InstaSample November

Some of my pictures from Instagram for the month of November:

This painting came from the man who painted Linda's portrait.He gave one to both Che' and I for our kids to have. Isn't that the sweetest? Seriously, nicest man ever. I need to get ours framed so we can hang it up.

Sweet doorstep surprise

Bowling in Logan

Happy 4th birthday, Hals!

haha...obviously had to do a little editing on this one...:) Woke up to Jace naked in his crib and nothing in it (he had even stripped his sheet) one morning.. ay yi yi, not excited for this phase! He transitioned to his big boy bed shortly after this.

Swimming and donuts with Aunt Mari Ann!

First snow of the season and yummy chocolate waffles to celebrate.

First snow of the season. The kids, minus Flor, loved it. Flor...not so much. 

Hallie modeling her awesome new dance outfit that our nice neighbor made for her!

Pre-bed time races in the living room. Apparently the starting line is arbitrary. 

Tis the season!

Thanksgiving Day. So grateful for these three.

Ohhh how I love the Christmas season so much!

He obviously has a sister...Jace saw this picture of himself and kept saying, "Hallie, Hallie!"

That's it for now! Surely there will be more to come from December later on. 

Hallie-isms

We are overdue for some Hallie-isms, eh? She is one funny girl. I really wonder where she gets most of the things she says.

 

*One night she emerged from her bed in the "middle" of the night (her middle of the night-- I was awake but she had been asleep for a few hours) just to tell me, "Mom, let's remember to go to the store tomorrow to buy some cereal and some whip cream, okay?" I am sure glad she is keeping a running inventory of items that we may need . Important ones too--I mean really, who can live without cereal and whip cream? Clearly not this family.

*Jace called Hallie "mom" one day and Hallie's response was,"No, I'm not your mom! I'm your girlfriend!" Yikes...

*On the same note, Hallie is still on the theme of her marriage (oh my gosh, is this ever going to end? She is only 4 years old for pete's sake!). One day, she asked me, "Mom, who is going to marry me?" I responded that I don't know and she said, "Well, who are my boy cousins?" as if those were the options she should start choosing between. oh boy...

*During movie night:
"Mom, does this movie have a princess in it?"
me: "no"
Hallie: "Well then, WHY are we watching it?!"

*Me: "Hallie, run and go get a piece of paper please."
Hals: "I know I am smart, but I don't want to!"

*After I told her that she needed to go get her pajamas on for the 4th time at bedtime one night, she responded, "Oh! You said to put my pajamas on? I thought you said to play!" (yeah right, child.)

*Hals decided that she wanted to play "restaurant" one day, so she was listing off dinner options for Devin and me. The options went something like this, "We have hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, and......leftovers." Yum. I love going to restaurants for leftovers.

*One day I was looking at the obituaries in the paper and she leaned over my shoulder and pointed to a man who was in his late 80's and said, "Mom, is that Uncle Steve??" Poor man...and poor Steve.

*After talking about the Book of Mormon story of Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem, Hallie was full of questions about it the next day, including asking, "Mom, if we aren't righteous, will we have to live in a tent like Nephi?" I'm glad she was thinking about the story, but apparently I am not that great at explaining things properly...

*After I sneezed loudly one day, she told me, "Mom, that 'achoo' is going to break my ears off!"

*Hallie still brings up death from time to time and has usually the same questions about it. One day after talking about it a while, she asked, "Someday we will all die, right?" I responded, "Yes, but we hope that it's not for a long, long time." Hallie responded with, "Yes, that will be sad if we die, but at least we won't have to go to work anymore!" So many things wrong with this...

And that concludes this edition of Hallie-isms!

In the Spirit of Christmas

Thanks to Pinterest, I found two sites that gave me some great ideas for a 24 Days of Christmas countdown that Devin and I could do with the kids for the month of December. Most of the ideas and content came from this blog: http://confessionsofaslackermom.com/category/lds-fun/24-days-of-mormon-christmas/, but we also combined elements from this site: http://workmanfamily.typepad.com/our_life/2008/11/christmas-bucket.html.

Each morning, the kids unwrap a numbered "present" that tells them what our activity, song, and scripture for the day are going to be. Some days there is a Christmas story or video as well. It has been really fun so far. Hallie wakes up each morning asking when we can open that day's present. I also love that we are combining both the fun/Santa Clause aspect of Christmas and the spiritual/Christ-centered aspect.

I am going to update this post as we go along with pictures of each of our activities, but I thought I would post the whole outline now.

