Christmas Eve/Day 2012

The annual "Picture by the Tree".

This year we did something new - made gingerbread houses (from a kit, of course).  Three of us worked on one house, which, of course, became a contest.  It was actually kind of fun.

It's our Christmas Eve tradition to open one gift as a family.  The gift will always be a game that we learn and play that night.  This year's game was a fun one.

Christmas morning before all the real fun begins...

  One of Landon's favorite presents.  In fact, it was probably the most popular gift among all the boys.  With the boys getting older, there aren't as many toys Christmas morning.  The Hot Wheels track was something to put together and play with all morning.  It was hard to tell who enjoyed the track more - the one who actually got it, or the big brothers.

 Dallin has gotten older and harder to shop for.  But, he is still a good kid and easy to please.  A high school sweatshirt still brought a big smile.

 Cameron had been eyeing this Nerf-type gun and was really hoping someone would give it to him.  His day was made. 

 Jayden got a lot of baseball related items, as well as this gift card maze from Grandma Visnaw.  He took great pride in being able to solve it with minimal effort when others were stumped.  What a fun way to make them work for their gift.  

Jayden also got suspenders, which he promptly sported with his pajamas.  What a goofy kid.

 The aftermath - the bigger the mess, the better the Christmas, right?

 Later that day we headed up to Centerville to spend time with family.  Laurel and Doug had quite the spread which included Laurel's Gingerbread Army - delicious.

 I love this picture for a few reasons - my brother is crazy and I love him, our sweaters almost match, and it was while I was still feeling good.  Let's just say that I didn't have to worry about all those extra calories I ate on Christmas, after all.  Hmm...

The kids look forward to their "second Christmas".  Grandma and Grandpa were so thoughtful to still have gifts for the grandkids, even though they were halfway around the world.  We missed them.

 Christmas Day is one of my most favorite days of the year.  There's nothing better than seeing "Christmas smiles" on kids' faces - no matter how old they are.

Merry Christmas!

A Little Bit of Blackmail

If you think only preteen girls like One Direction, here is proof that preteen boys do, too:

I think I can use this to my advantage someday...

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that I usually don't document.  And, this year would have been no different if my sister hadn't taken these great pictures.

 This was our first major family get-together at my parents' house without them.  We had to manage the food and all the details all on our own.  Laurel and Doug did a fabulous job hosting with great food and super cute decorations. 

 Of course, the kids enjoy spending time with cousins just as much as the food.

 My assignment every year is the pies - I'm not sure why.  This year I tried making the crust instead of letting Pillsbury do it for me.  I'm not sure they turned out all that great, but I'm going to keep trying and one year have it perfected.

I look a bit guilty in this picture - must have been my 3rd piece of pie.  

 With Mom not being there, we all had to step up.  Even Jeff (in the background) got to work and did all of the dishes - what a guy!

Apparently, Jayden enjoyed the pie - bad crust or no.

 After a nice, big dinner, we got the chance to Skype with my parents in the Philippines.  It was so fun to "see" and hear them again as well as their surroundings.  They are surely missed.

 Not only does Thanksgiving mean family and food, but it also means time to get serious and plan "Black Friday."  As Laurel pointed out in her blog post, Dave had a system with the ads and you would get the evil eye, or worse, if you messed it up.  He takes this seriously.

Thanks, Laurel, for letting my hijack all of these pictures and for taking them in the first place.  I'm a picture-taking slacker.

Snow Day - Finally!

After a really dry winter last year, the kids were delighted to see several inches of snow from our last storm.  They were even MORE delighted when the snow was mostly still there on a Saturday, which meant they could go sledding!

 In fact, Jayden got a sled for Christmas last year, and it still had the BOW on it - an indication that it had been a long time since the boys had been able to go sledding.

 From all the grass showing through, you wouldn't think that there was that much snow, but the snow was pretty wet, the ground was still pretty warm, and this hill was VERY well-used.

This is the ONE picture of my ONE ride down the hill.  I wiped out a second after it was taken.  Nice.

And, of course, being boys they had to find the best jump.  And, of course, they had to tweak the jump to make it even better.  

After getting their fill of sledding they built forts and started a snowball fight.  We literally had to drag them home - they didn't want to ever leave.

