December dabbles

Ward Christmas Party

Sophie was Mary for the nativity.  It was total neputism! j/k  Seriously though, I was the brand new Primary president when I found out I was in charge of the program at the last minute and it was easier to just have Sophie do it then ask someone else.   Oh and I asked Dan to play his viola too.  He played the most beautiful arrangement of How Great Thou Art and The First Noel, I wish I had recorded it.

  

Sophie was over the moon excited to see Santa!  Tessa would rather stack princesses. She’s never sat on Santa’s lap since she’s had a choice.

 

Jacob could have done without it, but Dan wanted the funny photo.

 

Jacob brushing his teeth

I walked into the bathroom to see this adorable sight one night and I had to just RUN for the camera.  He wants to be big so badly!

    

New Christmas Traditions

The candle was a gift from the Relief Soceity, it had 25 lines drawn on it and starting on Dec 1st every night we turned off all the lights in the house and while the candle burned down to the next line we read Christmas stories, scriptures, made shadow puppets, or just talked.  It was a really fun and memorable tradition that I want to do again.

 

We were given another fun idea to do a Christmas Express.  I made some Polar Express tickets and placed them on the girls’ pillows so when they went to climb in bed for the night they found them.  They came running out to show us!

 

Then we got to tell them that we were going to ride the Christmas Express!  And it was waiting in the garage!  I had made treat bags for them which were waiting on their seats, and hot chocolate in their cup holders.  Then we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. 

 

We found a handful of really decked out houses…

   

It was a lot of fun and they’ve talked about it quite a lot since!

Couple bonus photos from our photo shoot

 

Still to come from December: Tessa’s birthday and Christmas.

Quincy Family Reunion 2012 (part 4)

The last day of the reunion we headed down to the lake in the morning after checking out of the condos.

   

James skiing.  He’s a great skier but my favorite are his crazy facial expressions!

 

I didn’t ski as much as I tried to get up a bunch of times… I used to be able to ski!  It was fun to try anyway.

  

Jacob tried to snack the whole time, if it wasn’t food, it was the sand.

 

It got really windy and so we bailed out, cute Elliott got in a nap with her mom shielding her from the sand.

  

My girls sure love the beach!

Thanks for a wonderful reunion everyone, we sure love you guys!  Can’t wait for next year!!

Quincy Reunion 2012

9.1.12 The early arrivers.  Jenny was there with her kids when we got to my mom’s house, we would meet the rest of the family at the condo the next day.
Meet handsome Dean, he loves to figure out how things work.
 
Meet Jane, she’s my sister Jenny’s mini-me!  It’s uncanny.  She not only looks like her, but does she ever love her mommy!
 
Oh and you know this one. :) Sophie went to town on the trampoline for… seems like over an hour.  She was so worn out she fell asleep at the table waiting for her dinner.
  
9.2.12
Tessa helped Jane get ready for church by brushing her hair, so cute!  We went up to the condo after church, the cousins were so excited to be together.  They all ended up on one of the beds jumping.
   
Meet Elliott, she’s such a busy little girl!  She takes a bit to warm up to you, she knows and loves her grandparents though.  Oh and Elliott LOVES elmo, seriously.
    
Meet Sydney, she’s passionate and strong willed (just like Sophie!) she loves princesses and puzzles.
 
Meet Logan, what an adorable little chunk!  He’s easy going, luscious, and chubby.
  
Meet Jamison, he is such a happy energetic kid!  This boy is way ahead with his gross motor skills.
 
 
Moms on the couch.
 
My wonderful mother prepared a family home evening lesson for us.
   
She even made them shirts to help them remember the lesson about the “Be’s” (from President Hinkley, be grateful, be humble, be honest, etc.) 
 
Then we attempted a cousin photo! Yeah, it’s not easy to pull off with so many young ones.  I think it will be easier once we have some more 5 year olds to help.
 
I like these ones where Josh snuck in the side.  Poor little Logan was getting grabbed by Jacob in the face!
  
Then the guys played some Smash Brothers before bed.
  
Man I took a lot of photos!  And there’s plenty more were that came from.  In a nut shell we were all happy to be together, we were just missing Joni at this point, but don’t worry, she’ll come later. ;)