Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam!!

Ryder is officially a Sunbeam in Jr. Primary. He isn't the youngest or the smallest, but close. We have talked all week about him going to big primary. So much for preparing him. He didn't want to go or stay. The teachers were running late and the presidency were helping children find their classes. I sat down with the sunbeams and waited. Primary started and as I looked down the row of kids there were 7 kids and 5 adults. I handed Ryder over to his teacher Sis. Schembeck and walked out. He did great and stayed. We asked him what he did in his new class? Ate crackers, colored, and got a drink.

Ryder + Dad's foot.

Rylee...CTR 8, Reganne... CTR 6, Ryder...Sunbeams

Ryder refused to poise for any pictures today. Dave finally held him down with his foot and quickly snapped one. The girls just had to get into the picture.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow

The past couple of weeks we have had the craziest weather imaginable. Rain, floods, fog, wind, sun, snow, and ice. It's hard to imagine this much weather crammed into the last two weeks of the year, but it did. Thursday morning we woke up to a fine dusting of the white stuff. It looked to pretty looking out the window. However, the kids wanted to go out an touch and play in it. We opened the door and quickly discovered that it was better left outside. It was so cold and the wind was blowing. I snapped these pictures and we quickly closed the door. The snow turned to ice and has remained all week in some spots.

Back deck

The backyard

So much for Sunny St George.....Maybe this week will be warmer.

Christmas Infestation

We were infested with rodents for Christmas. I should say the mechanical type Zhu Zhu Pets. The kids have played with Rylee's all year that she got for her birthday. Santa was so kind to bring three additional ones. Ryder, Stinker, and Kingston joined our family. As they ran around my kitchen and under my feet. I was very thankful that they were not real.

Ryder, Ryder, Rylee, Kingston, Nugget, Reganne, and Stinker

3 Kids + 4 Zhu Zhu Pets = laughter, giggles, and just plain craziness.

Thanks Santa!!!

One Last Christmas Post

I found these pictures on my camera that I completely forgot about. I love nativity sets and we currently have 4 in various sizes, colors, and shapes. The one thing that always remains the same is the figures and of course the Baby Jesus. This year as I started decorating the house and opened the container with them all inside. Ryder was quickly by my side and full of questions. He looked at each piece and wanted to know who it was. We finally came to the baby and he quickly knew it was a baby. He didn't know what baby it was or it's name. I talked with him about Christmas and told him the story of Baby Jesus. He was off on another task.

I always put my Navitiy sets on the floor in various rooms and under the Christmas Tree. This year was no different.

The fun soon began. All three kids quickly became fascinated by two of the sets. I found them in various arrangements. At one point Ryder had his matchbox cars parked at the stable. One was a pizza truck. Bringing Baby Jesus some pizza to eat. One was a worker man's car to fix the stable. It was falling apart and needed to be fixed for Baby Jesus.

One night last week I discovered Ryder had brought his blankets out and piled them on the floor. He then brought each piece over the blankets to get them warm. The next time I checked on him. I discovered all three kids playing around the two sets and telling each other parts of the story they remembered.

I loved just listening to them and knowing that the lessons we work so hard to teach are getting thru to them.

It was sad yesterday to pack them all away for the year. Again, Ryder was there to help me. He quietly watched as one by one I wrapped them up and put them back into the container. He was then off and running.

Christmas Traditions: Christmas Outfits

One tradition I have always carried on from childhood is getting new outfits for Christmas. This year I needed to make a couple of adjustments. I took the girls with me to pick out their dressed and shoes. Why you may ask? They are growing up to fast and have an opinion about everything they wear or should I say won't wear. I refuse to buy things they refuse to wear. This year the decided on matching dresses with green and red polka dot dresses with bright red bows. Ryder's outfit is black pants, white shirt, black tie, and yellow & black sweater vest.

Don't they look cute???

Rylee with the perfect pose.

Reganne and her favorite pose.

Ryder and his look of mischief

I am amazed they still look so cute and clean after three hours of church. I couldn't quite get them ready for pictures and make it to church before 8:30 am. Oh well they are still cute.

Next stop New Years Eve.....

Christmas Pajamas

I have always heard the stories from other about Christmas Pajamas. I have always wanted to have matching pajamas for Christmas. However, I have never been able to find them with the variety of sizes that we need and within the price range I wanted to pay. I refuse to pay $35 or more for pajamas. This year I was in luck and found these cute bottoms at Walmart. The kids are a little big and will hopefully shrink. Dave's will only probably be worn once. Mine fit before washing.

Merry Christmas !!!

This girls in pink of course. Mine matched.

Dad & Ryder in Yellow Sponge Bob.

Why Sponge Bob?? Because these were the only ones that matched in their sizes.

It was off to bed. The kids were exhausted. The adults enjoying the peace and quiet. Ryder was so over stimulated that after an hour of screaming he finally fell asleep.

2010 Merry Christmas

We were sure that this would be the year for a early morning start to Christmas. Well, can you say that 7:00 am is early. Rylee came into our bed saying she heard something. Then she whispered that Santa had come. Reganne soon followed and they quickly woke Ryder up. The excitement began...

First Stop... The stockings or rather the buckets of stuff.

Next Stop downstairs to see what Santa brought.... Razor Scooters, Race Track, and Zhu Zhu Pets.

Rylee can hardly sit still with excitement.

Ryder and his McQueen & Mater Pillowcases from Macaw. He had to sleep with them, they were his new blankets.

Reganne and her new cat. This is the only type she can with her allergies.

Last Present .... The Family Toy Hauler ..... Dave's newest toy.

The kids inside on the bench seat.

Dave & the kids have been looking at trailers for over six months. They have all begged and pleaded with me to please let them have a trailer to go camping. It's no surprise that I am not a camper and would rather stay in a hotel when going on vacation. The only time I have enjoyed camping is when we had a boat. Dave found one this past week close to home, everything his was looking for, and at the right price. Needless to say the kids are already begging to go camping.

It was a great Christmas full of family time, movies, and food that the kids wouldn't eat. Next year I need a new menu.