Christmas fun

Last weekend we went to visit Santa's reindeer at a Zoo, with MaKey and Poppa, where they're kept all year round. During the Holidays they have a reindeer festival and the whole zoo was decorated. Each animal had a sign telling us what there job was to help Santa for Christmas. It was really cute.

My favorite pic of the day:

This is Prancer, the oldest reindeer:

Mj writing her letter to Santa

The boys didn't want to write a letter, but wanted to see how many letters were in the mailbox.
Caught ya!

Then next we went to see if the Seattle Temple happened to have any christmas lights. Well it didn't, but behind the temple is a Stake Center and they had lights outside with this nativity scene in front, so we stopped and asked what what going on. They had over 300 Nativities displays open to the public to come and see. It was so beautiful, it gives me goose bumps thinking of it again.

The whole gym was filled with tables displaying all the nativities. There was a live nativity on the stage with an adorable family and there brand new baby, music being played by violinists in the chapel for people to sit down and watch or just listen to while viewing and walking through the church. There was a children's activity room which was transformed with a huge parachute that covered the whole room. A room displaying pictures of Christ and his life. Another children's room with nativities more kid friendly, it had a twin bed set up, and a pretend fireplace. The whole atmosphere was so christmasy and beautiful. I'm so glad we stopped and can't wait to do it again next year.

Another room you could dress up and be in a nativity scene. There were families taking the most precious pictures. Of course the boys wanted nothing to do with it, but MJ was adamant about taking a picture of her and I. So we dressed like Mary and an angel next to the babies manger. The lady taking the pictures sent all the pictures she took to shutterfly.com. She gave us the address and the next day our pictures were there free for us to download and save or print if we wanted. I'm so glad we did it. These are pictures we're going to treasure for years to come.

In the childrens room I saw this manger and knew I had to make it. (picture is my version) So yesterday during Primary I helped my class make these sweet mangers for them to take home and put in their bedrooms maybe. I teach the 8 and 9 year olds. They loved it. I love it. So perfect.

I love this time of year.
Celebrating with family our new and old traditions. With how fun this day was, it is definitely our new family tradition to do again next year.

This and That.....

George and Mason got creative and made their own table football game. I was impressed with their creativity.

George's helmet was full of stickers by the end of the season. They got stickers every time they made big plays or did something good in practice and in games. Had to take a picture before we turned the helmet back in when the season ended.

George's team went to the super bowl undefeated, but lost the game. It was pretty sad to see some of the boys crying afterwards. They had such a great season. This is the awards ceremony we went to straight from church. George and CJ were in suits and everyone else in their jerseys. G was a little embarrassed, but he looked so handsome all dressed up.

Our first snow fall last month. That evening the neighborhood kids got together to make an igloo out front.

MJ outside first thing in the morning. School got cancelled because of the snow and they played in it all day long.

Our simple Thanksgiving dinner just the 5 of us. I made a roast instead of turkey. So much yummier, in my opinion. All the sides are the best part anyway. Except for the boys each got a turkey leg.

MJ was in a skit for an assembly at school. She practiced and practiced her part and did such a good job. I went to take pics and video tape it.

It's busy times around here and we're having fun :)

Scouts/Arrow of Light

George earned his Arrow of Light before his birthday, but finally received the award just recently. It's the only patch he gets to keep and take with him to Boy Scouts when he's 12. It was a scramble to get completed, but he did it. So proud of him for making scouts a priority even with all the other things he is doing.

During Pack Meeting all the boys got to make a neckerchief holder. They loved it and love wearing their homemade version.

We made George a red and tan one to go with his new neckerchief that he wears now too, not pictured.

Mason's 9th B-day

Mason had a great birthday. He got to invite his 2 best friends, Kaden and Brenden over. We went bowling and they had a great time.

Everyone was hungry after bowling so we went to McD's so they could eat and run around a little. These kids a have a ton of energy.

Then went home for the yummy traditional, always requested, oreo pie.

 I sure love my Mason. He's growing up so much and so dang handsome. Has always been so independent and at the top of his class for everything. His teachers are always so impressed with him and wished all the other kids could be just like him. He's been singing in Choir at school and is an ASB representative for his class, which I'm so proud of him for doing. He is so not shy anymore and loves to be involved. He just started basketball which he's never played before, but he's doing so good. He very coordinated and learning the skills so quickly. So now from January to March we're going to have basketball games every saturday. (didn't have much of a break from saturday games since football ended, oh well) Mason's still our cuddler. He's the best hugger and Jeremy and I just can't get enough and hope it never ends. Love you Mase ♥

Halloween

We went trick or treating around our neighborhood. Some homes were decorated a lot more than others.

