Growing

We had another great Christmas party today. It was for the Daly family side.

I can tell the kids are growing up because everyone was patiently waiting their turns and no one tried to open anyone else's presents unless they were invited too. It's so great to see my kids using the manners I have been teaching them forever.

My kids are at such fun ages.

Now if only I can remember to bring the camera and actually document some of the fun.

Santa

We saw Santa tonight at our ward party.  Sanders was sooo excited to see Santa that he tried to cut straight to the front of the line as soon as we walked into the room.  Thankfully the wait was pretty short.  Once it was Sanders' turn he wasted no time jumping on Santa's lap.

Tennyson, on the other hand, was not so sure.  It took a little convincing that it would be ok to sit on Santa's lap.  Once he was there he did just fine.  Look at that picture.  That doesn't look like a kid who is afraid of Santa does it?

 Beckham and Karaia look like they're getting too big to sit on Santa's lap.

Dinner was excellent, the program was great, and we had a really good time. 

Now I'm off to a movie with a bunch of girls from the Ward. 

Amazing and busy

Today has been an amazing an busy day.  It's too late to go into all the details, but for now, just know that it involves some miracles and then later a party.  More on these tomorrow.

Christmas time, O Christmas time

December is a very full packed, fun month for us.


On December 5 we had my mom's Christmas party. I thought it turned out great and I know the kids had fun.

We had everyone there but the Lawson bunch, and they were very missed.



We did the Christmas nativity stickers,had a talent show, opened presents, the kids got cute books with their names in them, ate WAY too much food (ok maybe only I did) and had a wonderful time.

December 7 Karaia had a choir concert to kick off the lighting of the local park. She was darling as usual.

(here are the boys waiting for the concert to start)

(Karaia, freeze and singing her little rear end off)

December 9 is my birthday. Grandma Candace took Karaia to the Governor's Christmas party.

Aren't they cute?

December, um, something...can't remember and I didn't write it on the calendar Karaia had a school program. This is her teacher, Mrs. Pickett. She is the best. teacher. ever!



December 17 Beckham had his pre-school program and he rocked it!



December 18 is Karaia's birthday. Karaia also had a choir concert. Later that night we had my step-mom's extended family Christmas party and this year Santa showed up and I forgot my camera!

December 19 we had Karaia's family party.

December 24 Grandma Janice's party. This year only Kevin and the older kids were able to go because Sanders had some kind of flu. But I did manage to finish sewing their Christmas pj's



December 25 Christmas!


We opened presents at our house. Karaia got an American Girl look a-like doll she named Kristin.


Beckham got a digital camera and has now informed us he is a real photographer, (He was so busy taking pictures he never sat still enough for me to get one of him) Tennyson got a big wooden train set,
and Sanders got a Fisher price Little people garage.


Next we headed for Grandma Candace's house, had lots of fun, went to visit Grandpa Frank in the hospital, and in the evening spent some time at my dad's house. Whew!

We were gone from 9:00 am until about 9:30 pm. A busy but fun day.

December 26 is Kevin's birthday day. We had a game night with some of our friends.

December 29 is Danica's birthday. We headed to Boondocks for bowling and video games.

And the rest of December we just try and recuperate from all of our fun!

Four Days before Christmas

Twas four days before Christmas, parties start to bring mirth.
We have one on each evening 'til we celebrate His birth.

The first night we travel to be with the Whites.
The second night in Bountiful, to Nana's delight.
The third night brings candy cane cookies wrapped in our mouths.
That are famously made at Grandma-great Cathy's Holladay house.
The forth night, well actually it's held in the day,
Will send us to Bear River with cousins to play.

And when we come home we"ll have one sleep until,
The kids wake us quite early, "You're in your bed still?!"
"Mom, Dad, wake up quick. We can't wait any more!"
We'll roll over, still tired from "helping" Santa until four.

They'll whip off our covers and jump on our bed
And I'll gently remind them to first bow their heads,
So that we may remember what this day really means.
The Savior, His birth, and the salvation it brings.

I hope that the children, so lively and quick,
Will hold in their hearts that it's MORE than St. Nick.
While the parties are starting, bringing fun with each night,
May our hearts be focused on the joy of His light.

Merry Christmas