ward christmas party

our ward christmas party was the first weekend in december. it was a perfect way to kick off the

holidays before it got too busy.  and my kids had a chance to chat

with santa nice and early so they could lay out their wish list.  too bad we saw santa 3

more times.  seems like their list continued to grow and grow.  each santa

had a new request.  i need to cut down on the santa visits next year!  

but we had a great time.  their was a nice program, santa and mrs. clause, dinner, and crafts for the kids.

perfect.  we really do love our ward and are so grateful for the friendships we have here. 

nut cracker

i took my two loves to see the nutcracker for the first time

we left excited and dressed for a night on the town.

I have to giggle because it was camirons dance teacher who was putting it on

with two other dance companies.  Now I was thinking- there were tryouts for this

it was being held on a college campus... this should be at least ok.  not so much.

I knew when we walked in and it was more of a jeans and mullet affair that i was in for a funny night.  

the kids loved it.  i didn't mention to them that the dancing bordered on terrible and that we were

the only, and i mean the only ones not in jeans.  all in all a great night.  maybe next time i will 

be taking them to something a little more professional.  at least for $5 a ticket i didn't feel bad 

that camiron asked questions about what was going on the whole time.

breaking dawn

thank goodness that even though I don't have my original twilight crew

around, I still have a few ladies willing to catch the newest twilight with me!  

 (they thought i was funny to need a picture- but it is part of tradition!) 

margie, katie, me, christine, kendra, jasmine

a little slice of heaven

like usual we didn't make it home for thanksgiving (this makes 10 years in a row)

but we were lucky enough to have good friends bring us in. 

We were able to celebrate and give thanks with the coyles, collins and swopes.

We had so much fun.  The kids ran and played amazing which meant the the guys

even caught some football and a nap, the girls had a chance to play some cards.

what a perfect day.  

thanksgiving festivals...

 Bradens class had a little thanksgiving play to preform for the parents

followed up by lots of fun centers/crafts.  loved it.

and camirons had a full thanksgiving feast.  she thought

she was just the shanizzle...

too cute.  

a new toy

a new toy in the house.  I love this neighborhood- you have a need

someone is likely getting rid of it.  i bought this gem from a neighbor for $10.  

it is a hit all around.  Emors is not the only one in love with it. 

the older sister with the deer in headlights is saying 

"sure i promise to share with e"

yea right.

so dang cute

really this is so dang cute.  

i especially like the "hey braden lets play outside together" part.  

favs

why do kids love the dishwasher so much?  emory can hear it open from a mile

away.  it is amazing how speedy she is when she needs to be. 

the dishwasher and fridge are her favs.  

the other kids think it is funny and love to open them just to closed them again on her.  mean!

i have learned my lesson.  I won't try and take pictures of all 3 on my own.

I attempted to get some cute fall shots.  Attempt being the key word.

It didn't go so well. i was sweating, the kids were mad.  There are a lot of 

outtakes involved. 

Braden apparently doesn't know how to smile anymore?  I didn't realize it is a

skill that you lose. When I ask him to smile, he said he doesn't know how.  

I hope to find it on the side of the road sometime and reapply it to him! 

E was all but impossible. She wanted to crawl out of every shot, or look at the

ground to find a leaf or pine needle to eat.  I promise you they aren't tasty E.  Pine needles

poke.  Quit eating them, look at me I am funny.  

this is it. the best i got.  hmmm.  next time troy is so getting cornered into helping. 

the final choices..

braden and camiron had to decide for a full week on their choice of costume before I would 

buy it.  Braden picked jenka from bayblades and stuck with it.

Camiron changed at least 20 times.  but Super Girl was the final pick and she stuck with it.

and loved it! (phew)

Emory- well she had no say.  she wore cams old duck. you can check back to halloween of 07 to see cam in it.  When I put them in the same outfits, they sure look a lot more alike!  

the ward put on an amazing trunk or treat this year. complete with

haunted house, games, pinata, carmel apples, trunk or treating, and a cotton candy machine.

great night for the kids.