Christmas!

Christmas was great! (My mom) Grandma Haroldsen was here for most of September, and Grandpa came out the Saturday before Christmas. New House + New Baby + Grandparents = Merry Christmas Indeed!

We didn't do anything "spectacular" --- just enjoyed being family and having fun with the kids. Matt did take 4-yr-olds Mike and Em and 2-yr-old Natalie shopping at a dollar store to pick out gifts for each other and for "Mommy", and they thought that was a wonderfully "big kid" thing to do... It also helped make a grand stack of presents under the tree (without breaking the bank)!

The kids had a good time posing in front of the tree to show off new outfits:

Mike & Em (4 1/2) and Natalie (almost 3)

3-week-old Esther

Christmas Eve we enjoyed the novelty of having a genuine fireplace to hang stockings by:



Chrismas Day we just took our time opening presents and watching the kids play...


...and, believe it or not, I (Jen) was terribly domestic and actually made rolls "from scratch"...

Anyway, we all had a great time! And just think - next year Esther will be old enough to enjoy everything, too!

Introducing Baby Esther!

It has been brought to my attention that I never did mention on this blog that we have been expecting a baby (oops!) --- so, Suprise! There are now Four Little "Higglets"!

Little Esther made her arrival a few days ago and is now happily home and settling in just fine. Mike, Em and Natalie are fascinated with her and just love "helping"....

Here are a few pics of our little darlin's meeting for the first time:
And here is the little lady herself, ready for her first car ride (home from the hospital):

Costume Time!

For Halloween this year, Emily decided to be a "pink cowgirl" (costume courtesy of Grandma Haroldsen), Mike changed his mind last minute to be a cowboy, too (his usual costume from Aunt Jana), and Natalie announced she was going to be a ghost: "Whoooo!"

"Can we go yet, Mom?"

"Yee-haw and Yippee!"

(Emily & Mike, 4 1/2 yrs)

"Whoooo!"

(Natalie, 2 1/2 yrs)

Our community trick-or-treat was Sunday afternoon, but it was "wicked cold" so the kids probably went to about 5 houses, total.... We have a ward party and "trunk-or-treat" on Friday night, though, so they will have another chance to dress up (and get more loot).... They are still at the age to be more interested in dressing up than the amount of candy they get, anyway, so they are having fun!