Christmas, Birthdays and more

It has been so long since I have posted. But I had so much to be thankful for these past few weeks, that I thought I better update before I forgot!! Christmas came and went so fast although my kids had Christmas opening presents at least four times. Once at Grandma Huffs, at Grandma Gordon's, when they got home from their trip from Utah Santa had left a few gifts and then all the gifts from Utah that we shipped home got to be reopened. Gratefully we have now received all packages! We had a great time in Utah this Christmas. We loved spending time with so many aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma's, grandpa's and all other relatives. Thank you to each of you for feeding us, letting us sleep at your house, and for letting us borrow your shampoo, towels, washing machines and for taking care of us. Our highlights included the Gordon reunion, spending a few nights with the Rindlisbacher's and going to the park, Caroling on Christmas Eve to Mom and Dad Huff's neighbors, Christmas day at Grandma Huffs and seeing all the cousins and Great Grandma and Grandpa Downward, seeing Aunt Charlene, shopping with my Mom and crazy sisters for shoes, spending time with Grandma and Grandpa Gordon and learning about their mission to the Philippines, playing in the snow in Erda, going to Temple Square and safely returning home despite the long ride back to Las Vegas to spend an extra day in Utah again. How loved we are, and how grateful I am to know that we are a family forever because of the sealing powers of the temple.

What a beautiful night it was to go to the temple although, it was very cold!

Ike in the snow and looking nice for picture at Temple Square! He loved the snow in Utah!

Autumn is growing up, she lets me put barrettes in her hair and today she took her first steps on her own!! I can't believe she will be 1 next month.

Autumn's favorite Christmas gift is a tent and tunnel that she likes to hide in and pretend to sleep in. Ike and Sabrina are very fond of it as well. Ike even took a nap in it today.

Monday was a holiday, we talked Daddy into going to the park with us. It was the first clear, beautiful day in Seattle in a long time! I couldn't believe how well we could see Mt. Rainier.

Ike on his bike. He figured out later that he could run faster than he could ride it!

Autumn and her Daddy!

Last Saturday was Sabrina's Birthday! We spent most the day celebrating it with a sweet lady in our church who turned 90, and our ward had a party for her and her family at our church. Sunday we celebrated it with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa Meldrum and Tiff and Mike (friends from our ward). She was very surprised by her Care Bear Sunshine Cake.

Sabrina was very anxious to taste the frosting. Ike was very eager to help her blow out the candles.

My little 3 year old! She loves to dance, and wants to be a ballerina one day, she loves to dress up in crazy outfits (note: the purple tutu, very short top, and beads with the Dora pj's that belong to her sister), she can be very intense at times, but yet she loves to be held, rocked and loved on her terms. She can make you pull your hair out because of her independent personality of getting into anything that pours, squirts, gels or squeezes. But she is very adorable and loving when she wants you to read her a story, play ponies with her or have a tea party. She can make your ears ring when she screams, but she can carry on a very intelligent conversation with you as though she is five. We love Sabrina and I can only wait to know what a beautiful girl she will turn into when she is 16!

Sabrina's New Puppet theater! Thanks to my Sister Kristie's help, advice and posting I was able to make one for Sabrina's Birthday.

It turned out great and the best thing of all was when Sabrina said "Impressive!" when she took one good look at it! Hopefully it will turn out to be hours of fun!