The Week between Christmas and New Year

We were going to go to Cheyenne for a few days but there was a lot of snow on the roads and we decided to just stay home. Sometimes its just nice to be home and play or do whatever with family.

Some of the fun things that we did during the week were:

Well, we had bought an electric piano for the family and we were getting it all ready when C saw a better one on KSL.com (his new best friend). So we went and looked at it and bought that one and returned the other one. It's a digital piano and it looks great! The kids are enjoying practicing more now since the keys don't stick and it sounds really nice. So C and I spent some time taking care of this.

One day the kids spent playing with friends.

One day we went and saw National Treasure.

One day we went shopping.

One day we spent putting away Christmas presents. The kids also got this air hockey table from their grandparents. They love to play it including G as you can see.

One day was G's birthday but that is a different post!

G is 1 Year Old

My Precious G is is 1!!! Time goes by fast. We are enjoying having her in our family sooooo much. What a fun loving personality. She loves her family. But who doesn't? She is very attached to her Mami. Sometimes that is hard on me but sometimes it feels so great to be loved and needed.

She, of course, had no idea it was her birthday (what is that anyway?) and why the kids were making such a big deal. At this point she still had not oppened all of her Christmas presents (she was accomplishing interest in about 1 per day). So we tried to get her to open presents but I think the kids were more interested in seeing what was in them than she was.

We had cake that evening. She just sat there and stared at her piece of cake and wondered why we were letting her eat it on her own. Once she got the hang of it. She was loving life! She is great eater anyways. She eats so much we wonder how it all fits in her stomach and why she is not one of those chubby babies?

Christmas Day

We try to focus Christmas on the Savior because without Christ there would be no Christmas. But we do believe in Santa because many of his qualities are the same as Jesus Christ. He loves everyone and gives us many gifts. So Santa came and brought us some fun things.
One of the kids favorite gifts this year was the WII that they got from their grandparents. Now they want everyone to come over and make a ME!

We had a nice relaxed Christmas. We spent the morning opening presents. We had German Pancakes with Buttermilk syrup for breakfast. In the afternoon we went over to the M house and had Shrimp Etufe (don't know how to spell it). It was delicious. We for some weird reason took no pictures of dinner!

Christmas Eve

We were pretty much all ready. All the wrapping was done and the stockings were hung with care. We were just waiting for St. Nick to be there. Well were more like waiting for family to be here. We made the paches on Saturday and wrapped them on Sunday. So on Monday all that we had to do was heat them up.

It was snowing and we were getting worried that Papi would not want to come. But he did and we were really glad. I was glad cause we were going to have a white Christmas. Everyone started arriving at around 5:00. This is the order of events for the evening:

6:00 Open white elephant gifts. We all just had small gifts and traded them around. It was a fun way to start the evening.

6:30 Eat Dinner. Yummy Paches!!! They turned out wonderful. We are becoming pros at this.

7:30 Nativity Story/Program. The girls have been putting together a program for a few years now. They even print our a program for the adults and they involve all of the kids. It's so much fun to see them perform. These are some pictures of the audience:

This is the Program with a few pictures:

Christmas Poem by C.

All I Want for Christmas is You (Dance) by girls: K, C, S, and boys: Eric, CR and Shayden

When Christmas Comes To Town by C and S

Once There was a Snowman by Jasmine

Silent Night (In Spanish) by all the kids

The First Noel (piano) by K. Btw she was the accompanist for the whole program.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the boys

Jingle Bells by K (piano), C (violin), S (cello)

Half time entertainment by the dads

Nativity by kids:

Mary with child

The Angel Gabriel

The Narrator

The animals
(G as a sheep)

Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus

At the manger

We wish you a Merry Christmas by kids

8:30 Eat Dessert

9:00 Open presents

10:00 Children go to bed so Santa can come

It's beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

I've spent all morning driving CR back and forth from school. He was feeling sick so he stayed home for a while. I dropped him off and the second I got home the phone was ringing and it was the school, they said he was sick again. AY so I had to go back. He was lying in the nurses office but he did not want to come home. The Student Council was going our to a restaurant to eat lunch with the principal today and he really wanted to go. He said he was feeling better so he stayed. Cross my fingers that he makes it till 1:25.

This is catch up for December.

Dec. 6 S was in the 6th grade production of "Dig It". She was the wheel inventor. They put on this play about ancient civilizations. It's pretty good. C did it also when she was in 6th grade.

Dec. 14 Our Trek daughter got married! She is a great example to us. We went to the luncheon and the reception that night. It was so beautifully decorated.

Dec. 15 Ward Christmas Party. They had a talent night and we played "Joy to the Word" K on the piano, C on violin, and the rest of us with chimes. It was fun! There weren't very many talents showcased so we were glad we could participate.

In between work dinners, programs, and shopping, and everyday life. I've been wrapping presents and baking or preparing gifts for neighbors, etc. We now get to make PACHES! and wait for Santa. We only make paches once a year cause it take a lot of time. It's worth it, they are delicious!

Who do we want to become like?

Here's a link to a Jenny Phillips video. I get a good feeling every time I watch it. Recognize any of the actors? We did this long time ago and we thought she was done using these clips. What a shock we got when we saw this clip. This is our goal to become like Him!

“To Become Like Him”

Enjoying Every Day Life

This is such a fun time of year. We've been busy just getting ready for Christmas. Decorating, shopping, etc. My goal is to be ready for everything early so then we can just enjoy the beauty of the season.

This is a cute picture of G playing with CR.

S singing her solo at the school's choir concert.

CR shoveling during our first big snow storm of the year!

