Christmas 2012

This year we spent Christmas at home and enjoyed a small and intimate celebration. I was sick for the entire week of Christmas and could hardly get out of bed but that didn't stop the baking and watching the kids enjoy their presents.  This year we bought the kids a Power Wheels Ford Truck. Benton and Ada ride this truck all morning long, until the battery dies then they go right back out once the battery is charged again. It is so cute watching them cruise around together. We also invested in a family basketball court. We are still waiting for the cement to be poured but that hasn't stopped the kids from going out and shooting hoops until the sun goes down.
For New Year's Eve we were joined by Greg and Jayden Hatch and also the Randall Hatch Family. We ate lots of yummy food and watched the Ball drop in NYC on TV and played games while the boys prepared their tackle boxes for the fishing trip they would be leaving for in the morning. We brought in the new year with sparkling cider and poppers for the kids.
The next week Christy and I wrangled 9 kids by ourselves while our husbands fished. We woke up one morning to snow! It was so exciting and we bundled up all the kids for a day of building snowmen, sledding, snowball fights, snow angels, hot chocolate and soup. The kids had a blast.
The men finally arrived home 2 days late because of the snow/driving conditions but they all brought home ice chests full of fresh fish.

Christmas in our small town

(Alex dancing in the Grade School Christmas Program)

In our town...

This is what a Christmas band concert looks like...

 (Tori on the flute. Ken Farnsworth director)

 In our town...

this is what a ballet recital looks like back stage...

 (Tori and Alex's class performed Mother Ginger and the Gingerettes)

 (The Sugar Plum Fairies and the Gingerettes)

 In our town...

This is what giving gifts to all the neighbors looks like...

 In our town...

This is what Christmas looks like...

Serving. Baking. Decorating. Visiting. Singing. Gift Giving. Class Parties. Christmas Parties. Lights. Love.

 (BarbaraJo, 5 months pregnant, with the Sugar Plum Fairies.)

This OLD House

1. NO hot water
2. Broken water pipes underneath the floors and in the walls.
3. NO plumbers in town to fix problem #2.
4. Doors that don't lock, or even shut.
5. Missing door knobs on the most important....bathroom....door.
6. Lack of insulation in walls.
7. Windows that are not properly sealed.
8. Uneven floors.
9. NO water pressure.
10. NO closets.
11. Leaky roof. 


Aren't old houses so much fun!!!

Boy oh Boy...

1. Cole
2. Bronson
3. Carter
4. Jace
5. James
6. Brody

The Nutcracker

 Mother Ginger and the Gingerettes

 The Sugar Plum Fairies

 Mother Ginger

 My Gingerettes

 Tori

 Sugar Plum Fairies

This year I pulled together a portion of the Nutcracker. 

It was so much fun to work with these girls. 

They were so willing and so much fun. 

We were able to perform for our community and enjoy refreshments afterwards.

 Since I had to choreograph the numbers, come up with the costumes, decorate the stage, make the refreshments for the parents, and apply make-up to my dancers there were a few oversights. 

I am so thankful for the moms that stepped in and helped and also thought of the things that I completely forgot...like taking pictures! 

Thank you to the mom who ran the music and controlled the curtain...also another oversight.

I couldn't have done it without you all.

The performance was amazing! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Some of my best investments:

 The Pony: Cinnamae

Alex went through a stage where she was obsessed with the Three Amigos.

She wore the outfit, sombrero and all...she sang "My Little Buttercup"...and she wanted her own horse.

For her 5th birthday we got her a Pony.

She has loved this pony ever since and has grown confident to approach and ride the horse by herself.

The Great Dane: Blue...Man's best friend. This dog is loyal and will follow my kids to their destination then wait for them to get out so he can escort them home safely. This dog started out small enough to hold over your shoulder.

 The trampoline.

 Our kids are on the trampoline every single day.

It has helped them practice their gymnastics.

Given them great exercise while playing.

Been the meeting place for "secrets".

Turned into a water park in the summers with the help of a sprinkler underneath.

Been a secret fort they can take naps under.

This thing is worth its weight in gold.

 Alex mastering her front tuck.

 Tori practicing her front tuck.

 Benton and Ada's typical pre-nap activity.

 Benton

Benton can do a mean front hand-spring and even Ada is learning how to do a front tuck. 

As a child I had so many fond memories on a trampoline and I still find joy in jumping and flipping whenever I get a chance.

Football

 Benton's first football photo.

 Uncle Travis and Uncle Trent set Benton up with his own football gear. 

Excited is an understatement!

 As Garrett was helping him suit up, Benton fell backwards and hit is head against a rock wall and split it open.

First battle wound of the sport...and he wasn't even out on the field yet!

 Jayden and Benton practiced hitting but they didn't want to hurt each other so the first time around they just slapped their hands around in front of each other...no body contact.

They started to get the hang of it by the end.

Daddy is helping Benton learn how to "hit" in my living room.

The first thing Benton wanted to do this morning was put on his new football helmet. 

So proud.