Merry Christmas 2011

Okay so my blogging is horrible, but I am promising that this coming year it will get better. Photography has been busy this fall and kind of tired me out from being on the computer, plus I have to secretly admit that I have not been so hot about taking pictures of my own kids. I am calling myself to repentance and going to do better. For now here is our Christmas card from this year. I hope it finds you all well. If you do not recieve a card and want to be on our mailing list leave a comment or send an email to kimhods(at)hotmail.com.

Card Front:

Card Back:

Christmas & a New Year

Happy New Year everyone. The kids have been out of school for the past two weeks, and it's been so nice spending time together as a family. My mom joined us here a few days before Christmas and was here for the Holiday. We literally spent the whole day in our pajamas and the kids played, played, and played some more. We made a trip to see family and celebrate our after Christmas Christmas with them. It ended up being a super quick trip thanks to the weather, but it was still great to see families and the kids love to see their cousins and Grandpa and Grandma. While we were there we say Tangled which was really cute and it was nice to go see a movie since we haven't been to one since Toy Story 3 came out. I was able to spend a little time with one of my sisters, it was great to see her and weird to think that next time I see her she will be the mother of two.

After we got home I was in dejunking mode and still am. It has been great to spend so much time with the Madie and Ethan, I really miss them while they are at school, but I can also tell it's time for all of us to get back into a routine. Owen is super close to walking and will be one at the end of this month which blows my mind. 2010 went by so fast, but I guess that's what happens when you have a baby at the beginning of a new year, because everything seems like a blur. Here are some of the things that we won't be forgetting about 2010:

-Owen's birth tops the list. He has been such a wonderful addition to our family with his sweet personality. It has been fun to see how the other kids have interacted with him and how much they have all matured and grown since we the last time we had a baby in the house.

-While it's not a really a highlight Owen being hospitalized for 6 days is an experience I won't forget anytime soon. It has made me grateful for the health of my children and my heart goes out to those whose children face health problems on a daily basis.

-Madie being baptized and then blessing Owen the same day was a very special day for our family. We appreciated all the family that were able to come and we enjoyed having them all in our home. We all get together when we go to see them, but it was neat to have them all here with us.

-Ethan starting Kindergarten was hard, but he was more than ready, and Madie was so excited for her brother to join her on the bus and at school. I'm trying not to think of them both being gone all day in the fall, but I know it will be here all to quick.

-Jeff lost his Grandma Johnson right after Christmas last year, and then lost his Grandma Hodson a few months ago. We are thankful that we were able to be there for thier funerals. They are both very missed.

-We made a few trips to see family. It's always great to spend time with them and we miss them and wish we lived closer.

-Madie started Piano which he has been really enjoying and even Jeff has been picking it back up (he took when he was younger). We are all loving the sound of music in our home.

We didn't do a lot last year, but it still seemed very busy, I guess that's what happens when you have four kids. We are all looking forward to a new year and the fun of seeing the kids continue to learn and to grow. We hope it will be a good one, not only for us, but for all of you.

Happy New Year !!!

Merry Christmas

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Temple Square

Over Christmas break we were able to take the kids to Temple Square. We haven't taken them since Ethan was little and it was fun to take them back now that they are a little older. It was cold, but we stayed warm by walking from building to building. We started in the North Visitors Center where we say the Christus statue. I am always amazed by how beautiful it is.

(I thought the Christus satues refelction in the window with Temple in the background was so beautiful)

We then headed to the tabernacle, Ethan was disappointed because he was under the impression that we would actually be seeing the Tablernacle Choir preform (I think we've watched Joy to the World to many times).

Landon had a good time climbing around on the benches and being out of the stroller (where he stayed majority of the time). We then headed over to the South Visitors Center which had some new exhibits I hadn't seen before. Madie and Ethan liked the one that showed Mormon Ad's and looked like a little town. There were beautiful Christmas trees in every building with huge ornaments, the kids thought it was fun that I took pictures of their reflections.

