Christmas Fun 2011

Like everyone else, December has flown by with lots of fun Holiday activities. These were some of our highlights so far.....

Abbie was in a very cute performance with her school choir for the Holiday. I can never seem to get to the school early enough to get a decent seat. She is always in the front row due to her height so we couldn't see her well, but it sounded wonderful.

We couldn't wait to make cookies.

We got flour EVERYWHERE!

Frosting them is just as fun as cutting them all out.

We went with our good friends to see the lights at Ethel M's Chocolate Factory. It was a beautiful night, and the lights were amazing. Who knew a cactus garden could be so beautiful.

The kids took turns fighting over Santa's big red chair. It's funny how cold it feels here in Vegas right now. I have really adjusted to the warmer weather, and can't imagine that most of our family has snow. Brrr

Abbie and Avery were able to perform in a solo recital, the ward Christmas party and also at the mall last weekend. They did fantastic every time they performed. The solo recital they both performed perfectly, and worked really hard. The ward party was funny because they called and asked us to play a piece. Abbie really didn't want to so Avery and I planned to play Joy to the World. At the last minute they were short on musical numbers and asked if we could do another one. Abbie stepped up to the plate at the last minute and did a beautiful job playing a solo. I think all their performances turned out nicely, and we are looking forward to a few weeks off from school and practice.

It's like a Where's Waldo at the Mall. Can you find Abbie and Avery. hehehe

Meet Ava

A few weeks back we added a new member to our family. Truthfully everyone in the family wanted a dog, but me. To my defense I knew I would be the one having to take care of the dog, and I just wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. After years of debate on what animal to get, and begging from the kids, Micah and I decided to settle on a cat. I said yes only knowing that they pretty much take care of themselves, and if we go on vacation we won't have to worry about boarding her or anything. I knew that an animal would be good for our kids, and she really has been wonderful. It may be crazy, but the first time I saw her, I knew she was the right one. I even went home and thought about it over the weekend, but when I went back on Monday she was still there, and I knew I needed to take her home with me.

She is so sweet, and lets my girls basically maul her. She will just sit on their laps for hours letting them pet her, and follows them around the house just as happy as can be. She has never scratched or bit anyone to hurt them. And when friends are over, and it gets a bit crazy she will hide under my bed and then come out when our visitors go home.

Now, the funniest part is that Micah is her very favorite. He would really like to have nothing to do with her, but she sleeps right by him every night. She will follow him around at night after the kids have gone to bed, and then will only go to bed with him when he lays down to sleep. She will even get right in his face in the morning just begging for his attention. It's so funny. Micah doesn't really think so, but it really is hilarious.

Family Pictures

We had a lady in our ward take some new family pictures of us, and she did a great job for the price. I'm still trying to figure out which coloring I like best for each picture. We have been needing a new family picture for quite some time, so I'm really excited to share these with everyone. Tell me what you think?

Halloween 2011

We had a wonderful Halloween this year with beautiful weather, and lots of fun Halloween parties to attend.

We had a Beauty Queen (Miss Nevada to be exact), Minnie Mouse, and a Bed Bug. You can't read the sign Abbie is holding, but it says Bed Bug so everyone would know what she was.

I was pretty proud of myself for getting out the sewing machine (it had been years), and making this sash for Avery. You can't go wrong with vinyl lettering and some glitter glue. It worked out great.

Aliza had been talking all year about being Tinker Bell or a black cat for Halloween, but when she saw this Minnie Mouse costume she was in love. We bought a Tinker Bell costume on clearance after Halloween to save for next year.

Abbie's first pick for a costume was Nancy Drew, which I thought was adorable. After one of our many Halloween parties she realized that many people didn't know who Nanacy Drew was, so switched to a bed bug at the last minute.

Aliza was more that excited to go get some candy. Abbie's goal was to make it all around the whole neighborhood, and she did. Who knew they would get so much from just our tiny little neighborhood.

Apparently our neighbors don't give you just one piece of candy. You are suppose to give a huge handful to each kid I guess because that's what they did. We will be eating Halloween candy until next Halloween because they got so much.

Abbie was grinning from ear to ear the whole night.

I have been addicted to Pinterest lately, and these are a few of the easy crafts I tried from that website. These ghost milk cartons were really fun for the kids to decorate.

I made this fun Halloween banner to hang in the back of our car for the Trunk or Treat. I thought it turned out cute.

My friend Wendy and I made these tool wreaths which were easy and fun. The best part was letting the kids play while we sat around tying on the tool and talking. She made hers all orange with a green ribbon which was much cuter than mine. Maybe I'll try again next year.

Carving Pumpkins

Our kids couldn't wait any longer to carve pumpkins, so today was the day.

Eeeeww! Getting out the insides is gross, but roasting the seeds is delicious!

We were so glad that Dan, Mikaela and Shad were able to stay with us this weekend. They are wonderful guests, and they were great to have around to help out with the carving.

Shad was one serious dude during the carving. I took a couple of pictures trying to get a smile, but he was wanting to be very serious. He is so cute!

Here is Aliza's creation. She drew on the face, and we did the cutting. Cute!

Abbie wanted to do a cat pumpkin which turned out well also. She did add ears and a tail after we took this picture. I'll have to take another one before Halloween is over.

