We had a very nice Christmas this year and the kids were once again extremely spoiled. So thank you to all who were apart of it. We unfortunately lost our camera :( so we did not get any pictures. Sorry! As soon as I get some from family members I will post them. Happy New Year, everyone!

Christmas Pressie's

I mentioned that I would post what the kids wanted for Christmas to make it easier on everyone. If you decide to get something for them off the list, please post a comment so we know not to duplicate it. These lists came back pretty funny this year.... all of them think they are so grown up.

Allie

Cat, Coloring Books, Art Stuff, Quick Gems, Girl Crush-Streak and Style, Hamster, Snake(One that won't bite), Spiderwick Fieldguide, Camera Video, Camera, Dream Life Superstar, Floor Pad Paper, Hannah Montana Poster Book, Harry Potter Poster Book, Disney Ipod, Binoculars, Beyond Spiderwick Books, Cell Phone, Limited Too Gift Card

Loran

Quick Gems, Sea Shells, Nail Polish Set, Hannah Montana Poster Book, Reba CD, Camera, Tinker Bell Book Set, Santa Claus 3 movie, Tiara with real diamonds, Monkey, Hair Stuff, Stationary Kit, Lamb, Make-up Kit, Hamster, Cell Phone,Girl Crush- Streak and Style, Painting of Flowers, Limited Too Gift Card

Jackson

GI Joe's, Ice Cream Maker, Art Stuff, Spiderman Toys, Lots of Paper, Transformers, Video Camera, Binoculars, Shoes (Size 11), Video Games (PS2), Space Ship for GI Joe's, Toy House for GI Joe's

Rhian

Little People Airplane, Zebra bounce and ride, Clothes (18 Mos.), Shoes (Size 5)

As you can see some of these are just funny and cute! But this is the list they gave me. Good Luck!

Christmas Lights

I love Christmas lights! My favorite are those at temple square. I do not believe in lights before Thanksgiving, however. I feel bad for Thanksgiving. Everyone is in such a rush to get Christmas decorations out that we blow through Thanksgiving without thinking about it. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to start thinking about Christ. (If you don't regularly already) All that He has given us, we should pause and give thanks. Then we start the Christmas Season off with a bang. So I say, turn the Christmas lights off and put the decorations away until black Friday. Remember what you are doing it all for in the first place and stop and give thanks! Then bring on the twinkly icicles and stockings.

Ducks!

Rhian's new word is duck. She has a ducky book that she loves reading. So we decided today we would go to Barnes park and feed the ducks. She was petrified of the ducks. In her defense, there were a ton and they were noisy. She liked them better from afar.

Tag Your It!

Thanks Angie~

This is hard... here goes:


Rules: Write 7 facts about yourself...silly, serious, random - you decide. List who tagged you and then who you will tag at the bottom. Leave a comment on their blogs and let them know you tagged them.


1. I love the Mountains! I love going for rides on the bumpy dirt roads. I love having the fresh mountain air in my face. I love the trees and streams you find in them. I love the feeling of being on something so majestic. I love that they make you feel so insignificant and so powerful all at the same time.

2. I love the stars! I used to spend hours staring at them. I even knew most of the constellations. Growing up I had glow in the dark star stickers on my ceiling. When Eirik and I lived close to downtown Dallas, I would make him drive me to the burbs just to stare at the stars. These gorgeous stars are what sold me on living in West Point. Nothing is out here so they have no competition and they shine so bright!

3. I am an unofficial massage therapist. From the moment Allie was 5 days old to the time Loran turned 3, I had a full time massage job. I know every curve of the foot. I know the way to tape a foot to make it turn the way it's supposed to. And I know the heartache when it doesn't. The ironic thing... I hate feet! I always have. I won't even touch my own feet.

4. Shopping is my passion! I can be let loose in a store and come out with the best bargains, when it comes to everything but food. I can not master the art of using coupons for groceries. It's a huge pet peeve. Especially when everyone around me seems so capable of it.

5. I love old music... Chicago, Stix, REO Speedwagon, Air Supply, Fleetwood Mac. I also like the old Blackhawk, Garth Brooks, Reba, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Smashing Pumpkins, U2, etc. Nothing against the newer stuff from the same artists. This music just ties me back to my younger years!

6. I love to exercise! It doesn't look like it at the moment, but I'm trying. If I am having a hard day chances are I missed the gym that day. I need to go to have me time. It's my chance to be selfish and at the same time it benefits everyone around me.

7. I love the rain! When I was in Jr. High and High School, I used to go outside and walk in the rain. It would be pouring and I would sit in it for hours. Whenever it rained my friends would always know where to find me. I love the way it smells. I love the clean feeling in the air it leaves. I love the peacefulness you are left with! It's always a good day when it rains!

Alright~ I am tagging Melissa and Teisha. Have fun!

Reminiscing

I don't know why, but I've been in the mood to reminisce. I'm guessing because I'm back in Utah and this was who I was last time I lived in here.

, Dancing with the Rockettes,

Working at McDonald's ,

Skiing at Snowbasin with friends

and living off Pepsi .

At times I think life was easier then. Sometimes, it seems I still am that person and I'm living someone else's life now. At other times I look back and can't believe that was ever me!

It's healthy to have a past... It's amazing if we get through the present... It will be a blessing to have a future!

Trunk or Treat

We had Trunk or Treat at the church on Tuesday night. We went and ate sloppy joe's and then handed out candy from our trunks, obviously. The kids had a blast. They are old enough now we let them go around the church parking lot with their friends on their own.


Rhian was our "Lion in Captivity". It was pretty cold and she hadn't been feeling well. So we kept her in the car. To keep her happy we gave her a red sucker... which didn't end up looking very good on a lion. :)

Decorating Pumpkins!