Day One, Saturday 12.1.12

Song: Away In a Manger (# 42, Children’s Song Book)

Scripture: Luke 1:11-17

View the Video “Christmas Spirit”

Activity: Print Christmas coloring pages online and color (ours found here) 

Day Two, Sunday 12.2.12

Song: Oh Come All Ye Faithful (#202 hymn book)

Scripture: Malachi 3:1

“Wise Men Still Seek Him” Coloring page 

Activity: Bake and Decorate Sugar Cookies (try this recipe--mmmm delicious)

Day Three, Monday 12.3.12

Song: Samuel tells of the Baby Jesus (Children’s #36)

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Read the story, "Christmas Family" 

Activity: Do a Christmas craft (we did this)

Flor's snowman: Just a coloring page (can't trust her to not eat the marshmallows, you know), Hallie's and Hannah's (the neighbor) looking stupendous, and Jace's? Well Jace's is nothing but glue marks as he consumed his whole snowman before we could even get a picture. 

Day Four, Tuesday 12.4.12

Song: Silent Night (#204)

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Activity: Write letters to Santa

Flor drew Santa a picture of what she wants. I am going to go with, "I want some rice, chicken, bread, loud toys, and signing time videos. Love, Flor." 

Just FYI: Jace's new favorite thing to say is "Bye Kim" Or "Bye Kimmie", which is simultaneously hilarious and bewildering...I mean, where did he learn this?? So I was happy that he at least passed his hello for me on through Santa...Also, Devin was concerned that he said "doll" so often, but he is certain that Jace actually means "action figure"

Day Five, Wednesday 12.5.12

Song: Picture a Christmas (Children’s #50)

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing “What Child is This” 

Activity: Buy a star for our tree

Yes, we know that Flor is not the best picture taker ever. Just rest assured, she really wasn't as mad as she looks.  Getting her to smile in a picture is a real chore...so instead we have this gem to help us remember her first Christmas in the US!

Day Six, Thursday 12.6.12

Song: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (#209)

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Video: "Angel Foretells Christ’s birth to Mary"

Activity: Go to the Dollar Store and buy Christmas coloring books

Ohhhh, nothing better than brand, spankin' new coloring books!

Day Seven, Friday 12.7.12

Song: Have a Very Merry Christmas (Children’s #51)

Scripture: Matthew 1: 20-25

Video: “Look to the Light”

Activity: Make cookies and take them to someone

Nothing better than sharing the beaters when making cookies! (Please don't mind Hallie's seriously clashing clothing...what do you do when your 4 year old insists upon wearing whatever she insists upon wearing??)

Day Eight, Saturday 12.8.12

Song: Far, Far, Away on Judea’s Plain (# 212)

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Coloring and mount Jesus Christ was Born in a Manger (found at the bottom of the lesson)

Activity: Attend Ward Christmas party

Ward party=success. Especially the 15 member folk ensemble group from BYU. Amazing music. We are lucky to have some really talented individuals in our ward (including the professor of this group--thus the performance for us). Can't say I have ever had a bag pipe player at a ward Christmas party before tonight! :)

Day Nine, Sunday 12.9.12

Song: The Shepherd’s Carol (Children’s #40b)

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Listen to the MOTAB “Christmas Processional”

Activity: Go see the lights at Temple Square

Day Ten, Monday 12.10.12

Song: Joy to the World (#201)

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Read “What is Christmas?” by President Monson

Activity: have hot chocolate and toast before bed

Day Eleven, Tuesday 12.11.12

Song: Stars were Gleaming (Children’s #37)

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

Watch “Mary and Elisabeth Rejoice Together”

Activity: Sort through old toys and donate them to someone in need

Day Twelve, Wednesday 12.12.12

Song: With Wondering Awe (#210)

Scripture: Exodus 13:2

Read: “Maybe Christmas Doesn’t come from a Store”

Activity: gingerbread houses

Add caption

Day Thirteen, Thursday 12.13.12

Song: The Nativity Song (Children’s Songbook #52)

Scripture: Luke 2:21-24

Activity: Read Christmas books

Okay, this isn't a picture of reading Christmas books, but we have also enjoyed watching Santa's reindeer cam and seeing him feed his reindeer.

Day Fourteen, Friday 12.14.12

Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem (#208)

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-5

Watch “Kids and Christmas”
Activity: Go to the store to buy a new ornament for our tree Visit Santa Clause!

(Uncle Lynn and Barb as Santa and Mrs. Clause)

Day Fifteen, Saturday 12.15.12

Song: Mary’s Lullaby (Children’s #44)

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Activity: Help the kids draw names and shop for each other’s gifts

Day Sixteen, Sunday 12.16.12

Song: Angels We have Heard on High (#203)

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Listen to MOTAB's “Bring A Torch Jeanette, Isabella”

Activity: Watch a Christmas movie/Deliver Sub for Santa gifts

We delivered some Sub for Santa gifts to a family and as we left the mom slipped these pictures into our hands. Such sweet notes of gratitude. This is what the season is all about.

