Christmas Magic

Although the magic we felt at Disneyland was wonderful... it just can't compare to the Magic at Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas (even if the tree didn't get decorated)
We spent Christmas Eve with my family in Henderson for our annual dinner and white elephant gift exchange. Following a few traditional Christmas Eve photo's we headed to bed to await Santa's arrival.
Christmas morning was full of more magic and excitement. I just love spending the day hanging out with my family. Both kids received fun gifts and proudly displayed their new Snuggies from Grandma Dennett.
Even the dogs were thrilled with their new plush toys - which Gus immediately destroyed and shared with Sophie! After a relaxing day we joined friends at the Craigs' house for more fun and games.
I just love the Magic at Christmas Time! I want the season to last forever!

Disney Magic

After not going to Disneyland for over 6 years we've now been able to go twice in two months! Yes, we're annual pass holders to Disneyland (ok, you can close your mouth now) We were able to go again with our friends the Avery's and Spears.
I've never been to Disney during Christmas time. It was so festive and beautiful. The kids had a fabulous time hanging out with their friends and Ryan was totally happy that he was able to spend a couple hours at ESPN zone with the guys watching the BYU game while waiting for our dinner table while the moms took the kids on more rides. (really I didn't mind)

The weather was chilly but beautiful and we would definitely go back at Christmas again! Although I don't know about getting home at 1am - that was a bit crazy on our part!
Enjoy some highlights from our trip!

Forgotten Carols

Tonight we were able to attend the Forgotten Carols with Michael McLean.
We truly look forward to this tradition each Christmas. The script, and jokes, may stay the same, but the feeling you get while watching never grows old.
I remember years ago when Michael McLean first started putting on the Forgotten Carols. He did it in a Stake Center in Henderson. He played all the parts and sang all the songs himself. The play has changed a lot since then. I was able to be in the background choir the year Miranda was born and it was such a fun experience. We always run into friends there and I'm always amazed at how many have never seen it or even heard of it before. I can honestly say that for me, it just isn't Christmas until I've shed a tear (or ten) while "linking" with my family and singing "We can be Together Forever Someday"
And tonight I purchased two books from the store and one is a gift, so I get to Choose a sin to be removed AND my metabolism will go up 43%!
Hey, that's what Michael McLean promised so I'm holding him to it!

On Dasher, on Dancer...

...on Sophie & Gus! Sophie is killing me with her energy and chewing!I'm not sure how much longer her adorableness will save her.
I finally wrapped a couple presents and put them under the tree.... complete with tags and bows...
Well, now they are tag-less and bow-less. How long before she'll start on the packages? Well, I at least got to have a little humor at their expense!
Darn, too late to put them on my Christmas Cards too.

Happy Day

Miranda and Parker both received their grades today for their Cell projects they completed last week.
Parker received 100% plus an extra 5 points Extra Credit plus he won the vote for "Most Scientific" earning him another 5 points for a total of 110%!
He brought home his project (yippee) and had the grade sheet with it, but dropped it at school so I guess we'll just have to trust him that it is true.

Miranda came home without her project and said the teacher put post-its in each booklet with comments and grade on it...
Here is her post-it...Miranda gladly let him keep it because she never wanted to see it again!
(Luckily I took a few pictures for keepsake)
Miranda has another Powerpoint project she's working on that is due Friday (darn teachers)

I keep telling my kids that they should try harder in school.
These grades are barely acceptable, but I won't ground them ... this time, because it's Christmas ;)

My BFF

Let me introduce you to my new Best Friend... LASKO.He entered my life last week while the downstairs heater was broken.... why didn't he come sooner?!!
He's very quiet and just loves to hang out with me.... He is very entertaining and will turn back and forth over and over spreading his warmth everywhere. I can even be across the room and he will turn on his charm.
Parker is also becoming fond of Lasko, and tries to keep him to himself, but Lasko will always be true and loyal to me first!
Thanks Lasko for making my home a much warmer, cozier place to be!

