Christmas Morning

The kids opening gifts. We had a wonderful Christmas filled with purple Barbie princess dolls, Clementines, Bakgugons, chocolate oranges and even hermit crabs. I'll have to post pics later, but Santa gave Josh two crabs to care for. He named them Chubbers and Clawzy (or Clausy, I haven't asked about the spelling!) Anyway that is a whole different post entirely about the adventures we have had with them. Anyway, after a late breakfast we traveled to my parents to spend the day with family. It was there that we announced my pregnancy. We gave my father a car mount for his iphone and told him in a note that it might be useful on July 19th when he was driving to the hospital to hold his new grandbaby. He read it out loud. It was nice to share the news with loved ones.

Revisiting December

Here are a few more shots from our December activities. Josh at his "Gingerbread Man" play at school.

My three dancers.

Maddie and Aly were in a ballet piece together.

Awesome Jujitsu Hottie Has Birthday!

My sweet husband, who has stepped up again during yet another first trimester of my pregnancy, will soon have his birthday. I just want to tell him how much I appreciate his love and support. Life is a little bit rough when your wife is so nauseated she can't cook and clean the way she usually does. And to be sick in December meant that Mike did most of the Christmas shopping---a real Santa! Thanks, dear. I have had some good days recently and hope to get my home in order once again. We are both excited about #5 due in July. (I posted a bit about December below and will post about Christmas Day, New Year's and the finished basement pics soon.)
Last night I surprised Mike by driving him to a quick dinner at Sensuous Sandwich and then a Stomp concert (I bought the tickets months ago.) Have you experienced Stomp? The show was awesome! Our seats were perfect. We could not believe how many different items the group could make rhythmic music with. If you ever get a chance, buy the tickets and go!
Mike competed in a Jujitsu kata contest in December. He took first place in the brown belt division with his partner (pictured above.) The kids and I cheered from the side of the mats. He did great and the kids were so excited for Dad. Pretty cool medal and trophy, huh? We are proud of you---you can really throw a guy to the mat!
Happy Birthday, honey---I hope your day is great!

Festival of Trees

My little Santa dancer. Josie's dance was really cute. She performed on the big stage with her group. I helped back stage. Three year olds are awesome. There were no nerves or stage-fright. They just couldn't wait for their turn.

We saw Aunt Heather, Ethan and her parents there. We stopped to enjoy a yummy cinnamon roll, scone and chocolate milk---always a tradition. I also found Gracie Gledhill's tree. It was beautiful. There is so much love put into these trees. It is a wonderful event.

December Moments

Here is Alyssa before her Christmas band concert at school. She started playing the flute in the fall. She really is enjoying it. She did great.

We burned this Christmas countdown candle each night that we remembered (or that we weren't too busy). The kids seemed to really enjoy it. While it burned we read scriptures. We read most of the book of Luke during December.

Josie was ill the day her preschool class decorated graham cracker houses. So her teacher gave me hers and I had Josie decorate it at home while I worked on Christmas cards. Half of the fun was licking the icing!

Cabin Retreat 2

Our great friends invited us to their cabin again---this time there would be snow. Josie konked out on the drive up---and she really was OUT.

The next day Josanna was ready to play in the snow. She went out twice. After the first time I warmed her up in the bathtub and got her dressed, then she wanted to go again. So, I let her. We had plenty of hot chocolate and cider. Josh loved being out there in it, too.

Scary shot. I was goofing off and I didn't think Mike was going to capture the pose at the right moment, but he did.

Here is the cabin with snow and icicles.

Jaida and Aly together again.

Relaxing. Josie curled up with her dad.

Birthday girl

Crazy friends to celebrate with! All these girls are in Maddie's ALL class. Some of them have been together for 3 years now. Girlfriends are great!

This shot is putting me in mortal danger, since Maddie told me that she would kill me if I posted it, but it so captured the moment. She was just a wee bit excited about getting her Taylor Swift CD.

Porcupine meatballs, anyone? Madelyn loves these meatballs. Yes, they do cook up that way (I used basmati rice.)

At her party we played the "Penny in the Flour" game. The girls enjoyed themselves.

They also loved playing with the Borax goo. We ate homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate---Yum! Happy Birthday.