Merry Little Christmas Now!

We had a really nice Christmas. We started the festivities on Christmas Eve at our house. When my parents are out of town for Christmas my sisters and I have been getting together for pizza and movies. This year we watched part of A Christmas Story and a short elf cartoon.

Before the night was over we all opened our traditional Christmas Eve gift of Pj's. Here are the kids posin for some pics.

Hudson got this cute gift from his Aunt B (Kristine).

Twinner Pj's with his best friend.
Hudson just like his mama having to be out in front for the camera.
The whole group.
My two favorite kids!
Christmas morning was full of excitement. We got up at 7:30 and started opening gifts.

Hudson LOVED his first gift of "Cars" cars and had a hard time opening the rest. We had to help him get the rest open to see that he would love those too.
Karlee and her "stash" of gifts. Mostly clothes but what teenager doesn't want clothes?? (and Twilight calendars;)
Paul looking super excited;)
Me looking very tired but happy!
On our way to Denny's for our Christmas breakfast. We started this tradition about 4 years ago when we didn't have Hudson and had to wait until 1:00 to pick up Karlee. We had nothing to do so we went out to breakfast. Now we go every year. It's nice to not have to cook!
We looked back and Hudson had his cars in his mouth. He can't get enough of them I guess;)
The fam at breakfast!
Aunt Shi-Shi has joined us for 2 years now.
I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and that 2010 will be the best ever for you and me!

December Fun!

I don't have enough time to make a post of everything we did in December so I'm just going to do a little recap. It has been a great month trying to get in some fun holiday events. PS yes Mr. Hudson is in his cute Christmas red sweater in most of these pics. What ya gonna do when you only buy one festive sweater;)

First was our annual trip to the Festival of Trees.
The kids doing some of the things in the Kid Area.
The mantle my friends decorated. Wow I wish I had that talent. (well even a mantle;)
Next up Karlee's semi-annual piano recital. She did awesome as always.
Hudson loves his sis!
Karlee and her bff Chandler.
One day at Walmart they were taking pics with Santa so we said "why not"...This is the outcome. Hudson wasn't scared but just looking over at us. I'm sorry but this was the angriest looking Santa I've ever seen. He was probably bummed to be helping at Walmart;)
My friends and sister and I and the kids went to South Towne Mall to take another pic with Santa. They were very scroogish and wouldn't let us take our own pic unless we bought a package which were about $30 NO THANKS! So we took some pics by the tree...let the kids play at the dinosaur play land...and ate dinner in the food court. Overall it was a fun night. Hudson asked Santa for candy. Cute boy!

Takin some cute photos by the tree at least.
Hudson loves trains. I felt bad he didn't get to ride it but he had fun checking it out.
One Friday we went to my Mother-in law's house to have her help Kristine and I make a stocking for Zack and Hudson. Here's some cute pics of the boys playing together. Zack and Hudson are the best of friends.

We attempted to go to a FREE sing-a-long at the Energy Solutions Arena. FREE trax ride...FREE hot dog/soda...FREE coupons. I loved all of that, but it was quite the adventure.

Going down on Trax was fun. Love that everyone wore my homemade hats;)


Waiting in line in the cold...not so fun.

Finally getting in and seated fun!

Trying to get home was a DISASTER. First we get out early since we are being sneaky and will hop on the first train. Well it was the WRONG train going to the University, doh! Get off and wait in the freezing cold then the next one pulls up...our door is out of service, great! Next train way too full because now everyone is out of the event...FINALLY we push our way on and Karlee's friend Chandler got the whole train to sing Christmas carols. I'm so glad the night ended on a very HAPPY note!

Whew what a month! I love this time of year!

THANKSGIVING 09

I had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday. It was very laid back and full of fun. It all started Wednesday during the day I got to spend time with my friend Kathryn and her girls. Of course I forgot to get pictures. We took the kids to Chick-fil-A and then visited. She was even nice and wanted to help me with my many projects so she helped me find the paint for my cabinets and touched up all the dings. What a great friend!

That night all the Pettey gals got together and made some food for Thanksgiving. I tried out Kneaders cranberry sauce. It would have been delicious minus so much nutmeg. Well I had to try it out at least once.

Thanksgiving morning I woke up had my energy drink and got ready to meet up with the Metcalf/Sorensen clan and run a 5k. I declare this yet another new tradition.

On my way.

In honor of the event I made all the girls matching hats. Ok I'm the only one who wore it the whole race but the "before" picture sure was cute!

The weather was PERFECT! Sunny and a little chilly. I haven't done a 5k in over a year and have hardly even been jogging. But I feel like I did pretty good. I got 36:36 and people actually finished behind me;)

We had the "bright" idea to wait for a raffle. It was the LONGEST most drawn out raffle on earth with annoying people that HAD to keep yelling out their # (like that helps). Well Kyle and Laura both won something so it was worth it.

I had time to chill for a minute, jump in the shower, and take off to Dad and Sandy's house.

Here's pics of a few of the fam.

Brittany and Amber set the table so nice with name cards and everything.

The KIDS table.

This is Mr Hudson after eating. He looks like he has been beat up but it's just the raspberry pretzel jello salad.

We ate...watched a movie...looked at ads...visited...laughed...and I of course crotcheted. It really was a great day!

I never made all my THANKFUL lists so here ya go:
-A loving, supportive, patient husband who encourages girls nights out:)
-2 of the best kids I could have ever dreamed up.
-2 sets of families I LOVE to spend time with.
-The Gospel for which without it I would seriously be lost.
-Close friends who are more like family and I can be my crazy self around.
-Jobs...At this time this is truly a blessing.
-Good health insurance to help with all our ailments.
-A home that is sometimes warm but always cozy.
-Cable/Satellite (yes this is shallow, but I love my tv vegging time)