B Whitt Christmas Gift Giving

Merry Christmas! We got together Christmas Eve afternoon to exchange gifts with each other because Shea and Kyle were going to be with the Henrie's for Christmas Day! Shea made me this cute scrabble puzzle announcing our cute new grandbaby!

Our family is growing.....
Easton.....
Shea and Kyle gave Jensen this funny gift "Snowman Poop" on the bag it says

"I've heard that you've been naughty

Now listen, here's the scoop.

I'm running short on coal this year

So you get snowman poop."

Funny! They made him think for a minute that it was the only gift they were getting him. It was classic, we all laughed, especially with the look that was on his face.

Shea gave Jordyn this cute "To Do Board"
KJ and Shea....
Kyle...
And Remi got a bone....

Traditional Family Christmas Dinner

For the last 4-5 years, Boomer and I decided that we wanted to do something traditional for our own little family. We do a lot with extended family and friends but didn't really have any traditions of our own at Christmas. We either take the kids out to a nice dinner or we have a special dinner cooked at home. (We've had steak and crab at home or gone to Tepanyaki etc.) This year we went to Texas Roadhouse and enjoyed a nice meal together.

Easton was wide eyed when he saw what he had ordered. RIBS!! I have to say that he did great at finishing "All this food!"

Shea and Kyle
Jordyn and Jensen
Boom and I
Easton finishing off the ribs!
We wanted the kids to feel like we had things planned and that it wasn't just dinner, but that we wanted to spend time together enjoying the holiday.
I showed the kids how to dip Oreo's
Jordyn and Jensen.....we had quite the system going
Jensen was losing interest....quick
Kyle and Jordyn having a great time as usual
Easton and Shea had the job of smashing the skor bars and peppermints
Boomer decided that he wanted to carry on the tradition that his uncle had at family parties of "The Sack Christmas." He didn't feel like it went as smooth as Uncle Howard's, but with a few tweeks, it will be just as amazing next year.
We gave the kids gift cards and lotion....
and a gift that was special for each of them.

We had a great evening and loved being together. We are so grateful for our family and the special part that each of the kids play in our lives. We are so blessed to be their parents and are proud of who they are becoming.

"Our Chocolate Biness"

For our Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors, my Mom and I decided that we would dip Oreo's. I have to say that they were amazing! However, after dipping over 600 oreo's, we decided that we should go into the "Chocolate Biness". Hahaha! we had a great time together and I even think we decided that it should be a Christmas tradition. Thought the finished product turned out great and I got much feedback that the Oreo's were delish!

Finished Product!
The Oreo Factory workers
Chief Oreo Dipper
A look at the factory

Logan comes for a visit...

Elder Whittaker's best friend Jake Taylor was getting married on December 1, 2011. Jake's only request was that Logan be in attendance, even if it was only in cut-out form. We have had a great time with Logan (cut-out) since December and we have sure had a great time having him around.
Elder Whitt was able to be in our Christmas card picture this year.
He had a few smooches from Kels and Mandy...
Had a few pictures taken with his special girl...
Mandy was a bit freaked out by the cut-out, because it was pretty true to Logan's actual height.
Even Easton had to have a photo with him. We loved having him around for the holidays and enjoy having him down in the family room with us while we do things together as a family. Can't wait to have him home for reals....

Starting off the Holidays!

There is nothing more beautiful than the Salt Lake Temple when it is lit up with Christmas lights. We have made an annual trip to see the lights the weekend of Thanksgiving, for many years. It starts off our holiday season with the right tone and helps us get in the right spirit.


Jensen hasn't been in the Conference Center before and so we decided we would go into the Assembly Hall first, then the Tabernacle and then we went on a tour of the Conference Center. Those three buildings were proof of how the Church is growing and how important it is that the members are able to attend Conference and other important meetings of the Church. We went into the Hall of the Prophets and saw the oil paintings of the Apostles and other prophets and leaders of the Church. It was very interesting. I was glad that we were able to do this.
We always park at the Gateway and ride Trax to Temple Square. It always makes for great pictures.



We ate at Rumbi. Its all the about the food.....


So glad that we have this tradition, that we can spend together as a family and start the Christmas season! We are so blessed to live so close to so many temples and blessed that we are able to have so many great experiences, especially together.

Black Friday Shopping!

This is the third time that we have done Black Friday Shopping. This year we finally talked Shea into going with us. Which is a hard task since she doesn't really like shopping and definitely doesn't like crowds. Jordy begged her and convinced her she needs to go just to be with us. I think she had a great time and will go with us again next year. This year was our best year yet....we went at 11pm and didn't get back home until 7:30am.

Shea decided to take a nap while the rest of us went to the bathroom. She was pretty tired.
We saw Tanner at one of our first stops and it was fun to visit with him and his girlfriend Stephanie. Jordy and Tanner were pretty crazy.....they made us laugh.
My girls......
Our friend Kim couldn't go shopping with us this year and we missed her so we decided to name our blow-up minion friend "Kim" so we wouldn't miss her quite so much. Kim went everywhere we did. It made for a very fun filled adventure.
Jordy won a $100 gift card at Shoe Carnival at 5am....she was a lucky girl....4 new pairs of shoes for her.

A small and simple Thanksgiving!

This years Thanksgiving dinner was at our house. It was a small and simple group this year. It was with the Bogh side of the family, but the "Todd Bogh's" were racing in Mesquite. Shea and Kyle were with the Henrie's so we were a small group this year. It was a good day!

We have much to be thankful for....each other! We have been blessed with a great marriage, health and strength, amazing children that love the Lord, employment, and a roof over our heads, and the list goes on...
Parents, and grandparents that support and love us.
Opportunities to spend time together and laughing is a blessing we take for granted! Have to have laughs and giggles.
Jensen thinks it is so funny to mimic my serious eyes. He always knows he is in trouble if I am wearing my serious eyes.
We ate a great meal, went to a movie (which is tradition), came back for pie and to play games. It was a very nice day and we enjoyed being together, we thought much of those we were without, and look forward to another year full of blessings and much happiness!