A Happy Home is Filled with Love and Laughter

Christmas Lights

Beej & Chris

Since the weather was still pretty warm in DECEMBER- we decided to take the kids to go see the lights at Temple Square.

We got them all bundled up and in the stroller while we walked around

This year we took time to go see some of the window displays near Temple Square.

The kids sure enjoyed it

After walking around for a bit, we went inside the visitor center for a bit.

Some Sister Missionaries caught us and invited us to see a family video. We decided since it was Monday night that this would be a perfect way to end our FHE. We started in one room and watched a mini video, but ended up moving into around 7 different rooms with each room decorated different with a mini video about families and their struggles and how they got through it. The kids favorite room was the one decorated as a babies room :) Afterwards we talked about the videos we saw with the Missionaries.

It was a great night.

Now, here are a few random pictures that were taken around the same time but not the same day.

Kaylee and Connor got Christmas cards from Grandma Tenney. Grandma is so good to send them fun cards with stickers for each Holiday, and every time they get just as excited if not more than the last time.

Our amazing friends Brinlee and Everette dropped off Christmas presents for the kids...

Kaylee got a little kit where she got to make a bead bracelet. She loved it! Thanks Brinlee

Everette gave Connor car magnets which were also a big hit. Thanks Everette!

Kaylee was giving me a hard time that I didn't put my shoes away in the correct shoe slot by the front door (I put it next to it). I tried to explain to her that it was hard for me to lean down with a big belly and that I knew I was going to use my shoes again soon. I gave her a ball and had her try a few things out with a big belly to see how difficult it was. Lol She didn't seem to think anything was difficult with the ball in her belly and thought it was just fun. I reminded her that her ball was A LOT lighter than the baby in my belly.

13th Ward Christmas Breakfast

Beej & Chris

Each year our ward does a Christmas breakfast for our ward party. Santa came this year!

He read a book to all the kids that showed all the similarities in Santa and Christ and all the symbols that we can find that can help us remember Christ and his life at this wonderful time.

Afterwards Santa gave a candy cane to each of the kids and gave them a hug

Kaylee and Connor went up with the primary and sang a few Christmas songs

I didn't get any pictures of the kids with Santa. Kaylee jumped up there pretty quickly and Connor was too nervous to give him a hug this time.

36 weeks + 7 Year Anniversary

Beej & Chris

Yep, I have one of the coolest husbands out there. We celebrated our 7 year Anniversary this year. Papa Bruce was so kind to come and watch the kids while BJ and I went to see the new Hunger Games movie. We then snapped a few prego shots together since I was just about 36 weeks along.

I just love this man! He is so fun and though he is a 'planner' will follow me in doing crazy spontaneous fun things together.

Each year we make each other a gift. This year has been soo busy with all the house building/selling that we decided to just write down a memory for each other. BJ wrote out memories from the last year and I wrote him a poem. We shared it with one another right before going into the movie theater. It was perfect!

In the past 7 years married we have had two amazing kids with another on the way, bought a house and are getting ready to build a new house, traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Atlanta, California, Jamaica, South & North Dakota just to name a few. We have had hard times with fertility problems and pregnancy loses yet we have had amazing unforgettable times. I wouldn't change anything for the world. Love you BJ Tenney. Happy Anniversary!

First day of house showings

Our house finally made it on the MLS. We'd had the sign up for a few weeks, but were working out our financing, so it had to wait until all of that was done. The first day it was up we had 2 people who wanted to come and take a look at it.

We spent a lot of time making sure things were as clean as we could get them. The first person was supposed to show up at 3pm and Christie had to work that day at 2. We had cleaned most everything and I had a few things to finish before I would leave with the kids. At 2:30, the doorbell rings. It's our 3pm appointment, but fortunately it was just a realtor who was looking at the property for an investment firm to see if they wanted to try and buy it. The kids and I just stayed here while he looked at things.

Our next appointment was scheduled between 8 and 830 pm. Normally I wouldn't want people coming at that time, but since it was our first day, I figured I could drive around with the kids while they fell asleep. We had the house looking really good and so we headed out just before 8 to look at the Christmas lights. Both kids were asleep by just before 830, so I drove back down towards the house and parked just down the street. There were no cars, but I figured I'd wait to see if anyone showed up. At 845, I figured no one was coming and so we pulled in the garage and I put the kids up in their beds.

I was turning off lights and closing blinds upstairs when I looked out the front window to see people getting out of cars in front of my house... CRAP! I frantically turned the lights back on and grabbed Connor, ran downstairs, threw him in the car and ran back up for Kaylee. They both stayed asleep while I waited a minute in the car with garage closed hoping to time things to leave after they'd entered the house. When I opened the garage, the realtor and prospective buyers walked in the garage and said I could stay while they looked. I chose to leave - nothing like feeling rushed to look through a home. I drove around the block and parked down the street again.

After they left, I drove home and opened the garage. I went to open the door to find it locked! Because they hadn't gone in the front door, they went out through the garage door and locked the door. I didn't have a spare key and so I quickly called our realtor. He had the buying agent return, open the lock box and let me in the house. It was frustrating in the moment, but really pretty entertaining after the fact. The kids slept through all the fun. :)

Neighborhood Gifts

Beej & Chris

This year for neighborhood gifts we decided to make it a little easier and not make fudge and toffee. I found this cute idea on Pinterest where you make snowman covers to go on top of popcorn. The saying on the back says "Just 'Popping' by to wish you a Merry Christmas. Love the Tenney's"

I borrowed a paper cutter from my neighbor Miranda which made it go by pretty quickly. I also loved this idea because the kids each got to help. They colored the cheeks of the snowman! It turned out pretty cute, was cheap, and easy to deliver. We just might have to do this again next year ;)

Sleepover in the front room

Beej & Chris

How cute is this little man. He is growing up too fast, but still has the cutest kissable cheeks!

Now this little girl is full of spunk and personality. I love how she will take silly pictures with me.

We got Jazz game tickets from Grandpa Scott; so Kaylee and I had a girls night out and went to the game. We usually go to a play area during half time but the play area is no longer there :( Instead we got nachos and ice cream to share. Even better!

Our amazing neighbor Ashley McGavin told us how to make our own Koolaide play dough. Kaylee and Connor each chose the color they wanted and helped to make their own play dough. I definitely agree with Ashley in that homemade play dough is so much better than store bought.

For FHE one night we drove around looking at lights around town. Daddy then had the great idea to have a sleepover downstairs by the Christmas tree which the kids of course LOVED.