Merry Christmas

December 21-27, 2014

Sunday 12.21

I struggled to get a pic of all of them together in their new Christmas church clothes without making us late for church. Had to give it up the ideal. Soooo looking forward to 9 am church in two weeks.

 

I could not get over Jane's cuteness - love that black and gold polka dot skirt on her! I got her to hold still for half a second in the bathroom. She was enjoying a candy cane from nursery {she went 2nd hour while I was teaching because its so much easier.} 

 My super cute Primary class. They are a fabulous group of girls!

 We had a linger longer after church. The cousins obviously enjoyed their time together.

I love these sweet girls reading scriptures with their dad.

Monday 12.22

Errands around Vale that afternoon and then over to Ontario for play practice. We ate dinner at grandma's. I dropped Emma Lynn and Spencer off at play practice {Kurt and other kids were still at grandma's} while I did the weekly grocery shopping. I finished in time to see the last ten minutes of play practice. Spence is so fun to watch {Emma was in another room so I couldn't see her.} He was very proud to be the only eel that had all his lines memorized. Way to go Spence!spencer is awesome.

Tuesday 12.23

Jamie and I left for the temple that morning. Marti was the super hero and had all the kids over to play. They all loved it. Lucy said, "That was just so wonderful mom!" Almost better than Christmas. Love cousin time. It was really good to get to the temple with Jamie. We had a delicious lunch at Cheesecake Factory before heading home.

Put everything together {quickly, thank you team family} for dinner and Gingerbread Houses with the Drapers. It was a perfect night. Everyone got full, everyone got along and everyone had fun. My heart is full to have friends. It truly feels like a gift from God.

Wednesday 12.24
We spent the morning cleaning and preparing for Christmas and the arrival of my parents, Sam and Tim. We were beyond excited that they were coming to Vale to spend Christmas with us. Sam told my parents that Christmas is more fun with kids. I completely agree - thanks Sam!!

That morning the snow started to fall. After 40-50 temps for the past 2 weeks it felt like a Christmas miracle to get a white Christmas!

I love that it was magical for this boy too

We went caroling to the Delongs, Fulks and Booths {small moments of excitement include losing mom and dad, nearly running out of gas and hoping a gas station was open and trying to help a car that had run off the road.}

The grange hall for the Romans Christmas Eve party was next. Lots of yummy food and visiting. Opening presents from Grandparents.

Sharing our talents

This skit was painful to watch. Haha. These grandparents were good sports.

At home we got ready for the traditional acting out of the nativity story.

 The Narrator 

The Shepherds

 Mary and Joseph 

 The angels 

The wise guys {I think Austin is a wise man every year.}

This adorable shepherd was smitten with baby Jesus. It was my favorite part. 

New jammies {Jane had melted and was already in bed when we took this picture.}

Thursday 12.25

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Santa came :) :) :) :)

It was some kind of Christmas miracle and the kids didn't stir until 6:30 am. WHOAH. We called our friends over from the lodge and woke Jane to see the magic unfold.

From Santa for Austin:

 inside was ............

Ipod Shuffle

Emma LEGO Friends 

First time Emma has ever had her own LEGO set and Austin didn't receive LEGOS - so weird!

Spencer LEGO MOVIE LEGOS

"American Girl Dolls" Belle & Ariel

Jane Little wagon with LEGOS & book

Ruth "Sew Cool" sewing machine {She carrying it in this picture}

AND Bunkbed for Marie Grace and friends {pictured here with Lucy's new dolls.}

 And the rest of Christmas morning:

 Oh the joy!

 All these new things for Marie Grace!

 Lucy's princess tent with her princesses!

 She was OVERJOYED to receive to Piggie and Gerald books!

 Emma made everyone in the family Christmas presents.

 Playing "guess who" from Grandma Richards

 Sporting new clothes from grandma

Jingle Bell Rock duet hahahahaha

 That evening we had our sister missionaries over to skype their families and then dinner.

 Mini drum lesson from Sister Collins

 Snuggles with Lucy's favorite guy

Friday 12.26

More of the same greatness - relaxed day, enjoying each others company and playing LOTS of games.

First projects made together. It is a perfect first little machine for this soon-to-be 7 year old. We had fun together.

 Songs uploaded and Electronic etiquette talk given. 

Saturday 12.27

Family leaves that morning to make it to Grandma Karen's Christmas party. We LOVED having them come. It was a perfect gift for me and they are such wonderful guests. We were so glad Sam could stay in the lodge after all his hard work in there. We will treasure these Christmas memories, good times. 

We hosted the Romans' family Christmas party at 1.

Some of the kids that would get in the picture 

{not pictured: Jane, Tyler, Matthew, and Jason & Annie  Ruf}

We also celebrated Grandpa Ken's birthday! 

{I love the cute cake deliver trying to get out of the picture!}

Thanks for the thoughtful gifts!

