Gymnastic Dance Recital

The end of the school year always comes with recitals.  This will be the first year in 9 years that we don't have a dance recital.  I have to say that it feels GREAT to have that freedom.  The dance recitals were always in the middle of June, so we had to stick around for them.  That meant no vacations until a couple weeks into the summer, and I think that is why I always signed up for swim and dive, since we were here already.  This is the first year there will be no swim and dive!   I'm looking forward to lots of trips and fun!  

Aubrie's gymnastic's recital was the weekend before school let out.  It was fun for the girls, but so amatuer compared to the Dance Recitals with Devney's.   It was fun, however, to see the girls tumble.  It was also nice to be done after only an hour!   Aubrie danced to Footloose, and to an Elvis Medly.   During one of her front handsprings, she almost fell on her face.  We had a good laugh about it.  After the recital was an awards ceremony, slideshow, and BBQ.   The Recital was moved to a Sunday for some scheduling conflicts, and they called us as soon as they found out.  We agreed to bring Aubrie to do her dances only. So we didn't participate in the other activities.   The whole family came to watch during Rehearsal.   Before we left,  Aubrie got her award.  She got an award for Bars.  That is her worst event, but I think they gave it to her because she sliced her hand the night before one of her meets, and she still competed on the bars with it.   Aubrie's best event is the vault and Beam.  She scores 9's on those events.  She really worked hard this year, and even though she missed half of the meets because they were on Sunday, she still remained one of the top girls in her level.   She has moved up to Level 5.  

Mother's Day 2013

The Mother's Day tradition continued this year at Montezuma's Well.  This year we had to attend another
Ward in the morning, so we could make it up there in time.   Pleasant Valley Ward currently has the 9:00 am time, so we were able to see a lot of the "orginal" famalies we miss.   It felt really nice to be there.  After church, we headed home to change and get our things together.  When we got there, the place was croweded. There was a huge tour bus in the parking lot.  Luckily there were a few tables left on the other side of the park.  We unpacked and got settled, then had lunch.     Then Boston, Ethan and I played catch. After that we set up the crochet set, which I would say is the biggest tradition there, since that's the only time we play it!  After that, we took a little hike, that included Sopia falling in the stream, but only up to her knees.   We then went back and played another game of crochet, but this time we played teams.   It was an interesting take on the game, and made it more fun.   After that, we played a family game of soccer.  It was the three oldest against Ben, Sophia and I.  They thought they were going to beat us for sure, because they didn't realize I can actually play soccer!   We had a fun time, and the kids said that was their favorite thing.  After soccer, we packed up and headed home.  When we got home I wasn't feeling well, so we put off the steak dinner Ben had planned for me till Monday.  I went upstairs and rested, and that was actually a nice way to end the day.   I wish I would have started celebrating Mother's day like this a long time ago.  I love being able to enjoy my kids on Mother's Day!

Christmas Fun!

The Holiday celebrations began at the Ward's Primary Christmas Party. The RS was having an Adult only Christmas Party, so the Bishop put on a party for the

kids. They had craft times, and he read them the book, "He Took My Lickin" for Me". Then they got to visit with Santa. While Sophia was waiting in line, she couldn't resist dancing to the Christmas Songs played on the piano by the Primary President. She had a great time. Boston was able to come for the last half hour, as he had a soccer game that morning.

This Holiday brought us a "white" celebration for the first time, as it began for the kids with "snow"! In the middle of the ward adult party people started going outside. When we went to see what all the excitement about, we saw that it had hailed and the whole parking lot was covered in white, including our cars. When I called Aubrie to tell her about it, they hadn't gotten any of it. That was CRAZY since the way the bird flys we are only about 2 miles from the church. Later, they got a bit in the front yard, but it didn't stick. The next morning at chruch, the kids were a few minutes late to sacrament meeting because they had to enjoy the snow in the front of the building for a few minutes!

Boston's field trip was the next holiday thing on the list. His classmates spent the month earning money, and then they took a fieldtrip to the Arrowhead Mall to pick a Christmas Angel. I went on the field trip, and was over Bostons group. They chose a boy. We ended up getting him three board games, a basketball, football, and soccer ball. The kids were excited to get all these things for him, and were running around trying to find the best deal, so they could get him as much as possible. What a great opportunity for these kids to get a glimpse at how blessed they are and how they can help someone else.

I also had fun torturing Boston on the bus, as I sang to the Christmas music the bus driver was playing. It was a little payback for treating his sister poorly that morning. He promised to be nice to her, if I would stop embarrassing him. His friends thought it was funny, especially since he sings all the time in class.

The next thing on the Holiday list was their Christmas piano recital. It was a little stressful this year, since Aubrie didn't have enough time to practice. She ended up having time for only one song. She did "Let It Snow". One of my favorites.

