A Bit of Our December

We started the month off with "One night in Bethlehem," an amazing production our ward puts on on every year for the community. When you arrive, you sit in the chapel and listen to musical numbers performed by members of the church while you wait for a tour. The tour is takes you to different rooms in church telling the story of Christ's birth. First, the shepherds' room, Jesus. Hundreds of people from the community attend. It is always very neat. This year our Jared played the role of Jesus.

The wise men room

Joseph, Mary, Jesus (Jared)

I am the room mom for Dallin's 1st grade class this year and get to plan and coordinate all the classroom parties, with the help of other parents. This video is a game we played - two teams. You have to put on the santa hat, gloves, unwrap the gum, put it in your mouth, take it all off again and put it in the bag and pass it to the other person to do. Which ever team finishes first wins. The kids were so hyper and excited, couldn't contain themselves, except for Dallin of course. I had to take this video because he was cracking me up. So calm, among all the chaos.

3-D Polar Express with friends (Landen wanted to wear glasses too, but we only had four pairs so he got stuck with the "Magnifying glasses" He didn't know the difference and looked hilarious!

And hot chocolate

Santa!

Dallin and Isaac got what they asked for. Landen didn't ask. He was very silent and careful not to look at anyone, especially Santa.

Christmas Morning - Santa presents

A marble race for Landen

Darth Vader Lego ship for Dallin

Lego tank bomber (or whatever it's called) for Isaac. I wish I would've videoed this. Isaac jumped up and down at least 30 times .

We had a wonderful Christmas. The only thing missing was family. We love you and miss you all so much!

World's Largest Christmas Store

In Frankenmuth, MI, about an hour north of us, is the world's largest Christmas store. We visited here while Grandma Jeanne was in town for Thanksgiving. It was a really neat place. One of the best things about it was it was very centered on Christ and his birth, and also had the fun Santa stuff.









It was a magical place. Worth the trip.

Our lesson from the Grinch

Isaac and Dallin were looking at the cover of the The Grinch movie.

Isaac read: "How The Grinch saved Christmas"

Dallin: "No, How the Grinch stole Christmas"

Isaac: "No, saved!"

Mom: Dallin is right it's "How the Grinch stole Christmas"

Isaac looked puzzled.

Mom: Remember how he tried to steal Christmas by taking all their presents and food away. But Christmas came anyway, because they knew the real meaning of Christmas. They didn't need presents to be happy.

Silence

Dallin: Well I do!

Isaac: Ya, me too! Mom, is the Grinch real?

Mom: No, it's just a movie to help us remember what Christmas is all about.

And the moral of the story is....

Isaac: "Dallin, thank goodness, there's no such thing as a Grinch!"

You can't say I don't try! :)

Isaac is 5!!

Isaac had a fun filled 5th birthday! We invited a few friends over and threw him a transformer party.

He was DELIGHTED with the many bionicles he received

Lego Star Wars

He asked for a bumblebee cake - vehicle mode

Happy Birthday big 5 year old!

Happy Fall!

We have been enjoying some great fall weather lately! I love the beauty of Michigan in the fall. The trees are so vibrant and plentiful. All too soon the leaves fall though, there is hardly any color left around here. We're making good use of the outdoors before we gear up for another winter.

Where did they go?

Happy Halloween!

I must admit, this wasn't our best Halloween. It was a cold, rainy weekend. Landen's costume was too small for him, and I missed out on a lot of pictures. My favorite part of Halloween this year was attending the school parties. I was in charge of Dallin's class' party. It turned out great! The kids were all so cute and excited, of course I forgot my camera, but we had lots of fun!

Isaac was a little better this year with cleaning out the pumpkin. He scooped it out with the spoon pretty well. Dallin still refuses any contact with pumpkin goop.

Optimus Prime and Bumbleebee

A Puppy dog

A Fan and his football

2 yr.old and 2 month old

My big boys! Landen and Jared both had their check ups this month. Here are the stats: Landen 29.5 pounds (70%) 36 1/4 inches (95%). Jared 13.6 pounds (90%) (90% for height too, I can't remember how long he is) I wonder where these big boys of mine come from. Dallin is 50% for height and weight and Isaac is 25% for height and weight. Interesting.

I would say out of his brothers, Isaac is Landen's best buddy, but Jared is quickly catching up.

Jared has been showing off a pretty cute smile lately.

Landen is my silly ham


Here he is putting on a show for his pretend audience. I filmed

from behind because I knew if he saw me with the camera,

he would stop. He has done this very show numerous times.

Flips over the bouncy seat, uses it for his podium, or

whatever it is and shouts this same mumbo jumbo, with a

little piano in there too.

This picture was taken a while ago, but is still something he does today. Lately, everything in our house needs a diaper change - the baby seat, the trucks, the trains, the table chair, you name it! He just flips it over and starts to wipe it's bottom.

I walked into the room and found him like this one day

I wish I could grant his wish and keep him as forever my baby.

Happy Birthday Landen!!

LANDEN IS 2!!

Our family would be a lot more dull if Landen wasn't around. He is our little ham. So full of fun and life. We are so grateful for him and his sweet spirit. He adds so much to our family! We love you Landen!!

For his birthday we went to a fun fall festival. He started the day tired already.

a campfire, music, cider and doughnuts. Yum!

Waiting in line for the hayride that we never went on. After 20 minutes of waiting, Jared had had it. And come to find out, Dallin didn't want to go on the hayride because he was scared! Where did that come from? And why didn't you tell us before we got in the forever long line?

feeding the animals.

Dallin petting a snake

After leaving the nature center where we saw lots of snakes in aquariums, Dallin found his own snake in the grass! He was a little concerned because the snake looked hurt.

Looks like he's not afraid of snakes - just hayrides.

Opening presents! - a new train!

A garbage truck! - Big hit!

Blowing out the candle!

I can't believe he's 2!!

A Baby Blessing

Jared was blessed on September 27th. We didn't get many pictures because he was not too happy and the family wasn't all together for most of the day so we didn't get the family pictures we were hoping for. But here are a couple of Jared. He looked pretty darn cute.

Sisters

"A sister is God's way of proving he doesn't want us to walk alone."
-Unknown

It meant so much to me to have 2 of my sisters come visit and help. I was expecting Falycia. While picking her up at the airport I was shocked to see Charisa following behind! What a fun surprise! We had a great time together. I feel so bad for not getting pictures (what were we thinking?!) and not being able to go out and do more things. But it was great to just be together. Thanks so much for coming girls! I love you!

Jared is 1 Month

Landen loves Jared! He asks to hold him all the time. He will sit and hold him for about 5 minutes sometimes!

Falycia took these last three pictures. She got some great ones of all the kids that Iwill post later. Thanks Fay!

First Day of School

First Grader!

Kindergartener!

The plan has always been to start Isaac in school in 2010. He turns 5 in November. In Michigan he is eligible for kindergarten this year. Just about everywhere else, he is not. We opted to do begindergarten, a pre-k program for those young 5s. However, after attending the first day, we did not feel good about the teacher and classroom and decided to put him in kindergarten. He loves it and is doing very well. He has suddenly grown up on me! I was not prepared to have my Isaac be a kindergartener and I must say I agree whole heartedly with what he said, "Mom I can't believe we have two kids in school now!"