Avery decided to go with a scar face this year. It looks very scary!

I found this cute list Avery wrote a few weeks ago, and had to take a picture of it. She of course had to fit in high heels and lipstick, or I wouldn't have believed it was actually written by Avery. She is quite my glamour girl.

Abbie has had these shark posters hanging on her door for quite some time. She really would like to be an oceanographer when she gets older, and I think that is fantastic.

She did a beluga whale report last year in school, and has that also hanging on her closet door. If you would like to "Save the Sharks" she is the right girl to talk to. You may be thinking "why do we need to save the sharks?" Abbie knows all about different species of sharks and what we can do to help. Just ask her the next time you see her and she would love to tell you all about them. She knows a lot more than I do.

I love it!

This Weekend

Micah's sister, Myndi, and her three kids were able to come spend a day with us yesterday. It was so fun to have family around, and we had a great time at Lake Las Vegas. Abbie has alway's wanted to rent paddle boats there, so she finally got her wish. Aliza couldn't wait to get in a boat. She had her lifejacket on ready to go long before it was her turn.

I love any opportunity to head over to Lake Las Vegas, because it is so beautiful. One of these day's Micah and I are going to have a date there at one of the fancy restaurants. We WILL make it there someday.

This was the first boat load to head out. Myndi, Zoee, Zayden and Abbie were the brave ones to try it first. It was funny to look out and see them going everywhere on the water, and then when they were headed back to shore they were using their arms to paddle because their legs were too tired.

I'm so sad this picture of Aliza and her cousin Zaylie didn't work out. I still posted it because these two just love being together. They patiently waited together for the next boat ride with Micah.

I was a little worried about my back, so I got to just sit in the shade and watch. With a view like this, it was wonderful.

With all the yucky fish you could see in the water, I felt like these three were brave to just dangle their feet in. I'm surprised they didn't get a sucker fish stuck to one of their toes. Yuck!

We ended our adventure with gelato, and headed home for a bbq and swimming in our pool. It was such a fun day, and we were all sad to see them head home.

Brian Head

Two weekends ago we were able to head to Brianhead with a couple of wonderful families in our ward for a cold, but wonderful weekend. It was crazy to leave Vegas and head to this...

It was beautiful, and nice for a change of scenery. Knowing that the weather was going to be very cold, it took a lot of time packing for this trip digging through all our winter stuff to make sure everyone had gloves, hats, and snow shoes. We haven't used any of our snow gear in a very long time.

The kids were in heaven playing in the snow. The men made a nice sledding area, and the kids were out there for hours. We also had four wheelers, and this Rhino to play around on. I think the men got stuck in the snow several times, but as you can see from the next picture they were in heaven also. There were no casualties...so that's good.

My camera was acting crazy, so luckily Kristi shared all these fun pictures with me. Thank you Kristi!

Here's Abbie heading up the sledding hill right on the side of the cabin. I think she spent the most time in the snow, and was complaining every time we asked her to come in to warm up. It was quite a treat to be able to play in the snow.

Bundled up Lizzie with her good friend Hugh. This picture of her reminds me of the movie "The Christmas Story" when the boy is all bundled to go outside, and can hardly move. He he he.

This is Avery and her great friend Ellis. It was a wonderful weekend full of yummy food, wonderful friends, movies, and lots and lots of hot chocolate. A big thanks to great friends that made this weekend possible--we will never forget this wonderful weekend Mr. and Mrs. President. :)

Honk Honk

While sitting in church yesterday, there was a mission homecoming of a couple in our ward who served an 18 month mission in Hong Kong. What's crazy about that is we have lived here long enough that we were here in Henderson when they left on their mission. It was a funny Sacrament Meeting not only because I realized that we have lived here for quite some time (man, time flies), but I was also reminded of a funny thing Avery did when they left a year and a half ago. When they spoke in church before they left on their mission, that evening sitting around the dinner table we were talking as a family about church that day. Avery chimed in on the conversation by saying something to the effect of "I just don't know why they kept saying honk honk in church today." It"s so fun to be reminded of the cute things my kids say.

They also practiced for the Primary Program yesterday. I look forward to that one time a year that the Primary children take over Sacrament meeting. Well, I guess it's my favorite Sunday if I can sit back and watch without any responsibility. I can appreciate the hard work that goes into it, but I would just rather watch. I was told after their practice that when it was Aliza's turn to say her part in the microphone she leaned over to her teacher and said "I can do this myself," and then proceeded to say her line. I love her independent personality even at four years old. I can't wait to see the whole program next week.

Student of the Month

I'm such a proud mom! Last week Abbie was given the Student of the Month award. She was so excited and pleased that she was the first one for the year in her class. Micah had a meeting with one of her teachers last week who mentioned to him that she is a model student, always on task, and doing what she is asked. Those are always good things to hear when you are a parent.

Not only that, but she also ran for Choir President last week, and SHE WON. It was a wonderful week for her.

I was also very proud of her because they had Student Council elections last week. She had made the decision that because she was on Student Council last year, she would give someone else a chance by not running this year. I'm so proud of her for being so thoughtful, and putting others before herself. I feel so lucky and blessed to be her mom.