Ethan played three songs. "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", Jingle Bells (which he added a bottom hand to) and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" duet with his Teacher. He did really well, and seemed to like it. When I told him to just quit piano today, he said , "NO! I like the recitals and cookies!" LOL

This is an awful picture of Boston, but I couldn't leave him out. He had the hardest songs. He played "Joy to the World" out of the Hymn book!! I tried playing it and I couldn't. He also played a harder version of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town". He made a few mistakes and went outside afterward and started crying. That was the first time he messed up at a recital. Aubrie cried the first time she messed up, too. Now she is over it and doesn't care. Boston is such a perfectionist, I'm not sure he will ever get over messing up. I was proud of his hard work and determination to play the harder songs!

Here are some pictures from Ethan's school Christmas party. I couldn't go because I had Sophia. My friend took these pictures for me. Guess this is a reindeer relay race! They ended the party with some "snow"!

For his party, Boston made gingerbread houses, stockings, glass ornaments, worked on recipes, and made reindeer food. That was after a big breakfast that only their grade had, in the Cafeteria, which included donuts, muffins, fruit, bagels, and hash browns.

Aubrie didn't have parties, but a few of her teachers let them watch movies the last couple of days, and Aubrie passed out gifts to her good friends (which she bought herself), and baked treats to all her teachers, and student advisor.

It's funny how when you have multiple kids, you repeat the same events. For us its an every two year cycle since they are all two years apart in school. This was our second Gingerbread Musical. Ethan was HILARIOUS! Wish I could put the video on here. He started off doing nothing but making frowning faces. Then he really started hamming it up. He is such a character! When it was over, we socialized a bit, and Aubrie and Boston played wall ball with their friends. Aubrie had fun seeing all her old friends ago, and spending time with Olivia.

This year the kids are really getting into the giving spirit. Aubrie and Boston spent A LOT of money on each other, and their other siblings. Ethan spent all of his money at the Jingle Bell Shop at school getting random gifts for everyone, including Rango and the Cats. Sophia even used her Christmas money from my Mom to go to the dollar store and get everyone a gift. I can't wait for Christmas just to see them open one another's gifts.

With this post, I'm officially caught up with everything on my "Christmas to do list"! All the treats are baked, presents wrapped, and food purchased for Christmas Day. Now I just need to get over this awful cough I have been carrying around for 3 weeks now. That would be a great Christmas gift...no coughing! Hope to be back soon after Christmas, but not counting on being that on top of things. We are headed for lots of fun and vacationing! Merry Christmas! I feel so blessed with so many TRUE friends, Family, and a Heavenly Father who care about me. Who can ask for more?

2011 Soccer

Yesterday was a full day, that started at 7:30. There was no time to think about how sick I was. It was one soccer game after another, and I LOVED it! I love watching my kids play soccer.

Ethan had a game early in the morning, about a half an hour from here. I never get to take him to his games, so I offered while Ben stayed here to wait for the carpet cleaners and Sears guy who services our appliances every six months!

Ethan lost his game, but it was hard to be upset about it since the team he played were a bunch of refugee kids from Afghanistan. After the game, I cheered him up with Dunkin Donuts. That took his mind off of it. I then came home only to shortly turn around to Boston's game. His first game was against the hardest team in the league. If they beat them they could have taken first. They were up 1-0 for the first 15 minutes. Then the other team got an awesome/well deserved corner kick. Boston's coach put in a different goalie and the game turned quickly. They lost 4-2. Boston was disappointed, (as were some parents) but the last time they played them the lost byALOT! So I tried to help him realize the progress his team made, and that second place in the tournament is AWESOME! Ben spoke with some parents who are trying to put a winning team together, and they want Boston to be a part of it. We will see how that works out in the spring. In my eyes, his team is a winning team. I especially like the spiritual focus the coach brings into every game and practice. That is more important to me than anything. Boston won his other two games. His first game was actually Friday night. Joe took the kids, while we had our party. Boston's win that night solidified second place for his team. It was great win, since the team slaughtered them last time!

Aubrie had a great tournament! They won their first two games. Their second game was amazing. 9-1! Their team also got the record for fastest goal scored, and most goals scored in such a short time. Those wins put them in the Championship. The Championship game was against an amazing team who was undefeated! The blew out every team they played, except us. It was time for a rematch. This game was especially hard for Aubrie because her best friend Olivia is on that team. Aubrie is not as aggressive when Olivia is close to her. The game was one of the best soccer games we have watched. Our team scored first. We held them for a long time, and finally they got a goal. Second half was nail biting! There were so many close goals on both sides. With 30 seconds left Olivia made the game winning goal. Aubrie was so sad. She wanted a tie so bad. As soon as the game was over, Olivia rushed to find Aubrie to make sure she wasalright, and then they embraced each other. It was such a tearful moment. Two great teams and freinds...so close! So Aubrie's team also placed second. We celebrated later that evening with the Pribble's (Olivia's family. Funny, huh?) at Yogurtology. Aubrie was her happy self again, and left me a sweet note by my beside after I finally crashed, saying she hopes I feel better soon. I hope I do, too!

