Fun Times With The Family

We have had so much fun while school has been out and Don has been off work. We've completed a few cleaning "projects," and have a few more to do, but we've played, too. On Monday night we headed to Temple Square with our best friends, the Webbs, to see the lights. We mistakenly thought that it wouldn't be as busy since Christmas is over, but the lights are always beautiful. Hot cocoa back at our house finished off the night perfectly.

Then yesterday Kristol and I took the kids sledding at the nearby golf course. It's got a lot of great hills, but it's been warm enough that most of them were pure ice. I took Britton on a very small hill a few times, and then tried a larger one that wasn't too steep. He loved it! We're now hoping for new snow so that we can go back again before heading back to "real life."

Handsome Little Man

Just a few pictures I've taken of Britton over the last week. I love this little guy!

Looking a little too old in his new outfit.

His favorite Christmas gift.

Just after his bath.

Headed out to play in the snow with Dad.

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas. Ours was wonderful! We spend Christmas Eve each year with my parents, having a nice candlelight dinner and program. This year we had Brandon & Stacie & their kiddos, Jeremy & Heather, and us all with my Mom and Dad. It was a yummy dinner and a beautiful program. When we returned home, we all got to open up one present - new p.j.'s and the kids each got a new heat bag. The jammies, at least, are tradition. On Christmas morning, the kids can get up as early as they want and get into their stockings, but they have to wait for Mom and Dad to open any presents. Everybody gets 4 presents - something to wear, something you need, something to play with, something to read. There were many cheers of delight. After presents, we do a big breakfast with special "once-a-year" pancakes, strawberries, whipped cream, pancakes, sausage, and bacon. This year, Don and I left for a bit after breakfast to go to my Mom's and talk to John Cameron who is serving a mission in Hawaii. It was great to hear his voice! We planned to spend the rest of the day at home together, but the storm was so bad that it knocked a power line down around the corner, and we were left without heat. Mom and Dad still had power, so we headed over there to get warm and had fun playing games with them and Brandon & Stacie. After several hours our power was back on and we headed home to get kids to bed after a long, but wonderful Christmas Day.

Gingerbread Houses...sort of...

I was reminded of a family tradition from when I was a little kid that I wanted to do with my kids this year. We would each get to make our own "gingerbread house" out of graham crackers and decorate it our way. The frosting wasn't perfect, but it did the job. We had a great time together and made some fun houses. Britton just had fun eating M&M's.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for Christmas, gift bags for everything else.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real tree - I love that smell!!!

3. When do you put up the tree? I'd love to do it the day after Thanksgiving, but we don't want it to get dry, so usually the last few days of November. Of course, some years those are the same.

4. When do you take the tree down? The week after Christmas when Don is home.

5. Do you like Egg Nog? LOVE IT! Southern Comfort and the Costco brands are my favorite.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't know what the occasion was, but I got a gray stuffed kitty that lasted through high school. My mom also made me a quilt that I kept until a year ago when it finally fell apart (literally) in the wash.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad and my mom-in-law.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Don (James Bond anything or a sweater and he's happy)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? A few - 1 Precious Moments, a wood block one that Britton loves, and a wood puzzle one that my mom made for all of us a few years ago.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail - and I finally got some out this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't have one - for me it really is the thought that means so much.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Mr. Krueger's Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday, baby!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope, unless you count white-elephant gifts.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Krantz, cheese ball, sweet Chex mix

16. Lights on the tree? The more, the better.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah Mclachlan (sp?)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Comet, and Vixen...

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A big snowman

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? PJ's on Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas morning. The kids can get in their stockings first thing, but have to wait for Don and me to open the rest.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Grumpy people - it's supposed to be the happiest time of the year!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I LOVE snowmen!!!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Clothes, but Don hates shopping for clothes for me.

I tag: Chelsi, Heather, Katie, Stef, Kristol, Brigitta

Making Music

Kenzie had her first piano recital last Saturday. She played three songs and did a great job. We've always known that she had a great ear (she used to sit down and pick out songs), and it has been fun to watch her progress so quicly with her lessons. Next time I'll know to put her hair back so that I can get a decent picture :o), but here are a few shots of our little musician.

Bragging Rights

Just wanted to do a little "Mom Bragging" about my awesome kids. Syd entered the Reflections contest at the Junior High with a dance routine that she coreographed and won, so it will be moving on to the next level. Kenzie got an Honorable Mention for her poetry entry for Reflections. Emma won an Honorable Mention for her photograph (see below) and an Award of Excellence for her poem, so it will be moving on to the next level. And last, but certainly not least, we got Maddy's CRT scores from last year back. Those are the big tests that they have to take at the end of every school year in Math, English, and Science. Well, Maddy scored a perfect 100% on her math CRT! She didn't miss a single question. We are very proud of the little smarty-pants and G'pa Kidd is very excited for his little mathematician.