January 2012

The kids and I had one last day of fun before school started up again.  We spent the day at a fun center (laser tag, rides, etc.) and then bowling. 

Megan and Amanda got cute haircuts.  Megan actually got enough cut off that she was able to donate her ponytail to Locks of Love.  Locks of Love uses the donated hair to make wigs to give to children with cancer. 

 

 

US Synthetic (Todd's work) sponsored an afternoon with a couple of the Utah Jazz players.  The kids were able to participate again this year.  You basketball fans will recognize the Jazz players, but I can't remember their names anymore.  They were both really good with the kids and made sure the kids had fun playing basketball with them and also touring the arena.  This year the tour included the locker room and the areas where they do press interviews.

 Jared turned 14!  He had some friends over and got a remote controlled helicopter.

Jared wanted to go to a place where you swing, jump and fall into foam pits, but it was closed for a private event on his birthday.  We went a few days later and Jared took one friend as well as his siblings.  They all had a blast.

It was not Todd's birthday, but we did buy a black Honda Ridgeline.  We really like it and no longer have to use the minivan for hauling everything!  We were a little sad to see the Accord go. 

We got a new batch of chicks to raise.  It still doesn't seem quite right that they arrive via the US Postal Service!  This picture shows them right after we took the lid off the shipping box.

Rebecca wearing one of the sweaters I crocheted back in the day when I had time for such things!

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December 2011

Rebecca is a sweetheart!  She gets so much attention from her siblings.  Amanda and Megan are especially good to play with her.

 

Jared attended a robotics day camp at Thanksgiving Point.  

 

Jared also won a competition from US Synthetic to draw safety posters that were then used in a calendar.

Ethan loves to be the center of attention and enjoyed the skit done with his Cub Scout den.  He also received some awards that night.

Joshua's school class had a fun day with each child wearing pajamas and bringing a decorated "train car."  The 1st grade classes paraded through the school as trains.  They then watched the Polar Express movie and ate donuts and hot chocolate.

Christmas is a favorite time of year and I love traditions.  Our family nativity pageant with the kids is always nice and often interesting.  The interesting part comes as the kids decide which part to be.  This year with our limited cast, we still ended up with a sheep and camel (maybe it was a cow) and a reluctant Mary.

Christmas Eve brings new pajamas.  Amanda and Megan's pajamas also came with matching nightgowns for their dolls.

Santa did not disappoint--new dolls for Amanda and Megan, tool box with tools for Jared, baseball net for Ethan, laser tag for Joshua and a tea set for Rebecca.

 Christmas was sure a lot of fun for Rebecca this year!

 

During the Christmas break, we spent a night at a hotel as Todd had a free night.  The kids loved having the swimming pool to themselves that night and then again in the morning.

The month ended by attending the funeral of my aunt Louise.  It was a very nice funeral and nice to be with family.  Even the van ride to California with my parents and siblings was enjoyable.  

 

My mom and her brother will especially miss their dear sister.

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November 2011

When I wait this long to blog, it is hard to remember even what we did.  At least I have some pictures to remind me!
 
Amanda, Ethan and Megan played in a piano recital.  It went well, although Amanda and Megan really do not like recitals.

 

 

 

Ethan's class at school put on a play.

 

Megan and Amanda took an after-school class for paper crafts through 4-H and the school.  The 4-H classes last several weeks.

Joshua and Ethan's 4-H after-school class was  jump roping.

 Thanksgiving was spent at Ryan and Tani's home and of course was delicious!

 Thanksgiving day was also Rebecca's 2nd birthday.  

 

 

Brent's family came to Utah for a visit so we had all the family over to our home for dinner and visiting.  It is always fun when we get together!

 

We ended the month by decorating our Christmas tree.   Our tree tends to have most of the ornaments towards the top because it seems to be more fun to decorate from the ladder!

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