2nd Grade Gingerbread Houses

Who can forget one for the dirtiest, noisiest, and funniest activities of 2nd Grade.  Not Reganne she was ready, waiting, and very excited to build her own house.  I arrived a few minutes before her since she was at speech.  She came up behind me and gave me a big hug.  We found an open spot and quickly got to work.  She told me that we couldn't eat the house since they used glue to keep it together.  She could at least eat the frosting and candy.

WOW!!! She had a plan and quickly got to work.

Good Team

One of a kind and cute to boot.

Her house included a tree swing, grassy area to play, and even a swimming pool for the gingerbread man to play.  It is now displayed proudly in the living room for everyone to see.  She did an awesome job!!!

A Snow Trip

Everyone has been patiently waiting for snow to arrive.  This year has taken a little longer but with rain on Saturday we were sure that snow would soon follow.  Sunday morning we learned that Cedar Canyon was closed due to poor conditions and required snow chains.  What to do, what to do?  After church we decided to take a chance and try going to Pine Valley.  Each mile traveled the more snow we saw.  Finally arriving at the ranger station and SURPRISE!!!!! SNOW!!!

Who can walk in the snow and not fall?  Not Mom of course.  I brought up the rear being to afraid to go to fast and falling on the ice (Bad Memories...Concussion, stitches, and bruises)

Snow Angels

Beautiful Scenery

Check out my hands or snowballs.

Making a snowman.

What does it taste like?

Last but not least...Snow Races.

Reganne thought she was first but she forgot she had to touch the fence.  The title goes to Shawn.  His concentration paid off.

After and hour of playing it was time to head for home.  Jump in the van, turn on the heat, and watch a movie on the way down the mountain.

Basketball Saturday Game 3

Game 3 dawned nice and rainy.  The kids all asked if there would be a game today with the rain.  I reminded them that the game was inside and therefore didn't affect the games.  The only thing it did do was make the parking lot extra full and we had to walk in the rain to the game.  What is a litter water since we don't shrink. I would be in real trouble if we did.

We saw friends from Summer Camp and Ryder had a friend from his class to play with.  Oops we sat in the wrong place under the basket.  It kept us on our toes or rather cover our heads to avoid getting hit by the ball.  This team was more aggressive than the two previous teams.  Again the taller girls threw the ball between them and over Rylee's head.  She figured it out and started jumping up to block the ball. 

Stretch for the ball.

I'm open

Score

Another Good Game.

It was a close game but we ended up on the short side.  Better luck after Christmas Break. Time to go home and get out of the crazy weather. 

Little Valley Choir Christmas Concert

It was finally time to show off all the hard work the choir has done so far in the school year.  Once again the it is so large that we have to have our special performance for families only or risk breaking fire code.  This year the time was moved up 30 minutes so it became a mad dash to get the good seats.  We were right on time and only the back seats were available.

Good news for us that even though it was hard to see it wasn't hard to hear.  They did a wonderful job filling the room with wonderful noise.

Still friends ... The same kids are sitting by each other again this year.  Rylee will always been in the front (same as me)

Look at that good looking group.

Everyone get ready...

Sing....

Christiana & Rylee

They both did a good job and are even smiling at the end.

No more early morning practices until January

Basketball Saturday Game 2

Game 2 and everyone was eager to cheer Rylee on.  However, she wasn't as excited this week.  Game time and she was warmed up and ready to play.  This week her coach was back in town and ready to start the game.

Defense

Where are your arms???

There you go.  To bad that the tall girls pass the ball over her head.  Becoming aggressive will come with more confidence. 

Good Game!!! 

This is the second win of the season.

Next week get more sleep, eat a good breakfast, and get there early to warm up.  It's fun to watch all the games going on and watching kids have fun.

Toys for Tots Car Show

Since the purchase of "Betsy or Beulah or Bertha"  Dave's pride and joy he was anxious to show it off and what better way than a car show.  Entrance Fee was a new unwrapped toy for the Marines & Toys for Tots.    The kids were also excited to have some fun in the car.

Off they went for some Christmas Fun.

Look at those smiles...

Let's pose for a car picture.

