Christmas Eve

Blair's parents flocked south for the month of December and invited us to come visit them. We decided to go over Christmas so we spent the normally cold holiday in warm Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was beautiful and warm, which was exactly the break we needed, but we didn't get to do the kind of things we would normally do for an Idaho Christmas like sled and drink hot chocolate.  Not to fret, though. We had a 'plethora' of things we could've done (If you're not quite sure what that means, you haven't seen the 'Even Stevens' episode and are really missing out) but we Blair and I were hesitant to take on anything too much because of our kids. So we decided to go bowling. It was so much fun to bowl with Blair's family.

Annie and I couldn't get over how funny the 'form' photos were. So brace yourself. You are in for a real treat....

Yes, my camera is amazing. There isn't a camera that can blur photos quite like mine can.  You should all go buy one =)

And of course, Ellie was cheerin' us on behind the scenes! 

The London Bridge

On our way into town, we passed a street sign named "London Bridge Road". 

Blair: That's the real London Bridge, you know.

Bethany: Whatever! Didn't the London Bridge like fall down or something?

Blair: Nope. It's the real London Bridge

Bethany: You're not going to fool me this time. You think you know everything...

Haha, we know we are complete dorks. 

Even though I'm pretty sure he didn't know at that moment that it really was the real London Bridge it turned out that he was right.

I guess in like the '60s some guy that bought Lake Havasu like a millenium ago bought the bridge from London because it couldn't hold up with all the traffic that it was getting daily. Between the purchase, the shipping, and putting the jig-saw puzzle back together it is said that it cost him around 7 million.  Holy crap, right?! If I had seven million dollars laying around I probably wouldn't buy a bridge, but I don't own a city or a lake either so it must've been pocket change to the ol' geazer. Anyway, a couple centuries later we were able to enjoy it on Christmas Eve.  Here are the shots.

Christmas Eve Night

So then we went back to the house to open presents, make cookies for Santa Clause, and soak in the hot tub.

BTW, where are my son's pants???

Halloween 2010

I don't have any pictures of us in our costumes because I couldn't find my camera. I searched high and low and cursed and prayed, but it wasn't anywhere to be found. Of course I found it a few days later but I missed the fun costumes and the excitement of Deegan trick or treating. He was Woody from Toy Story. And what would Woody be without his sidekick Buzz Lightyear? Well, we couldn't break the little boy's heart so Blair went as Buzz. Ellie was a kitten with a big, black tutu. And I went as a pirate. So 'Ahrrrr' you ready for some pictures of stuff we did capture? (haha pun totally intended) 

We made spiders out of our handprints

And we carved pumpkins:

And little Ellie was working hard behind that scenes!

Eloise's Blessing

Eloise Blaire Gochnour was blessed October 10, 2010 by her father Blair Gochnour at the Burley West Stake Center.  She was absolutely beautiful in a dress that her Uncle Matt bought her.

I had to take a naked-hippy flower photo... I just couldn't resist =)

And I should note that Blair missed opening day of hunting season for the blessing. Well not techinally opening day because he drew and was able to go the Saturday before, but the fact that he only went for one day so that he could bless his daughter is proof that she's got him wrapped around her finger ;) Here's a pic to prove it.

Deegan LOVES Eloise

The Deegster loves his little sister. He flips his lid if he doesn't get to lay by her every time she wakes up. He loves to hold her hand and gives her hugs and kisses constantly. His intentions are usually good, but don't always end up good...like that time he tried to feed her some of his food and she choked or the time he decided he should draw on his sister.  But here are some pictures of things you can find him doing daily.

...He talks to her on the 'phone' and tells her about his day...

...he holds her while they watch TV...

...he pushes her in her swing (usually a little too hard)...

...he shares his toys. Well, at least he used too.  Chances are that at the moment he's not...

...he snuggles with her...

...and kisses her...

...and plays her toys with her...

And you know what? ...she loves him too.

One other thing I haven't quite captured him doing on the camera is reading her a book. They lay on the ground and look at books together and he tells her all about Nemo, and The Incredibles, and Peter Pan just to name a few.  I hope that they can always be good friends.