Two Words...

Parker's Birthday!
Greatest Day
Exciting news
Teacher Invitation
Jazz Band!!!

Outback Steakhouse
Cheese Fries!

Twelve Years!
Young Mens!

Growing Up!
Too Fast!
LOVE YOU!!!

Believe

The theme for our ward Christmas Party this year was based on the story Polar Express.
The activity committee did a fabulous job (as always) of decorating and creating a wonderful atmosphere. Since our ward split a couple weeks ago, this was to be the last time ALL the "old" Elk Ridge Ward was together.

To follow along with the theme of the night, they asked Parker to play his saxophone and act as a street musician outside a train station. At first he wasn't sure if he was up to doing it, but once Miranda promised to sit with him, he agreed. They both dressed up in their newsie hats and sat at the entrance to the gym. They both got into their role well.. I even sacrificed a pair of my walking gloves for Miranda to look the partIt was fun to sit and watch the ward members walk in and see and hear Parker playing. A lot of them stood and listened for a minute before walking in.
Here's a little snippit of Parker playing (remember to pause the playlist on the sidebar)

Bradley from our ward, joined in with his violin. The violin and saxophone don't really go together too well, so they took turns playing songs. Once the dinner had started, Parker was able to leave his post and enjoy the food and program.
Our ward has started a Brass band and they performed a few songs at the beginning of the show. They sounded really good. They have gone around performing at various old folks homes and shelters for Christmas. They even invited Parker (and Ryan) to join in January.

As I mentioned before, the night was based on Polar Express. So the play was about a young boy who boarded the "Elk Ridge Express" and traveled to the past to the first Christmas.
They had various kids and ward members involved. But the show stopper was the three Wise Men. Such regal, handsome men... our Bishopric.
Ryan was such a good sport and went with the flow... costume and all!
Since I'm not on the committee, I was able to relax, and sit with my family and enjoy the evening. I am so grateful for this wonderful time of the year when we are reminded of the things that matter the most!

Decking the Halls

I hate to admit it, but I'm a little behind with my Christmas decorating this year.
(I know, I know... the world just may come to an end)
I had good intentions... Ryan even got the decorations out of storage the Saturday after Thanksgiving. But with company in town, Parker's birthday party, and just being busy I just couldn't get to it all.
The Advent Calendar was the first decoration to go up on December 3rd, a bit late, but the kids didn't mind too much and quickly caught up. We did get the outdoor lights done early also (mostly because I knew a cold front was coming in and I didn't want to put them up in the cold). The kids even decorated their little "kids tree" with all their homemade ornaments and annual ornaments.
I managed to hang stair garland a couple days after that, And I hung the Stockings & set up the mantel decor, I've done a few table decorations and even part of the Nativity (I packed the barn somewhere good last year so I would remember where it was.. hummmm).

Finally I managed to put up the tree last Saturday and replaced a few burned out strands of lights on Sunday.
So now here it sits... undecorated
The funny thing is, it really hasn't stressed me much that everything isn't up and decorated right away. It's been quite nice waiting for just the right moment to put up each part of our decorations.

Today the kids and I had a few hours to kill before the ward party (more on that later) so we decided to put up the village. (I was kind of glad because the boxes were starting to bug me sitting in the living room)
I let the kids handle all of the set up this year ( I had to do the boring lighting part later)
They had lots of fun and I really enjoyed watching them work together to decide where everything would go. (I even found the Nativity Barn in with the village stuff yeah!)When they were all finished, they said to me...
"Now mom, you can't rearrange anything we have done... promise?"
I promised that I would leave it just as they left it...(really... I did)
Come to find out... this picture shows why they didn't want me to touch anythingApparently accidents happen in tiny perfect snow villages too.
They did such a wonderful job I just might hire them to put it up again next year!
With the next phase of decorating completed, there's just one final decorating task to tackle...
the Tree...
For any of you who have seen my trees before, you know how elaborate and decorated I like my tree. (that's why the kids get their own tree upstairs).