What a handsome angel.

Halloween 2012

A pretty ordinary Halloween for us this year.  We started off the week by carving pumpkins for Family Home Evening.  Usually I don't do my own pumpkin because I'm stuck carving several other pumpkins for the younger ones.  But, this year I only helped Landon just a little bit.  I'm not a fan of carving pumpkins, but supervising isn't so bad.

 This year I only had one kid in the parade.  It hardly seemed worth the 10 seconds that it took his class to walk by and the 2 seconds for Landon, but I think it's important for kids to have their moms there.  Landon wanted to be "Snoopy" this year, which wasn't too difficult once I found the white sweats.

 After the parade I helped out in Cameron's class where they played several games including the classic Toilet Paper Mummy.  

 "Peace, man."  This 70s shirt has gone the rounds.  I have no idea from where it originated, but I wore it as a costume when I was a kid.  When my mom was divvying up the Halloween box, this was the only thing I took, and we've put it to great use.  We get a lot of comments on the vintage shirt.  They are hard to find.  I had to manufacture my own bell bottoms at the last minute, but I think Cameron made a great hippie.  Next time he wants to be a hippie, we'll just not cut his hair for 6 months and he can sport his own 'fro.

After Cameron's class it was on to Landon's class party.  After helping in two classes, it is clear that I could never be a school teacher.  Granted, it WAS Halloween and the kids were extra excited, but still, the energy (a.k.a. chaos) was a bit unnerving to me.

 Trick-or-treating is what redeems Halloween for me.  I actually enjoy going out with the kids and talking with other moms on the sidewalk.  I love seeing the pure enjoyment on their faces and the constant stock taking of the loot.  I almost didn't get to go this year since Cameron and Landon were going with some friends, but I tagged along anyway - not willing to give up the ONE thing I enjoy about Halloween.  That and I'm in denial that my kids are growing up and don't need me.  

 It doesn't look like much, but he worked hard for it.  His feet were so sore towards the end that he'd walk up to a porch and sit on the step until someone rang the doorbell.  He got a piggyback ride on the way home - all tuckered out.

Now, on to better holidays!

(I know I'll miss Halloween with all its craziness when my kids are old and gone.)

Apple Picking 2012

It has been a couple of years since ALL of my kids were able to make it to "Apple Picking" at Great Grandma's.  So, I had to make them pose and act like they were really working hard.  They really were good helpers, though.

 I think Cameron just liked hanging out at the tops of ladders.

 Of course, one of the best parts of "Apple Picking" is hanging out with cousins.  These boys were so cute together.

I always regret not taking more pictures, but I spent a lot of time hanging from the trees with my camera in my back pocket.  I'm hoping others that were there will share their photos with me.  Please?

And, as a bonus, Landon lost a tooth while eating an apple.  We had been waiting for that tooth to come out.
~
Oh, and this year I managed to NOT step in dog poop.  But, it was a close call.  Again, there was some right by the van, but I had a keen eye out for it and quickly scooped it up before anyone, including me, stepped in it.  I'm learning.

It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time....

...the leaves are falling down.  

(Isn't there a song about that?)

Trying to find some fall colors, Laurel, Jeff and I drove up the canyon.  It was a little strange because we were right in between some trees being all done and some that were still green.  The colors were pretty, but not as spectacular as in years past.  But, I thought this creek was sweet.  I loved how it meandered wherever it wanted.  (I think I sound like Bob Ross.)

 Laurel liked this little creek, too, but I'm sure her picture turned out a whole lot better than mine.

 My favorite fall colors are the red leaves.  It's interesting since a tree can look so striking from a distance, but up close it's not as bright as it appeared from afar.  I think there are some parallels to life with these red trees.  Hmm.

 I'm not exactly sure what Jeff was about in this picture.  I think he just feels the need to pose when he's around nature.

 Bridal Veil Falls is a must.  Too bad there aren't more trees around it.  My lovely sister will have to do.

 It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the canyon was beautiful.  Part of me is sad to see the leaves fall.  I don't like seeing trees go bare after working so hard for those leaves.  I do love fall with the near perfect weather, but it's not hard for me to forget what comes next - dreaded winter.  Boo.  I'll just enjoy fall while it's here.