Here are some pics from the season!

Aubrie's Championship game.

Boston's Championship Game

Aubrie's first game against Olivia (She also had Strep and we didn't know it)

Jump Start

This year I felt like I needed to get a jump start on the Holidays. I think with Aubrie at Basis, the soccer season running into December, and our Christmas Party being pushed back a week l, made me feel like I needed to get some things done early. Before Thanksgiving I ordered my Christmas Cards and stuffed, and addressed them. I also purchased all my "friend gifts" and wrapped them. I thought that would relieve some stress and free up some time. Then I was asked to decorate a table for our Ward Christmas party. It wasn't hard, but just took time to get stuff, etc. It turned out nice, but now I still have the buckets of decorations in my Mom's room. My new dumping ground. This past week I busied myself with finishing up Christmas shopping, helping out a sick friend, preparing for our Christmas Party, fighting a cold, helping with school projects, and playing the roles of both parents while Ben was out of town. I'm hoping that this week I'll be able to get in a workout!

Our Christmas Party was a lot of fun. Since our Ward did the same exact type of party, we thought we might skip it this year. Then we realized how many people we typically invite from other wards, which is more than half. We decided to invite only a few families from our Ward who have been coming since the beginning, or had strong relationships with a majority of the other couples, along with some several friends of ours who don't go to our church. It was a good mix! Everyone was very friendly to the new people, and things were seamless. The only bad thing was that I lost my voice Friday morning, so that was VERY hard not being able to talk much. In reality, I spend most of my time playing hostess, which leaves little time for talking anyway. There were some fun gifts. But no animals this year!:) Shocking that Ben spaced taking pictures this year. That's his job at the party!

Thanksgiving 2011

This year we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Hawkins. I was in charge of the Turkey, and also made the Shoepeg casserole & stuffing. I had to make the stuffing for the first time this year, with my Mom being gone. That was weird. I decorated the table with place "cards" that were leaves with names written on them, and hot glued to a walnut, grouped with a few other nuts.Tirza brought the sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad, and pickles and olives. Dinner was very yummy. The turkey didn't cook all the way, and I was disappointed with my meat thermometer:( I had to put it back in, and once you cut into it and put it back in its not the same. Oh, well. That just meant no good left overs which I'm not a fan of anyway.

The kids had a fun time playing, and the adults talking. It was very nice and relaxing. After dinner, the Hawkins went home and we headed to the movies. Ben and I wanted to see the Muppet Movie, but the kids were dying to see Jack and Jill. The ratings were bad, and Ben and I were skeptical. Being it was PG were figured at least it would be harmless. It was funny. The kids laughed a lot, especially Ethan.

The next day we spent putting up all the Christmas decor. When we put up and plugged in our tree, I noticed a huge portion of lights were out. Ben ran and got new nine foot tree, that happened to be on sale since it was black Friday. It looks really nice. I went to Micheal's later, and got some new decorations, with Aubrie's help, to add to it. Now our tree downstairs has some blue in it. It looks nice. We put the old tree upstairs in the loft. It's the kids tree. It's very cute, also. The kids like it best! It was nice to get up all the decorations, and be done with it, especially with company coming.

Saturday the Hendrickson's came for a night. The kids stayed here and had pizza and watched movies, while the adults went out for dinner. We had a nice dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Things are always so comfortable with the Hendricksons. When we got back we went in the hot tub, and when the kids went down, we watched some Modern Family and talked.

Sunday the Nelson's came for the night. They got her much later, so Ben and Pat stayed up and talked, while everyone else was in bed. The next day Ben and Pat had some meetings, so Mindy and I spent time with the kids and got to know one another better. Pat married her after college, so I have only hung out with her once. She is very nice, and it was a nice morning getting to know her.

Whew! We sure know how to pack in the Holiday's, huh? I'm not sure if its possible for us to do "nothing" during any holiday. So much to do, so many people to see. It's hard for this family to sit still!

November Disney 2011

Since Aubrie had a full week of of school for Thanksgiving, we planned another trip to Disney. Since the Christmas decorations were up, I figured it would be busy. However, we still were able to ride everything and also did some things we never did before.

The first day we got there (Sunday) it was raining. Well, when we got to the hotel it was overcast, and by the time we got in line for Star Taurs it was sprinkling. When we got out of Star Taurs it was POURING. We bought the overly priced Disney Pancho's and some gloves for the boys, and then ducked and covered to the closest inside ride, which was Captain EO.

