The week after Christmas

I ended up working the week after Christmas, but Jer was not so they did lots of things.  They used Sam's new molds.  They had so much fun and just got it in before the snow came to stay.

Evelyn likes to do those diamond dot paintings.  She got one for Christmas and immediately she set herself up in a little corner of the kitchen.  She's always been more comfortable on the floor. 

Ada was joking with Jer that she was the bad guy in the chair with the cat.

Jer was able to take Seth and Sam sledding. They were happy and cold when they came back.

Seth likes the airvent and listening to Audible.

Jer went to an event and Dan Well's new novel looked fun.

 

Veronica Espinoza

My Ecuadorian/Utahn friend came to visit.  Everything I wanted to show her was closed for the holidays. But it was fun to say hi and a blessing to be able to share my memories of her dad with her the week after his passing.

 

christmas and new years 2023

 

Since I haven't blogged in almost 6 weeks, I have lots of pictures to post.  Here were our family Christmas party pictures and our personal New Years.

Rae, Vivien, Grandpa, Seth, Grandma, Evelyn, Lance and Thea

Sharon and Grandma did a cookie decorating activity.  The kids had a blast.

Evelyn went with her friend Maylee to the children's museum.  These two girls are so cute together.

These were "tough" laser fighters.

New Year's this year was 123123.  It's a fun number and Seth decorated a sign for us to put up.  He decorated it with a bunch of A frame cabins and told me that it was Bear Lake.

We played lots of games for New Years.  The kids didn't want to play Marrying Mr Darcy until we showed them that we had the zombie expansion.  Then they were all in.

I sat this one out.  Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Seth's chip was almost the same size as his head.  He was pretty pleased.

Jer and I just before midnight.

Seth said he's the mad hatter, so he had to wear his hat upside down.

Merry Christmas!

Ada made me and Jer little dinosaurs.... then little bitty ones for her and her siblings.  It was so cute.

Ada also made us Christmas lunch.  Yummy salmon sadwiches.

Sam and Maisy pulled out their flutes.  It was beautiful and I could have listened for another couple of songs.  

Ada and I during sing along.

Robertson sing along. It was us, the Tarkington's, the Hansen's and Grandma and Grandpa.  Then everyone got sick at their house the next day, but we were glad to have seen them for the day.

Christmas jammies this year and the kids mostly love them.  I think they're too warm, but I have camping in my head when I think of Christmas jammies.  The cats really like when Sam wears it and holds them on his lap.

One of my daycare babies right now.  He wants to be held all the time.  Cutie pie, I'm glad that I always have a helper.

Piano recital

These kids had their piano recital this month too.  All of the three oldest played hymns and Seth played Go tell it on the Mountain.  Ada's was It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, which I think is the hardest Christmas hymn.  She had so many finals and stuff for FBLA so she didn't get to practice a ton.... and still she did marvelously.  Evelyn played Joy to World. Sam played I Heard the bells on Christmas Day. I love seeing them learning and growing.  I LOVE also that they are developing the skill of making a mistake publicly and continuing on anyways.

 

Ada's the cutest conductor

 

Polar Express

Ada's FBLA club has a certain amount of volunteer hours that they require.  This year they answered Santa letters for local elementary schools and hosted a Polar Express activity for the Police and Fire Department.  Ada was one of the conductors.  She stamped their tickets and took them all on the train from station to station.  It was a lot better put together than I thought it would be for a high school thing.  It was cute.

Rose, Evelyn, Ian, Seth, Jack

Ada the conductor

Ada, Jimmy, Lucas

 

Randomness

In the last couple weeks, we got Ada new glasses, I went to Sarah Komen's voice recital.  She's got a nice soprano voice.  Ada did her first ever self portrait for her drawing class final. And just a quick picture with my latest baby. I've had all baby girls in the last 3 years.... but now I have this baby boy and a new one starting in Feb.

 

Provo Pioneer village Christmas

This place has my absolute favorite Santa Claus ever.  He's old timey and looks more authentic than the others that I have seen. My friend, Beth, invited us to go to this with her and her kids this year.  It was nice and warm.  It was fun.

Jer told Ada and Sam that if they sat by Santa, he would too.

Blacksmithed candycane.

The family learning how to do Scottish reels. Evelyn especially loved it.  He smile while everyone was dancing together!  I loved hearing Jer laugh so happily and I wish I could keep that in my heart forever.

At the park on the way over.