Grandma Cindy gave EVERYONE a FROZEN blanket. They are extra SUPER soft and the kids were SOOOO excited about them. All of the kids! Now I have 6 of them around the house. :)

 All the kids like Austin's toy but Matthew LOVED it

That night Jane got sick. It was a very rough night. 

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

December 14-20, 2014

Sunday 12.14

Jane wore Emma's Russian dress to church. 

She was a complete doll. Was that dress really given to Emma? 

Glad we have pictures to prove it! 

I had a meeting right after church in Nyssa. Kurt took the kids home and then took youth to the fireside. We actually got to sit by each other. He had tithing to help the Bishop with after the fireside. When I got home there was lots of giggles and happy laughter. I listened for a few minutes, with a smile on my face and their joy of being together. Definitely moment to cherish.

Monday 12.15

After taking the kids to school we finished up some shopping and then delivered 

our presents to the kids in need tree program. 

We took the GS to the nursing home 10 minutes from the school so we could go caroling. It is a Christmas MUST for me. It was good to do something together as a troop and get the girls thinking of others. As we walked down the halls singing Emma was hanging candy canes on each door knob. Grateful for her "First observe, then serve" attitude.

Lucy was so intrigued by the birds.

While I was there I had some brainstorming about a piano situation I've been praying about. 

Excited to see if these ideas will bring the needed change. 

After caroling both girls had ballet at the school in preparation for the recital on Friday. It was fun to see both the new bleachers in the gym AND these happy first grade friends. 

Finished the day with dinner and FHE with grandma and grandpa. It continues to be such a positive thing. I'm grateful it has given my kids a chance to hear their grandparents testimony.

Tuesday 12.16
14 years. It has caused me to reflect a lot this week. Mainly I am humbled that we found each other, that the Lord loved each of us enough to prepare the way and give us to each other. It has been a beautiful ride. Better than I could have ever dreamed.

At lunch Kurt brought me these gorgeous flowers.

 My present was an electric can opener {we have constantly struggled with manual ones.} I covered 14 cans with different reasons why I love him.

We had Activity Days after school. We put together goodie plates {10} 

And then went caroling. I suggested a few people within walking distance that we could visit and then let them decide who else it would be good to visit. For more than half of them it was their first time going caroling. I can't believe that! Glad to show them the way to Christmas light ;)

Afterwards we had dinner at Chavatias, yes the present of not cooking is always appreciated!


Wednesday 12.17
After dropping off kids Angelica and I met up for breakfast at the Plaza Inn. That is our breakfast spot! I don't think all the sweet old people know what to do with our loud babies. Haha Then we decided to go to Nampa. We went to Hobby Center and JCPenny. While there a sweet customer went out to her car and let the kids pick out a stuffed animal {???} Between that and the free lip gloss sample Lucy thought it was the BEST mommy date ever {it was the 17th - perfect timing.} We went for the extra mile and got dollar ice cream cones. Such simple pleasures in life.

The little girls had their clogging recital that night - unfortunately we didn't have their clogging shoes so we went home after school and got ready there. Lucy was uBer excited to wear makeup. She asked almost weekly if she can wear it to class and I always tell her she can when she's on stage. Oh the big day was finally here!

Thursday 12.18
Movie day at school. Kurt woke up and told everyone it was a snow day and school was canceled. Austin looked out the window, "there's no snow dad." It was a very mean joke for everyone. Spence and Ruth signed up for "Lego Movie" {even though we own it.} Emma "Million Dollar Arm" and Austin "Planes, Fire and Rescue." Mrs. Swanson told Austin on Wednesday that only 2 people had signed up for that movie {him and a kindergartener} so they were canceling it. We had a really good laugh about that! He went to Emma's movie. After having lunch with Kerri we watched the end of the movie with the kids.

The rooms were a mess afterwards. I was so proud and grateful to Spence that he jumped up and started to help clean up. A few of his classmates followed his example and we got it looking better. Appreciate this awesome kid!

Emma had Art. Spence and Dad went to the pack meeting while the rest of us supported the Willow Creek Christmas program.

Friday 12.19
This is the day Maria lost her baby Elijah. We have a standing date. We were lucky enough to spend the school day together - shopping and Coast a Viada - perfection. Really feel so blessed to have a friend. It was worth the wait.

After picking up the school kids we went home to get performance ready. Like nearly all pre-performance there was the stress of finding all required objects, making sure hair was done to standard and the struggle of the oldest to just obeying in general. AHHHHH. The stress is worth it - I LOVED the show. My girls stole the show in their ballet classes. Emma is so graceful and Ruth so exact and so much fun. Spencer has always been a great dancer! I'm dreaming up ways to get him on the stage more. :) SOO proud of all their hard work.

So I've been teaching them piano this school year. That too has been a challenge {time factor.} Spencer did great!! He played "Deck the Halls." He was very diligent about practicing and put his time in accordingly. Emma Lynn played "The Christmas Song." It was a harder piece and even though she made a few mistakes she did very well. "Ah mom my hands were shaking so bad the whole time I was playing!" Austin. He gave me an ulcer. He was not practicing anything and didn't seem to care that he was going to get up on stage and play in front of a couple hundred people. AHHH. I pretty much had to sit down with him at the piano for 2 evenings straight to ensure he was practicing his song. I hope we survive. He played "Feliz Navidad."

