The Wedding

Tom's youngest brother got married yesterday to the love of his life - Alyson.  I'm so excited to get Alyson as a SIL - and to see Sam so happy.  The big event was at the Salt Lake Temple.  The high yesterday was 60* - on December 30th.  I kid you not.  It was such a nice day for a wedding.  And a perfect way to end Christmas break - all day with my cute family.  Here are some pics to document the big day.  By the way, BYU's bowl game was right smack in the middle of the wedding.  Lucky for Tom and his dad, they had an iphone - as documented by the next to the last picture.:)  (BYU won.)

Merry Air Soft Christmas

Apparently my boys like to find opportunities to legally shoot each other.  And from the looks of other boys I've seen running around the fields close by, air soft wars are quite popular.  In other words, my boys are not alone in their quest to shoot each other.  That thrill is followed by the exciting follow up activity- comparing battle wounds in the form of mini welts.  I don't get it.

We Actually Pulled it Off

We really pulled off a Christmas Eve Nativity reenactment without too much craziness (except Jake dancing whenever he got the chance).  We had a script where Garrett was the narrator, Scotty was Joseph, Ben was the angel Gabriel/shepherd, Jake was an angel and Avery was Mary (like there was any doubt).  They did their parts well and helped each other through and made me smile the whole time. I love those kids.

We had Tom's parents and his youngest brother with his fiancee for dinner and so forth.  It was a great night with wonderful company.  Now it's time for more wrapping - even after hours of wrapping yesterday.  4 more presents to go.  Just 4.  Then off to sleep so that Santa can come visit and leave his goodies.  I'm ready for a long winter's nap after staying up all night last night.  Seriously, all night long.  Just a nap from 7-9 this morning.  

If I don't post tomorrow - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas Break

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Christmas break.  Today is FINALLY Christmas Eve.  I'm listening to my favorite Christmas music and packing it all in for the grand finale tomorrow.  Presents are 90% wrapped, jello is gelling, Christmas Eve chicken tacos are crock potting, kids are playing nicely (for the most part) and I'm enjoying a nice, quiet break away from the craziness of school.  More to come after I document the fun times over the next day or so.  Until then - Merry Christmas Eve.

Moments

I loved today.  Okay, I loved today after our family's dentist visit where we learned that Scotty needs braces ASAP - and Ben's due for them finally.  Sigh.

But after all that I loved today.  We went to the mall so the littles could sit on Santa's lap.  Those little guys make it magical for the rest of us.  Then we came home and out of the cold to sit and relax and be happy.  The kids kept the fighting to a minimum and the peace to a maximum.  Then the boys went to the BYU basketball game with Tom - leaving Avery for me.  We decided to make sugar free fudge (didn't turn out as well as it sounds).  This required a trip to the store.  In the parking lot I was struck by the moment of holding my little girl's hand.  It was so little and soft - and fit so perfectly in my bigger hand.  I tried to burn the memory of that feeling into my head.  But with my memory, it's probably best that I back it up with my blog.:)

When we finished the fudge we (I) decided to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" - one of my favorite Christmas movies.  The whole time Avery chatted away, "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."  She kept asking "where are the brothers?"  I was starting to get annoyed until she held my hand again and I realized that the movie wasn't what made Christmas what it was - it was the moments.  So, I decided to cherish those moments.

At the end of the movie she asked about the brothers one more time.  A little exasperated, I told her again that they were at the basketball game.  She said, "Not those brothers, HER brothers," referring to the little girl in the movie.  I love that she just assumed that every little girl had a bunch of big brothers to love her.

Anyway, my baby is 3 1/2.  I've never had one that big without holding another baby.  While it's time to move on, it still kind of hurts to think that I'll never have another baby of my own.  These are the last little hands that I'll hold while keeping a little child safe crossing a street.  I have loved being a mom of little kids (most of the time).  And I'm loving being a mom of older kids, too.  It's fun to see them morph into real people.  It's like Alan Jackson says in his song "Remember When" - "We won't be sad, we'll be glad, for all the love we had.  Remember when."

First Day of Christmas Break

It was a COLD, dreary, almost snowy (but not quite) kind of day.  The perfect nothing day.  And besides a quick trip to the store for some candy for gingerbread houses, it was a nothing kind of day.  Scotty found a nook in between the stairs and a couch to pile with pillows and read Battle of the Books books.  Then there was ipod playing, Nerf basketball tournaments in the basement, arguing, wrestling, and eventually going to Tom's school to let off some steam in the gym.  I stayed home and cut out and glue gunned the graham cracker gingerbread houses for our evening festivities.  We had some great friends over for Family Home Evening and decorating.  It was tons of fun.  Now it's 10:15ish and I'm ready for a long winter's nap - so I can gear up for the whole family going to the dentist in the morning.  Joy.  Sigh.

ps- Take a look at Garrett's house.  He's so proud of it because it's so "organized".  For those of you who know him, you may be taken aback by this. I kind of am.He's my one in the past who would glob on some frosting, throw on some candies and call it good.  And while the younger kids did that this year, he didn't.  He painstakingly placed each candy where he wanted it.  You think you know a kid. . .