Thanksgiving

We are having Thanksgiving at our house today. Mami and Papi, M's and Lele is coming. The turkey is cooking and we need to make our shopping lists for tomorrow.

We are always thankful for everything that we have. Too much to name. Today we are thankful for our sense of smell. The turkey is cooking in the basement and KC put a blanket on top of the pan to keep the heat in but it started burning the blanket. All of the sudden we smell something funny. If it wasn't for that we would probably burn up the house.

I love the song by Martina McBride "In my Daughter's Eyes". I am thankful for all of my daughters (I am very blessed.) and my son. But since G is the youngest and we waited to long to have her, especially for her. Here is the link to the song in case you want to see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLS0Y40WwlA

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

In My Daughter's Eyes
Martina Mcbride
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes
Everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light
And the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
Gives me strength when I'm weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
Is had enough
It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am
And what we'll be
And though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone
I hope you'll see
How happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Nutcracker 2007

Well we survived another year! I guess we must be crazy but we love Nutcracker. We had dress rehearsals Tuesday and Wednesday and then we had performances Thursday, Friday, and two on Saturday. KC and I take turns doing the props backstage on different nights that way we both get to see it and not be so tired. On Saturday Matinee we saw it in the audience with my parents. We left G with a babysitter and she was good. That night Z came over and watched her while we all went, the kids performed and we did the props.


It's such a wonderful experience for the kids. They get to dance to a live orchestra and perform in front of a ton of people. This is the breakdown of the parts.







K was a Lady in Waiting.





C was an oriental servant.


























S was a party girl. (One of the most wanted parts)

CR was a party boy. (Doesn't dance ballet but they always need boys so he tried out. He was so cute!)

And now we wait for next year!

Halloween

So the crazy thing is that the kids go back to school for Halloween. EB El had a parade in the morning and then the kids had parties with their grades. I got to help with the 6th grade party this year.

That night S went trick or treating with some of her friends for a little while and then we were all supposed to go to the Nursing Home that we have been going to for years. But after we picked up S we decided that since it was such a nice evening and that you can get better candy going house to house that we would forgo the nursing home this year and go to actual houses. We went to this new neighborhood that has lots of town homes so then you don’t have to walk too far in between. The kids got lots of “good” candy. Then we went around our neighborhood.

G liked it for a while. They would put candy in her bag and she would get all excited and grunt every time. After a while she got cold and would have no more.

Here is the breakdown of costumes: G was the cutest Minnie Mouse ever! CR was the smartest Harry Potter ever! S was the awesomest “I don’t know Witch Fairy”! C was the prettiest Vampire Princess ever! And last but not least K was the biggest chocolate chip cookie ever!

UEA

Since Z is gone go Guate. We watched S and J on Monday and Tuesday. The kids were out of school for UEA. On Monday night we carved pumpkins and it was fun but challenging trying to help all of our kids and S and J and hold G at the same time. So KC helped with the pumpkins and I took care of G. Thank goodness there was no school the next day because it got late.

Tuesday was our Ward Halloween Party and they had dinner and games for the kids. We took S and J with us and we all had a fun time. K and C helped with the games and spook alley. We had a fun time with the kids. The girls just love J and CR loves S. I am just the mediator and cook. J came and picked up the kids from there.

K's First Date

K and her friends asked some boys to the girl’s choice Halloween Dance. This would be her first date but we did not even get to meet her date because they had to pick them up since it was girl’s choice. We got ripped off!! Well they all went in a big group and K’s friends chose the date for her so it wasn’t so scary. They had it all planned before K even turned 16. All of the girls dressed up as nurses and the boys were their patients. They played some games for their day date (which K was late for because of ballet and Nutcracker). Then they went to the dance. And then they watched a scary movie. Hopefully we will have pictures of this soon.

G is 10 Months

What a cutie. She has been crawling for a while now. She is still not very fast but that is the way I like it. She says “Mama” and I love it! All of the other kids always said “Dada” first so I feel special. She is such a joy to us.

Orchestra Concert

C performed with the FJH Orchestra at their Halloween Performance. It was a good concert, lots of fun music. The kids got to dress up in the Halloween costumes. This year C is second chair, which is really good since all of the lessons she has had are from school.

BYU Football Game

KC, K and C went to Provo with the youth of the ward to a football game. It was a cold and rainy day but it was fun for them.

Volleyball

I have been going to play volleyball with the women in the stake. It’s a fun time and it is good to exercise and do something just for me. I am not the best player by far but I just enjoy the game. K enjoys playing with the YW and I hear that she is pretty good!

Reality Town

The 8th graders at C school participate in this Reality Town where the kids get an occupation depending on their gpa from the last term of 7th grade. From this they get a salary and they are to go around and purchase a housing, transportation, food, utilities, etc. It is a good lesson so the kids can see that good grades pay off in the long run and they get to see where money goes. C was an actress and she realized that although it looked like she had a lot of money, it was all gone really fast with all of the bills. I got to volunteer and help them in the taxes area.

YW Recognition Award

K completed her personal progress on Sunday, Oct. 14. She had just a couple of things to finish that morning before her appointment with the Bishop. We are trying to encourage our kids to have this done before their 16th birthdays. So they need to finish before being able to get their drivers license. I had to push her a little since YW in Excellence was that that evening and I had turned in some pictures to the YW leaders of K for a slide show, with the assumption that she would get it done. So the Bishop presented it to K in Sacrament Meeting and KC’s parents happened to be here. They spent the night and we had dinner that night with the O. Congratulations K!!! We are so proud of you for reaching your goal! But remember that Personal Progress continues for the rest of your life.