Day Seventeen, Monday 12.17.12

Song: When Joseph Went to Bethlehem (Children’s #38)

Scripture: Hosea 11:1

Watch “Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem”

Activity: Dance to Christmas music

Apparently Hallie was really into that dancing...

Day Eighteen, Tuesday 12.18.12

Song: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (#207)

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Read Christmas Missionary experiences from around the world

Activity: Build a snowman (pray for snow!)

Insert picture here...if Devin had taken any :) (I was at work)

Day Nineteen, Wednesday 12.19.12

Song: Once Within a Lowly Stable (Children’s #41)

Scripture: Matthew 25:40

Watch: "Shepherd’s Learn of Christ’s Birth"

Activity: Distribute neighborhood gifts (so sorry neighbors, we totally meant to get around to this this year, but have just not had time!) 

How about a picture of Flor's cute Christmas program instead?

Day Twenty, Thursday 12.20.12

Song: The First Noel (#213)

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18

Watch: "The Wisemen seek Jesus"
Activity: Go look at Christmas lights

Day Twenty One, Friday 12.21.12

Song: Little Jesus (Children’s #39)

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Watch MOTAB's “Rejoice and be Merry”

Activity: Be a "Secret Santa" for someone

Day Twenty Two, Saturday 12.22.12

Song: Away in a Manger (#206)

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Watch the video “What Shall We Give?”

Activity: Watch a Christmas Movie

Day Twenty Three, Sunday 12.23.12

Song: Who is the Child (Children’s #46)

Scripture: Luke 2:39-40

Activity: Sing Christmas songs together

 Day Twenty Four, Monday 12.24.12

Song: Silent Night

Scripture/Activity: Act out the Nativity

Watch: MOTAB's “Hallelujah Chorus”

Snapshots of Thanksgiving

So, I was kind of a failure when it came to photographing our multiple Thanksgivings. Our first celebration was held the weekend before Thanksgiving with my family in Idaho (the same time we gave my Grandma the Linda picture). I took plenty of pictures at this party, but only with my phone (meaning not the best quality) and the majority are of the decorations. Fabulous. The second Thanksgiving, on actual Thanksgiving day, was at Devin's parents house. I took the real camera this time and failed to use it until the very end, after almost everyone had left. So, I have a few pictures of Shane and Marcene's kids and our kids and that's it. Thanksgiving fail. Oh, well...there is always next year.

Here is a sampling of what I did manage to photograph:

Thanksgiving #1:

Che' and Carlie were in charge of decorations and outdid themselves completely. I took instructions and tried to help where I could, but I quite frankly ruined most of the oreo turkeys I tried to make. That's why I am in charge of broccoli and cheese, not decorations. :)

 This "Give Thanks" board was a huge hit. Love the idea. As everyone came into the house, they took a minute to write on the wall what they are thankful for. It was so fun to see everyone's thoughts all written down in one place.

Devin's contribution

The kids drew a little picture to represent what they are thankful for

Ohhh, some actual people shots!: 

Hmmm, Florinda the blurred child. That is what i get for using my phone...

The decorations even went so far as to include pilgrim hats and bonnets for the children....

...though some of the adults may have worn them too....

Terrible attempt to get a picture of all the "babies". This is about right for children between the ages of  10 months and almost 2 years, I guess. Not too cooperative.

Two cute bums

Devin was a Brookie hog. It's no wonder she likes him though...what with his sharing his pie with her and all.

Max and Jack got caught opening and playing with the bunko prizes...you can tell how sad they were to have gotten in trouble! So cute!

Charlie girl

This should go with the other one of the four of them, but yes...this is how well they would sit still for the picture. Brooklyn was trying at least! Why Jace is attacking Charlie, I have no idea.

Games...a serious must.

 We also held a baby shower for my sister-in-law Lara (Mikey's wife) who is having a baby girl in January! We are excited to welcome baby Claire when she comes. This will mean that my family will have 6 grandchildren-- 5 girls and 1 boy. Maybe Jennifer and Steve will get working on having a boy soon? :) Again I am lame and only have a grand total of 2 pictures from the shower portion of the day. Yikes.

My mom makes some seriously cute quilts, eh?

Thanksgiving #2: Thanksgiving Day!

I am almost embarrassed to post any of these pictures at all since they are so few. Ugh.

My cute trio before we left for Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Sean, Megan, and Hallie. What is with the faces...I have no idea. Sean is looking quite charming, though!

Jace trying on Grandma's sweet slippers. Don't those look amazing?

Flor and Grandpa

Even after having pie, the kids insisted upon having ice cream cones. Don't worry, Flor was enjoying some string cheese in the other room. Grandma never forgets to have a snack for her, too!

Whew. I think that wraps up Thanksgiving 2012 for good. We have been celebrating the Christmas season for weeks already and are already on the countdown for the big day!