Our Chriser Story

Although we were sad to be away from our families and the SNOW this Christmas, we had an absolute blast celebrating the holiday! Our kids are at the funnest ages. I enjoyed every minute of the fonduing, present wrapping and unwrapping, candy eating, carol singing, etc, etc, etc. We also felt very blessed that Colby was able to attend ALL of our major celebrations. Although he did get called into work, it happened before our Christmas Eve dinner, after the kids had gone to bed and before they woke up in the morning. Other than Colby not getting much sleep, it worked out great!

On Christmas Eve, Abbi was very concerned that Santa was coming to our house because she was terrified of him when we saw him at the mall. She kept telling me, "I no want Santa come to my house," and shaking her little finger in my face. We finally convinced her that Misses Clause (who she liked more than Santa) was going to come and leave the presents and she wouldn't see Santa because she was going to be in bed. This is what she thought of this idea:

Chriser Eve from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring-except for Colby who stayed up until 1:30 in the morning trying to assemble the "little kitcher" that Grandma and Grandpa Frost and Stewart got for Abbi....

and doesn't he look thrilled about it.

At 1:30 in the morning Santa had finally gotten everything in place and we were ready for three little smiling faces to wake up Christmas morning. After they woke up, this beautiful scene took them about 2.5 seconds to destroy.

Mmmmm... The traditional Cisney family Christmas bread. This was also gone in about 2.5 seconds.

All ready for presents!

Someone was really excited about this kitchen. I think it was worth all of Colby's hard work, don't you?!? Thanks Grandmas and Grandpas!

And after. My house looked like a Christmas tornado tore through it for two or three days. I actually didn't mind too much, we were having way too much fun playing with our toys to care.

On Christmas night, the Fluhman family invited us over for Christmas dinner and it was fabulous! We had turkey, ham, rolls, salad, funeral potatoes,crackers and cheese and Christmas candy. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of the food or the beautiful table decorations. Just our cute (and wild!) children.

Merry Christmas!

I'm pretty sure....

I'm pretty sure that Clark Griswald lives on my street.

A still picture just didn't do this justice- plus you wouldn't get that coordinating Christmas music he has playing in the background.

Clark Griswald from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

I'm also pretty sure that it is impossible for me to get a decent picture of all three of my kids.

This year it was Abbi giving me a run for my money...

I didn't mean you really had to say CHEEEESSSEE...

Are these two related or what?

See what I mean?

At this point I am yelling, "just look at the camera and smile," and Colby is yelling from the other room to hurry because we're going to be late for church.

All I can say is thank goodness for digital cameras!

I also need to clarify from my previous post:

I don't hate the nice weather, I actually really like it. It's beautiful, I don't have to bundle up kids to leave the house and when the kids are being rowdy I can banish them to the backyard. But, I miss the snow. It just doesn't seem like Christmas without it. And it doesn't seem like home. But I'll get used to it- maybe. As for the Temple mall, all you need to know is it has exactly 3 stores that I would actually shop in and exactly zero Children's clothing stores. What I wouldn't give to not have to drive an hour to a decent mall. I guess maybe I'll have to become an online shopper.

Sickness

We've been struck with it- sickness. We have a myriad of illness at our house, the kids and I have had everything from sore throats and tummy aches to sinus infections and stuffy noses. I got a phone call from Colby yesterday (who is rarely sick) saying that he nearly fainted in the OR and followed that up by puking his guts out in the locker room and he was too light headed to drive home. (I guess he's hardcore, that still didn't persuade him to take a sick day today). All of this moping around in our PJ's watching Christmas movies has caused another kind of sickness- home sickness. Every once in a while it comes on with a vengeance and today I've got it. I'm not sure if it's because I just went to the Temple mall (if you've ever been to the Temple mall there is no explanation needed as to why this would cause me to be home sick), or because I know Colby isn't coming home until late tonight. It could be because Christmas is in four days and I just had to turn on my air conditioner. It could also be due to the fact that all of our other said illnesses have kept me away from the gym for three or four days and my endorphins are at an all time low. It can probably also be contributed to the fact that I know Colby is on call on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and I am trying to prepare myself for the possibility that I will be spending Christmas without a husband, 1,400 miles away from "home." Sorry if I'm being a little whiny. I guess I should throw some good news or a moral to the story or something in here.... We ventured out to story time at the mall today and I won a drawing. My kids were pleased as punch to come home with a Borders bag filled with children's books. I was actually really excited, I think that's only the second time I've ever won a drawing (the first one being the time I won a portable camping stove from a bank grand opening when I was in high school). On the way home I stopped at the park to let the kids play, but we had to cut our time short because the kids were too hot in their long sleeved shirts. There's not really a moral to this story, except maybe if you're somewhere today that's not 83 degrees, sipping hot cocoa by the fire, surrounded by your healthy family and friends- send some of that bad weather, good health and Christmas cheer our way. We could use it!

Elf #2

Today Colby and I were able to witness the theatrical debut of our son. Carter was so proud to have landed the role of Elf #2 in the Kindergarten Christmas play. When he brought home his part he said, "I can't believe I finally have a speaking part in something." Finally. He has waited for FIVE, long years. We have been practicing his line for over a month, and he did great! I know I am biased, but I thought he was the cutest elf up there. And the best singing elf, I might mention. So here he is, for your viewing pleasure, Elf #2.

P.S. Colby told me not to record any of the program because, "no one is ever going to watch it," but like usual, I didn't listen to him. So here it is anyways, mostly for the Grandmas.

