2010 Christmas Eve

We has such bad weather this week with rain and area rivers flooding. We weren't sure how Christmas would be this year. It dawned with sunshine and warmer weather. The kids were so excited for it too finally be here there wasn't going to be any peace around our house. I told the kids that they were suffering from Christmasitis. They were all naughtier today than any other day this year.

Finally, it started to grow dark outside and our Christmas Eve Dinner of Homemade Spagetti and Meatballs, Salad, and Garlic Bread was ready. Then off to the St George Temple Visitors Center and Grounds to look at the displays and hear the Christmas Story.

The kids listening to the story and lookin at the Nativity Scene.

St George Temple

It was then home from cookies, popcorn, and "A Christmas Story" the movie

Must put out the Reindeer Food

Do Reindeer really eat glitter???

Finally, off to bed in hope that Santa soon will arrive.....

2010 Christmas Cookie Party

It was time for our annual Christmas Cookie Party for the girls friends from school and daycare. I made way too many invitations this year and had quite a few kids ask if they were invited this year. There were 10 dozen cookies, 4 tubs of frosting, multiple treats to decorate with. 18 kids showed up for the fun and no adults allowed.

The creativity of the kids as they dug into the cookies. I am not sure how many made it home with them.

Games .... Twister

Candyland

Our Friends

The mess awaites

Everyone had a great time and filled up on cookies, games, and friends. I am sure glad that I only do this once a year.

2010 Cedar City Snow Trip

Each year we try to make at least one trip to Cedar City to play in the snow. The weather has been so much colder and a lot wetter than usual in St George that we knew that Cedar City had to have a lot of snow. Well, no surprise there was nothing on the ground in town. We headed up the canyon and finally found the snow.

Hurry Dad let us out to play.

Rylee hates the cold, but loves the fun of playing in the snow.

Building a snowman...Oops we forgot his accessories.

Watch out a boy on a mission to hit Mom with the snowball.

Watch your step... too late the snowdrift was up to his waist.

Now it is Reganne's turn with the snowball.

Bundle up into blackets and turn the heat on .... It's way too cold & wet.

This place had the most awesome snow and there were people sledding. Don't forget this spot.

It looks a lot like Christmas... Ryder woke up the next morning asking to go ice skating. When we asked him why? He replied go down the hill on the snow. Oh, you mean sledding. That's what I said Mom.

It was a great afternoon. Drive for 40 minutes up, play for 30 minutes, drive home another 40 minutes, family adventure timeless.

Little Valley 4th Ward Christmas Breakfast

Saturday, December 18th at 9:00 am was the annual 4th Ward Christmas Breakfast held at our chapel on River Road. This year was no exception for having wonderful food and good entertainment. All the tables were full with crazy pajamas and laughing children.

Good food and Good Neighbors

Desert Hills Choir

Desert Hills Choir Guys performing 12 Days of Christmas

Primary Choir all singing wonderfully, Away in a Manger & Picture a Christmas.

Special Guest .... Santa Claus

The Activities Committee did another wonderful job. Everyone had a great time, if the smiles were anything to go by.

2010 Year End Karate Test

This years end of year karate test was held at the Washington Rec Center with another group of students. There were over 35 white belt students ranging from the ages of 3 to 10. Rylee was the only Blue Belt testing and Levi was the only Green Belt. They tested together for most of the levels. The White Belt Testing took over an hour to complete. Finally, it was Rylee's turn to test.

First Test ..... Do all the forms and be able to name them in Korean.

Second Test ...... Sparing

Third and Last Test .... Break a board once with your hand and then with your foot.

Last Step ..... The Board of Review

They finished the test with the results to be annouced at the next class. Her next class is on January 5th will she be a Blue / White Belt?

Third Grade Christmas Play

Little Valley Elementary's Third Grade puts on a annual Christmas Play. The kids all get to try out for various parts or participate in musical numbers. Rylee informed us that she was trying out for one of the main parts. We were a little anxious for her, but eager for her to try. Tryouts were held and she was asked back for the second round. The teachers then made them wait until the next day to find out what part they would be playing. I picked them up from school that day. Rylee came running outside and about knocked me over with her excitement. She was one of the lead elves "Sparkle". She came home with instructions for her costume and the practice schedule.

The work began. She was full of ideas for her costume and she drew them out on paper. Dave & I tried to direct her to what we thought it should be. She had her own ideas and was quick to tell us no.

The day finally arrived for the performance. The usual nerves appeared, but the excitement soon took over.

Rylee as Sparkle

Class Singing

Please, Please, PPPPPlease

Rylee and her costume

She did such a great job and remembered all her lines.

As we were sitting there watching the play. Ryder asked what was behind the garage doors. What garage doors we were in the school gym / cafeteria. Then I looked to where he was pointing and to my amazement there was garage doors or rather the rollup doors for the kitchen and where they serve lunch to the kids. We tried to explain to him they were not garage doors. No amount of talking could convince he otherwise.

