Sunday, January 12, 2014

Christmas is Coming

We had so much fun celebrating the Christmas season. I felt like every time we turned around Santa was visiting, and we're not really Santa visiting people. But one day Santa was randomly at Wal-Mart and as we were walking by the worker asked if my kids wanted to sit on his lap and get a free photo taken. There was no line and we said sure.

 
 Bentley is always my big helper in the kitchen while the big kids are at school. We baked plenty of Christmas treats this year.
 Santa visited our Cascade Branch Christmas party. It was just our small little branch there with yummy Mexican food and Santa. :)
 
 
 
 We had such a great opportunity to serve some kids in our community this Christmas. We sang carols with a group of families at a breakfast for foster children. They had a big pancake breakfast provided by Nibley;s, followed by a trip to see Santa. They had this big room decorated to the extreme. Each child received a stocking full of goodies and certificates to Arby's and the Human Bean, including my kids, just for singing there. Vallejo's photography was there taking pictures too. 
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loudly for all to hear."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We had an Ugly Sweater Christmas party at the Steven's. We played games and ate delicious goodies. It was a fun date night.
 Carter and Andi got to participate in the 5th Ward Christmas party as an angel and a shepherd. I taught the activity day girls a hula for the Hawaiian Luau and they did such a great job. 
 
 
 
We opted out of going to the Snowflake Parade due to negative temps. Instead we took a drive to look at Christmas lights, accompanied by Christmas music and Dutch Bros hot chocolates. Much warmer, and just as festive.
We enjoyed a wonderful snow storm. My kids enjoyed playing outside for about fifteen minutes... It took longer to get them ready to go outside than the actual playing took.  To their credit it was really, really cold outside.
 
 
 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The 1st Thanksgiving Program

 Carter's class put on a program portraying the first Thanksgiving. Carter was the first governor of Plymouth colony; William Bradford. They sang so many cute songs and recited some adorable poetry. And afterwards they served pumpkin pie. YUM!
 
Grandpa Paul snuck away from work to come see.
Carter, Carson & Dominic
There was a banner with drawings by all the kids, and of course Carter's was an ode to Jefferson. Sigh. Always.
 Jasper and Carter.

Murder High Class Reunion


 Our friends hosted a most fun Murder Mystery dinner, 80's style. We had such a great time revisiting our roots. Great 80's music, TAB, 80's hair, jewelry and makeup... it was rad!

 
 
 Bobbie Bright & Byron P Keaton

Bailey Babble & Danny Drums

Steve Spielson & Terry Johnson

Randy Reporter, Natalie Nebraska, & Joe Nebraska

BA Barricade & Cindy Crawfish

Molly Ringworm & Nick Nixon
 
*Sidenote: I was voted best dressed and was the murderer. Nice.*

Thanksgiving 2013

 We had a very different Thanksgiving than what we're used to, and after a bit of a rough start (chocolate cream pie landing face down on the floor of my car, and not being able to get into my parents house, perhaps a few choice words inserted there) we had so much fun. We used my parents house who were out of town and joined with two of our other family friends to celebrate the day. We divided the cooking responsibilities, but joined together early in the morning to do all of it together really. The kids played all day around my parents house, the men watched football, and the women were in the kitchen All.Day.Long. Literally, 12 hours, except for about 1 1/2 hours when we were sitting down and eating dinner and chatting afterwards, we were on our feet in the kitchen. Good thing I enjoy cooking and love my husband. :) The food was all delicious, the pies amazing, and company entertaining.
Andi, Marley, Carter, and Tay doing some crafting.
 Cassi and Scott Stevens and their adorable twins.
 The ladies in the kitchen.
 
 Bentley loved playing with Wally and Cerie.
 Us.
 Jared and Heidi Ogao.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Declan's Blessing

We made the quickest trip up to Salem to see our newest nephew Declan blessed. We drove up early Sunday  morning, just in time to stop by Ben and Sharon's before heading to church. Then after sacrament meeting we headed back to Ben and Sharon's for a quick bite to eat and then hit the road again. It was definitely worth it and we were so glad that we got to take part in Declan's special day. He is so yummy and all the cousins enjoyed the few minutes together.