The entire school sang two songs {one Spanish/one English.} at the end 

Saturday 12.20
Early morning temple session plus dropping off Kelli at the airport on the way. Decorating for the RPM Christmas party. That evening was the party. Every year they get a little bit better. The awkward moments just can't be helped. The ugly sweater contest helped to ease the pain.

Kurt and I had fun with this and were quite comfortable with the style

~~~Romans Reflections~~~
- It is clementine season! I'm peeling them by the minute and can't keep up.

Halloween

October 26 - November 1, 2014

Sunday 10.26
The Bishop asked me to teach the Activity Day girls on pornography today. At the same time he was teaching the boys 8 and older the same thing. I felt like it went well and I felt the spirit multiple times. I wish we didn't live in a world where I had to talk about this to such young kids, my kids. But we do. That's the reality. And its my job and responsibility to arm and protect them with the gospel truths. I gave each girl in my class a family home evening lesson about the topic so they could teach their families the same things.

Kurt and I continued this discussed with Austin that evening. It was a good/awkward but memorable evening. Not our first discussion and definitely not our last but we are establishing a pattern of communicate with a boy I love that is changing and growing up.

After church we had a linger longer. It was perfect for me since I had a meeting in Nyssa at 4 pm. It was also great for those that stayed. So great to visit and fellowship with the ward family. I hope it becomes a tradition.

The trek meeting was good but frustrating because its our third meeting now and no progress has been made since our first meeting. Ahhhhh. Non-productive meetings are a waste of time. But I am super excited that we are doing trek. Another meeting in two weeks. I have high hopes for that one.

Monday 10.27
I had a haircut this morning I might have forgotten about. Brittany was kind enough to watch the girls on short notice. Grateful to have found a local hair but like most she's a talker. Ran home for Jane to have a nap, switch laundry and mop the floor. We had lunch with Kerri and then signed papers to CLOSE on our Graham House. It actually happened! I was skeptic but grateful for answered prayers. And now we owe a house in town - new prayers have begun.

Then it was time to get to the school for Girl Scouts. I got a new bulletin board put up before we started. The girls were all combined to celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's birthday. We watched a movie about her life, the Daisy's sang a song and then we had fruit with a variety of dips.

While Emma was in dance we did the other three's piano lessons. All of them were grumpy about it. Definitely not fun. Chavalitias for celebration dinner and FHE by Emma. She did a great job presenting the lesson I gave.

Tuesday 10.28

Preschool was uneventful (probably a good thing considering the year we have had.) as we learned all things Halloween related we sang a song about bats. Lucy loved being a sleeping bat (hanging upside down.) we had lunch with Kym Blackburn after school at starlite.

I think Jane must be getting teeth. She is a super whiny grump. 

After a few quick errands after school we headed to the church for activity days and cub scouts. We had a Halloween party. There was no babysitting and so Austin was in charge. Granted it was hard with a grumpy baby but it was not a super successful combo. None of the kids were helping when it was time to go and so by the time we left I was frustrated. We took home 5 extra kids. 

I took the dogs for a run when we got home. It was the perfect distressed. Emma completely made dinner while I was gone. What a great kids!!

Wednesday 10.29
Kurt had his yearly dental cleaning so he took the kids into school. We cleaned up at home in preparation for the McMullans arrival. Around 11:30 we met up with Kea and Maggie so the girls could go play while I met Maria W in Nyssa for our {sometimes} weekly run. I rushed back home after 4 miles to shower and finish a few things at the house. I grabbed Spencer from school and we headed to the airport! Unfortunately we were late but it made for a quick pick-up - I sent Spence in to get them while I made sure there was room in the car for them to sit down haha! So great to see this cute couple.

Spence thought he was dying of hunger so we ate at Costa Vida before running a few errands at Target, Michaels and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Since it was Wednesday and we were in town we were able to catch the end of Emma's ballet class. Even better is that it was observation week so we were able to go in and watch her class. It was great to see. I love Miss Amber. She is a fabulous teacher, expects a lot and is no nonsense. I was proud for how well Emma held her own since it was only her 3 week of class. As soon as class was dismissed she came over to hug Karen and Roger.

At home it was more hugs all around and showing the McMullans "The Lodge" - their abode for the next few days.

Thursday 10.30
Party day. Preschool party day. While


Friday 10.31
I took the kids to their Harvest party that morning. I knew that you had to have a background check to volunteer so I didn't think that the McMullans would be able to attend. I found that morning that if they were not doing one-on-one it didn't matter. So I went back home to pick them and the little girls up. We wandered around until we found a group with one of our kids and participated. Lucy was in heaven to be included with the big kids. I did a lot of floating.