2013 | Day 365 - New Years Eve

Goodbye 2013, you have been an amazing year.  We are so excited for 2014.  We had such a fun party to bring in the new year.

2013 | Day 364 - Gingerbread Eating

The kids ate their gingerbread houses this afternoon.

2013 | Day 363 - Christmas Clean-Up

We spent the night taking down all the Christmas decorations.  I'm always sad when we take it down, but at the same time I love the clean simple feeling in the home. 

2013 | Day 362 - Church Cleaning

We had our church cleaning assignment this morning.  We all pitched in and got it done.  The kids did a great job and never complained.  Even Chase tried to help out. 

2013 | Day 361 - Sleeping

The kids have been sleeping in the front room this week. 

2013 | Day 360 - Trains

We have been playing Ticket to Ride on our iPads non stop today.

2013 | Day 359 - Christmas

Merry Christmas!  It looks like Santa came last night :)  The kids were so excited to see all the fun gifts.  We had such an amazing day.  The kids got lots of fun games and toys.  Dean and Kenzie got their own iPad mini's.  We spent the day playing games, listening to Christmas music, and eating yummy food!

2013 | Day 358 - Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve!  We are so excited at the Putnam house.  We have been cooking, cleaning, and having fun getting ready for Santa to come tonight.  We ate pork chops and scalloped potatoes for dinner and the kids got to open their new PJ's.  We also played some games, read books, and watched some Christmas movies.  It was a great night.  The kids get to sleep in our room tonight.  Dean was the first to sleep.

Snowflake and Jingle came to the house for the last time this year.  They told the kids that they are officially on Santa's nice list.  It was so fun to have them in our house this year.  We can't wait to see them again next year. 

2013 | Day 357 - Gingerbread Houses

Today we made our annual gingerbread houses.  It was a really fun day.  The kids really got into it and tried to be creative with their houses.  Chase and Scott got to make the train.  Chase probably ate more candy then he put on the train.  He loved it.

 Jingle and Snowflake took a ride on the reindeer.

2013 | Day 356 - Putnam Christmas

Today was our Christmas celebration at Grandmama and Granddaddy Putnam's house.  It was a really fun day.  The kids got a big play set from their grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  They got to play for about an hour because it was pouring rain all day.  It was a fun day with the family.

Our elves went zip lining in the kitchen today :)

2013 | Day 355 - Trouble and Jingle

Chase has been getting into trouble a lot lately.  Today he decided to throw the iPhone at Dean.  I had to pop his leg and put him into time out.  He was so sad, but I had to do it or we will never get past this stage.  I hope it passes quickly, but I have a feeling that we are just at the beginning.  

Guess who's back? JINGLE!  The kids were super excited this morning.  Last night Snowflake went to the Elf Appreciation Party and Jingle came back with her.  The kids loved seeing the pictures of them from the party.  

2013 | Day 354 - Teacher Gifts

The kids took their teachers some Christmas gifts today.  It is the last day before the winter break.  While they were at school, I cleaned up the kitchen and decorated the chalkboard.  I love how it turned out.

Snowflake wanted to be really high today, so she was on top of the paintings in the kitchen.

2013 | Day 353 - Christmas Program

Kenzie had her 1st grade Christmas program this morning.  She got to be a tree in the show.  It was so cute.  They sang songs and danced.  After the program, they had a class party.  Kenzie was right in the center of the stage.  I was so proud of her. 

Snowflake enjoying the flowers.

2013 | Day 352 - Panera

Chase and I went out today to run errands.  While we were out we went to lunch at Panera Bread.  It was super good.  I got some broccoli and cheese soup, and Chase had a bagel.  It was his first time eating there and he loved it.

Snowflake wanted to dress up like Minecraft Steve.

2013 | Day 351 - Tithing

 We had tithing settlement after cub scouts tonight.

Snowflake was playing with Dean's video games today. 

2013 | Day 350 - To Do

We are down to the final few days of camera straps this year and our to do list is huge.  We are on track to be finished with all of them by tomorrow!  I am so excited to be on vacation with the kids.

Snowflake really liked the kids gram cracker houses they made at Grandmama's house this past weekend.  She was trying to get some of Chase's candy!

2013 | Day 349 - Scott & Natalie

Scott and I got a picture of just us today.  I love him so much and I am so grateful for the past 13 years we've been together.  He is perfect for me.  We have such a great marriage.  It's not perfect, but it works for us.  I can't wait to see what this next year brings for us.

Oh, Dean was our photographer today.  I think he did pretty good :)

Snowflake decided to spend the day on the nativity thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. 

2013 | Day 348 - Eleven Years

Today is Scott and my ELEVEN year anniversary.  Scott surprised me with some beautiful flowers this morning and a gift card to Outback.  He had to work tonight, so we went on a lunch date to Outback.  It was nice to be out on our own.  It was so yummy.  We got cheese fries, salad, fettuccine alfredo, and a sandwich.  It was a perfect date.

Snowflake was hiding in Kenzie's can she made for school.  Kenzie thought it was so cool.  I had to get a picture of the 2 Kenzie's :)

2013 | Day 347 - Krispy Kreme

Snowflake must really love us.  She brought us Krispy Kreme donuts this morning.  They were so yummy. 

2013 | Day 346 - Homework

Dean has a really big book report due tomorrow.  He spent the night finishing it up.  It was on Stephen Spielberg.

Snowflake just wanted to hang out by the Christmas tree today. 

2013 | Day 345 - More Mail

Another set of straps are done and ready to be shipped out.  I took them to the post office today. 

Snowflake decided to take a marshmallow bath in the kids bathroom. 

2013 | Day 344 - Pulling Hair

 

Chase is obsessed with his hair.  He is always pulling it and playing with it.  He usually does it while watching TV.  So, his hair is always sticking up on the side.

Snowflake spent the day hanging in Dean and Chase's room.  She was admiring all of Dean's trophies. 

2013 | Day 343 - Straps

Scott and I have been working like crazy on camera straps this month.  Today we got a huge batch finished and mailed out.

Snowflake decided to pose next to the picture Kenzie drew of her.

2013 | Day 342 - Copy

Snowflake had fun playing with my printer last night.

2013 | Day 341 - Santa

The kids got to see Santa during the ward party this morning.  I wasn't able to go because I had to go to a baby shower.  After the ward party, they all went to a baptism of one of the kids in our primary class, then they went to Granddaddy Putnam's house for the night.

Snowflake was in Kenzie's bed this morning.  She loved that.  She always sleeps upstairs every weekend.

2013 | Day 340 - Friday

Snowflake is excited for the weekend too. 

2013 | Day 339 - Snowballs

Snowflake came with treats this morning.  She brought snowballs (donuts) for breakfast.  The kids loved it.  Chase is loving our elf this year.  He likes to find her and tries to touch her.