Christmas 2011

It was so fun to have the same Christmas traditions every year! It was also nice to not have to drive across the pass this year!

Here are some highlights from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning...

Acting out the Nativity:




Bradley played Taps, since he didn't practice any Christmas numbers.




Beautiful Silent Night Trio:



Mckenzie playing piano for the talent show!





Nathan and his Christmas PJ's




Addy modeling her PJ's



Sydney got matching pj's with her American Girl doll, Felicity:




It was so fun to see the excitement on their faces- it makes Christmas morning fun- even at 7am!






The kids all lined up to head upstairs. Grandpa even did the traditional jump on the bed with all the kids in it. One of these years he may just break his back!





We had such a great Christmas - See what Mike bought me for our new house!!: (I got a different one from my brother's family that I love too, so I figured out where I could put them both!)

Bradley wondered why another camera- but then I had to tell him that his new camera got ruined in the move. This one has a front video monitor that he can video himself all day long. He loves to make crazy movies!

McKenzie got her I-touch- She was SO excited! She did have to pay half, though! I told her that was WAY too much to spend on something the size of a wallet! She is attached to it now 24/7!



Addy and her cousins with their Pillow pets:



The family(except Bradley- he thinks electronics will ruin the family) was so excited to get a Wii- Santa's choice- not ours! But we are excited to play with them. Nathan kicks our tails at bowling!




Nathan with his Hexbugs. They are fun!





Addy in her dress ups:


McKenzie made Addy a headband!



Sydney was thrilled to get American Girl Doll horse and outfits:

Christmas decorating

What some goofballs:

The kids had fun decorating Grandma's tree...Only a few things were broken. That's what you get when kids are doing it! Maybe we'll have plastic decorations at our new house!

Trip to Temple Square

I took the oldest to Temple Square. We were lucky enough to get tickets to David Archulletta/Mormon Tab concert, but despite rushing there, taking TRAX and skipping dinner, we missed it. We were there almost an hour early, but they let the standby line in and they filled up. If I would have known, I'd have gone earlier! We made the best of it and toured Temple Square and watched the concert on a monitor. Then went out to dinner. It was fun just to have the older 3, although they were pretty disappointed in not getting in the conference center! Oh well!

House updates

We have another few weeks on our home. We have been delayed by weather and a few things that take a while to order. But here's what's going on:

Mike tiled the bathrooms downstairs and the vanities were installed
Master bath travertine installed and vanities installed:
This was a while ago, but this is our front room ceiling. We love it! Our entry ceiling is the same.

Tile entryway is finished. Just needs cleaning and sealing:
Bookshelves and mantle finished, fireplace ready to rock!
Kitchen cabinets almost finished (except where the counter has to go on first before upper cabinets.)
Laundry room cabinets: (the holes are supposed to be there. It's a rustic knotty cherry- Sydney thought someone dinged up our cabinets)
Brick ALMOST done- maybe this week.
Can't wait. Right now it seems like it will still be a while, but we only have a little bit left! YAY!

Candlelight 2010

The Middle School here holds a Candelight program in December. Sydney and Bradley both played in the bands and Grandpa King received the candle this year. It was fun that it was the year we were able to be here. It was a service award for all the things he's done for people over the years in the community. He's 93 years old and now the oldest person alive in the city of Ephraim! He was shocked to say the least and said, "I don't know why I'm getting this...I just lived my life!" What a neat guy! We just love him!

Polar Express Symphony

Every year we try to hit a few concerts or musicals for Christmas. Something really special. This year we went to Utah Symphony Polar Express Concert. It was really neat! The kids loved jingling their bells in the audience and there were some really fun songs and narration. The music was beautiful. Addy was very scared of Santa, but like most loving parents, we forced her to stand by him for the picture! The tree on the last picture is blown glass. They had lots of fun activities for kids before in the foyer. May become a tradition!

House updates

Wood flooring done, paint done, brick is half-way done, Some of the tile is done and the cabinets are coming this week. We've been working away downstairs while the workers are working upstairs. This is quite the project- one that I don't want to do EVER again! I'll be excited for a house to live in though! We will be in the house the middle of January we hope! A few weeks past the original date because I have such a hard time making decisions!

Funny girls!

Addy and Ashlyn had so much fun playing at my sister, Erika's. Erika and Greg were the perfect hosts when we had to stay there last week. Addy and Ashlyn came around the corner with their doll and strollers, and when I looked closer, this is what I saw:


Toilet paper wrapped around them! When I asked why, they both said they couldn't find blankets, so they had to use toilet paper. I think I'll wrap up a couple rolls of toilet paper and put them under Erika's tree!

Working on the house

We got the kids down to the house a couple of times to sand and work on the house. Sometimes it was harder than it was worth, but it was good for them.

Nathan's Christmas program

Nathan had a Wonderful Christmas program for the elementary school. He is on the front row by the microphone. He sang his heart out. The teacher leading the singing told him if they could clone him, they'd have a PERFECT 3rd grade class for the song. They taught them to smile while singing, and he really did! I loved the fact that they sang some fun songs, but also sang songs of the birth of the Savior like, "Let Him in" and Christmas hymns. I didn't think they could do that anymore. McKenzie was asked to play flute to accompany. It was so fun to see all the kids dolled up and singing so well.

McKenzie's Senior Ball

McKenzie and her friends had so much fun at the Senior Ball last week. She looked beautiful. When I told her date he looked nice when he came, he emphatically said, SHE looks nice!" I thought it was cute!

Sydney's piano recital

Sydney had her first Christmas piano recital. She just loves her teacher, Sister Barclay. Can't wait to see her progress in piano. I've tried to teach her myself over the years, but we weren't consistent. So here she goes with a real teacher!