so I can capture a picture...oh well.  Maybe I can convice him to be the same thing next year!!!  We had a fun night!