We thought the rain would lighten up, but it didn't. The closest place for cover was the Innovations building that we always say we should check out, but never do. Guess it takes something like rain for you to stumble on something great! We all had a blast in there. They had 360 Kinect games set up in there, along with other cool games, and inventions to look at. Boston spent most of his time playing a Kinect football game, Ethan played Kinect Fruit Ninja, and Aubrie, Sophia and I became addicted to the Kinect Micheal Jackson dancing game. Sophia was the first one to try it, and by the end she had a crowd of people surrounding her. Still meaning to send that video to AFV!

After spending about two hours in there, we finally checked outside. The rain had stopped and lines were short, but we didn't want to risk rain again, so we headed back to the hotel and then went out to dinner. We found an Olive Garden (per Aubrie's request). It was a great dinner, except for the shocking caloric count that is now required on California menus. I tried not to think about it as we devoured a great meal, and enjoyed one of the best servers we have ever had! We went on an on to him to the manager (who happened to be the General Manager) and she comped our desserts b/c it made her night! SCORE!!!! After dinner we headed back to the hotel to settle in and watch fireworks from our balcony.

Monday was busy, busy. We rode the firetruck that goes from main street to the castle for the first time, and we spent a few hours checking out Santa's reindeer, doing Christmas crafts, meeting Mrs. Claus and waiting for a chance to sit on Santa's lap. We had some fun people in line, which made the hour wait bearable. The kids had fun in line checking out some funny things on youtube. Here are some pics of that! Can't think of a better place in the world to see Santa and his reindeer!

Sophia was a little timid to ride anything that seemed to go fast. Our first ride of the day was Matterhorn, and she didn't want anything to do with it. I sat on a bench with her while everyone else waited in line. By the time they got to the front I convinced her to try it.

I couldn't believe that Ben convinced her to ride Space Mountain, later that day! Guess bribing her with a Mickey stuffed animal as the trick. As the ride was about to take off she said, "Mom, see now the whole family can be together." We were offered another free ride, when they couldn't print our picture's due to some kids doing some bad things in the background, but when we got there, Sophia wouldn't do it again. I was afraid that was it for her, but she did it again the next day, and said she liked it, so I'm hoping we have crossed a bridge with her.

Sophia's favorite ride was It's a Small World. It was decorated for Christmas. She rode that a few times. She also got to visit with the princesses. We waited in line for that, while the boys went off by themselves to Toon Town. They thought they were so big being able to do that on their own. We were all daring enough to do Splash Mountain, despite the freezing weather. We were lucky to avoid being drenched. While in the neighborhood, we enjoyed lunch at our favorite spot. Mmmmm, love that turkey sandwich and sweet potato fries!

In California Adventure, we enjoyed the comedy of the Genie in the Alladin show. The kids are finally old enough to get a lot of his satire, and so it made it more fun. We did the boardwalk games for the first time, and Sophia won a big stuffed Mickey on her first try. That took care of Ben's bribery from earlier. The boys were disappointed with two small toys, and Aubrie scored a big Dumbo stuffed animals. It was fun to do that for once. We also saw the evening water show (can't think of it right now). It was hard to see, I had Sophia on my shoulders most of the time ( That was the longest 22 minutes ever) and we were freezing. The nights were frigid! We broke down and bought hats for the kids on the Disney Walk. We enjoyed dinner on the "Walk" both nights. First at the pizza place, and next at the ESPN restaurant. Boston was disappointed there wasn't a good game on! LOL Overall, it was a great time to spend as a family for the Holiday. Wednesday we headed home so we could be home on Thanksgiving. That meant Ben had to drive home on his birthday. I arranged for the Waishnora's to come and put up streamers. Couldn't break the family tradition!:)

On our way into the fabulously decorated It's a Small World (busted biting my nails!)

Ethan's name is on the nice list!

Tea Cups!

Lunch Time at Critter Country

Brotherly Love

Smiling Eyes!

Longest Sweet Potato Fry!

Mmmm...Good to the last bite!

Boston DONE with pictures!

Crafts with Mrs. Claus

Santa's Reindeer

He LOVE's this!

Getting Heavy?

Fun with Youtube!

His new gloves!

Long anticipated visit with Santa after an hour wait! Boston isn't thrilled about it!

Arial Ride! Boston is just along for the ride.

In line waiting for the Princess's

Our official hat holder!

Long awaited Princess visit.

Bugs Land bumper cars!

Lunch time by Soarin! Ribs, Mac& Cheese and Chicken Sandwiches

On the Carousel while the "BIGS" are on Screamin'

Fun times with the Soldiers

Dinner Time at ESPN

Sophia's Art! She said it was a dead person?

Alice and Wonderland (Dad's only picture! Thanks for being the family photographer Sweetheart!)

Autotopia!

Crowd Control!

Till next time...