Christmas

Its funny how we wait and look forward to Christmas all year, and then it is over in a blink of an eye.  Everyone woke up around 7am and we went downstairs (after Scott checked if Santa came and said that he didn't).  The kids got a lot of great stuff:
Madison- tablet, cell phone, pretzel maker, gift cards, clothes
Ben- ASU sweatshirt, gift cards- including one to home depot to make himself a desk, computer game called Minecraft, clothes
Megan- a guitar, Itunes gift card, Eeyore stuff, clothes
Blake- a bike, scooter, legos, video game, clothes
Macy-  a grocery cart, coloring stuff, clothes
 I also made each of the kids (not Macy) a new quilt for their beds.  That was a huge project, but I found that I really love making quilts.  Just have to practice corners more.

Scott surprised me with an Ipad, pretty shocked about that one.  We also got a foosball table and a ping pong table.  The kids have been having a great time with those. 

After we got cleaned up a bit, we headed to Bernie and Marita's for presents and brunch.  Then back home for dinner.  It was a great day that was over all too fast.

Christmas Eve

My parents flew into town and few days ago, and Tiffany and her family drove from South Carolina to spend the Christmas holiday with us.  The kids had a great time seeing their cousins and playing, playing, playing.  For Christmas Eve we did our usual Mesa Temple light display and pizza and pie for dinner.  The kids put their stockings out on the couch, Blake put his reindeer food out on the sidewalk, and the kids went to bed to try to sleep. 

Macy's First Haircut

Macy had her first haircut this morning.  She sat outside on her stool and held perfectly still while Tiffany cut her hair.  I'm not sure why she was so still, maybe she didn't like the scissors.  But for whatever reason, we were glad she was so good so Tiffany could get a nice straight cut.

Young Women Recognition

Madison received her young women's medallion today.  Not sure on the exact name of this award, but she earned it by completing all her young women value projects.  Some of her projects were:  read the Book of Mormon, cook a few things, help start a garden, a few craft projects for her room, and lots of journal writing.  She has already said she would like to re-do the program by December of next year.  Way to to motivated Madison!

Gingerbread Houses

We went over to the Craig's house tonight to build gingerbread houses.  We opted to make them out of graham crackers instead of gingerbread.  I think it worked a little better, but we should have made the houses a few hours early and then let them sit and harden a bit.  Megan's had some structural issues with sagging crackers.  I am pretty sure Macy ate more candy then she ever has had before.  She was on a little sugar high, and got pretty upset when I stopped the free for all. 

Orchestra Concert

Ben and Madison have been taking an orchestra class on Saturday mornings at ASU.  It has been a great opportunity for more practice and learning.  Tonight was the concert, it started raining as we drove to ASU.  By the time we got there it was pretty wet outside and parking was a mess.  But, it was a great concert.  We all enjoyed hearing the kids play holiday music.  Ben says he would like to play again, Madison wants to find something even more challenging. 

Macy's Birthday

Babies grow up too fast.  Macy has turned 2, not sure how that happened.  Luckily, she still loves to be cuddled and held most of the day.  She loves to color, play with play dough, read books, watch Backyardigans, and go for walks.  She loves to help in the kitchen.  Anytime I start making something she will drag a chair over to the counter and has to 'help'. 

She is talking a lot more- her favorite words are: bye, no, shoes, please, baby, and pablo (backyardigans).  She loves to eat apples- will grab one off the counter and just take a bite or two and then put them back, bread right out of the oven, any kind of pasta, and anything sweet.  We love this girl.

Ben's Fall Concert

Last night we went to the elementary school's fall orchestra concert.  We were lucky to have a great view of Ben since he sat on the last seat and was directly in front of us (75 feet in front of us).  Megan, Blake, and I enjoyed the 3 songs that were played by the 6th grade orchestra, 2 of which were Christmas songs.  What a difference it is to hear the 5th grade orchestra first, then the 6th.  The extra year of practice really pays off. 

Photo Shoot

I was just playing around with the camera the other day. 

Day After Zoo Trip

Instead of going shopping for Black Friday, we decided to go to the zoo.  I did do a bunch of shopping online this year.  Easier and less crowded, a great way to shop. 

The weather was perfect for the zoo, and it wasn't too crowded since we got there right when it opened up.  We were able to see the new entrance to the zoo and most of the animals were out.  I have never seen the giraffes so active.  One was running around its exhibit.  We had a great time.

Thanksgiving

No big Thanksgiving dinner for us this year, we headed to Scott's parents house for that!  Scott and the kids rode their bikes to the park in the morning (Macy, Blake, and I met them there) and we had a great morning at the park.  Then we relaxed all afternoon before heading up to Marita and Bernie's.  Such a different experience from when dinner is here. 

We had a great time eating and visiting with Scott's family.  Ate too much- but who doesn't on Thanksgiving? 

Halloween 2012

I didn't buy any Halloween candy this year.  None.  I was on strike from Halloween because I was upset that I would miss our ward Trunk or Treat.  I know, petty.  But after I got over that I still kept my resolve.  So, since I wouldn't be there I sent Scott and the kids to the Trunk or Treat without candy to pass out.  My theory was- no one would be at my car to pass it out, since Scott was with the kids.  Saturday morning we dumped out the candy that the kids received at the Trunk or Treat and combined them into a bag (I don't eat candy anymore, but had to have a kit kat- not good.) and put it on top of the fridge.  Fully expected the kids to ask about having some on Saturday- nope.  Sunday- nope.......  It is Thursday and they have never asked me to get the candy down.  My kids are weird- love it.
Side bar- we still have popsicles in the freezer from July, a klondike bar from May, and boxes of nerds and jolly ranchers in the cupboard from my Mom's last visit.  We just don't eat that much candy.
Last night for Halloween I got the candy bag down from the top of the fridge and passed it all out to the trick-or-treaters that came to our door.  When the kids finished their trick or treating they asked if I needed to pass out the candy they just brought home.  So, we did.  Still have a ton left over that Ben, Megan, and Blake will take to their school teachers to hand out for special occasions.  And, no one will complain of the lack of candy in the home, or having to give it away.  Again, my kids are weird and I love it.

Madison's Braces

Madison went to the orthodontist this morning and had her braces put on.  It was a quick 2 hour appointment, luckily Marita watched Macy for me.  Madison choose to have blue bands put on.  I told her how I used to have my bands colored for the holidays:  red and green at Christmas, black and orange at Halloween;  she wasn't impressed with that.  She says her mouth is sore and that it is hard to eat her Subway sandwich at lunch.  The joys of braces.

Pictures