Mission Inn

 

We went with our good friends the Woolf's to the Mission Inn for family home evening. The kids loved looking at all the lights and eating yummy treats. But I think their favorite part was being with their friends.

Meet Santa

Our ward had their annual Christmas party and of course Santa came. Charles could careless and did not want to go see him. Claudia and Madison however were very excited to go see him. So Daddy waited in line with them and they got to me Santa. Madison did fine, she was a little nervous. Claudia did NOT like being up close with him. As soon as she got on his lap she wanted right back down. At least she did not scream!

The kids also particiaped in a little program. They each got to dress a part from the Nativity and sing some songs. Charles and Madison are great singers!!! 

 

Charles is hiding in the back. Can you find him???

Art Time!!!!!!

For Madison's 5th Birthday Party we decided to have an ART Party! We thought it was the perfect theme for her, since that is what she LOVES.
Here is her party in Photos. (Be prepared there are TONS!)

 Each kid got to pick an apron when they arrived. Then I gave them letter stickers to put their name on their apron. (Note to self: Foam letter stickers do not stick very well on cheap aprons.)

While I was prepping the paint stuff, John was playing "Simon Says" with the kids.

We did Marble Painting

I don't have a picture of it, but these sheets of paper were pre-cut to fit on a tin can that was cleaned out. Once the paint dried I hot glued the painted paper to the outside of the cans so that the kids can use the cans as pencil/crayon holders to hold their crayons they got in their goody bags.

My table decorations

 

The kids all painting at their "easels."
I think they really enjoyed this.

Next, they used Fruit Loops to make necklaces.

I added these treats to their goody bags. They are supposed to look like paint brushes. I found the idea on Pinterest somewhere.

And these are her paint palette cupcakes with rainbow cake inside.

All our Party Friends!!!

 

Getting ready to blow out the candle.

 

 Yummy!!!

 

December 7th

Madison got an AWARD!!! 

She was so surprised. When her teacher told me about it she said that Madison did not know she would be getting it. So I kept it a secret. She was so happy to hear her name at the awards ceremony. I am so proud of her. She received the Certificate of Character Award for Charity, Determination, and Kindness.

 

This is her friend Noah, his family and our family are very good friends. It was neat that he received an award on the same day.

Janelle & Bobby got HITCHED!!!

My baby sister is MARRIED!!! 

It is very exciting to have a member of the family get married. There was a lot of craziness leading up to the event but it was BEAUTIFUL!!! My mother did a great job!!!

The sealing ceremony was WONDERFUL!!! The spirit was STRONG and lots of LOVE was shared.

I am so glad that Bobby is part of our family. He is great and fits right in. 

(I don't' really have any photos from the wedding. Once I get my hands on some I will post them. Janelle has the brilliant idea of hiring a photographer so that I could sit back and enjoy the day. It was a great idea. Lisa the photographer was GREAT!!!!)

Really she is 5

On Nov. 29th Madison turned 5 years old!

Since it was just 2 days before my sister got married it was a busy day for us. But I did manage to bring cupcakes to her class. She LOVED it. We ordered half Princess and half Toy Story so that the boys didn't have to have princess ones. 

After school we headed out to my parents house because all of the girls were going to the nail salon to get our nails done for the wedding. I decided to bring Madison along and let her get her nails done for her birthday present. She was in HEAVEN. They had her sit in one of the big spa chairs and they propped pillows up all around her so she would be comfortable. Her feet barely touched the water. I think she really enjoyed the pampering. Who wouldn't!!!

I am so very proud of Madison. She started kindergarten as the youngest in her class and is doing great!!!! She is very friendly and kind. She makes friends easily and is SUPER creative. She is always making things for people. She loves anything that involves coloring, painting, cutting, and creating. 

She is a GREAT big sister and we just love her to pieces. 

November 10th

I don't talk much about John here on this blog but he is an AMAZING Dad! I always tell him that he would make a better "Stay at home Dad" than I make a stay at home mom. He can think of a game or activity at a moments notice. And he can always convince the kids its fun to clean up. I don't know how he does it. But he is AWESOME!!! 

One night when I left to go to my sisters bachelorette party John got the kids ready to have a Drive-In movie at home. He got card board boxes and had the kids each decorate their car. The kids LOVED it. So while I was gone they had their very own Drive-In movie right in our family room. He even let them pick out their favorite candy at the store to have for their snack. How cool is that!  

Way to go Daddy! You ROCK!!!

All I want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth...Update

Charles lost 3 of his teeth all within just a 2 weeks. He looks like a totally different kid with all those teeth missing. 

 My baby is getting SO BIG!!!!

*Update* He just lost a 4th tooth on Thursday night. Now he has officially lost 6 teeth.

Baseball

 

Charles finished out his baseball season in November and had a great time!!! He is getting better and better all the time. John volunteered to be the coach. That was pretty rough for me. That meant more nights home  alone with the 3 little ones. And we couldn't go to many games because Claudia likes to run off. Not fun! But I think both John and Charles enjoyed it.So it was worth the sacrifice.

 Some of his BIGGEST FANS!