Thursday, July 26, 2018

Christmas Times

We heard Christmas music for months before the holiday season began while the kids practiced their numbers for band and choir.   




Our primary put together a nativity scene with angels and Bethlehem children for our songs at the ward Christmas party.  This is my awkward picture from backstage, but it was really neat!
Then Santa visited the party and shared his testimony about Christ's birth.
Jonathan is finally big enough to think that Santa isn't so bad, especially if you get a treat for visiting him.  

Never too old for a candy cane and picture of Christ as a gift from Santa.
Jonathan's favorite book -- a cute cookbook with fun pictures
Visiting with the Marvin Hull Party Santa Claus
Decorating Rice Krispie houses

Christmas music with Jan and Gordan
Michael played in a Christmas program at a rest home, with his favorite festive hat.
Visiting the lights after a concert downtown with Jared.
Abravanel Hall for the Millennial Choir and Orchestra concert.  Jared loved it!!
Jared's first performance since starting piano for the Keller family party.  
Derek Love
Soup!  Love it when Jonathan is a good eater at events!  
Getting together with Fisher!  Candy brought a fun Christmas Tree treat to decorate.

Jonathan spotted a great puppy toy at Target during a Christmas shopping trip.  I was glad he found something wonderful because the main gift that I ordered for him was out of stock and didn't arrive until February before his birthday. 
The thing I didn't realize is that Jonathan is too old now to forget things as exciting as a new toy.  It worked last year!  The puppy turned into an early and much loved Christmas present.
One of our few December snow days!  It was a mild winter!
"puppy cereal" Who knew that cereal and dog food looked so similar!

With Christmas Eve on a Sunday we got to wake up and go to church with Grandma and Grandpa.  After the sacrament service we had time to exchange gifts with Grandma and Grandpa.  We enjoyed the nice morning in Garland.  Having Christmas Eve on Sunday was lovely.   

Jonathan got a little barn set with two colts and a coral from Grandma and Grandpa.  --his other favorite animal and cousin Livi's too!

Family arrived for a Christmas Eve meal together and then we dressed up warm and piled in a trailer to go carolling!
After singing in the neighborhood, we went to the two Tremonton rest homes and performed for the residents.
We had a few songs from the kids and one from Susie and piano numbers from Michael and Jared. 
This rest home is in the old hospital where I delivered Michael and Jordan and it was a familiar place for my dad when he practiced in Tremonton.

We travelled home Christmas Eve night and let the kids wake up to Christmas morning at home.  


After a Christmas Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house, Jonathan wanted to join in with the nativity scene.  


Festive numbers include a rendition of Rudolph from the boys. 
It was a fun and lovely Christmas!  

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Pilgrims and Turkeys

We participated in a reader's theatre and enactment of the first pilgrims to come to America with homeschool friends.   

We took advantage of Thanksgiving break to have cousins over for a sleepover. 
Sometimes school is so busy, we don't see them for months!
Primary chorister, Renee led the kids in some fun songs like "Children all over the World" for the after Thanksgiving dinner program.  
Ma and Pa and Tom the Turkey!
Visiting cousins in Garland too!  Lots to be grateful for!

Monday, July 23, 2018

Everyday stuff


Grandpa worked on boxes with the Grandkids last fall!
and he had other woodworking projects for Christmas gifts too.
The epic fort after they created it, played in it and slept in it too
I had to capture a quiet family prayer moment!
taking out fence posts and trees, etc. with Grandpa!


The annual hot tubbing FHE with Jan and Gordan
not sure what to say about these characters ;)

another photo the kids insist I take and keep for posterity -- Mermaid Tessa
Tessa with a swollen cheek and lopsided smile after her tooth extraction.  Ready for braces!
Our Monday/Wednesday afterschool friend James with a birthday cupcake.  

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Girls

We took these pictures of Tessa and Leisel around their birthdays in September.  Even with their different personalities, we love the sweetness and sensitivity of each girl.  
A few months later when we were ready to tell the kids we were expecting a baby, everyone's vote was to have a girl join us.  We are so grateful for the dynamic each child brings.  Jonathan is full of boyish energy.  He has the natural boy skill of making sound effects for animals, monsters cars, and fighting.  
It was very fun at the ultrasound in February to see the pendulum swing.  We got the news that another girl is definitely on the way.  The announcement in the bottom picture says, "We're expecting June 2018".