Cousins

 
Melinda and her family drove to Arizona after Christmas.  The kids had a great time spending time with their cousins and enjoyed having them sleep over.  We wish we could see them more often.

Christmas

This has been the first year that the kids have really woken up on Christmas morning before me.  I told them they couldn't come in my room before 6am to watch the Christmas Story, and then we would go downstairs at 7am.  Madison was the first to come in the room, followed by Megan, then Blake, then Ben.  Right at 7 they woke Macy and Scott up so we could go downstairs and open presents.  

For the past few weeks Macy has been saying she was getting a pink scooter for Christmas.  When we went downstairs and she saw her blue scooter from Santa, she was a little confused but after awhile started riding around. 

Madison got clothes, books, hair stuff, and giftcards

Ben got a tent, boots, clothes, books, and movies

Megan got tons of art stuff, clothes, shoes, and a new build a bear pug

Blake got books, a circuit breaker game, legos, and new shoes

Macy got the scooter, little people princess castle, books, and sand toys

After presents we cleaned up and had Scott's family and the missionaries over for dinner.  It was a nice, quiet Christmas.

Christmas Eve

It was a different Christmas Eve for us this year since my parents were not visiting.  Scott even had to work, so it wasn't feeling like a holiday.  We did the usual pizza and pie for dinner, but I made the pizza this year and shaped it like a Christmas tree.  The doorbell rang a few times and Macy ran to the door asking if it was Santa Claus.  We opened the traditional new pj present and did a fashion show.  Then we watched the Grinch on tv and the kids went to bed.  Macy was a little confused about why she was going to sleep before she saw Santa, but after a few hours sleep won out.  Madison slept in the playroom and had trouble falling asleep also. 

Gingerbread Take 2

The Craig's invited us over to their house to make another gingerbread house.  We again tried the burnt sugar method, but we really burnt the sugar, and melted a spoon.  Oh well, the kids still made new houses and enjoyed eating all the candy.  The Craig's even had candy that was leftover from Halloween. 

Megan's Surgery- Part 2

We woke up really early this morning to be to the hospital by 6:00 for part two of Megan's surgeries to straighten her legs.  During the first year the pins helped to straighten her femur, but at the same time the other leg bone bowed and needed pins placed to help straighten it.  So, Dr. Karlan removed the initial pins and placed 2 new ones lower in the leg.  He is hoping that in 6 months or so they can come out.  

We stopped on all the different floors of the hospital to take Megan's picture with the different statues, then we checked in and waited to be called back.  Megan was asked if she wanted a new stuffed animal before the surgery and she turned the nurse down saying she had brought her own. 

After changing she started watching a movie then it was time to go back.  She was a little nervous, but very brave in going back to surgery. 

After surgery it took a little while to wake up and then to get the pain under control, but once she did it was time to go home and rest on the couch.  Macy was not happy that Megan was sitting on her couch so we moved the blue couch into the room for Megan to sit on.  She enjoyed an afternoon of phone calls and friend visits. 

Ben's Concert

Ben's concert was tonight.  We were lucky enough that the ward YW and YM were doing free babysitting at the church tonight, so we were able to drop off Megan, Blake, and Macy before the concert.  Scott took Ben and saved a few seats in the front row of the auditorium.  We have never had such close seats.  It was also nice that we could put Scott's camera up on the stage in front of us so we could get a great view of Ben playing during the concert.  Have to remember that for the next time.

Macy's Birthday- #3

Oh my goodness, where does the time go?  Macy just learned that she was two years old, and now she needs to move on to being 3.  She is excited to turn 3 because that is the end of taking naps at our house.  She has probably not needed a nap for the past few months, but I have been enjoying the quiet time, but not so much the 10pm bedtime because she is wide awake.

Macy is quite the talker.  She enjoys saying things that she knows will make people laugh.  She loves riding Blake's scooter, playing at the park, reading books, watching Ninjago (lego ninjas) and Caillou.  She loves fruit and ice cream.  She has to have Brownie sleep on her bed and if Macy is sitting on the couch, Brownie is required to sit right next to her.  She has been loving going on walks/ tricycle rides at night to look at all the Christmas lights out in the neighborhood.  She doesn't like to go to bed without her walk. 

Blake went to a birthday party at Chuckie Cheese a few weeks ago, and since that time Macy has wanted to go there for her birthday.  She, and everyone else, had a great time playing in the tunnels and on the games.  Her favorite present of the night was a princess blanket from Grandma.  She put that on her bed right away to sleep with.

Madison Cheer

Basketball season has started.  The team gets to cheer at all the home boys JV games and some of the girls varsity basketball games.  Madison loves performing, and can't wait until competition season starts. 

Stockings

I have wanted to have matching stockings for a few years now, but have never seen any that I really liked at the store.  With my Mom visiting early this year I asked if she could help out.  I sent her the material so she could embroider it at home and then she brought it with her.  Thank goodness for her sewing experience because, like all patterns, it required tweaking.  But, it was worth it because they turned out perfect.  Love them.

Megan's First Violin Concert

Megan has really loved learning how to play the violin.  She has been practicing every day, and even printed out some extra violin music to learn on her own.  She is doing a great job.

Grandpa's Camera

Temple Lights

Since my Mom and Dad were visiting us early this year, we went to the Christmas lights early.  We got there early to take a few family and individual photos then watched the new Luke II movie, walked around the nativities, and then the lights outside. 

Gingerbread houses

I read on the internet a few weeks ago how burnt sugar was better for gingerbread houses then frosting.  So true.  With my Mom's help we were able to make several small and large houses.  The burnt sugar held faster and stayed stronger then frosting.  So much easier, even with a few burnt fingers in the process.  The kids went to town decorating their houses.  Macy tended to put more candy in her mouth than on her house, but who could blame her.  We ended up with a nice village of houses.

Christmas Dress

Everyone always looks forward to new Sunday clothes the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  This year our sunflowers in the front yard were the perfect backdrop.