Marshmallow snowmen

I bought marshmallows and mini m&ms to make marshmallow snowmen at our family Christmas party.  We had too much fun and I kept the stuff to make them later... we did today.  Ada and Sam had Allen, Lizzie and James over to play, so we made marshmallow men.  They came, they made, they ate.

And this one's just cause he's cute.

Little Mommy

Evelyn was playing with the nativity set and after she was done I found baby Jesus in the baby carrier and Mary and Joseph tucked in on the straw bed with a big baby blanket on top. 

Sleep eating

After telling the story about Sam sleep singing in the car, Jer told me a story of his own.

He went in to get Sam out of bed for something and Sam was acting like he was eating an apple in his sleep.  With the chomp sound as he took a bite and everything.

Wilcox family Christmas Party

We have had fun this last week just hanging out with my family... going out to eat, going to see The Hobbit (loved it, highly recommend it), and having our family Christmas party.  My mom's fun game, pizza, games... what more can you ask for?

Ada opened up her own nail salon.

Evelyn discovered a love of chicken salad while Sam loves Grandma.

Sam was amazing at this game!

Marching while we sing "Frosty the Snowman". 

 Team "Devin"

Team "Sammy" aka "Red Team"

Team "Ada"

Team "Aubrey"

Happy Jordan starting to sit on his own.

The stacking game... Jer and Ada totally kicked trash... they're starting to take down theirs while the others were still building theirs.

Cuties

Ada "helping" Jordan.

Telling the Nativity.

We used my mom's kid nativity set to tell the Nativity this year... cute.

Check out Evelyn with her buddy Seth.

The baptism of the Rainbow

So after watching Adam's baptism we had volunteered to clean our church on the next Saturday.  We showed up, and not for the first time, we were the only family there.  This particular time was a little painful.  Usually we just give the kids dusters or the little sweeper vaccuums and they "help" us.  This time it was so hard to get them to follow along.  I finally just sent them off to play with their solemn oath not to make a mess.  At first they went to the organ and turned it on to start playing.  I was half and half on that one.  I don't mind them playing on our organ at home because they're pretty nice to it, but it's the church's organ not ours this time... Got them to turn that one off, but I let them stay in the Sacrament Meeting room to play. (yes, not the most respectful thing to do but you try to watch three kids 5 and under while you clean 5 bathrooms, vaccuum an entire church, clean doors/windows, sweep the auditorium, and take out a weeks worth of trash.)  This is what I heard when they turned on the microphone:

Ada - "Welcome to the baptism of the Rainbow.  We'll hear Mario speak and then Princess Peach.  Now presenting Mario."
Sam - "Sometimes I do bad things.  I've done lots and lots of bad things, but then once I did a good thing.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

Sleep singing

So I knew that Ada talked in her sleep and lately Jer has noticed Sam talk in his... but today was pretty funny.  The kids had all fallen asleep in the car on the way to my parents house.  My sister came to help me carry them all in.  She started to unbuckle Sam and he started clapping a rhythm, then he started singing "da da da da...." Yeah, it was funny.

Christmas Chocolate Party aftermath

Yep, it happened.  Our annual Christmas Chocolate Party/Jer's birthday bash was a success.  It was so fun.  A lot of friends came, a lot of treats eaten and a lot of messes made.  Jim was SOOOOO helpful.  He was our master chocolatier.  We also had help from Lorrin and from Maddy.  Our only things to bite the dust from the 100+ people that came through the house were a couple of dollar toys and a cardboard fort, so I would consider that a success as well.  Some of the guys played games but mostly we just talked and laughed.

Today I've:  vaccuumed, swept, washed cupboards, done 4 loads of chocolatey laundry, cleaned two bathrooms, done dishes, put away chocolates, washed windows, taken out all the trash, loaded the van with chairs and tables, and cleaned walls and doors from chocolatey finger prints.

Things to do: mop the floor, drop off chairs, fold laundry, clean the upholstered bench covers from the kitchen, clean one more bathroom, and my favorite... take a shower.  Maybe if I shower the rest will just go away by themselves?

McKay's graduation

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of McKay's graduation.  Here they are!

Thank you

To whoever it was that put the big red Christmas bow on my mailbox today. It's so cute and it made my day.

Stop Ada!

Ada and Sam were singing Jingle Bells and Sam made a mistake.  He loudly said, "Stop! I've got a problem!"

Today I'm grateful for my phone

I never thought I'd see my Smartphone as anything except a luxury. Looking at the past years worth of photos I'm glad that I had it when my camera was gone for months. I'm glad today that I can blog while cuddling with a grumpy baby.
Out the door, Ada and Sammy are playing a rough game on the tramp. Evelyn is sitting in the middle of it trying to put on Ada's shoes over her boots.... Completely unconcerned that she could get hurt at any second. They say they're playing a game called "achoo".  Pips is deciding that it might be okay to play on the floor... Maybe I'll get some dishes done.
Last night we went to my brother McKay's graduation from ITT. I'm so proud of him for all his hard work!  Then we went out to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate him and my sister Sharon's bday. Ada decided that she wanted to have Sharon a bday present, so she gave her a My Little Pony. It was so cute and sweet. I'm glad she's getting the idea of giving. Then we went to my parents to visit and play.