The Shawn Summers Family: 2013

Monday, December 23, 2013

Happiest TIme of the Year

There is just something about a Christmas tree made of soda that makes you smile! At least that is, if your name is Jack Summers. He requested a picture by this perfectly suited for him tree. Jack had a big week this week as he performed in his first Christmas concert at school. He did a great job, and didn't fall of the stage, so I considered the night a huge success. He looked very dapper in his bow tie and sweater.

Shawn and I also celebrated our 11th Anniversary. We took a selfie in honor of our marital bliss….our first selfie ever!)

Today we had our first Grinch Party! We had a bunch of kids over to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas and treated them to Grinch Shakes and popcorn. I literally popped at least 10 bags of popcorn, and they ate every last kernel. It was really fun…we are finally at the age with the kids that it's not overly stressful or high maintenance so the more the merrier!

I asked Lyv to show me her Grinch Shake. She thought I meant the shake that was in her mouth!

Max thinks he's pretty big lately, and imitates the kids every move. Here he is doing some simple addition, just like his big brothers! Don't you love how he posed for the camera and everything. We are in for trouble with this boy. I have a feeling that he will get away with a lot of mischief.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Merry 33rd Birthday!

Sam had his first ever Christmas concert. It was fun to see all of the kids we hear about at home. The kids did a great job. Sam is still quiet serious and made sure he was on cue at all times. The only downer was one poor kid threw up in the middle of the program. I was impressed at how well the other kids handled it, you could hardly tell anything happened.

We also celebrated Shawn's 33rd birthday with his favorite - ULTIMATE Hamburgers. These were huge, and he loved every bite!

The kids wanted to be part of the see if you can fit your mouth around this contest - winner is still Shawn. Shawn has had a pretty amazing 33rd year - a lot of exciting changes and he continues to be the best decision I ever made! We finished the night off with Shawn's favorite rum cake.

Max is a little trouble maker, but heaven help us because he is so stinking cute that its hard not to applaud at his mischief! He thinks he's pretty big stuff sitting in the boys desk. The only problem, he can't figure how to get down safely…. this will come after a few more bonks.

We finally got around to making gingerbread houses - the kids took a lot more creative liberty this year, and it was more fun for me that way too. I wasn't in charge of building and decorating 3 houses, just helping with keeping the walls from falling in. Jack recreated the Little Einstein's Hansel and Gretel candy house:

Sam made his Mansion house:

Lyv made a teepee!

All the kids are so excited for Christmas, and it will be a wonderful morning seeing the magic of Christmas unfolding. Sam has started to catch wind of the fact that Santa and his parents have very similar hand writing, wrapping paper, etc. We aren't quite sure how to best explain Santa without squashing the magic of Christmas for him and the other kids. The truth is, is that I still believe in Santa through the spirit of giving and the magic of making wishes come true. I love the Christmas season and the chance to bring a smile to my kids and husband's face!

We also have stressed the reason for the season this year, and have been watching stories of Christ in the new Bible videos produced by the church. They have helped the kids understand and learn better who Christ is and the "tidings of great joy" that are for us because of His birth. It is has been a really spiritual experience, and I can see the kids understanding the idea of serving in connection with Christmas better. I am so grateful for lessons I learned in my youth of service at Christmas time, and how those memories come to me each year, and renew my testimony that "when we are in the service of our fellowmen, we are only in the service of our God."

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Starting off December on the right foot

The day after we arrived home from Thanksgiving, Jack had to have surgery! Poor guy - it was the same procedure he had done as a toddler, but now on the left side. Needless to say this time around he was a little more apprehensive. So was I. I was so impressed at how brave he was. He only got a little sad when we started to get him dressed in his surgical gown. The nice thing was that they gave him some pretty powerful medicine to make him sleepy before they put any IVs in him. So he has no memories of any pain. The surgery went great and he was such a tough boy! He handled the pain so well, and only took medicine the day of the surgery. The thing that got him through with such high spirits was knowing that people would be pouring out love. He got texts, phone calls, visits, and gifts from so many kind and thoughtful people, and it made him feel so loved. We're so happy that this is over and as a reward he told me he is going to have 12 kids when he's a dad!)

Max has left behind any linger signs of baby and started to play with the big boys! He thinks he's pretty awesome until he gets himself stuck - literally! I heard him squawking the other day, and found him on top of the kids table. I smell TROUBLE for this boy in the future!

He's also finally taken his first steps. He has been so reluctant to start walking, but he does it more when he really doesn't realize he is doing it. We've been encouraging him the past few weeks and making a really big deal when he stands on his own. So we were thrilled when he took his first steps on December 7th!!! Yay Maxo!

We had our ward Christmas Breakfast on Saturday, and had a very special visitor come. The kids were so excited to whisper in his ear all the treasures they hope will be coming their way this Christmas. Sam looked enormous on Santa's lap this year, so sad.

Now, I have a picture of each one of my kids FREAKING out on Santa's lap - and I treasure each one! So I had high hopes that Max would have a great picture to add to my Scary Santa collection. The moment came, and my hopes were shattered! Although he wasn't "thrilled" to be hangin' with Santa, he didn't show any emotion. Bummer….the streak is broken.

(FYI - his pants fit him fine, Santa must of hiked them up to his knees!)

Monday, December 2, 2013

Move Over Beethoven

Our Newest Addition!! Isn't she lovely and Lyvie is pretty cute too. We finally bit the bullet, did some shopping around and found a great deal on this piano. I've wanted to make the investment for a few years now, and get the kids going with lessons, but have hesitated because of the price! What changed? We had an incredible musical number at church a month ago - a set of brothers who were playing the violin and cello. They were amazing! I asked one of the brothers after how it started, and they said piano! That sealed the deal. Even, if we don't end up with a Mozart, I want my kids to have knowledge and appreciation of music.

Thanksgiving '13

It has been four years since we spent Thanksgiving with the Hill family, and we weren't disappointed. We had a full schedule - Mom, always goes above and beyond - so the kids were never bored or wanting for activities. We went to the movies and bowling, played football-bkb-volleyball, showed our competitive side playing Trivial Pursuit and Risk, argued:), ate a lot of good food, and had a lot of great conversations. Everyone was home, and it really was such a treat to be surrounded by our family! We hardly saw our three older kids during the entire vacation - they were too busy playing with their cousins to have much to do with us. The kids were really into making these elastic bracelets and popsicle stick airplanes this year. The little girls also had a great time being dressed up and being taught dance routines from the older girls.

Mom and Dad put on a fireside for the kids, that I'm sure they will remember for a long time. I also got to spend some time with Grandma Jeanne! She is such an amazing woman, and I can't believe she is doing as well as she is after her knee replacement. It was a great time! I am so grateful for my family and the memories that we are able to create and the relationships that we are able to strengthen each time we get together.

I have to admit that at times I am reluctant to embark on a Hill Holiday - we have a tendency to have some heated "discussions", but regardless of our difference in opinions and our need to fight to death at times, we love each other. I am so grateful for each one of my family members, old to young, that add such a unique and essential part to my life!