Christmas 2010: Ryder

Ryder James Waters

Age 3

Favorites:

Color - Red, Pink, and Blue

Treat - Cookies and Popcorn

TV Show - Thomas the Train and Chuggington

School - Play with toys and eat

Movie - Cars

Toy - Play with cars

Vacation - Ride the airplane to Grandma's house

Friend - Cass

Dinner - Tacos, Cottage Cheese

Toy - Cars

Ryder is our busy three year old. I think the only time that he is still is when he is asleep. This is also the only time he is quiet. He loves to tease and play with his sisters. His greatest achievement this year is being potty trained before he turned three. However, he learned that he can pee outside and reminds us that he can potty outside if he wants too. He is a happy little boy full of mischief and love. He is quick to remind us that he is a big boy and not a baby. We love him and are so glad that he is part of our family.

Christmas Decorations Waters' Style

I am beginning to believe Water's Style maybe a flashback to Griswold Style. The main difference is Water's Style starts small with only the lights on the house. Then every night something else gets added. Dave comes home with treasures from work that would look great outside. Encouragement from Ryder to put it up quick Dad is all it takes for the newest addition to find a home. It has been fun to watch it take shape. Every night on our ride home from work Ryder is on the lookout for the lights. He can't wait each night for ours to light up and take shape.

Frosty the Snowman on St George Snow

The whole front yard.

Our small little forest

Pine Cone Center Piece

Dave teases me continually that my centerpieces consist of a glass vase and candy. I don't really have a problem with them because there is always a treat to enjoy. I was looking through a magazine and saw a beautiful arrangement of pinecones. I asked Dave if he could do something like it. He looked at the picture and directions and was off and running. Needless to say it is larger and alot more detailed than the picture. I LOVE IT!!!!

My only question is will it end after Christmas?

Sharai's Baby Shower

We were so surprised to receive an invitation to my younger sister Sharai's baby shower in Spanish Fork for this weekend. The girls have never been to one and were eager to go and see what it was all about. I was excited myself to see by two younger sisters and catch up with them.

Reganne and Aunt Bobbie

Venita & Jordan

Jordan & Sharai... opening baby gifts

Sharai & Venita ..... How big is she really???

The party was full of food, family, and games. Dave won the guess how big she is. Rylee won guess how many nuts were in the jar.

We loved spending time with this part of our family and look forward to the new arrivals this next year. We also hope they will keep in touch with us.

KSL Read It Now Challenge 2010

The end of September the kids in Washington County were given a three day challenge read as much as they possibly could by KSL News. Our school Little Valley Elementary gladley accepted the challenge and encouraged all the children to go online and register for the challenge. Then at the end of each day record how many minutes they had read during the day. The winner of the challenge would receive a visit from Chopper 5 and Nadine Wimmer. The high readers would receive extra prizes. Those three days I don't believe Rylee did anything else but read. She logged over 200 minutes. Reganne logged about 100 minutes.

The October came and went without any update or visit. Then November the same thing. Finally, this past Thursday we received a note from the principal Mr Stephensen that Friday was the day. Little Valley Elementary & Riverside Elementary were going to receive the special visit. Friday morning everyone was so excited and started to arrive at 10:10 am the appointed time. However, due to bad weather in Salt Lake City they were running behind and wouldn't be there until 11:30. Back into our cars and off to lunch we went. When everyone gathered again at 11:15 am the excitement could be felt in the air along with the sound of a helicopter.

Here comes Chopper 5

Chopper 5 landing on the ball field.

Little Valley Elementary Kids eagerly watching it land.

Allie, Cheyanna, and Reganne...In the Visitor's Section...They are all in the same class.

Good Job Little Valley Lions and they were off to Riverside Elementary.

The kids received books, stickers, and cookies. What a wonderful encentive to read. They also loved watching themselves that night on the news. Rylee & Reganne fell asleep before, so we recorded it for them to watch.

Christmas 2010: Reganne

Reganne Kylee Waters

Age 6

My Favorite's:

Color - Pink

Dessert - Chocolate Ice Cream

Book - Polar Express

TV Show - Perils of Penelope

Movie - Polar Express

School Subject - Speech

Hobbies - Soccer, Singing, Dancing

Vacation - Lagoon & Hogel Zoo

Best Friend - Robin

Dinner - Subway

Toy - Horse

Reganne has really grown up this year. She is a very busy child who loves to learn and try new things. She loves going to Kindergarten each day with her friends and is very protective of them. She can always be found singing, talking, twirling, or teasing. I believe that the only time she is sits still is when she is asleep. She is very caring and has a tender heart for anyone or anything that is hurt or not feeling well. Sometimes she is a little to caring and smothers them with a little too much love. We love her and wouldn't change her for the world.

Christmas Favorite: Polar Express

Polar Express is Reganne's favorite Christmas Movie to watch, favorite Christmas CD to listen too. When Barnes & Noble annouced that they were having a special story time and pajama party for the Polar Express. We knew we had to go. All week Reganne talked about going to the pajama party. It was great fun, reading the story, making the project, and eating the cookies & hot chocolate. This may become a new family tradition.

Rylee & Reganne in their pajamas

Rylee found a new book that she liked.

Yum cookies and hot chocolate

Yummy treats and making projects the best way to end the week.