Christmas Morning

Santa came! I almost wonder if he wasn't really paying attention to how "naughty or nice" the kids had been this year... especially the naughty parts! All three kiddos got exactly what they asked Santa for. Chloe got a scooter, Cooper got a ladybug Pillow Pet, and Piper, well, she got a ride on giraffe that she didn't even know she wanted!

The adorable Baron kids!

Christmas Eve

We invited my parents to join us for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Swedish meatballs. It was delicious and the company was wonderful!

Fun Swedish holiday decor:

Yum! (Cooper was hiding under the table and Piper was just out of frame in her high chair!)

Christmas Lights

We love spending an evening right before Christmas driving around looking at lights. Through the wonders of the internet and our GPS, we're able to go see all sorts of "news worthy" displays! Here are a few favorites from this year:

And our house:

The Littlest Angel

Chloe was in our ward's Christmas Nativity this past Saturday. She looked adorable and sang very well. She chose to be an angel.

Somehow she ended up on the back row... behind everyone else who was much taller than her, but we were happy when she peeked out and we were able to see her!
Next year, she is hoping to be Mary. I like that idea- then she'd be in the manger and we'd be able to see her cute face the entire time!

Baby Godzilla

Piper loves to sit on/walk through/tear apart Cooper's train tracks. She is like a little Godzilla, destroying everything in her path.

She even decided to come attack me... aren't her little chicken legs funny? And by funny, I mean cute, of course!

Reindeer Food

One thing off my "to do" list! These are going to Cooper's preschool tomorrow.

Holiday Fun

A quick pic from our visit to see Santa:

Chloe asked Santa for a scooter, Cooper asked for a ladybug Pillow Pet, and Piper just tried not to cry!

On my to-do list:

I've had these websites open in windows on the computer for a couple days, so I figured I'd post them here so I won't lose the links. Maybe you'll want to try one too...

http://tidymom.net/2010/holiday-baking-christmas-tree-peppermint-bark/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2010/12/reindeer-food-recipe-and-printable.html
http://www.justapinch.com/recipe/oreo-cookie-balls-by-shannon-smith-shannon?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d001b5a3a69b991%2C0


We're still alive and kickin'! Busy, busy, busy. Christmas is in full swing and we're gearing up for Piper's FIRST birthday! She is walking now and into just about everything... that helps explain why my to do list is only getting longer, not shorter!

And, while I'm at it, here are a few pics of the kiddos:

Chloe and Cooper supervising Justin while he put up the Christmas lights on the house

Piper loves eating (last night was teriyaki chicken, rice, and salad)! We're yet to find a food she'll reject.
Helping Grandma DD celebrate her birthday!

The Christmas tree is up and decorated. Not pictured: The large baby gate that surrounds it, to keep our climbing baby out of it!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving. The two weeks that led up to Thanksgiving, however, were not so great. We got the flu. The real, nasty, sick as can be flu. It also snowed while we were sick, the kids didn't get to go out to play in it... I guess it'll have to snow again soon!

Chloe and Cooper:

The adorable Miss Piper:

All the beautiful ladies!



Cousin fun!

Two big turkeys:

And one little girl, eating a pudding box:

Just because I like it:

For your reading pleasure:

Women With More Than One Child Are Not Actually Crazy

Go ahead, click it, I dare you!

New Camera Lens?

I want one, how about you?!

Go here to enter to win an awesome give away for a Tamron AF18-270 lens!

Happy Halloween!

We had a very fun Halloween and hope you did too!

Coming Soon...

An update! Don't mistake my lack of blogging for a lack of fun and exciting summertime adventures, because we had an AWESOME summer!

For now, here is Chloe on her first day of SECOND grade, this past Wednesday:

And being proudly dropped off at school by her little brother and little sister:

Reminders

While eating out this past weekend, an elderly couple who'd been sitting across from us, came over and starting chatting with us as they were leaving the restaurant. Our kids had been entertaining them while they ate their dinner. They went on to tell us how they had six kids of their own, they asked about the ages of our kids, and then the gentleman said, "They really are what life is all about."

Yes they are.

First Grade Graduate!

Chloe had her last day of first grade today! She is growing up so fast! She is such a smart girl and really excels at reading (and socializing!).

First Day of First Grade, September 2009

Last Day of First Grade, June 2010

After school, with her teacher, Ms. Penton

Chloe chose to go the Mongolian Grill for her celebratory lunch and we invited Grandma DD along!

Pretty Baby

Not that I'm biased or anything, but Piper sure is adorable!

Luau

Our new ward had a Luau on Saturday evening. It was really crowded (not enough tables and chairs!), the food didn't quite go far enough, and it was so noisy and loud that we ended up taking off early because Piper was so overstimulated and freaking out. Big change from our Bellevue ward that had a really low activity level! I was too busy saving seats at a table and dealing with crying Piper while Justin was standing in the long food line, to take any pictures, but I did snap a couple in the parking lot on our way out:

Since my posts sounds super-complainy, I wanted to add that the food was good-- the scouts roasted a pig in the ground and the little bit I got to taste was delicious! And I made a tropical fruit salad that was yummy- I was supplied with the recipe and I'll most likely make it again sometime in the future. Here is the recipe:

1 pkg (4.6 oz) Vanilla Pudding (not instant) (Sugar Free pudding can be used)
1 pkg (4 oz) Tapioca Pudding
4 Tbsp Orange Juice Concentrate
2 Cans Mandarin Oranges (drained saving liquid)
2 Cans (20 oz) Pineapple Chunks (drained saving liquid)
2 bananas sliced

Combine fruits, draining liquid and saving. Measure liquid and add water to make 3 cups. In sauce pan, combine puddings and liquid. Stir in orange juice. Heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils and mix is thick and smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Pour over fruit. May be served warm or cold.