The kids came home with stories to tell, treats they won, and their favorite cars in the show.  Of course Dave was just excited that the kids had just as much fun as him.  He can't wait until the next show to show off and have fun.

Jumping Jacks Christmas

YEAH!!! a Christmas Party full of bounce houses and bounce toys ready to be jumped on.  Throw in dinner from Panda Express equals a kids dream party.  Thanks to Jumping Jacks & Panda Express for a fun time.  I let the kids loose and off they ran to play.  

WOW!! Look at them fly.

Everyone had a fun time even the kids.  Time to go to home to get ready for school tomorrow.

New Season....New Sport

A new season started on December 1st and not the holiday season.  Basketball Season at the Washington Rec Center.  Last year Rylee asked to play, but I was sure I knew best and didn't get her signed up.  This year she asked again and I this time I listened.  The nerves set in along with the second guessing. She had one question when do you dribble the ball?  Oops!! it might have been a good thing to watch a couple of games before her first one to give her an idea of what the game is all about.  Here goes..... 

Warmup

Game Time

Cheering Section

She is a quick study and quickly got into the game.

Good Game Sparks

She played really well and had fun in the process.  I overheard her talking later how much she enjoyed playing.  I am proud of her for taking a chance and learning something new.

Round 2 Dickens Festival

Friday night my cell phone rang (it never rings) it was the Dickens Festival tell us that Christiana won the coloring contest.  She won free admission for the whole family + $50 in certificates to spend at the show.  So Saturday morning after basketball we all headed back to collect her prize.

The Winner!!!

Good Job....What a great talent

Were do we start??

What a chore to send that much money?  Where do you start?  Maybe the jewelry counters.  After a couple of hours everyone was worn out and ready to be done.  Time for lunch. 

Dickens Festival

We all know that the holiday season is in full swing after Thanksgiving Dinner.  Ours is no different since the Dickens Festival is the next week.  We can't miss visiting with Father Christmas and telling him our secret wishes.  This year we did tried to mix it up a little.  Eating dinner before leaving home and then rushing to get into line.  Of course the line was almost to the doors and wiggly children.  They soon wondered off to look at the displays while I stayed in line w/my kindle.  As the wait grew so did the wiggles.  Took this picture facing away put forgot about the flash.  BUSTED!!!  No pictures said the sign and the kids began to worry that we would be kicked out.

Waiting

Who are these scary creatures?

Time for a treat

Ice cream for everyone.

Everyone was tired and ready for bed or so I thought instead the talk began about what Santa would bring them for Christmas.  Maybe it will be surprise or socks and underware.

Happy 11th Birthday

Chrisiana celebrated her 11th Birthday on the 30th.  It was time to celebrate with dinner at Chuck A Rama.  

Time to sing and have ice cream.

Time for presents... Can I help?

WOW!!! Just what I asked for.

A huge teddy bear...Where will he sleep?

Make a wish...

Everyone enjoys chocolate cake on top of the ice cream from the restaurant.

We hope that she had a good day.  We added one more celebration into this great time of year. 

Can We Decorate....

Is it time yet to decorate yet for Christmas???  This was asked multiple times over the Thanksgiving Break. Sunday was the day to start.  Out came the Upside Down Tree with all the variety of decorations.

First comes the branches...

Next comes the lights...

Finally the ornaments...

The final product

They did a really good job.

Now comes the hardest part keeping them from playing with the decorations.

Do threats work???

One Last Errand,,,,

Finally time to get those ears pierced after waiting a couple of week the day finally arrived.  The nerves of getting the haircuts done I wasn't sure I was up to taking them all to the mall to get this part done.  As we walked into the store the smiles disappeared and the double soon appeared.  I remember clearly the day I got mine done and I knew that not matter what they would follow through and get them done.

Rylee was first of course.

OUCH!!!  Even doubles hurt.

Don't squeeze that teddy so hard his head might pop off.

The cheering section.

Doubles again and look how brave she is.

After I snapped this picture the lady scolded me to stop taking pictures it was against store policy.  I smiled and stopped little did she know that I got exactly what I wanted anyway.  They didn't have much fun the first couple of days but three weeks down they are excited to change earrings.