For Family Home Evening we decorated our pumpkins. We got a little messy and all of the kids, big one included, had to go shower off after.

Pumpkin Time!

I took Jack and Rhian to Day Farms Pumpkin Patch for a Hayride and to get our pumpkins. We went with the ward playgroup and Carly. We had a lot of fun!

Bath Time

I ususally don't like tub pictures, but these were so cute! I had to share...

Rhiannon Eirika Leerskov is 1!

We had pictures done for Rhian's 1st Birthday! To see more go to http://mystudio.kiddiekandids.com/viewshare.asp?c=006226211XU6EC24Z .

Rhian loves dogs, so for her birthday we got her a doggie cake.

She also got her own baby cake, which she devoured!

Rhian received a toy ball train from Carly and Brett, a little people circus from Allie, Loran and Jack and a pink rocking horse from Bama and GL. All in all... it was a good 1st Birthday!

Happy Birthday Rhian!

I am sad... our gorgeous baby girl is growing up! Rhiannon Eirika will be 1 year old on Tuesday, Oct. 23rd. Since she is the last baby, I wanted her to stay a baby. Out of all the kids, she seemed to hit 1 the fastest. She's walking around now. Becoming more and more sure of herself. She has the cutest personality ever. When she laughs, she throws her head back with her mouth wide open. It is adorable! My baby is growing up and I am sad....

Yeah! We just got these family pictures taken up at Mueller Park in Bountiful. I love the fall colors and wanted some great outdoor shots. (Of course this is black and white, but there's more.) The Photographer, Sam, was wonderful. I highly recommend her! Tell her we sent you so we can get a free picture :) To see more of us... go to http://onedayinjunephotography.blogspot.com/

Everyone I know is doing this... so I might as well!

My husband...

What is his name? Arthur Eirikssen Leerskov III, More commonly known as Eirik.

How long have you been together? We've been married 9 years. Together 10, in November.

Who eats more? Eirik goes for days with only eating one meal a day and then days where he eats everything in sight. I just eat on a more regular basis...

Who said I love you first? Sad to say it was me... I wish I were one of those girls who could hold out till the guy did, but I'm not. The sad part is... he didn't even say it right back. I felt so stupid!

Who is taller? Eirik by far... he says I have mutant shrimp genes.

Who sings better? This too is Eirik, however he hardly ever does. I on the other hand, sing constantly which he despises. I really am not good!

Who is smarter? Now if I said him, that just shows how dumb I am. I of course am the smartest:)

Whose temper is worse? Mine by far! Eirik is very laid back. At least he was... he's starting to get onrier the longer he lives with me.

Who does the laundry? Me... I don't mind doing it and folding it, but I hate putting it away. Eirik hates that I do it and fold, but don't put it away.

Who pays the bills? I do, another thing Eirik hates. He works so hard and doesn't have the time to. I can't stand not knowing so I do it.

Who mows the lawn? Lawn, what's a lawn? He does weed-wack when the "yard" gets taller than Jack.

Who cooks dinner? I do for the most part. I go through spurts where I just don't want to, so I start making a lot of mac and cheese and ramons. That is when he will step in and make something else. Eirik likes to cook, or experiment in the kitchen. I just don't always want to have to eat it.

Who is more stubborn? Probably me.... I don't really know. He's definitely more laid back, but he can be a butt when he wants to.

Who asked whom out? I don't think either of us. We just kind of started hanging out a lot and ended up dating. I don't remember an official asking. Of course I don't remember a lot of things.

Who kissed whom first? Honestly, I don't remember our first kiss. Wow, it must have been really good! I need to get my memory checked.

Who wears the pants in the family? I do, because Eirik would rather not fight about it.

What is something funny about your husband? Eirik can sound exactly like the Pillsbury dough boy when you poke him in the stomach. It's hilarious!

Who is more wonderful, good-looking, kind, generous, patient, understanding, athletic, talented and just overall amazing? Eirik ... but, he would say so too! All except the athletic part. He thinks playing sports is a little barbaric.

The "Sticks"!

I love living in the "Sticks". These 2 beauties were in the field behind our house. They just hung out walking around while the farmer cleared the land.

West Point is Wonderful! (Thanks to Shelby for the pictures.)

Congratulations ~ Vanessa & Jason

We were very honored as a family to be able to be in Vanessa and Jason's Wedding. We had so much fun and met great people. The wedding and the reception were both beautiful. Vanessa topped it all though, she was gorgeous! We love you and hope you'll be happy V&J!

Happy 7th Birthday Loran

Loran had another spectacular birthday!
We had a family party for her and a friend party.

Mom's 50!

We decided to be good children and throw mom a surprise 50th birthday party. Of course that doesn't mean we have to be nice. I sent out mock funeral invitations and decorated in black. We had a woderful cake that said "Rest In Peace Dear Youth" with a picture of her as a baby. (Which looked a lot like Rhian) Larry made her dress up as an old lady, complete with cane and wig. It was very good to see so many of the people I grew up with. All in all, I think it she had a good birthday.

Viva Las Vegas

July 6-8th I went to Las Vegas with my BFF Melissa. It was good to get away and have girl time. We spent lots of time walking through all of the hotels. The Eifel tower was my favorite. We also pampered ourselves pretty well! I had a pedicure and a cellulite reducing massage and mud bath. So much fun! We only got hit on 3 times. We will have to try again next year :)

Christmas

We made it! We told the builder he had to have the house done for Christmas because it was the kids Christmas present. We moved in on Dec. 21st. The first thing to go in was the Christmas tree. We then hosted Christmas dinner here for 17 people. We are crazy!

The kids had a great Christmas and were thoroughly spoiled!