Playing Catch Up...January Style

Time for me to catch up on the month of January. First, Spencer and Grace had a ballroom dance competition. They both did great, although, Grace was not happy with her performance. And Spencer moved on to the UVU competition, while Grace didn't. It was hard to teach her that sometimes certain events don't turn out the way you would like. Chalk this experience up to learning how to weather dissapointment. It hurt my heart to have to help her through this, but better now than when she's twenty.


Lucy LOVES her gymnastics class. She attends every week with her little friend Peachy. "Nastics" is her favorite.


Here Lucy got ready all by herself. Wow! Trying to love her look, with the panties on top of the leotard. Maybe she's staring a new trend.

And we celebrated Grandpa's birthday! The kids love celebrating his birthday because they all get a turn blowing out his candles, again and again.
Our Valentines treasure hunt.
Grandma Char made Lucy her very own sock doll. Now she has one like her older siblings.
And we had a great time at Color Me Mine for family night. I loved watching what the kids created...Lucy's was especially cute. She really painted her little puppy to death.

Preschool and another birthday...sigh

My baby...I can't believe she's so big! And ready for preschool. No, say it isn't so.

Sophie made Lucy's place setting extra special.
And of course the cake was a little "Tangled."

And she's now a professional when it comes to opening presents...she did just have a ton of practice during Christmas.


Love you, Daddy.

Christmas...all day, everyday

Waiting on the stairs for Mom and Dad to say "go" can be quite difficult at times...sweating it out, wondering if Santa brought you any gifts. These kids look as cool as cucumbers. Good Morning...it's Christmas!




These little angels blessed our Christmas Eve Nativity

And I was really trying to get a great picture of all the kids dressed up, but the 2 year olds move so quickly that some are a complete blur...not to mention I was still trying to figure out our new camera.
It was so wonderful to have my brothers and their families here for Christmas!! We never get to see them, so it was so fun to hang out and let the cousins get to know each other again.




And what Christmas Season isn't complete without an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party? Here are some of my friends and me cheesing it up in our lovely Christmas gear.

Sophie Turns 9...and a trip to the ER

Sophie had a really great birthday party at Seven Peaks Ice Arena

The kids ice skated, enjoyed a lesson from a real ice skater, and Santa was even there.


But before we could truly enjoy all of the ice skating festivities...I was hit in the face with a soccer ball while I was taking a picture of Sophie...



The kids were having such a great time that I hated to ruin it all with a blow to the face...but the party did take a dismal turn once the kids saw the blood running down my nose, and Sophie crying, hiding in the corner because the accident scared her to death. Ugh. Not quite the party I had envisioned...


This is us trying to take a picture of the damage with my now broken camera...I left straight from the party to the ER where I received 7 stitches from Dr. McBee...the plastic surgeon. Whew...that's a party we won't easily forget.

Concerts and things...

Grace wanted to join ballroom dance, the only problem? She needed to bring a boy (surprisingly they had a lack of male attendance). So she coerced Spencer to join. And he actually likes it! They sure are cute. Grace is our family Mozart...and we enjoyed another Violin Concert with her elementary school orchestra.

Heber Valley Railroad

We did the Heber Valley Railroad...the North Pole Express. Oh what fun! Even Spencer can admit that it was mostly fun.... He was a good sport--since he is practically a man. The girls loved it. The best part? The lazy train ride, caroling and the hot chocolate. The worst? Hmmm. It was quite a lively ride. Just imagine a train packed with energetic kids; singing, dancing, laughing, crying. Yep. Just about every emotion that is possible was packed into that train ride. Get ready for some drama that only the hope of Santa can create.

Winter is Here!

With all the stress of the cold and snow we try to help each other out. We call this the "pain train"...shoulder rubs for everyone...hey wait, what about me?
Lucy loved the snow...for about 10 whole minutes, and then she came inside because it was a little freezy.
And I know we're practically cavemen because we still buy FRESH Christmas trees...but we just love the piney smell.
So it was off to the Christmas Tree lot. And we found 2 beautiful trees.

And because we have a special event tonight...we gave our kids their Christmas pajamas early this year. So cute!

We hope you all are having a fabulous Christmas Season. xojen