Christmas Eve

What would Christmas be if we didn't get it started on Christmas Eve with the opening of Christmas Pajamas?

Ready, Set......GO!!!

I'm thinking Jeff wrapped this one - he LOVES to super tape!

I think she likes them!

Cookies for Santa

Eat if you dare...

6th Grade Christmas Performance

Each year the 6th Grade at Spring Lake Elementary does a performance for the school that includes singing & dancing.  It's the first time the girls & boys have an opportunity to dance together.  Calista danced with Bridger Davis.  Basically they line the girls/boys up by height and then they match them up.

 

Christmas Stockings

Our Christmas stockings were getting a little dated and worn out.  I wish we had the money to buy super cool personalized ones...but instead we went to the Dollar Store and bought simple white stockings.  Each of us got to decorate our stocking with felt...and  whala!!  We have new colorful Christmas stockings!

Jeff's not so good cooking

Normally Jeff's steaks are FABULOUS...but he got distracted tonight.

Christmas Tree at the bank

The 4th grade classes at Spring Lake were selected to decorate the Christmas Tree at Zion's Bank.  They made the decorations and then they were invited to the bank for the BIG LIGHTING!

Singing a few Christmas carols before lighting the tree.

Hailey in front of the tree.

We are so REDNECK!!!

While we were in Idaho for Thanksgiving,  Chance's boot had a blowout.  Being the resourceful guy that Jeff is, he simply duct taped it and we were good to go.  (for another day or two at least)

Welfare Square with the Coltrins

My friend & her family was visiting from Denver, Colorado and we wanted some cheap/educational to do with the kids so we took them to Welfare Square in Salt Lake.

I had never been there before either.  It was fascinating to see/hear about all they do.  Even as a member of the church, I've heard about it but it was a totally new perspective to see it.

This board shows pics of employees that have been brought here from other countries.  They are trained and taught English and then send back home to train others there.

These are clothes that are bundled together and ready to be sent out.

An example of some of the quilts that are donated.

The LDS church has helped train doctors in 3rd wold countries how to help resuscitate newborn babies.

These are toys that are send overseas.

An example of toys & clothing that can help those in need.

Outside the Humanitarian Center
From L-R: Chance, Hailey, & Calista Wilkinson
Abby, Christian, Isabell, & Noah Coltrin

We met up with Laurie later in the day to eat dinner.
Laurie Jackson, Emily Coltrin, Cindy Wilkinson

Calista & Hailey's Piano Recital

Hailey started piano lessons this year and this was her first piano recital.  Both Calista & Hailey did an awesome job!

Calista, Hailey, Kristen Grimshaw (teacher)

Chance's Field Trip

I went with Chance on his field trip to the Scera theatre and then over to the Museum at BYU.   Earlier in the year, the 2nd grade did "Olympics" and tie-dyed shirts a different color for each class.  Chance's class ended up being pink.  (In case you're wondering why he's wearing a pink shirt.)

Chance & Ethan at the Scera Theatre

This was an amazing sculpture made entirely out of books.  So cool!!

Hanging out in the lobby

The black floor is actually tiny tiny tiny black alphabet letters.  The kids were so engrossed!

Playing in the Snow

Even as it snows they kids are claiming their part of the snow to build a fort.  haha - looks too cold for me!

Chance

Chance in the front - Hailey in the background

Playing with Chance's long hair

Maybe now Chance will want to cut his hair...Jeff put little ponytails all over his head.

Mrs. White

Calista was invited to a birthday party with a "Clue" theme.  She was invited to come as Mrs. White.  I wish I knew more about what they did because it sounds like a really fun party.

Chance's new love....

Chance's new love is FOOTBALL!!  Payson doesn't offer it for his age so we signed him up over in  Santaquin and he absolutely loved it.  It  probably helps that he is one of the oldest kids and made the first touchdown of every game!!

Chance is on the far right with the red gloves.

Here he is "tackling" another player.

And here he is running in down the field for a touchdown.

Our First Snowfall

There may not be much snow but Hailey & Chance found enough to make the Wilkinson Snowman Family.

At first I was like - that's not our family.  There's only 4 snowmen.  You have to look close to see Momma Wilkinson holding a baby.  Cute, huh.

Chance & Hailey with their snowmen.

Halloween 2011

One of my favorite holidays - Halloween!!  Don't you think it's great that you can be anything you want for ONE day and have fun with it!

Jeff's 1st scary costume

After the ward Halloween party.
Calista - Raspberry Slurpee
Hailey - Ms. Universe
Chance - Karate Kid
Cindy - India
Jeff - zombie

Do you remember when we were kids & got popcorn balls? I decided to make some this year and stuck a label on them that showed who made them so parents would know who made them.  The kids LOVED this. 

Here we are..

Reflections 2011

PTA sponsors an Art program called Reflections.  The theme this year was..Diversity means and Hailey decided to make a variety of desserts out of clay and show diversity among desserts. 

If you look close, she's got donuts, pretzels, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, suckers, ice cream sandwiches, apple pie, a 2 tiered cake, and popsicles.  It was way cute - even if it didn't win.

Another Crazy Hair Day

It's that time of year again..crazy hair day for the kids.  It's always fun to see what kids come up with.

Hailey's ponytails turned into "cupcakes"  Pink - of course!!

Chance's long hair worked perfect for a green lawn full of bugs!

Chance's 1st Pinewood Derby

 Chance just moved up into Scouts and we already get to have a Pinewood Derby. Thank goodness Jeff knew what to do because when they handed me that block of wood - I thought, "What are we going to do with this?"

It took a couple of weeks and many hours of work - but they car turned out great and placed 3rd at the Pinewood Derby.

Jeff & Chance painting the car

1st place - Bridger Hill
2nd Place - Cameron Bird 
3rd Place - Chance Wilkinson

Chance's car & Trophy

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Hailey's creative cake

Hailey went to a birthday party and they made cakes to bring home.  This is right up her alley - she loves baking, decorating, and eating cakes!!!

Hailey's cake

Gummy bears with chocolate chip hats sitting in front of gumdrop fire  (hahaha)

Pumpkin Patch

My kids INSISTED that we go to the pumpkin patch while Grandma & Grandpa Brown were still at our house...it got late and dark but we still ventured out to find some pumpkins.

Grandma & Grandpa checking out Hailey's HUGE pumpkin

Calista found her pumpkin

Hailey's HUGE pumpkin