The Keith Family Christmas Tree

Growing up... I believed that Christmas Trees came from lots. I knew there was the possibility of cutting one, just never had the opportunity. Since we have lived so close to the mountain I insist that we cut our own. I love the experience, Russ not so much. I'm kidding. Russ likes it but the majority of work falls on him and until this year, we have chosen to cut our tree on the worst weather day of the year. This year was Russells turn to choose our tree.

This year the weather was great. It wasn't too cold and the boys were able to enjoy it, instead of having to sit in the car while dad chopped down the tree in the snow. Evan was so excited to put the "tag" on our tree and helped me pick pine cones for our mantle while dad cut down our tree.

Without having to fight the snow, cutting, loading, and tagging our tree took all of 15 minutes. Which was great because the boys were getting tired and ready to go home for naps.

Frontrunner Train

Okay so I know this will sound a little cheesy, but were from a small town, we don't have public transportation in our town. So while we were up north for our last visit. Evan was enthrawled with the frontrunner trains. We had told him that Jason catches the train to school, and of course he wanted to try it. So when we went to temple square we took the train, and rode trax through town. It was actually really fun and Evan really had a good time.

Wyatt was a little less than impressed, but still had fun hanging out with us. It was nap time, and a little cold to wait for the train. So he was a little grouchy. We bundled him up though, and the train was actually really warm.

Waiting for the train... it was cold.

Evan and Grandma riding the Trax.

Temple Square

While we were home, we did our "black Friday" shopping that weekend but we also took the time to go to temple square and enjoy the lights with the boys and the rest of our family. It was so crowded, but beautiful and you could feel the change in atmosphere the second you stepped onto temple square. It wasn't too chilly and Wyatt managed to sleep through all of it. It was nice to off set our frazzled shopping weekend with something uplifting and it helped to bring us back to what Christmas is really about. I love Christmas time because I can truly feel the love of our Savior and am glad we got to share that experience with our boys.

Jordan ended up carrying Evan most of the way. Evan pretty much got what he wanted all weekend.

One of the cutest things of the night, was that Evan (when he did walk) would try to "blow out" the lights like they were candles. He has been so much fun this holiday season. He is finally old enough to grasp the concept of Christmas and loves to celebrate.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so nice this year. We got to go back to my house and have Thankgiving with my Mom. Evan loved being with Grandma they were connected at the hip for most of the time. It was so nice to have the help. Wyatt loved playing with Grandma when Evan gave him his two minutes of Grandma time. My brothers had a great time with their newphews, and we just enjoyed being together. Mary Jo and Mike came over, and Turner was there. We just had the usual, Evan helped make stuffing and pies and Russ carved the Turkey. I am so grateful for my family, extended and my own. I love my boys so much and they make my life so much better. I enjoy every minute I have with them; I am so greatful for a wonderful husband with whom I am so in love with. I truly am so blessed.

Thanksgiving

We are so excited to be heading home this year for Thanksgiving. Evan and Wyatt are super excited to see Grandma, and uncle Jordan and Jason. I'm excited to be home but mostly to do some much needed shopping. We haven't been home in a while and it will be tons of fun. We're hoping to hit the lights while were up there. We hope to get most of our Holiday shopping done, and convince Evan that he wants toys for Christmas and not "a little dog." Here are some pictures from our fall that I was going to post last time but the internet was slow so I opted to wait. Hope you enjoy!

The News...

The news as of late is nothing to special, I bet I had everyone going there for a minute. We are just living up Autumn and enjoying each other, as much as we enjoy this time of year. Evan and Wyatt are growing in leaps and bounds. Wyatt is now 7 mo old and has 4 teeth. Thankfully he is not crawling yet; as we have been slacking on babyproofing as Evan gets old enough to semi know better. Wyatt is healthy and finally eating more solid foods. He loves to play peek a boo.
Evan is learning his letters, he loves to sing, count, and play ball with his Dad. He'll settle to play ball with me, but we all know that Dad is much better at the ball thing. I'm getting better though. Since the leaves have started falling, he has learned how to rake them into piles and loves to jump in them. He calls the leaves "bananas," we think it's cute.
Russ is still going to school. I am still working and teaching at the college. We are doing great. We recently finished helping to host the "children of lehi" Thanksgiving dinner. This is always a fun but exhausting event. It takes a lot of preparation including cooking 3 turkeys & and 10 lbs of potatoes. We try to make it a family event, so with lots of hands the work goes by quickly. We are headed home for Thanksgiving this year, which I am really excited about. Mostly to be with my family; but partially I am excited for the after Thanksgiving sales.