Makin' a List and Checkin' It Twice

No pics on this post.  But, you know how you have moments with your kids that make you fall in love with them even more?  And some of those moments are inconsequential to anyone else?  I just had that with my Jakers.
Tonight was scouts for everyone except the 2 littles.  I had to get to the store so I decided to take them instead of waiting for Tom to come home and going later.  I usually like that because I don't really love taking kids to the store.  But, I digress.  While I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner I decided to do an exercise Jake's teacher suggested.  I had him make my list.  I told him what I needed and he wrote out the list as carefully as could be.  He used his best handwriting and tried out his best spelling.  Notice I said "tried".  When it was time to leave I couldn't find the list.  When I asked Jake he showed me he had folded it up in his jacket pocket so we wouldn't forget.  Then, at the store, he totally took charge and made sure I had everything on the list.  He was so conscientious and thorough.
I've teased that Jake has an OCD personality.  He wants things done right and hates making mistakes.  They kind of crush him.  He also hates seeing others make mistakes - as manifest by his watching my speedometer like a hawk.:)  So, tonight when he took ownership in the shopping trip and made sure that I wouldn't forget anything on his watch, it made me just love that little guy more.  He just makes me smile.  And he made the shopping trip so much fun.  At least more fun than I thought it would be.

The Nutcracker

Today I did something I haven't done in years - I went on a field trip with one of my kids.  Shame on me for not going on a field trip since Ben was in 1st grade.  But, I've been involved.  I've done PTA and helped in classrooms.  Heck, I'm even PTA president this year.  So, I don't neglect.  I've just had small kids for so long, it's been hard to get away.  

Today was nice because my neighbor is Scotty's class' room mom - so she was happy to watch Ave while I went.  We had a great time.  Scotty still likes me so he wanted to sit by me and hold my hand.  I ate up every second with that little guy. 

Quote of the day from Scotty: "Mom, that guy's tights are really tight."  I know, buddy.  I know.  And even though I adore the ballet and especially love the Nutcracker, I don't know if I'll ever get used to tights on men.

So Grainy I Don't Have to Blur the Other Kids' Faces

Avery had her first "performance" in dance today.  I got this off my cell phone camera since I spaced any other cameras.  She's the grainy one in the middle. And I only got 40 seconds.  Still, so cute.  The showed us what they'd been learning this semester. It was so cute to see her gallop and skip.  I remember my teachers in preschool and kindergarten trying to teach us how to skip.  At 3 she already has it.  I guess she can skip straight to college now. :)

My Mama Was Here

Pay no attention to the quality of the photos.  That sun sure is bright.:)  Instead, be happy for me that I was able to see my mom.  That's twice in 4 months.  We had such a great time shopping, eating,   chillaxin' and blabbering.  I feel so blessed that even though we live far apart, we're able to maintain a close relationship.  With all the technology available now, it's amazing how easy it is to keep up.  Love you, Mom.

ps- Look, Susie.  You always get the pictures of them while I'm far away wishing I could be in on the fun.  Now, you were far away - but we were wishing YOU could be in on the fun.;)

Isn't this picture beautiful of her?

They say we look alike.  I'm not so sure - but I'll take it.

Avery fell in love with her.  My mom would knit (how grandma is that?) during down time.  Avery would nestle in next to her - just to be close.

La Posada 2011

Tonight was this year's Spanish Immersion program's "La Posada" production.  And, being the super sized family that we are, we had 3 kids in the program.  Jake, Scotty and Garrett.  This is the 5th year of Spanish programs so we pretty much know which songs will be sung.  But it's still fun.  6th grade is featured with the "La Posada" skit.  And my sweet Garrett tried out and got the 2 lined solo playing the new star.  He did great.  We only got a little bit on video since it snuck up on us.  But it's enough to see him shine.  Get it - shine - like a star?  I crack myself up.  If you watch the almost 5 minute video I'm trying to link to youtube, notice the time during a song he just lounges back with his hands behind his head.  He's so relaxed and easy going.  Then notice during Feliz Navidad how he flirts with the crowd.  I love that kid.
Scotty was really nervous about this one.  He said his class hadn't practiced enough.  I think it's just his personality to worry.  He didn't crack a smile once until the end during Feliz Navidad.  He's so conscientious.  When they were getting dressed he came down with a tie on.  Tom told him he didn't have to wear it but he said he wanted to.  And he looked great.  He did well, too.  Just watching him makes me smile.
Jake was just happy to be invited to the party.:)  He's really conscientious too - but these things don't phase him as much as they do Scott.  He was just there to have a good time.  I was proud to watch my littlest guy keep up.  His sweet friend next to him put her whole heart into it.  He just did what he had to do.  Playing it cool - Jake style.
Scroll to the bottom for the link to watch the video - you know, if you want to watch almost 5 minutes of somebody else's kids.:)

So, HERE's the video.  Hope it works.  And if you wonder why the pictures are fuzzy or far away - bad lighting, Timbuktu seating and lots of people in front of me.

"A" Grandparents

When it looked like a sure thing that we were going to stay up here in Antarctica (aka Utah) my mom was sad because she was sure that her grandkids wouldn't have as close of a relationship with her as they would Tom's parents.  That's a valid concern if you think about it.  She didn't want to minimize my kids' relationship with my in-laws - she just wanted to share in it.  So, instead of sitting idly by hoping my kids would know them, my parents have worked hard at keeping up a relationship with them.  My mom's even hopping a plane in a couple days to spend the weekend with us.  The result?  My kids love each set of grandparents equally - but differently.  Tom's parents are more of a constant.  They are comfortable and easy because they see them fairly frequently.  They see my parents as jam packed love and fun.  My mom is all hugs and treats and smiles and my dad is hugs and teasing (pretty much the same relationship I had with him as a kid).  

So, this is something Jake made for my parents today.  He got the glitteriest puff paint he could find and painted a picture of my parents hugging him under the sun.  As he was doing it he started reminiscing about the times he's spent with them.   "Hey Scott, wemembo how Gwandad kicks us a lot?  Gwandad's funny."  Deep thoughts from the 6 year old.  So, Mom and Dad - they know you and love you.  Mission accomplished.