On our way to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSB) Jeff and I showed the kids where he proposed to me. Ethan thought it was pretty funny and even pretended that he was proposing to Madie using a funny voice. At the JSB we saw more beautiful Christmas decoractions and listened to a very talented older woman play the piano. Landon was very interested in her playing and walked right up to the piano. She was very sweet with him and even played him some Christmas songs and sang the words to him. She was so nice and the Landon loved it.

We then took the kids to the top floor of the JSB so they could see the temple below. On our way to the Conference Center we walked by the big reflecting pool in front of the temple. At the Conference Center the kids got to look in the huge atutorium where General Conference is held. They couldn't believe how big it was. I am so glad we took them, it was a neat experience for them to see the Temple where Jeff and I were married and to see where the Prophet speaks to us. I hope we can make it back to Temple Square more often.

Our Christmas

We had a really nice Christmas this year. My mom flew in a few days before Christmas, it was nice to spend time with her and the kids love all the attention that Grandma gives them. Christmas Eve we had a nice dinner, read the Christmas story, and the kids opened their yearly Christmas Eve present from Mom and Dad; new pajamas.

Even though the kids went to bed at the normal time, it was after 10:00 before they were asleep and then at 4:30 in the morning Madie came in wondering if it was time to get up, I quickly sent her on her way back to bed. We were all pretty tired the next morning (as you can see by Landon's face in the picture above).

I love Christmas morning, watching the kids open up their gifts just makes Christmas such a joy, especially when they get exactly what they want.

A couple of months ago an American Girl catalog ended up in our mailbox. I gave it to Madie to look at not knowing what I was getting myself into. Madie literally spent hours looking at the catalog and analyzing every little detail. Madie especially fell in love with the "just like you" doll with light skin, brown hair, bangs, and brown eyes. Madie just couldn't stop talking about how the doll looked just like her. Since that day all Madie has wanted for Christmas was an American Girl doll. It was a pricless Christmas moment to see her open up exactly what she wanted and she has barely set her down since. We even had to do matching hair do's Christmas morning.

Ethan loved the lego sets he got for Christmas, and was even excited about the Spiderman underwear that he pulled out of his stocking.

Landon couldn't wait to build a new Geo Trax with his new trax pack. Landon also got a garbage truck duplo set that he wouldn't stop playing with

We spent Christmas day lounging around in our pajamas, playing with toys, eating breakfast quiche and cinnamon rolls, and just enjoying being together.

On a sad note Jeff's Grandma passed away on Saturday just hours short of her 90th Birthday. She was a wonderful example to her family and the many people she served. I am thankful that I had the chance to know her before she became ill. It has been coming for sometime now, but she will be greatly missed.

Christmas Card 2009

In an attempt to not miss anyone this year I decided to post our Family Christmas Card. We send out around 100 cards each year to keep in touch with family and friends, but still I know I am forgetting someone so if you are one of those people you now have a copy of our Christmas card (via your computer). I truly hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas season and a great new year to come.

Jeff & Kim:

-We are expecting baby number 4 (a baby boy, yes that’s 3 in row) at the beginning of February.
-Jeff and Kim celebrated their 10 year anniversary by going to Hawaii (w/o the kids).
-Jeff has been serving as the ward Executive Secretary and Kim has been working in the Nursery.
-Jeff has had many opportunities to travel for work and Kim has had the chance to attend some photography workshops.
-Kim continues to enjoy photography and has had the opportunity to take pictures of many great families. You can check her work out here: www.kimhodsonphotography.blogspot.com
-The family enjoyed camping during the summer.


Madie:

-She turned 7 this year and started second grade.
- Madie enjoyed playing soccer in the fall and had fun trying new positions (including goalie).
-She had fun doing swimming lessons during the summer and really improved.
- Madie was nominated by her teacher to recieve a Principals Pride award for Acedemic Achievement.
-Madie loved camping and spending a week at her Grandma’s House.
-She enjoys reading (Junie B. Jones, Magic Treehouse, and Rainbow Magic). She also really likes math and is good at spelling.
-Madie is a great help to her family, loves cats and playing games, and has a great imagination.


