Christmas 2014

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  Not only did we get a chance to have a lot of fun with friends during the days prior to Christmas, but the kids had several opportunities to perform acts of service for others.  We try every year to make the Savior central to our Christmas celebrations throughout the month, and this year all the kids seem to respond so well!  It made the month especially sweet.  The kids were challenged at church to perform acts of service all month long, and they did!  I was always so pleased when I saw them doing a little extra, or volunteering to help each other.

Our ward Christmas party was held earlier in the month, and the boys were too busy running around to notice that Santa came.  Lyvie was the only one who got a chance to sit on his lap.  I didn't even bother with Max because experience has taught me that that only tears and trauma.

 On the 22nd we held our now annual Christmas Movie Party!  It is complete chaos, but I really enjoy having the kids' friends over.  Having it in our little rental, made me especially excited for our new house and the extra room we will have to party it up!  We watched Arthur Christmas and decorated cookies and had TONS and TONS of popcorn!

On Christmas Eve we celebrated with our friends the Lancasters and the Bolles, at their home.  We are so blessed to have great friends, and as we are now calling Yakima home - I am especially grateful for the good people that live here.    After dinner, we came home and read the Christmas Story in Luke around the Christmas tree, and talked about the gift of our Savior.  Then the kids opened their Christmas Pack - a new idea we started this year.  They get pjs and a game/movie or book.  They though it was pretty sweet!

Then it was off to bed….

 Christmas morning started at 5:17 a.m. The boys couldn't resist any longer, so we decided to do two rounds of Christmas.  They opened their gifts while Lyv and Max slept in.  It was actually kind of nice because it wasn't so chaotic with just two at a time.

 Sam got the Harry Potter Series, a spark scooter, and a basketball hoop for his bedroom door.

 Jack got a new iPod shuffle (to replace the broken one from last year:), the Magic Treehouse books 1-12, and a Lego Chima set.

 As a family we draw names, including Shawn and I to buy gifts for.  I had Sam's name and got him a duffle bag and a West Valley Rams hoodie!

 Shawn had Jack's name and got him his very own baseball bag!  He was pumped!

 At 7:30 Lyvie and Max finally woke up and were more than ready to open their gifts.  Lyv asked for a scooter, a My Little Pony, and a bike helmet!

 Max didn't really "ask" for anything this year, so he got a new train to go with the train tracks that he has fallen in love with recently, and a new blanket for his bed at the new house.

 Lyv had Shawn's name and her gift led him to a present underneath her bed… a tool work station for the garage!

 Jack bought Max a dry erase board - which has been a good and bad present!  I will just say, thank heavens for magic erase pads!

 Sam bought Lyv a princess Lego set, and she loved putting it together.

 We spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys, watching movies, and eating a lot of good food!  Crab legs for dinner can't be beat! We also got to talk with all of our family and I am eternally grateful for each member of my family.  They have been such an influence for good in my life.  We are looking forward to New Year's in St. Anthony and a chance to spend time with family.

34 Years Young & Nutcracker Ballet

 NO Shawn didn't opt to attend the Nutcracker in celebration of his birthday.  He did sing to himself, pointing fingers at the birthday boy to remind us all that it was his BIG day!  He had a fun filled birthday complete with breakfast casserole, chocolate and rum cake, and an spare no expense dinner at Zesta Cuccina, followed by a trip to see Exodus in the theater.  Overall I think he was a pretty happy camper, and he deserves it.  We are so lucky to have him as ours and I am grateful to continue celebrating him each and every year.

The day after Shawn's birthday, Lyv and I went to the Nutcraker Ballet, put on by a local dance company.  We went with our best girls, Natalie and Brinly.  We made a complete girls night out of it, getting dressed fancy, eating a yummy dinner, doing a little make-up shopping and finishing with ballet.  It was really a joy!  Lyv kept saying, "This is the best night ever!"  I loved having a chance to be with just girls and seeing her love the ballet was magical.  She keeps getting her tutu and slippers out and practicing her positions. Thank heavens for little girls!

 A highlight was seeing Lyv's ballet camp teacher amongst the ranks of ballerinas.

BKB, Orange Vests, & Heels

Sam joined an AAU basketball team this year and has really enjoyed playing in a more competitive league.  This may or may not be due to the fact that his best friend, Luke, is on the team…but whatever the reason, we've loved (and hated) watching him play.  He has improved quite a bit since starting 3 months ago and will get to keep playing through March.  

SuperSonics

 Sam also signed up for Safety Patrol this year at school!  Now if I would have known what this would entail, I think I would have tried to talk him out of it, but it has been a good experience for Sam, being dedicated even in the cold, rain, and snow.  He isn't supposed to talk to people when he's on duty, even me…so he tries to ignore me.  I caught him in action a few days ago and couldn't help but love the shot!

 Sam also has become an insane distance runner!! Mileage Club is something that he loves and puts on his priority list.  He was one of 5 kids to make to 50 miles since the beginning of the year, and as of today he finished his 75 mile card.  He was rewarded for 50 miles with a T-shirt….so glad it is red this year and not caution cone orange!

 Max, Max, Max….this boy is such a character.  I love every ounce of him, even when he's being a total spoiled stinker, which can be more often than not.  As the baby, he really knows how to get what he wants, and he tends to copy his older siblings no matter what they're doing….

Case in point - Silencing muffs for shooting, worn by Sam to bed, are now a feature of Max's night time apparel.

 Princess heels & beanie…. another accessory of older siblings finding their rightful place on Maximus. He was so funny about those heels.  He couldn't walk in them, but refused to take them off, so he would just scream in frustration!

Christmas Program Extravaganza

Holy Smokes!  Having 3 of the 4 in school has created for a busy Christmas season at school.  We had three programs in 1 week to attend, but thankfully they were all short (do I dare admit that this is a positive), sweet, and fun to watch!  Jack started the festivities off with his Kindergarten program.  He sang his little heart out, and even managed to get a few claps on beat!  He is such a sweet boy and has enjoyed school so much this year.

 (Jack is in the back middle, singing like mad:)

Sam's concert was next in line.  This again was fun, especially as we've gotten to know so many of his classmates.  He has a great group of kids his age and we are so grateful for them helping make Yakima an "epic" place to live.  This is Sam with his buddy Cooper - these two are in the same class and loving every second of it!

Lyv rounded out the program season with a program tonight.  She looked beautiful and not only that be she sang every word with gusto and did every action on cue!  I love seeing this part of her - the performer that is lurking in there - find its voice.  She too has a large group of friends at preschool and we love seeing her thrive.

 Final shot - my attempt at a "Christmas best" picture.  Epic fail!  These were the best I got out of 10…seriously what is the deal?  Love these goofy kids, even with their goofy smiles.