The boys only did masks this year, which was great. I love easy and they were happy.

Is this picture not the most precious?

She's watching tv waiting for us to leave to go to the eye dr. Her school party was that day so she went to the appt. all dressed up.

Mason

George

MJ

She kept changing her costume. One day she was a "Queen" and the next she was a vampire and then she was a queen again. She got to dress up 3 times, Fri for school, Sat for the party, then Sun for trick or treating.  Her teeth really looked like vampire teeth since she's missing both her front ones.

We sure had a fun Halloween weekend. Lots of celebrations all weekend long.

Usually it's a weekend I stress about, but this year we just had fun. I have to say it's one of the best Halloweens we've had in a long time.

George turns 11

When he woke up he new since it was his birthday he could pretty much get what ever he wanted for breakfast so he chose McD's. The cinnamelts are yum.

He wanted to pick out a mask for Halloween so we went to the Spirit store to look around. They sure do have pretty creepy stuff there.

With some of his birthday money he bought beyblades. He used to have them when Mason was little, but the stadium broke and he eventually stopped playing with them, but they're back and even cooler this time round, of course. We didn't have a party planned, so George invited a couple friends over to hang out and play the beyblades with him.

11 candles and 11 wishes.

Mason, Blake, Justin, George and CJ. These boys are friends from church and school. He plays football with Justin and CJ also.

Saturday night we went to a big Halloween party. One of the reasons we didn't plan a party was because we were going to this one and all his friends would be there too.  There are advantages to having your birthday one day before Halloween.

These are most of the friends at the party.

A family in our ward has a couple of barns on their property and they put on a huge party. Multiple wards were invited, so lots and lots of people were there. They had games for the kids, a bouncy house, bon fires, a live band, a mildly haunted forest that we rode thru on a hay ride, lots of yummy food and a haunted barn, which was so fun. Just the right amount of scary, perfect for families, unless you have extra sensitive kids. For a homemade haunted barn it was awesome, very impressed. We went through it twice.

George and his friends on the hay ride.

After the party George had wanted to go to IHOP to finish off his birthday, so we invited a couple of families to go with us. 17 of us in all. It was a great ending to a great day. I think George had one of the best birthdays. We just celebrated all day long.

12th Anniversary

We celebrated 12 years of marraige on Oct. 29th.

We went out to dinner of course.

You're Amazing, Just the way you are

My cutie pie.

Got new glasses.

Loves to paint her nails.

Learned how to put her hair up in a ponytail all by herself.

(title - song lyrics by Bruno Mars)



Cougar Pride

So far George's team is undefeated. They are playing really well. The scores have been: 36-6, 28-0, 32-0, 25-6, and 28-0 with 3 more games to go. It's almost unfair to the other teams that they are winning by so much. It sure has built our teams' confidence though. Last week George caught his first pass. The QB  had never thrown to him during a game before. They changed things up and he got a chance to receive. It was so fun to watch. Jeremy was even able to make it to the first part of the game and see it before he had to leave for work.

This was a home game. We play behind the HS, they won't let us play on the HS field 'cause they think it will run down the grass too much. Notice all the trees and the barn :) There a barns everywhere around us. I love it, one of my favorite things about living here. One of these days I want to go out and take pictures of just the barns.

At the end of every practice and every game all the players get in a huddle and the coaches talk to them, but when they are done they yell, at the top of their lungs I might add, the Cougar Pledge. I think it's pretty cool.

I came today,

To play the game,

The game I'll always remember.

I believe in myself,

I believe in my teammates,

I'll play fair and strive to win,

But win or lose I'll always do my best.

For I am a Cougar and I am a Champion.

WHAT ARE YOU???

I'M A CHAMPION

WHAT ARE YOU???

I'M A CHAMPION

WHAT ARE YOU???

I'M A CHAMPION

1-2-3 COUGARS!!!!

The kids each take turns leading the team in yelling it and the rest of the team repeats what they say, line by line. Even George has led the pledge, which I'm proud of him for doing. I love watching him take a lead and not being afraid to do things in front of people, especially his peers.

Anyways I love their Cougar pride. All the elementary schools (3), middle school and HS in our school district are all Cougars with burgundy and gold as their school colors. It really bring the schools and the community together. I think Jeremy and I are the only parents at the games that don't wear the school colors, a sweatshirt or jersey. Every one else always has something on to show their team spirit. I think we might need to do something about that. But we do have a little excuse for being newbies. Sort of.