Christmas at the Karrens....

We had 2 celebrities at our home for Christmas this year. There names, Grandpa Sefcik and Uncle Rob.

Peyton and Brody couldn't wait for them to arrive in AZ or get out of bed every morning or play with them every waking moment. These 2 kiddos love Grandpa and Rob. Thanks for coming and spoiling us......

Prepare for picture overload!


We played games every night, Rob finally learned how to play ROOK!

Grandpa and Peyton

Brody and mom

On Christmas eve we went to the temple to see the lights. The kids LOVED them...

Rob and Brett ...????

All the guys.
WARNING, don't be the only girl in a house full of boys for an entire week!!!!

My favorite picture of the holidays....

Christmas morning....
Thank you to everyone who spoiled us!!!!

When my mom was here in the summer we found this pattern and fabric for this darling baby girl quilt. So my mom made it for me in hopes that one day i have a baby girl! Thanks mom it was my favorite gift! And NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!

P90X, we also got this awesome gift!
Brett and i each gained 10 pounds during Christmas so we will be starting this program. I can't wait..

THANK YOU GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS for this awesome playhouse! Peyton and Brody LOVE it!

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE...

Go to this web site HERE and look at the pics they have of temple square in Salt Lake. It is beautiful, i can't to take our kids to the temple grounds here in Mesa on Christmas eve.

Wouldn't it be NICE???

If they made these boots for adults.

You can find these at robeez.com and on sale for only $27.99!


I just thought they were so adorable and i would buy them in a heart beat if i had alittle one who would use them.....!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...

Last night we went to Val Vista Lakes and walked around holiday mountain looking at all the lights. We took some pics of this cute family and couldn't get enough of their darling little girl Elizabeth. My boys love her so much. Check out our adventure.

Seriously, isn't she the cutest????

Burnetts we hope you like your family pics and can get a Christmas card out.

Peyton my little photographer took this one, i'm kinda loving it.

Us at the lights.

So summer is officially gone but it still doesn't stop us from eating WATERMELON and wearing SHORTS. During the day it is still warm enough that you can get away with shorts or capris, and you wont even look out of place.

MORE BAKING! MORE BAKING and MORE BAKING!!!

My little helper had to join in the fun of decorating and taste testing the cookies. And he did an awesome job.

Ginger Snaps...mmm!

I have had several requests for this recipe so i decided to post it for all to share.

The Best Ginger Snaps Ever

1 1/2 C. butter
2 C. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C. molasses
4 C. flour
2 TBSP. ginger
4 TSP. baking soda
1 TSP. salt
2 TSP. cinnamon

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Add molasses and mix well. In another bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add this to butter mixture and mix well. If dough is still sticky add a little more flour until barely sticky. I usually need 5 cups total.
Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in sugar to coat. Bake at 350* F for 8-10 mins. Take out before they get golden brown around edges.

SECRET- Give the cookie sheet a good whack on the oven or counter after taking them out, this lets the air escape leaving you with soft delicious cookies. I do this to ALL my cookies. Let them sit for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Christmas Festivities!!!!

The boys were so excited to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, which is 2 trains each.
How simple and easy is that right???
Well Peyton was a little disappointed when Santa didn't hand over those trains right then and there...! He was a little confused, we had to explain to him that Santa will come to our house and bring us gifts when we are asleep. So every morning he asks if Santa has come.

Chandler Parade with the Kirkhams

Shari and Sienna

Me trying to keep Brody in the stroller for as long as possible.

These 2 are CRAZY! But it was sure fun to watch them during the parade, they loved all the lights and the dancing. Which i have to say Cayce has some moves i've never seen before, what a great dancer he is!

He can be so SWEET!!!

I have to brag about my little Peyton for a minute. He is turning into the sweetest, funniest, lovable little guy. Of course he has his moments but for the most part he is a delight to be around. He wants to help with EVERYTHING even the Christmas decorations. He stayed up late the other week to help me with the tree and has taken on the responsibility of turning the lights on every night and morning and afternoon. That's right our tree is on ALL day.
The other morning he comes down stairs and it was just me and him in the kitchen. He walks over to the tree, turns it on and says "Mom this Christmas tree is so wonderful, i love it." I tried not to laugh because this little 3 yr.old was as serious as i've ever seen him.
Peyton, thanks for loving Christmas as much as i do...!

My Oh My...

First i have to tell you how compeditive my 2 little boys are becoming. I can't believe at such a young age they try to beat eachother in everything from who can eat the fastest to who can get out of the tub first. Well Brody is really catching on when to say "na na na boo boo, i won" you know the tune. So the other day they were at the table eating snd Peyton always finishes first so before he could say that he won Brody says "haha i TOOT first." Yep and he really did. He is a true boy and is already proving his manhood. Only boys would brag about that stuff...! Thanks Brody for always making us laugh.

CHECK OUT MY NEW STORE....

I finally put some stuff in my etsy store. So go and check it out at...
peytonbrady18.etsy.com

There will be more coming soon....!!!

Do you like my little model as much as i do?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Thanks Dustin and Nicole for having us over for Thanks giving dinner. It was so YUMMY!!! I didn't take very many picture but i got a few of the kiddos.

Little Brighton

Miss. Avery, i love taking pictures of her because she actually stops, smiles and poses for me. Thanks Avery! Oh check out her HUGE piece of turkey, she asked her dad for that one. And i must say she ate almost all of it. Way to go Avery!

The kids table

My 2 kiddos

Brody terrorizing Onyx the cat. This poor cat can't catch a break when Brody's around.

Brody was trying to physically put the cat food into the cats mouth...????


This thanksgiving weekend was so nice. The weather was finally cool and it even rained for a couple of days. My kids LOVE when it rains so when they woke up they both asked for their hoodies so they could go play. So away they went, they played outside long enough for me to clean the house.