No School!

Mid-Winter Break. A whole week off of school. The kids were ecstatic. I was, well, racking my brain for lots of ideas to keep them busy and not at each others throats all week. After all, it's winter, we're all inside, all together, all the time. I had to have a plan to keep my sanity, and theirs! Is anyone else excited for spring?

We painted, built, and raced race cars! This was my favorite activity. They loved creating their own car. and the best part - they were $1 at Michales.

We played at the play place at the mall to release some of that boyhood energy. Notice I said "some." I've realized it is an impossible task to release it ALL. They seem to have an endless supply.

A special thanks goes to Bass Pro Shop, for being a totally awesome store for little boys. The fish, the animals, the airplanes, the guns (real ones!!!), the water, all free of charge!

We celebrated the Olympics with some yummy "Olympic torches" (orange sherbet, with red sprinkles on top, on a cone)

Landen didn't quite get the concept.

Of course, played in the snow

Landen would not move a muscle. He didn't think he could move in his snow suit, but he didn't want to go inside either. So he just stood.

Landen is excited for spring.

We created snow flakes to decorate our window.

And most of all, we played with trains! Dallin is back to loving trains (he took a two year break), and therefore Isaac as well. We have started a life of no t.v. or video games. It has been amazing to me to see how it has affected their type of play.

Wheeew! Next is spring break, I'm guessing it will still be cold. Anyone have any more ideas for me? I am definitely open to suggestions!

Funny Landen

Here is my silly Landen boy. We were just shooting pictures for the fun of it. This is before I cut off his cute curly hair. I miss it so much, what was I thinking?

Featuring Jared

Here he is at 4 months

5 months

and 6 months

He hasn't changed too much - just gotten fatter. He weighs 19 lbs. is 27.5 inches long. He is a happy boy. We love having him around.

I love this Video

I'm guessing most of you (probably all of you) have never seen this side of Isaac.

We turned on the video to record Jared's laugh. It was the hardest laugh we had heard from him yet. He actually had calmed it down some by the time we got the camera rolling. Sorry you can't see Jared, I'm holding him and the camera.

This is now a regular occurance around our house. Jared cracks up at his brothers all the time. And each one of them loves being the entertainer.

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! :)