Baker Family Christmas Party

I love Christmas time and giving presents to our family! Every year we rotate which siblings we have for John's family. And with a grand total of 8 grandchildren in the Baker Family, half of them being mine we get to get gifts for all the other cousins. It is always fun geting together with John's family, there is never a quiet moment and we absolutely love it!

Brevin got a Tiger and Elephant that Braden was not very happy about his mom, Amy, giving to somebody else. I had to leave in the red eyes of Braden because it totally was how he was looking at Brevin. He would not open his own presents or do anything else. It was quite humorous!

Ansley got a baby doll from Dilyn.

Haidyn got a Bratz doll.

finally convinced Braden to open up his present from Caitlyn . . . I think it helped!

Dilyn got clothes from Aunt Amy, I think Amy might have had a little fun shopping for a little girl . . .

Caitlyn got a pillow to put her MP3 player in . . . guess how she goes to bed now!

Andrew got a Farm tractor from Brevin. Brevin was a little jealous this time.

Bryson got Transformers from Haidyn, I think Braden was a little upset about this one too . . .

Amy gave me a beautiful frame of my family's pictures . . . as you can see I got slightly emotional.

John and I went in on a gift with Steven and Michelle and got Papa Bear and Carolyn dishes for the cabin, which we are hoping will get built sometime in the next year, just waiting on the County office now. . .

Papa Bear got a new fishin' pole from Gary and Amy.

John and I had Scott and Sharley, we got them some food storage stuff and then I got a Christmas serving dish for Sharley . . . I think she likes it!

Doesn't it look like we are having so much FUN!

Steven and Michelle . . .He's kind of a poop-head on occasion and she is really cute!

Do you think he looks like his daddy? There is a picture of John and Gary when they are really little in Carolyn's living room, Gary really looks like it could be Braden in the picture!

Okay, so I always give John a hard time that there are never any pictures of me, well tonight I did not take any pictures of John, except this lovely picture of the back of his head. I don't know that I feel bad about it or not . . . we know what paybacks are and we know what I am. Such is life!

My favorite Christmas memories . . .

Some of my most cherished memories at not only Christmas time, but all holidays, is cooking and baking with my Mom. This year was no exception. We baked 13 batches of cookies, which were passed out to neighbors and friends, not to mention that we made our traditional breakfast on Christmas morning and then prepared a delicious Prime Rib dinner. We always have a fun time discussing everything under the sun and I have learned so much about me mom and her childhood during these times. This year all of my kids helped, some more than others, but we had so much fun. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful Mom, even if she drives me crazy on occasion, I love her very much!

I stand all amazed!

Every Christmas season we get to go to at least one of our kids Christmas programs. They are so much fun . . . uh, sure. Why is it that my kids are so shy that they usually will not even go up there let alone perform? Well, I basically forced Dilyn to go up there. She was NOT happy with me at all, she cried for a few minutes, but she did stay up there by her friend Masyn. She did do her Christmas dance performance with out a problem, so I shouldn't complain. I just lovingly call them the stand and stare/scowl performance. Oh, the things we go through for our kids. I just hope I don't tramatize them too much before they reach adulthood!

Loves to Dance!

All primped and ready to go!


Thursday night was the girls Christmas Dance Recital. I don't know why I get so choked up watching them dance! I suppose it is because I can't dance and they can and I am so supremely jealous it brings me to tears! Caitlyn is in her third year of competitive dance. I am so proud of her! It has not come as naturally to her as to Haidyn, but she works her tail off and pushes herself. She has really excelled this year!

This is Haidyn's first year on the Dance team and she loves it! She is really enjoying her Ballet and comes home every week from class eager to show me her moves. She has such an athletic little bod and is quite natural. Neither John nor myself have a clue where this came from. Both Caitlyn and Haidyn have been working on hard on getting their splits flat and they each have one flat and are very close to having a second.

Dilyn did a beautiful Chicken Pox dance! The first year she was scared and ran off the stage and we have progressed to her doing the dance moves! This makes me cry too. I am so proud of her! She loves to dance and is always dancing with her sisters . . . Dance team here we come!


Dilyn did one dance this year, while Caitlyn and Haidyn each had two. They each had their Ballet dance and then they both performed with the Dance team in a production number. While there was a bit of drama over shoes (they told me they just neede their foot undies while they really needed their jazz shoes, but I didn't bring their jazz shoes, because I didn't know they were needed for anything) a couple of tears were shed, but they were able to borrow shoes. They performed so well! I am proud of my girls!

Yeah, Snow!

I have been whining that it hasn't felt very Christmas-y due to the lack of snow. And yesterday I finally got my snow! The kids couldn't wait to go play in it. Of course, before they did that, they had to ran-sack the coat closet to accumulate the proper attire; ie, scarves, hats and mittens.

Caitlyn was the last one out due to dance . . . One must suffer for ones art.

Brevin had so much fun discovering the snow. I really didn't think he would stay out for too long. I thought he would get cold and be back in very quickly . . . I was wrong!


Dilyn had a blast and she is a great help in the shoveling department!


