December Fun

This month is always packed full to the brim with parties, activities, and shows. And I try to bring my camera along for the ride.

So here's some of what we've been up to the last little while here.

The 3rd grade had a Christmas program

Eli has started practicing his skateboard :)

And went to "Peach-A-Kleen" barbershop (Holly and Emma) for his SK8R dude hair-do. (I know- I have weird kids :)

After we had the November freeze out this year, December has been just heavenly in the weather department. I have been loving driving down the street with the non-stop flow of leaves raining down. It's made for piles ready to be played in.

Our version of snow angels :)

And I got the must have leaves-flying-at-the-camera picture:)
Monday we went to the Mesa temple lights for FHE and were reminded of what makes Christmas so special.

Activities not pictured: Shopping, baking, running to the store for this, running back to the store because I forgot that, dropping things off at school, helping with the set for Eli's program, sending Christmas cards, skipping to the mailbox each day to see other people's cards, walking the dog, playgroup at our house, carpool, YW activities, ya you know- the things we're all doing this time each year. 1 day left and the kids are off!!!

"By Their Fruits..."

Since we planted our tiny lemon tree (see bush below) a couple years ago we've been way excited for it to produce. Well this was the year.

But then the other day I thought I noticed the lemons not looking very...shall we say...yellow.

But you know what they say...when life gives you oranges, make orange juice right?

And we should have plenty since this makes orange tree #3. (blurgle)

Fa-La-La-La-La

Suddenly Emma seems to be surrounded by music.

In our schools here in AZ the kids have the option of learning an instrument starting in 5th grade. I'm not gonna lie, I'm been excited about this from the moment I found that out. Free music lessons? I'll take it! Plus, I never learned to play anything and I love when the kids have opportunities to learn things I can't teach them. So Emma chose the flute and I LOVE hearing her play. I don't even mind hearing "Hot cross buns" a thousand times over. And she likes it which is what makes me the happiest. They just put on their first band performance.

It was pretty adorable.
Also a few weeks ago in church Emma and Dana sang a duet in Sacrament meeting. They sang "Come Thou Fount" and it was so beautiful! I'm sure I'm completely unbiased but one thing I do know is that they brought the Spirit into the meeting with their song. It was very sweet.

Then, the day after they sang in church, Emma tried out for "Annie Jr." their school musical this year. Only 5th and 6th graders can try out. Well she was hoping to get one of the orphan parts and she got it! She's going to be "Duffy". She's super excited. Only 63 kids out of 105 made it that tried out so it's really a privilege. It'll be so fun to watch her :)
I'm so proud of you Emma! And mostly just because of who you are the great choices you make in your life each day. Keep up the good work :)

Grand Getaway

Thursday morning the kids were up bright and early. They knew there was a surprise coming. Back in August we bought tickets to something and saved telling them for later. But this was the first part of the surprise...

"Guess what! You aren't going to school today!" (What kid doesn't like hearing that?)

Then we told them they could decorate the Christmas tree which they'd been begging (esp. Holly) to do all week.

And finally....drumroll......"We're going on the Polar Express- tonight!!!"

"And going to the Grand Canyon tomorrow!"

Oh boy were they excited :)

The Polar Express was a first for us and Dana was the only one that had been to the Grand Canyon so I think I was just as excited as the kids. But first they got busy on the tree and I made pancakes. Holy cow that sounds good right now (Fast Sunday).

Sweet sunshine Sadie

We packed up and made the 3 or so hour drive north.

As soon as we started to see bits of snow on the road the kids were dying to get outside and play in it. I was totally reminded of driving to Big Bear as a kid and feeling the same way.

I caught this sweet pic outside our hotel. Can you see the snowball? This was Eli's favorite past time the whole weekend.
Our tickets were for 6:30 but we got there around 5:15 to an already almost full parking lot. FYI- The Polar Express is a popular thing to do. Don't get there late.

Near the train depot they have this cute little village set up.
A really nice lady offered to take this for us :)


I think this is the last smile I saw from Emma that night. She got a huge headache and stomach ache at the same time. I felt so bad for her. She didn't even want the hot chocolate or cookie but took them when the very jolly server said he was going to tell Santa on her that she didn't like Mrs. Clause secret recipes. Then she handed them out to the highest bidders. Or whoever yelled "ME!!!" the loudest.

Love this one. (There are bunny ears up there.)
They read the story and brought us cocoa and a cookie. And we sang carols as we waited for Santa. The kids all loved it but Eli may have enjoyed it most of all.
And Santa must have noticed him beaming because he came right up to him like so, and said "You! You have GROWN since last year!"

And if you know my boy, you know how he ate this up.
Each of the kids got bells from different reindeer. Like Holly got Prancers I think.

Ringing her bell.
It was so fun- I'd definitely recommend it. Just don't plan on the caliber of hot chocolate as the story describes.

But as fun as the first part of our trip was, I liked the second part better. It was so great to finally see it for myself. And "Grand" it is.


Down in one of these ravines Dana pointed out a bridge that he and his cousins went across when he did the rim-to-rim hike some 6 or 7 years ago. Crazy!
The kids are more into "doing" than "looking" so they headed back over to the snow to play.
Which was fine because kids and steep drop-offs aren't the best combination.
Me and my love.
Then we ate at a hotel called "El Tovar" which my mom and dad stayed at when I was a baby. It was really cool. If it's the same place, my dad was very impressed by it (I read about it in his journal) and I liked thinking I was enjoying somewhere he enjoyed once too.
And if it's not the same place I have no doubt he would have enjoyed it also. Especially with this little munchin saying "What the heck?" every few minutes and entertaining us with all her expressions.
Nothing beats a great weekend of family fun :)

For A Successful Thanksgiving Weekend-

Step 1- Long weekend off from school and work.
Step 2- Delicious food
Amy made this apple pie- plus a super yummy turkey. I had the easy job.
Step 3- Have a wonderful family to share it with.








Step 4- Have some family you don't see as often come the next day. (They are looking at a pregnancy book :)

Step 5- Thank Heavenly Father for all the blessings that fill your heart each day with love and gratitude.

Enjoy!!