Duets and Trios

 

 Janae and Nathan actually played in a quartet (just got the picture of them.) They have all been working very hard this season. It has seemed a little much having extra practices with their partners, but they have really enjoyed working with their friends. They have also learned some great listening, counting, and cohesive skills that only come from working in a group.

 

Grandpa is always so good to come and support us.

 

Future duet performers

Santa

 

We went to the Festival of Trees where Jared saw the REAL Santa. "Mom, he has glasses. That makes him the REAL Santa." The magic of Christmas with a preschooler.

We enjoyed seeing all the pretty trees. We got to see Janae and Nathan dance together with their new costumes. Julene was a disapointed that she wasn't dancing too.(She gets to perform next week.) She asked if she could at least wear her costume, but then she couldn't have any treats.

 

The boys liked the giant nutcrackers. They searched in vain for a Hobbit themed tree, but settled for two Hobbit gingerbread houses. The little boys like the lego and cars themed trees, and were told many times not to touch.

warm week

 

Such warm days must be spent at the park. We also finished raking all our leaves (except for the few still on the trees.) And with some constant request the outside Christmas lights went on the the bushes outside.

Come Thou Fount

Janae and Randy played in church today. The accompanied a very talented singer. She found an arrangement of Come Thou Fount of  Every Blessing, but used the words of Joseph Smith's First Prayer. Randy transcribed it from a CD and there was some oboe accompaniment. It wasn't in the sweet spot for the oboe, but she worked hard and got down the phrasing and dynamics. I thought it was wonderful. I've always loved the music to Come Thou Fount, but never really cared much for the words. Now I felt like the words from Joseph Smith's First Prayer were just as powerful as the music. They matched together so beautifully. I new favorite song.

Temple Trip

 

 The day before Thanksgiving, Grandma took the older grandchildren to the temple with their dads.

What a great way to spend time together and serving others. Turns out these are the only pictures we took on our Thanksgiving trip to Idaho. We had a great time with our family playing games, watching movies, riding the tractor, seeing the cows and sheep, and eating delicious food - especially all the homemade pies. We're thankful for so many things. We feel so very blessed.

Superman

Before traveling for Thanksgiving my little boys dressed in capes, and flew around the house accompanied by the Superman soundtrack. They don't just listen they sing along too.

Two!

 

Our little guy is officially 2, even though the stubbornness and cuteness of a two year old have been around for awhile.

 

Trying to blow out the candles.

 

His favorite movie is Cars 2. He wouldn't leave to open his presents because his favorite part was on. He especially likes Fin McMissle and sings the theme song as he pushes his cars along the furniture.

 

Once the other children opened his presents, he thought they were pretty exciting, and joined in the fun. I think he will be a competitive little guy. Sometimes I think his most common phrase is "Me Too!"

Turkey Hat

Turkey hat from preschool. He is really enjoying preschool this year. (I've only paid for preschool one other time with Nathan.) It was an end of summer decisions, but it was the best thing for him. The teacher is great and is doing the school for her own daughter. It's in the afternoon and so many days I've been having a nap with the baby while he is gone. I am more than happy to see this fall allergy season end so I won't need a nap anymore.

This weekend the children have been enjoying the plays put on during November. Janae went to the Jr High Drama scenes, and then the girls went to Little Mermaid. Yesterday, I took the five oldest to Alice in Wonderland  where they got to go back stage and get their picture taken with the characters. Jared liked the White Rabbit best.

 A neighbor played Alice's sister.

 

Nathan went on a scout camp out this weekend. They had just a little bit of snow and came home with not as much mud as a I thought. He was warm enough and enjoyed himself. I found this orange hunting vest in the closet, which I think is his new favorite accessory. It even goes with athletic shorts.

Band Bash

It takes lots of practice to be first chair oboest of the top band at the jr high. The first concert of the school year! Those other oboes can now challange her. She has such a good teacher. She's finished making another reed. She liked listening to the high school bands and noticed that there were some oboe solos. "The high school teacher must like oboes."

First Snowman

 

First snowman of the season! I was reminded that we didn't even make a snowman last year. We had so little snow and didn't take advantage of the few opportunities. The four youngest helped in the formation of this snowman.

 

I enjoyed everyones' enthusiams over the snow. But the little boys were especially fun to watch. It's invigorating seeing new experiences through their eyes.

 

I haven't written in a long time. I was just in one of those moods. Once I get behind I feel I can never catch up. So I finally decided that it didn't matter if I got caught up or not because I was missing recording the wonderful things that were happening now. So I'm just going to start now and not set too high of an expectation for myself. If I'm extremely lucky maybe I'll look back on the last year, but don't expect too much. :)

#1 Boy

We had a wonderful time celebrating Birthday Boy's 1st Birthday. He enjoyed his balls and balloons.

I wonder why his hands are raised high in the air? What is he looking at?

All these crazy people.

My baby is growing up so fast. He's a solid boy to carry, but he is a very good walker and started by walking sideways. Now at 14 months he can go down the stairs and find other fun toys and people to be with. We still need to keep the bathroom doors shut because the toilets look like fun swimming pools.

He is such an easy going little guy, but wants to go outside with everyone else. He's been able to go out quite often this winter with the warm weather. Jared likes to call him Big Baby from Toy Story 3 when he makes it to the basement to dismantle his train setup, and this is all said in good fun. Tanner says my favoriate word, "Ma, Ma!" Which could be me, milk, or more, but I like it best when it is the former.