Christmas Break

Nathan had the whole week off after Christmas so we planned some fun activities. Monday and Tuesday we played with all our new toys . 

 Wednesday we were going to go to the zoo, but J and H were sick so we opted to make our gingerbread houses.

 Thursday E and Nathan were sick so we again stayed home.   Friday in between people being sick we went and watched the movie Chipwrecked at the Theaters.  They kids loved the show!!!

Saturday we finally made it to the zoo.  It was a beautiful sunny day and not a lot of people.  The kids loved seeing all the animals.  The favorites were the exotic birds, Arctic fox, giraffes, and chimpanzees.  It was so much fun to have Nathan home the whole week.  I wish we could do that every year!!!

Christmas

Christmas was wonderful.  A was the first one up a little after 5.  Around 6 the girls started to wake up.  We had all the kids go in the toy room and wait to Nathan to get things ready.  When the Christmas tree lights were on and music going we all filed in.  The kids got to see what Santa brought them.  We played for awhile and then started opening presents.   After all the present opening we had a yummy breakfast and started to get ready for church.  We had 1 pm church which we had fun singing and participating in.  After church we came home to a yummy smoked turkey dinner.  The kids loved their gifts and we were all happy!  What a great Christmas!
(Sadly we have no pictures of the kids on Christmas.  Nathan recorded them, but I can't seem to find the videos!)

Christmas Eve part 2 2011

Our Annual Christmas pageant.  E was the angel. J was the shepherd. K was Mary.  H was Joseph (she insisted).  Nathan was the narrator and donkey.  A and I were the wise men.  It was a lot of fun!  After the reading of Luke 2 we opened up our Christmas jammies and then headed to bed!!

Christmas Eve Part 1 2011

Nathan had Christmas Eve off so we decided to do some fun things.  We started the day off with breakfast at a place called Elmo's Diner.  It was delicious and the kids did really well. 
After breakfast we went bowling.  We hadn't been bowling in a long time, but the kids had a lot of fun.  K ended up winning the first game and Nathan won the second.   The kids want to go again soon!

To the cute little Birthday Boy!!!

This little guy turned one on the 21!!  We have just loved him to pieces.  He is a very happy and tolerant little boy.  He loves to play with his siblings and give loves to Mom and Dad.  He isn't walking yet, but he gets around everywhere crawling and pulling himself up to everything.  He recently required the skill of spitting so be careful when you sit by him. You may end up with a shower you weren't expecting!  It has been a really fun year with him.  We love you AW!!!

Family Pictures.

My good friend Annie is a photographer and she was willing to go around with us for an hour shooting some photos!  She did a great job! 

8 Years and a Baptism



J turned 8 years old on September 21.  We had a small family party for him. At last minute he invited one of our neighbor boys over who is in J's class at school.  We had pizza for dinner then he opened presents then we had cake and ice cream.  He then changed into his new scout uniform and left for cub scouts.  It was a fun day.

J requested one eye monster cupcakes to bring into his class.   So this is what I came up with. The kids really liked it.

 Here is J's monster cake with 8 eyeballs.  It was fun, but I need more practice with dipping food in chocolate.

 On October 15 J was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was a really special day.  Nathan's parents flew out for it.  Nathan's cousin Annie and her husband drove down from MD for it.   Our good friend Jaci drove down from PA also.   J was so excited all day about it and really had fun seeing everyone there.  The best part was to hear his testimony right after he was baptized. 

   

 We love you J and so happy that you are in our family!!!