Dec 16 Platt Family Christmas Eve

Before we left for Utah our little Platt Family had our own Christmas eve.  A few presents for the kiddos, most of Steve and I's presents and, of course, new pjs.  

 Let the wild rumpus begin!

 A little rumpus break for some handsome Platt boys.

 More rumpussing.

 Rumpussing disguised as a hug.

 Ear hold break.

 Rumpus.

 Wild Rumpus.

 Happy family.

Lots of love.  

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas and renewed desire

So these are late.  We took these pictures the sunday before we left for Utah for the Holidays.  My three were all spiffed up for Church.  Lots of love between these brothers and sister.  

Man, I loved LOVED our trip to Utah.  I so miss all my family there.  And, it turns out there are people out there who read this humble little blog.  I want them to know my kiddos and be a part of our life so here's to a new year with regular posts, lots of pictures and, hopefully, a better peek into our crazy life.

Turkey Day 2012

Ford man chowing some pre-dinner snacks.

Waiting for some food with some friends.

You're getting a feeling for the chaos and the fun, right?  Plus look at baby Ford sitting like a big boy in a chair.  Darling?  I think so.

Just so you can try to get a feel for how much food we had.  It was pretty awesome.

My cute Wren ready to dig in.  So maybe all she ate was the turkey...that how she rolls. 

Alex (who took the cute pictures) asked Judd to point at his favorite food -- it was everything.  

Holidays are a little hard and a lot happy.  Hard because family is so far away and happy because we really have some great friends here.  We had 5 families get together this year and let me tell you about all the food we had!  Wow!  And there were games and great conversation and pie.  really good pie.

And, after it all, I am thankful.  I have a happy life, surrounded by good people, blessed with the gospel of Jesus Christ and especially with the promise that I can be together with my little family forever.  I am so grateful.

RenchaGen and the new header

Check out the new header!   Yeah, right up there.....ok, itsn't it awesome?

Gentri, my sister, created it for me.   I love it!  And, even better than it just being totally darling, it cordinates with a very special sign she designed for me and which with soon be hung in a prominent place in the Platt household.  More to come on that later.

My Dapper Dan Man

 All dressed up and ready for church.  

And he had on some smell-good.  I'm talking Johnson and Johnson purple baby lotion.  Mmmmmm, doesn't get better than this, my friends.  

Ninja Cobra, Ballerina, and El Guapo

 Happy Halloween!  Here's just a few shots of our fun day  

 Our pumpkins!  River (our buddy) did the cat face.  Wren picked out the cat sillouette.  Judd wanted the ghost.  Mom did the witch silouette (the pumpkin had huge wart-things all over it.  totally perfect).  And Daddy carved the spooky haunted house.  

 We had three families over to help us celebrate.  Steve was on call all night (BOO! --you know, in the sad-he-missed-it way and not in the I'm-a-spooky-ghost way--just to clarify.)  But we are so glad we have awesome friends that came and made it fun.  Somehow I got through the evening with only this one picture of everyone!  We made some witches brew and had it over homemade ice cream.  It was, of course, Heaven! but I wish I had been a little more shutter happy.....

 Allow me to introduce you to our ghoulies this year.  'Dis ees El Guapo.   He has a very sweet spanish grandma that watches him while I work out at the YMCA.  She speaks to him in Spanish and tells me, "I know he understands me because when I call him El Guapo, he smiles."  She also likes to tell him, in spanish but I don't know the exact words, "You live the handsome." And so he does.....:)

 The Ballerina. Up until one week before Halloween this graceful dancer was going to be a green faced witch, luckily, she realized her true vocation and let mom know in enough time to switch costume prep.  She is actually in a dance class and could not be happier about it.   Neither could I. 

 And finally, the Snake Ninja.  Modeling here, for your enjoyment some classified ninja moves.  

 And another one.  Its a dangerous job but he does it, and with style.  Did I mention that we live and breath Ninjago legos around our house? (sometimes that is extremely literal for Ford......A crawler who puts EVERYTHING POSSIBLE in his mouth.  I might have a heart attack before he learns and likes to walk!)  Anyway, possibly the coolest costume ever seen.

And finally, an attempt to capture the spoils.....not my best work but there you have it. River (purple coat) and her mom Kathryn are some of our best buddies here.  They played with us all night and even helped clean up.  Could not ask for better amigos (as Ford would probably say).   

Hope you all had a Very Happy Halloween as well!

A visit from the Gran and Grandpa

Mom and Dad Lawrence came to visit us the end of July.  

 Just look at these beautiful faces!  It had been almost a year since we had seen Grandpa and we were beyond excited to have them be with us.  We met them in Nauvoo (more about that later) and then we caravanned up to our home in Wisconsin.  

 Where we went to a baseball game and almost sweat to death.   

 Grandpa helped Judd put together some new legos

 And Grandpa finally met baby Ford.  I think they look alike :).

 And while they were here Ford had his first cereal at 5 months old!  He loved it and Wren was a great helper

And of course there was lots of loving and hugging and just being together.  Thank you Mom and Dad for making the treck.  We can't wait to see you again at Christmas!