But as I look at my tree all lit up and glowing, with no fancy ornaments or bows... It's still beautiful and has a great presence in the room.
I'm not too worried about getting it decorated. It will happen eventually... or maybe not. I'm just enjoying the process this year. I'm busy, but in a good way. I've been able to spend time with my family and enjoy the Christmas season. I'm not overcome with commitments or "to do" lists. Which is how it should be. If we get it decorated, great, but if not, Christmas will still come and be just as wonderful (if not more so) than before.

Merry Melodies

Thursday was Parker's first band Christmas concert. He was so excited to still be in 1st chair position for his first concert. He made sure we arrived on time for him to get into position. ( He sure looked snazzy in his band uniform too)It was certainly a full house with over 300 students in the 3 bands and without realizing it I had one of the worst seats to see Parker.... This was our view of him... (He's the head just to the right of the Santa Hat)
I did sneak into the very front and recorded his favorite song they played called Voo Doo Dance.
(again, the music book next to him kept flipping open and the camera guy kept getting in my way... but you get the idea) (be sure to pause my playlist music so you can hear it)

We are so proud of all he has accomplished with learning and playing Saxophone.
He's super excited for the songs they are learning for the spring concert... I can't wait!

This Wonderful Time of Year

No... I'm not talking about Christmas....
I'm talking about the season for school projects.
I swear that teachers plan it that way. They plot and ploy a way to have a big project due during the busiest time of year.

Both Miranda and Parker had one....
Miranda has been working on hers for over a month. It's a hand-written, hand-drawn book about Cells.
Each page (32 in all) is artfully drawn by Miranda herself (no copying either)
Here is some of my favorites....

Miranda groaned that I was taking pictures of her book, but I just reminded her that at least I didn't ask her to be in them :)
I'm always amazed at the art talent she has even if it is just for a school project about cells.
It is due tomorrow and she finished it just in time to enjoy Mutual tonight without stress!

Parker's project was also about Cells...
He chose to make a project on Animal Cells... it had to be 3D and no bigger than a foot square.
He came home last week and explained what he had in mind for his project...
Ummm... ok...sure.... tell me again what you want to do...

We hit Michaels for a few supplies and after a trip to storage to dig out the band saw
... and one night cutting and one night painting...
voila... his idea came to life...
Parker's 3D model of an animal cell.. on a pedestal
The cell has a hinge on the back and opens to reveal the insideThe card on the bottom has a diagram pointing to and definition of each part of the cell.
Here is a close-up of the inside that he painted all by himself (again.. I promise I did not help)
Parker turned in his project today. He doesn't know what grade he has yet, but the teacher did comment that it was very creative.

Aaaaaahhhh... now that those projects are out of the way I think we can relax and enjoy the holidays. I must admit, it is nice that the kids are getting old enough to truly complete their projects without much help from us. (ok, it's also a little sad that they are growing up so fast).

A dogs life

Sophie is growing up and starting to find her place in our daily routines.

She has decided that sleeping with Parker on his bed is much better than sleeping on her own bed on the floor in my room... (however, she slips into our room around 4am each morning just so we don't feel left out)
She usually knows that 5:45 each weekday morning is walk time and waits by the door to leave...
Except lately she's been sleeping in (wonder who she gets that from?)

She waits her turn while Gus gets his treat to go outside then runs into her kennel for her own treat. She actually likes her kennel and can be found sleeping in there during the day with the door open... Awwwww...She loves any opportunity she gets to go on a ride with us.
She assumes her position by the window as soon as possible.

She is always excited when we come home and greets you with a big hug and kisses
Yes, Sophie is finding her place in our family... but I still think a little obedience school is in order... just to keep all our sanity (and shoes) in tact!