Haidyn worked on her Igloo building skills with some of the neighbors. She kept trying to convince Brevin to go in and wiggle through. Luckily he wouldn't go, I don't think would have fit anyway.

Does this look like a little boy who wants to go inside? He had so much fun! He learned all about throwing snowballs too. I tried to be a good mom and I gathered everyones pajamas and threw them in the dryer so when they were ready to come in they could step in the laundry room, strip down and put on some snuggly warm jammies. Am I good or what??

Happy Birthday Haidyn!

Saturday for Haidyn's birthday we had all of John's brother's and their families and our favorite neighbors, the Christenson's, over to help us celebrate. Thank you to everyone for coming and for the GREAT presents! Haidyn requested a Santa cake, so she got a Santa cake. I have always tried to keep Christmas and her birthday as separate as possible, but . . .

Haidyn got lots of clothes and shoes! Which is fabulous because she has outgrown everything! All of her pants look like floods!

Haidyn and Caitlyn are just about the same size. I keep telling them that if they would stop arguing long enough and attempt to share they could double their wardrobe. But what do I know . . . I am just the Mom.

The best part was when I was putting candles in the cake, Haidyn assumed she had gotten all of her presents, I asked Haidyn where Dad was, she looked up . . . and this was her face . . .

She has been asking for a new bike and everytime we go to a store she has to look at the bikes and show us which ones she likes. I think she likes it . . . What do you think?

Happy Birthday Haidyn! I hope your birthday wishes come true! We love you!

PS - I do believe her favorite gift was from her best friend Olivia. Olivia took Haidyn to get her nails done, which were done in festive Christmas colors. Thank you Olivia and Tiffany.

Haidyn is officially nine!

Happy Birthday Haidyn!! My little girl will be nine today at 3:09 PM. She came into the world on a snowy Monday afternoon at LDS Hospital. She weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. Now she is nine and in the 3rd grade! I really don't know how time seems to pass so quickly! Saying that makes me feel extremely old! Haidyn is turning into such a beautiful young woman! She has such a sweet spirit and a giving heart. She is a great friend and is always willing to help those in need. On the flip side she has a touch of drama when there is something she doesn't want to do, such as spelling. We love you Haidyn, hope you have a great birthday!

Happy Birthday Shay!

I just wanted to wish my brother a Happy Birthday. Although we are not the closet of siblings, I just wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. Love your sweet Sis! By the way this picture is from July of 1975! We are getting old!

My Boys

After having three girls, a boy is quite a different animal. If you ask John what it is like having a son, he will get a little emotional. It is not that he doesn't enjoy his girls, but he didn't realize how much fun he would have having a little buddy. When John is home, Brevin will not leave his side, it is almost like John has a growth. They love to go to Home Depot together on Saturdays and just look at stuff. They love watching Nascar together. Brevin is right in the middle of everything when John gets his tools out to fix or make anything. I must admit that I get a little frustrated with their attachment on occasion, after all, I gave birth to the little boy and he should appreciate that, right? Granted he is only two. A couple of months ago our neighbor Olivia was baptized and John was asked to participate in the confirmation, I was forced to sit out in the hall because Brevin was screaming so loud. All because he didn't want his mother. Nope, he wanted his dad and the entire building of people knew it. Let's just say I was a little hurt and frustrated. But I must say I really do love watching my boys together. John is a pretty good father and Brevin is my favorite boy!

You get what you pay for . . .

Caitlyn absolutely HATES doing the dishes! She tries just about everything to get out of it. Caitlyn and Haidyn switch chores every week, they only have one chore other than keeping their room clean. You would think we were asking her to lick the toilet clean by the way she acts. Let's just say it gets a little dramatic at our house on occasion. Even though the labor is free . . . the price is great!!

Trimming the tree

I never thought I would put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, nor did I ever think I would buy a fake tree. Alas, I have done both! What is this world coming to!?! John and I both had the days after Thanksgiving off and with the girls begging to get the tree out, we did just that. And I must admit, this is the best time of the year!

Who knew it was possible!?

We finally have a family picture where everyone cooperated and everyone was smiling! I didn't know that it was possible! Yes, there was bribery involved, I will admit that. And my dear, sweet, wonderful neighbor and friend Tiffany discussed the picture situation with Haidyn, who has been known to not cooperate on occasion when it comes to pictures. I must admit I was very skeptical, but I am very excited that the outcome was good!

Dancing Princess

Thursday night, the 4th, Dilyn got to dance at the Festival of the Trees! She did so good! She has definately graduated from crying and running off the stage to just standing there to now actually doing her routine! We are so proud! She is in her third year of dance and she really loves it! The girls will all be performing their Christmas recital on the 18th, I will post more then.

Do you know where your son is?

We moved Brevin in to a "Big Boy" bed a couple of weeks ago and he couldn't be more proud of himself. It is a captain's bed and has four drawers and a little cubby space, which he loves to hide in. Well, a few nights ago he was not happy about going to bed. Later John was making the rounds shutting off lights and locking doors . . . then he came into our room and told me I needed to come and see Brevin. Needless to say, he was not in his bed. He was in his little cubby and fast asleep! I'm not sure which side of the family he gets the troublemaker gene from . . .