O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Daddy and Kimball and Brandon setting up the tree. Brandon was bringing branches to Mike, as was Kimball! Such great helpers... We really wanted to get a real tree, especially seeing how we were invited by our wonderful neighbors, the Bakers, to go cut down a tree with them. You know how it goes in college... tight budget. Our tree is getting flimsy after years of use from Mike's parents and now us, we will need a new one after this year.
Mommy got in on the Christmas tree action after dinner was in the oven...
Kimball put the tree on the star, but it fell off...
So mommy helped him out and got it back up there...
And finally, the finished masterpiece!

I am skipping an important Holiday, I know! We did celebrate Thanksgiving, and had a wonderful vacation at my brother's house in Rexburg (Thanks Corey and Daymi!), but I forgot my camera. Therefore I have no documentation of our Holidays and am skipping on to Christmas (perhaps I'll post in a week or so, when I get the pics from Daymi that we took on her camera). We decorated our tree and home today with our decorations, a small collection from our almost four years of marriage. I don't know if I can take a month of trying to keep Brandon away from the tree! Not even 10 minutes after we had finished the tree, he had already pulled down 4 decorations, climbed all around it, pulled at the tree skirt, and lost an ornament hook! His middle name should be changed to trouble...

Anyways, our tradition is to buy one new tree decoration each year. We are trying to think of a good decoration for this year, any good ideas on where to look for unique tree decorations around the Pocatello/Southeast Idaho area?

The Castle of Doom and Destruction (AKA a Matusek Family FHE)

Once upon a time, Mia, my Husband's brother's fiance, sent our boys gifts. For Brandon's birthday gift, he received building blocks. For Kimball's big brother gift, crayons and a coloring book.
We decided to have a Family Home Evening with the blocks... and we had fun!
We built really high towers!
And a beautiful castle that housed the cookie monster, a cow, a farmer, a horse, a dog, a tractor, Diego, a leopard, a dragon, and other cool things...
And then we destroyed it!
The End

I have a little boy who LOVES the snow! He loves the snow so much that while we were outside playing in it for the first time this season, his face was buried in the snow the majority of the time so he could eat it and feel it on his face. Luckily it was fresh snow... but we did have a little chat about not eating dirty or yellow snow, not such a good idea! He can't wait for more snow, which we don't get enough of here in Pocatello to suit his "taste" for snow. He is such a silly boy!

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!

Brandon had a wonderful birthday, which was over two weeks ago on Nov. 12th (better late than never!) We were able to go to the mall as a family and have some fun. Brandon loved riding on the truck, although at first he was a little unsure of what to think. He also enjoyed the pretzel bites we ate, especially the cheese! We enjoyed one of his favorite dinners, roast beef and vegetables and then opened his present. We got him a barn that came with some animals and a farmer, way fun! Kimball was a little jealous, but he came around and played nicely with Brandon and his new toy. He thought it was his Birthday when we bought the toy, and was disappointed to find out that it was his brother's birthday. We tried to get him excited for the prospects of Christmas and his 3rd birthday in February... plus, Brandon is kind enough to share! I don't know what we would do without our little Brandon!

Birthday cake experiment...

So, here is the experiment... Brandon's cake for his 1st birthday. Mike and I record a series on the Food Network called Ace of Cakes, and we get a kick out of the work that they do (not to mention that it is really funny!) We decided that we wanted to make our own cake and use fondant instead of regular icing. I baked an almond white cake, carved it into a number one, and then we lightly frosted it as a glue for the fondant. Mike made the fondant and we worked as a team to get it onto the cake. I think for first-time fondant users, we did ok. Over all it was a great experience! I will get on soon in the next few days and share pictures and tell about Brandon's first Birthday celebration. Have a great weekend!!!

A crowded house of 14...

We had a wonderful time in Rexburg after the funeral on Friday. My mom and my family went over to Corey's house to enjoy the rest of the evening. On Saturday, Katrina and her 3 darling children joined us to celebrate Halloween. We spent Saturday eating Mor-mors special pancakes (Norwegian Pancakes), making and decorating cookies, visiting, looking at memorabilia from my mom and my Mor-Mor (grandma in Norwegian), carving pumpkins, dressing up, and trick-or-treating! It was a super fun day, and I got lots of pictures and some really fun videos, although I don't think my mom or my brother would appreciate me sharing:) Here is a picture of Brianna getting ready for Halloween. She was a disco girl!

Uncle Corey wrangling all the kiddos for a group pic

Aunt Tiff and Uncle Corey with all the kids at the Trunk-or Treat in Rexburg

Our Halloween Decorations (back at our apartment in Poky)
I know I kinda just tossed this pic in with the Rexburg pics, oh well!

Looking at pics and documents from my Mom's childhood

Daymi is trying to get Corey to "crack his puss"

Kelvin, Kimball, and Elena wrestling

The three ghosts

Mor-mor had to share the shake she bought

Sunday, Nov. 1st was a lazy day. My mom had to go back with Katrina so she could catch her flight on Monday. It was great to see Katrina, Brianna, Kaydien, Madison, my mom, Corey, Daymi, Kelvin, Elena, and Abigail. Thanks for opening your home Corey and Daymi!

Aunt Teresa

Aunt Teresa's Gravesite

The Daniels Family

Teresa's living siblings L-R: Carolyn Moore, Kathy Ross, Benjamin Young, and Sonja Warren

My Dear Aunt Teresa passed away on October 26, 2009. Her passing came suddenly and was unexpected. Upon hearing the news of her death from my mother, Teresa's sister, my thoughts and my prayers have been with those she has left behind, most specifically her husband and children. I am grateful that I was able to know her, and to have been influenced by her love and her faith. I hold precious memories in my heart of spending time with her and her family on their farm in Arco, and in their house in Idaho Falls, the same house that I lived in as a little girl for the space of a few years. I will miss seeing her and getting a precious hug from her loving arms, and of course I will definitely miss playing a wicked game of Dirty Rummy with her and her sisters. I have posted a few pictures of the burial services. I was able to attend the viewing, funeral services, and burial services and was grateful to be asked to be a part of the services by playing the violin for her. I was touched by the outpouring of love for her and appreciation for the life that she lived, truly she is an angel!