Happy December!

December has come with a feeling of magic in the air.  

The hopeful anticipation of the joys that come from birthdays and Christmas has been a pleasant companion. 

The following are a few glimpses into this magical month:

 I picked up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store to use for chicken noodle soup.  Kyralyn asked to help and just kept going.  She scraped those bones clean, just like Dad would have.  (After I'm finished Paul usually exclaims, "there's still meat on those bones!" and goes to work himself - just fine with me.)  Great work Kyralyn!  12/3/12

One night I went into Kyralyn's room to tuck her in and read her a story.  I found powder sprinkled everywhere.  After a few loud exclamations, something similar to, "WHAT DID YOU DO?  THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!" and promises to get it cleaned up in the morning she went to bed.  12/4/12

 A little while later after she'd fallen asleep, knowing that I was unhappy with her & she was in trouble, I got to thinking about the book she'd been reading with Paul the past few nights.

Suddenly I burst out laughing.

I woke her up, told her it's ok and that I love her.

I still laugh when I think about the time she tried dusting, Amelia Bedelia style.

12/4/12

 Dallin made cookies in class at school.  He came home and made some more to share.  This time he added frosting and turned them into oreos.  12/9/12

 The night Paul took the boys to his game in Twin Falls, Idaho I took Kyralyn to the mall.  Whoa.  What does that say?  Yes, I took her shopping.  And it was fun.  We spent 1 hour in the girls section at Macy's.  This shirt & skirt were one of our clearance rack finds.  12/13/12

 I am so thankful for the friends I've made over the years.  Some of them gave me a birthday luncheon.  Missy made these beautiful signs - something she & her daughter have been known for for a very long time.  This time I was the lucky recipient (but thanks for not poking them all over my yard or taping them all over the front of my house!).  They are so awesome I'm going to hang on to them for ideas. 12/17/12

We were waiting to pick Dallin up from practice when Parker said, "that's a lot of pigeons."  Next thing I know he's outside the car making a snowball.  A good scare and no poop!  12/19/12

Thanksgiving Dinner

We had our Thanksgiving dinner at Greg & Heather's home with Tanya & Dave, Kent & Jessica, their families and a few of Dave's family members.  It was a nice time together.  

11/22/12

with Andrew (5) & Eliana (she's 3, we call her Ellie)

 Emily (2)

 Denver (9 months)

 Kent & Jessica (I don't know how old they are...)

 a kitchen can only hold so many people...it seemed that all of us guests eventually took a turn in it helping with something.  Meanwhile, we found other ways of resting up for the big feast.

the joyful laughter of children is .......

 Parker thought it most helpful if he just get comfortable until it was time to eat.

 so did Dallin

Dallin enjoying more after-dinner rest & play time.  (The boy in the picture is one of Dave's nephews...I don't know his name.)

Thankful in November

I am thankful every day for so many things.

The following are a small sampling:

  

•  Healthy children, a caring pediatrician who helps them to become healthy again, a loving 6 year old daughter and the incredible imagination she has.  As she patiently waits for Dr. P (who later diagnosed her with a double ear infection) she is acting as nurse to her own patient.  11/2/12

• The ability to volunteer in my children's classes.   This is something I have treasured for many years now (8 to be exact).  This time it was another first grade Fairy Tale Friday.  At the end the kids used these finger puppets to retell the story - each character forming a group.  The giants had fun saying, "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman."  11/9/12

• Family.  Tate is celebrating his 2nd birthday.  Any time I am able to spend building relationships with extended family members is truly a treasure.  11/16/12

•  Watching my kids engage in the things they love.  In this case, even finding new things to love.  Parker wasn't too sure he wanted to play basketball.  You weren't even going to attend tryouts; after all, basketball is "Dallin's thing".  But seeing that you kind of wanted to, we encouraged you to go.  Being wanted on 5 different teams was motivation enough.  In the end, you ended up on a team that your best bud from school is on.  He's having a lot of fun and the coach only has to remind him & Chandler occasionally to stop talking.  11/17/12

•  Hard work.  Having fun and doing the things you love only gets better & more fulfilling the better you become at it!  No more "3 in the key" calls!  Great job earning your 2 pairs of Nike Elite socks:  for having 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Hope you can keep earning them with 20 points & 20 rebounds (they are too expensive...we had to up the mark).  11/17/12

•  Small moments of joy.  Dallin made this electric car in Tech and was excited to share it with us all.  Being able to show us what it could do was a fun "together moment" on an otherwise crazy afternoon.  11/19/12

• talent, love, energy, the color purple, being from Lehi, a camera, a tripod, a new camera with hopefully a better ability to capture motion in a gym with not the best lighting, Crazy Dave, exercise.  11/19/12

•  Unexpected Sunday drives.  To Price.  11/25/12

•  College.  I went to Montana State University.  It was an incredible experience, one that I hope my children will seek for themselves.  After hitching up the trailer we'd come for, we drove past this campus, USU - Eastern, to see where Dad comes to ref sometimes.  11/25/12

•  Nature.  And its variety.  11/25/12

• Reminders to look heavenward.  Hope.  Light.  Jesus Christ.  11/25/12 

Happy Thanksgiving.

(a month ago)

  

Halloween

This past Halloween we got to spend some time with:

the Joker

a Rockstar

a Dwight Howard fan/player

and a Man in Black - Agent T

10/31/12

 Joker & Agent T took off through the neighborhood on their own.  They came home with heavy sacks and very tired feet.

Our fan / player went with some friends in a different neighborhood.  He too came home with a heavy sack and tired feet.

 Kyralyn & I headed out and soon caught up with Kaleigh & Addie.  A little while later Kaiya, Gavin & Noah joined the walking party.

Parker's load

The next morning I found Kyralyn taking her time getting ready for school.  Nothing was more important than organizing her candy haul.

Pumpkin Carving

We love the annual pumpkin carving family home evening at Uncle Todd & Aunt Rachel's house.

This year we remembered to come with our pumpkins already gutted - except for Parker who loves to scrape his clean with Tylan.

The cousins pair up for their creations, Paul does the judging and everyone wins a prize.

10/29/12