Christmas 2007

I haven't posted in a while because my computer won't read the card from our camera right now. So no fun Christmas pictures put on our blog right now :(

I have decided I will go ahead and share our Christmas experience this year anyways :) Our Christmas festivities this year began on Saturday with my extended families "Annual Sheffield Christmas Party", which includes lots of fabulous soup (my personal fave is my mom's Broccoli Cheese soup), desserts (Natalie brought this amazing popcorn and fudge), and of course the white elephant gift exchange. It's always fun to get together and I especially enjoy seeing how big the other little kids are getting!

On Sunday, Jesse sang a SOLO in church of "Oh Holy Night" with the choir. What a brave man!!! He did a great job and it was wonderful to have his family in church to enjoy the singing, as well as help me with the kids :)! We went over to my in-laws that evening for dinner and had a BIG spaghetti dinner with more extended family to celebrate Jesse's sister, Esther's birthday!! My mother-in-law truly makes the BEST spaghetti I have ever tasted.

Monday morning found me in Robby's room at 4am, rocking him while he coughed like crazy and was having a hard time breathing. That day I spend almost two hours at the doctor's office with my two kids. Maddie was put BACK on antibiotics again for her never-ending cough and Robby was diagnosed with croup, and an ear infection & so they gave him a steroid shot and sent us on our way with Rx in hand. We went over to my parents house that evening for Christmas eve dinner and Maddie had so much fun helping to light the luminaries with her "papa". That evening we went and saw the Temple lights with his family and FINALLY made it home for mommy to begin working on presents, projects, etc. I think that this year was my record for how late I stayed up on xmas eve. I had lots of things to still do and a sick little boy that kept waking up every few hours, so I finally made it to bed around 4am :(

Thank heavens for kids who like to sleep in! That's what I decided was a blessing come Christmas morning. Both of my kids slept in until 8am. We then went out and saw what Santa brought to our house. Madison was so cute this year; when we walked into the front room she yelled "presents". She loved opening presents and especially LOVED the chocolate that Santa put in her stocking. She ate ALL OF IT in literally 20 minutes. It was insane. Then as we loaded her into the car to go visit Grandma & Grandpa all that lovely chocolate came back up and all over the car and car seat. We then spent the next little while cleaning up the car and hosing down the car seat. Oh well... at least all the candy was gone so quickly right?? I am afraid that Madison and Robby were spoiled completely by us, and both sets of grandparents! We had so much fun spending time with family, other than Robby being sick and feeling crummy all day (did I mention he has also been teething like crazy). When we finally made it back home, Jesse and I looked back and both kids were passed out in the backseat.

Merry Christmas to All of you!!

So sweet

So Jesse & I have been trying REALLY hard the last few months to teach Madison about being more reverent in church and during prayers at home. We keep reminding her how we fold our arms when we pray and what to say at the end of a prayer (amen). It has seemed like a pointless task because she rarely, if ever, actually follows us and tends to run around in circles during prayers.

We put up this adorable little christmas tree in her bedroom for the Holidays that is prelit and just a bit taller than Maddie. She loves to touch each light and talk about the colors ("dis is boo", "a lellow light", "I like da pink one", etc). Yesterday we were all in the kitchen and I noticed that Madison was missing. I started searching the house for her (like I always tend to do when I realize I haven't seen her in a few minutes).

I walked down the hall to her bedroom and noticed she was standing right next to her tree. She had her head bowed, arms folded, and was praying to her Christmas tree! I walked over quietly right by her door and listened to what she was saying. She was talking about her home, mommy, daddy, "dank you", and then said amen. Then after she was finished she clapped her hands and said "yeah". She looked so proud of herself. It was hysterical. I went out to the kitchen and had Jesse come see as well. When we walked back over she was doing it again! So I guess we were completely WRONG; she has been learning and getting what we've been teaching her. Madison is DeFiNitEly a two year old, and every once in awhile she does the sweetest things. Case in point: she loves to hold Robby's hand in the car while we drive. Jesse took this picture with the kids in his car holding hands the entire drive to Mesa!!

Our Thanksgiving

What did we do for Thanksgiving? Jesse, Robby, Madison, & I after running in the race. Jesse was awesome and ran the 10K with his sister, Abby. I ran in the 2mile with my sister Lori (her hubby also ran the 10K). It was so much fun and my father-in-law was so nice to come watch the kids that morning at the park!

A group of us after the races. Loriann with Kaylin, Abby holding Madison, Me (Tiffany) holding Robby & Jesse

After the Turkey Trot we went home and got ready (kids took naps :) and then we headed over to my in-laws for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

Three of the cutest girls I know! My three sister-in-laws: Abby, Esther & Joanna

Uncle Brett & Robby After dinner, the whole clan minus Robby & Aunt Joanna went to the ASU vs USC football game. We were so bummed by the loss, but still had fun going to the game together. Madison was so good at the game with all the people and noise--we were so proud of her...it's the first game she has been to in over a year. I just love the face she is making in this picture with Jesse!