Carter's fan club.

See, I told you- a ridiculously cute little elf...

and really into the actions.

Elf #2 from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

Untitled from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

Today

Today

It is enough,

to go for a bike ride,

to spend time with your brother,

and sister,

to enjoy the sunshine.

What are you doing today?

Turkey for me and turkey for you

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in nice, warm Texas. We invited some friends over to spend the day with us (and share their incredible food!) We spent the day Wednesday preparing for our company. We wanted to make sure we had all of our Turkeys in a row...

In traditional Frost family style, we had a "pie day,"

I had some great helpers,

and we ended up making four FaBuLoUs pies.

We set and decorated the tables,

and were happy to find that this Thanksgiving was relatively stress free!

Colby prepared and carved the turkey, and it did not disappoint.

We are really grateful to have friends that are good cooks.

These three little turkeys thought it was hilarious to climb on the table, they kept us quite entertained!

We hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

I am in LOVE....

I had my doubts at first, but in the past six months I have come to LOVE this great state...

I can totally see why everyone is crazy with their "Texas pride,"

I love that the bank down the street from us flies a Texas state flag that is bigger than my house. And speaking of the Texas flag, did you know that school children pledge allegiance to the Texas flag, the state flag? I'm not sure I even remember what any of the other state flags look like.

I love that Walmart carries about a zillion different kinds of fish fry and cornbread muffin mix but not one kind of curry. (this is kind of a love/hate thing, because I really like curry).

I love that my Pilates instructor says things like, "c'mon girls, y'all are gooood," and our old bishop wears overalls to all the ward activities.

I love that tonight when we went to the movies, the boys wore shorts and short sleeves. On the way there we passed a snow cone stand that was open. How can you not love a place where you can buy a snow cone in November?

I LOVE that Colby has a job and that Scott and White gives him things like a turkey for Thanksgiving and a Christmas bonus. Students don't get Christmas bonuses.

I love that our ward playgroup met at different swimming pools all Summer and now that it is "cooler" we meet at different parks.

I love that we have good friends here and that we have people to get together with for big occasions like Thanksgiving and major football games.

Do I want to stay here forever? No. Will I be bummed when we don't have a white Christmas? Probably. But for now, when it is 74 degrees outside at midnight on Nov 25th...

I am in LOVE.

Our Little Monster

Our little monster from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

This Week in Texas...

Abbi is officially potty trained (finally!) She has the "potty chart" full of stickers, and three days of dry underpants to prove it. Way to go sis!

On a side note: Abbi has decided that the front porch is the official place that we take pictures. Any time I want to take her picture, she wants to go stand on the front porch. Funny girl.

Ammon found a snake in the backyard. Yes, it was a small one. And yes, I screamed like a girl and made Colby cut off it's head with a shovel. Let's hope it was the first and last snake we will find in the backyard.

Ab brushed up on her dental hygiene. Way to make a grandpa/dentist proud.

Carter lost his first tooth! (with a little help from daddy).

I keep telling him to stop growing up but he just won't listen.

We hope y'all had a great week too!

We know how "two" party

Abbi was so excited to turn two. She talked about her "potty" the whole week before her birthday (which caused some confusion because we were also potty training this week). The day finally came and she couldn't have been happier. First, she got a new church dress and got to go to nursery (which she loves.)

After church we decorated the house with streamers, balloons, stars and some Dora the Explorer knick-knacks.

She loved all the attention, and loved when we all sang Happy Birthday. (I have since caught her singing Happy Birthday to herself multiple times). She did not, however, want anything to do with blowing out the candle on her pink cupcake.

We had lots of friends come over (although I didn't get a great picture of the friends) and Abbi opened lots of fun presents.

Isn't it great to be TWO?!?

Look Who's Two!

It's hard to believe that this little peanut is TWO today...

Abbi is such a sweet little girl and we're so happy she's part of our family.

As you can see, she gets her pretty blue eyes and wicked bed head from her daddy-

but those sweet dance moves are all me.

Abbi shaking it from Shauni Frost on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Trick or Treats

This year Halloween was a little different then our past Halloween celebrations for a couple of reasons: 1. It was 80 something degrees outside and we didn't even need long pants, let alone jackets and 2. We didn't go trick or treating because it happened on Sunday. Even without trick or treating or Fall-like weather, we had a great Halloween. Our ward had a trunk or treat on Saturday and the kids had a great time dressing up and getting TONS of candy.

Originally Abbi was going to be a fairy, but I could never get her to wear these pixie shoes and her wings at the same time. And, if you asked her what she was going to be for Halloween she would tell you a "princer," (princess), so we started calling her costume a "fairy princess." At one point she lost the wings all together and looked more like a ballerina. Whatever you call it, she looked pretty adorable, and she loved her tutu.

The boys both wanted to be Ninjas this year, I think mostly so they could carry weapons (thanks Grandma Stewart for the awesome weapons!). They looked "awesome."

After not dressing up for the fourth year in a row, Colby has earned the title, "The Halloween Grinch." He still looks pretty cute with our little ninja though.

Abbi the fairy/princess/ballerina.

I wouldn't want to meet up with these three in a dark alley.

Ammon, Carter and Caden.

Abbi and daddy went trunk or treating with their buddies Logan and Jason.

Of course the kids had to come home and take inventory of their goods.

We hope you all had a great Halloween with lots of treats (and not so many tricks!)