Ethan:

-He turned 5 this year and loves going to preschool three days a week.
-Ethan enjoyed playing soccer for the first time and doing swimming lessons during the summer.
-Ethan also loves riding his bike and scooter.
-He loves Scooby Doo, super heroes, playing with Tinker Toys, and doing puzzles.
-He has been learning a lot at Preschool and has made new friends.
-Ethan enjoyed the week at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s while mom and dad were in Hawaii.
-Ethan loves his family, likes to tell jokes, and has an infectious smile.


Landon:

-He turned two this year and is a busy body that loves to run, jump, and climb.
-Landon started talking really well and loves to sing.
-He has been learning his colors, shapes, and ABC’s
-He enjoys listening to music, looking at books, being read to, and watching Baby Einsteins DVD’s.
-Landon loves dogs, playing outside, and anything that goes (especially trucks & buses).
-Landon keeps his family smiling, laughing, and loves his sister and brother.


We hope this letter finds you all happy and well. We appreciate your friendship and wish you a Merry Christmas and the best in the year to come.

Love,
Jeff, Kim, Madeleine, Ethan, Landon

All is Bright

These three are getting pretty excited for Christmas and so am I. The tree is up, lights are glowing, music is playing, Christmas classics are being watched, cinnamon is in the air, and the countdown has began. I LOVE this time of year !!!

Christmas Recap

We had a super fun Christmas this year. My Mom, My little Sister, her husband and their sweet little baby came and spent Christmas with us and it was so fun to be with them all. They arrived Christmas Eve after a very long and snowy drive. We ate a yummy dinner visited and the kids opened their one Christmas Eve present; Pajamas. Madie, Ethan, and Landon were excited about their new pajamas and Madie was extra excited about her new pair of slippers. After a little rearranging of rooms it was time for bed and time to get ready for Santa to come.

Christmas morning was a blast. The kids woke up and then everyone else got up. The kids were excited as they waited on the steps for Dad to go downstairs to turn the lights on and too see if Santa made it to our house this year. It was great to see the looks on their faces as they saw all the presents under the tree. Ethan gave us a priceless moment with his reaction to his Spiderman Transformer. He opened it up and said "This is exactly what I wanted (his mouth was hanging open at this point and the rest of us just laughed) then he said "No really this is awesome". He just kept looking at it and smiling. He was literally as happy as a little boy could be. Madie too loved her presents and the kids literally spent the rest of the day playing with their goodies. It was so fun to be able to spend time with my family as well especially my sister Tracey because I don't usually get to see for very long when we do see each other. We spent the rest of the day talking, playing, watching Planet Earth, and of course eating.

On Friday we all got up and got ready to leave. My Mom and Tracey and her family were headed home and we headed to see Jeff's family. The weather was snowy and roads were closed so it made for a longer drive than hoped for. We all arrived safely and Madie, Ethan, and Landon were excited to see Jeff's parents. They opened their presents from Grandma and Grandpa that night and then it was time for bed. On Saturday we hung out and Jeff's little sister Leslee came to stay at Jeff's parents house (her husband had to go out of town). We went to a Family party later that night at Jeff's uncle's house. It was fun to see his Cousins, Aunts and Uncles. We had a nice time eating, talking, and catching up with one another.

On Sunday Jeff's other sisters Jen, Amy, and their families came up for the day. Madie and Ethan were in heaven with their cousins. They all played, Jeff's mom made a delicious dinner, we played games, we played Wii Dance Revolution and Mario Kart, I sucked at both, Landon melted hearts and we exchanged family presents. Jeff's parents are also finishing their basement so Jeff and his dad literally spent everyday wiring the basement. They worked so hard and their work paid off as they were able to meet their scheduled deadline.
On Monday Jeff and I were able to sneak away and go to a camera shop I have been wanting to visit and we had a nice lunch together without children.

Today we left for home and we were glad that the weather was so nice and the roads were so clear. Overall we had a super great holiday. The kids were in heaven with their presents and had so much fun having family at our house. It was great to be able to go see the rest of our family as well. We feel blessed to have such wonderful families and we are glad we were able to see everyone. We hope you too had a wonderful holiday as well.