This is why we live in AZ

This winter has been pretty warm. We've been really enjoying some nice 70-80 degree weather! It has been so nice that we set up our tent outside in the back yard and let the girls have fun going in and out of it. Might as well enjoy the outdoors before it's too hot!!!

Coco loves to run around outside and play with the girls. One day we just set out a blanket on the grass and had a little picnic and layed around in the tent and on the grass.

Addy enjoying some fries and a Sonic drink with Mom.

It's days like this that remind us why we live here in AZ. It did get a little cool for a few days, but the temperature has been back up and now is comfortably in the 60-70 range! For those Canadian visitors to our site - you are welcome to come down and visit anytime!!!

A new addition to our family...

The Chan Clan proudly announces a new addition to the family...

Coconut Chan

Coconut (Coco) is a Bichon Frise. He was 6 weeks old when we got him. The girls absolutely LOVE Coco. He's pretty cute, but is definitely a BOY. He has a lot of energy and is super friendly. Coco is pretty smart. He learned how to sit and dance on command and is working on lying down and rolling over. He loves doggy snacks and being chased. We are working on crate training him and he still has some accidents inside the house, but he's getting better.

Here is Coco after we brought him home.

Look what Coco dragged in! Coco loves Addy and loves to chase her and tug on her pant legs. We're working on the nipping and he's gotten quite a bit better. Addy and Aubrey tell him to sit and he listens pretty good.

Aubrey loves to be a little Mommy to Coco.

Here is Coco in one of his more mellow moments.

Welcome to the Chan Clan - Coco!!!

Can I have SMORE please?

It was fun to bring out the SMORE maker and have the kids make SMOREs at home.

Justice and Aubrey roasting (actually torching) their marshmallows.

Aubrey: "Mom, my marshmallow's on fire!"

Molly: "Well, blow it out."

Aubrey: "Phfff...(nothing happens)."

Molly: "Blow harder."

Aubrey: "PHFFF...it's burned."

Rylan: "It's ok (makes the smore and gives to Aubrey)."

Aubrey: "Mmm...I love it!"

I love to see the Temple

Molly is in the Primary Presidency in our ward. The primary theme this year is, "My Eternal Family." One of their activities to introduce the theme was to go to the Mesa Temple. 70 kids - yes SEVENTY - trekked up to the Temple and broke into groups to listen to the missionaries, see displays, watch movies, and tour the Temple grounds. They loved it! The Spirit was strong and the kids were great! For many - it was the first time that they have been to the Temple during the day and not just during the Christmas lights.

Here is one of the groups. What more needs to be said?

Bad hair day

Has anyone ever had a bad hair day???

This seems to be a constant issue for Addy...

...but we still think she's adorable.

Christmas 2008

Christmas is our most favorite time of the year. This past Christmas and New Year have been so busy, that it's taken us 2 months to get back on here and update our blog!

Here we are spending the evening making a Gingerbread house. The girls loved nibbling on the candy and when it was time to eat the house - we invited the cousins over and it was gone in about 5 minutes!

This is the Chan Gingerbread house!

Aubrey helping put together our beautiful fake tree! Maybe one of these years we'll go back to getting a real one.

Christmas is our most favorite time of the year. The smells, the season, the memories, everything. Here is the tree all dressed with sparkling lights, and fun decorations. Christmas to us, really is the most wonderful time of the year.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...with all the decorations in place, the tree trimmed and the presents under the tree - we were ready for the big day!

Santa came to pay a little visit to our ward Christmas activity.

Aubrey tells Santa that she has been a very good girl!

It's the big day! Smiles abounded and everyone enjoyed their presents. It was hard to believe that in just a matter of hours, Christmas was already over. We really had a nice Christmas. It was our very first Christmas ever in our own home! Molly got it super decked out and it was fun to have so much space to put up Christmas decorations that we've collected over the years. As usual, the bottom quarter of the tree was bare because Addy kept playing with the ornaments and we had to keep moving them higher.

The girls loved Christmas. Aubrey and Addy got a fun kitchen set to play with that included a ton of play food and accessories. Of course, she got a chest full of princess clothes that she wears constantly. Molly got a body bugg, jewelery and more kitchen stuff. Rylan got a nice robe and a work bench for all his tools.

Yes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. We love it and like Michael McLean said, "I cried the day that I take the tree down..." just kidding - we're not that sentimental, but still, we love Christmas and can't wait until next year!!!