Christmas 2010

I am happy to report that we all waited until AFTER Christmas to get sick this year.  I am sad to report that we ALL got sick after Christmas.  I don’t know what it is about us, Utah, and Christmas, but it has got to end! We want a healthy Christmas vacation!!  Before the sick bug hit, we did manage to squeeze in some pretty fun stuff, starting with Christmas Eve.  We had a talent show at the Bank’s house (Halle and Josh sang Away in a Manger), followed by the nativity.  Sharon is always so creative and the kids had a blast putting together their stables, and then performing the nativity.

   

Then you should have seen the chaos of present time!  The kids all got pillow pets and zhu zhu pets, which were wrapped in GIANT bags, big enough to swallow Blake and Kali whole.

The same scene was repeated at the Cornell House later in the evening, but this time Halle got to be Mary.  I love the way she is looking at the Baby Jesus.  So precious. The evening concluded with the kiddos opening their new pajamas, and the annual sibling sleepover, where we had a rockin Wii bowling tournament.

Christmas morning is a blur, just like it always is.  Presents galore, and  wrapping paper everywhere.  The best part of the day went something like this: Josh runs in to see his present from Santa.  This is what it looked like. Notice it’s shape.

Well, as soon as he saw it, he plopped down on the floor with a very mad expression on his face.  I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “I asked Santa to bring me some cars for Christmas, but all I got was this big stick.  What good is a big stick?”  Of course, everyone is ROARING with laughter and I assured him it wasn’t a big stick.  He opened it to reveal a brand new car rug.  But look carefully at what was in the middle of the rolled up rug:

Yes, a really big stick.  (well, cardboard to be more accurate).  Darn that Santa!  Josh is a good kid—he deserves more than a big stick.  :)

Every years Santa always brings the kids a new ornament.  I’m sad I didn’t take pictures of them, but you can see Blake’s in the picture above.  The front said “Blake” with a picture of a little boy with an angel halo over his head.  The back said, “the destroyer.”  Santa knows that boy well!  Halle got a table and a tea set for her doll, and we have had many fun tea parties since.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The obligatory photos in Christmas clothes

I usually love taking pics of my kiddos near the Christmas tree.  I don’t know why, but this year it was quite the struggle to get it done.  I never did manage to catch Blake when he was clean and dressed……

Gobble Gobble

We had such a fun, relaxing Thanksgiving this year!  Alan and Sharon drove in a huge snowstorm all the way from Utah to come spend it with us.  Thanksgiving morning I ran the Turkey Day 5k race (and set a PR!) and the kids ran the 1/2 mile Bumpkin Pumpkin Dash.  Josh was so cute—he would "practice” for the race by running across our living room.  Grandpa blasted the Gummy Bear song (ever Josh’s favorite) to give him energy.  He had to stop and walk a few times, but he had so much fun.  Halle girl was a speedy demon and ran the whole way! 

I had the turkey in the oven before the race, and when we got home dinner came together really quickly.  It was the easiest year yet! I guess it’s true that practice makes perfect.  I’ve cooked Thanksgiving dinner every year that we’ve lived in Colorado.  After enjoying our feast we headed off to see “Tangled.”  We all agree that Maximus was our favorite character. 

But the best was yet to come.  On Friday Halle, Jenna, Grandma and I went to see the Nutcracker performed by the Boulder Ballet.  It was fantastic.  Halle and Jenna were so so cute.  They were literally on the edge of their seat the entire time.  And Halle would just clap and clap at the end of the scene.  I think the Nutcracker is quickly becoming my favorite Christmas Tradition.

Welcome to the Wild Zebra Spa

Dear Halle girl,

Happy 7th Birthday!  You are growing up to be such a sweet, fun, kind, and smart girl.  We love you so much.  You are my little helper around the house and I don’t know what I’d do without you.  I depend on you for lots of little things throughout the day and you always come through for me.  You are a peacemaker in our home, and your little brothers just adore you.  You love going to school, dance, and playing with your friends.  Your favorite foods are red peppers and spaghetti with meatballs.  You love doing things for others, and are constantly writing notes, and drawing pictures for me and Dad.  Halle, you are such a sweet girl, and make friends easily.  You are a leader both at school and in our home.  You are such a special part of our family, and we hope your 7th year brings growth, happiness, and fun!

Love,
Mom

We had so much fun at Halle’s party.  I have been planning it all year!  Her favorite animal is a zebra, and as luck would have it—zebra print is all the rage right now. We had a spa party at the “Wild Zebra Spa”( aka our house.)  We invited all the mommies to come with their daughters and spend the day pampering the little princesses.  We played musical nails, where we passed around different colors of nail polish and when the music stopped you painted one toe with the color you were holding.  The girls made cute zebra flip flops to put on their newly polished toes.  The moms gave the girls facials, complete with cucumber eyes, and the girls thought it was the funniest thing in the world.  Then came the food!  What would a spa party be without chocolate?  We had chocolate galore!  The girls had a blast eating all sorts of goodies dipped in chocolate from the chocolate fountain.  And then we topped it all off with a toast to the birthday girl, and chocolate birthday cake.  We all had a great time and made some fun memories!

 
Left to right: Autumn, Halle, Ainsley, Riley, Bottom: Jenna, Berlynn

     

Happy Birthday Josh!

Dear Josh,
Happy 4th birthday!  You are such a sweet and special boy, and we are so glad you are part of our family.  I can always count on you to lift my spirits when I am feeling sad with one of your great hugs, or funny comments.  Lately, you have been giving me big kisses and saying, “Mom, you are the best Mom of all the moms.”  It just melts my heart. 
You have always been my cuddle bug.  When it was my turn to teach preschool you said to me, “Mom, if ever I want a hug or a kiss, you need to stop teaching and give me a hug or a kiss, ok?”  And I am happy to oblige.
You are a little smarty pants, and can already read 3 letter words.  It’s so cute to sit with you and hear you sound out the words.  You are so proud when you get them right. 
Halle is your best friend—you count down the hours everyday until she gets home from school, and then the two of you play and play.  Your other favorite thing to do is play on the computer, or play games on my Iphone.  You always come to me and say, “Mom, can I have some screen time?” 
Josh, from the moment you were born you had me wrapped around your tiny finger, and you still do!  I love you so much and hope your 4th year is a wonderful one!
Love, Mom

  

I  had tried to convince Josh to have a family birthday party this year, and I thought I had won, but about 3 days before his birthday he started to cry and said, “Mom, I want my friends, and I want a piñata at my birthday!” It was so sweet and sad that I immediately gave in.  We had a rockin party with our friends and neighbors, complete with cupcakes and a piñata. 
 

Happy Halloween

Since Halloween was on Sunday this year, the Primary decided to host a Fall Festival at the church on Saturday night.  We ate Chili and Rolls, and played fun carnival games.  The kids had a great time playing a spider bean bag toss, getting their faces painted, and having a donut eating contest.  But, the hit of the night was the cake walk—the Relief Society donated almost 200 cupcakes!  Blake’s favorite was the duck pond—but he didn’t care too much about the prizes, he just wanted to splash in the water.  Then after the Festival was the annual Trunk-or-Treat, where the kids got entirely too much candy. I’m sad to report that since the Primary Presidency was in charge of the activity, I did not take any pictures! 

For Halloween night we went to the Bohn’s for a yummy dinner and great company.  Josh loved answering the door with Jamie when the Trick-or-Treaters came calling. 

   

The Evolution of a chicken

All my kids have worn the same chicken costume for Halloween. So, we’re going to play a little game of “Guess Who” Which pic belongs to which child? The answer will be in the comments.
A.

B.

C.