Christmas!

To update, we survived the last week of school craziness. Alyssa played the flute at her school concert and did wonderfully. Amber had her dance recital at a resort and then a nursing home. She was so animated and sang along with all the songs. I hadn't gotten a chance to watch her practice and was amazed at how well she took to it. I think we'll have to do it again next year.

We had Family Home Evening and decorated a gingerbread train instead of a house this year. I thought this would work out perfectly because the way it usually goes is Scott telling the kids not to touch until he finally lets them set on a couple candies and then watch again. He's so funny! So I thought the kids could decorate the back car while he did the engine. My family barely made it through that. We are just not artistic enough. They'd rather just eat the candy and be done with it. I'm not sure this tradition will last.

A couple days later we got some "snow" and they delayed school for 2 hours. You can see how dangerous it would have been to travel in. Alyssa and Amber had a lot of fun licking it off everything.

Christmas Eve was spent at home with our family. We had a little program with the kids reading stories and singing songs and then we read the Christmas story and opened holiday crackers (the kind that snap when you open them). They have little toys in them and hats. It was a nice, peaceful night.

The next morning Scott and I restrained ourselves and didn't wake up the kids like we have every year past and waited until they got up. They got way too much stuff as usual, but most of it very useful. We tore Christian away from the Wii and went and saw Bolt at the movie theater and I made it about halfway before Alivia tried to climb into the folding seat and it ate her so we spent the rest of the time in the hall looking at movie posters. I told her she owed me $6. And then we came home and had friends over for games and hanging out.

We feel very blessed to have a warm home, family who provides Christmas for us, and friends who will hang out with us. Merry Christmas to all!

Songs, Service & Santa

Well, even taking a few days to recover we still managed to fit a lot in. Alyssa had her first piano recital this last week and she looked and played beautifully. I was so proud of her. Then she also had her first parade where she played in the band. Unfortunately, we did not get to watch as Scott took the van keys with him to work and we didn't have transportation. But we did get a picture of her in her cute uniform!

We also had preschool at our house this week and Amber and her friends made wreaths and we took them over to a nursing home. They were so excited to see the kids! It was a really good experience and I think they had fun, too.

Our ward Christmas party was also this week and it was very well attended. We couldn't fit any more tables into the cultural hall. Our kids loved sitting on Santa's lap, except Alivia who screamed as soon as she saw she was headed in his direction. So Daddy had to help.

This week we have a concert and another recital and so we'll write again soon! Hope you are all enjoying the season!

Where did they come from?

Every year we have the tradition of making turkeys and writing things we're thankful for on the feathers. This year I took the picture and couldn't figure out who else had added theirs because there's no way our family has that many turkeys. But no, we really have that many with another to go.

We were so happy to find out we were getting company for Thanskgiving. We can never go anywhere because of Black Friday--we're stuck. My sister Xela and her husband and daughter came down to be with us. Good thing because they got to watch our kids all weekend!

So Thursday morning I was up at 4 a.m. not because I was in a hurry to get the turkey done, but but because I was in pain. My kidneys have been acting up again this pregnancy. By the time we got dinner over with, I decided I better go to the Emergency Room. I thought it would be a quick in and out, but 2 days later they finally let me out. Not only that but they had to transfer me from one hospital to another in an AMBULANCE. I told them I would only go if Scott drove me, but no such luck. It was emberrassing and I can't wait to get the bill for that one. Then my mom got worried and drove down that evening. So at least I didn't have to worry about the kids. Anyway, after much begging and pleading they finally let me go. I thought about having my sister and mom drop off all 4 of my kids for a few hours and then for sure they'd let me out.

Thanks to my family without who we would not have survived the weekend. I didn't get any pictures, but if you go to Xela's blog, she has some cute ones.

And I have found many more things to be grateful for, the major one being good health and good friends and helpful family and morphine. Next year will be more exciting, I'm sure!