December's activities

December has been a busy month with the kids school productions and concerts.  To start out, Tyler recieved his Life.  We are very proud of him and are eager to get going on his Eagle project.  (although we need to come up with one first.  Any suggestions?!)  James Mikkelsen is the Scout Master.

Ashley had her orchestra concert at the Kent Concert Hall at Utah State University.  The concert included all of the valley's elementary schools.  I was amazed at the number of people and the kids did a great job.  We are very proud of her.

Ashley and Kaylynn were involved with the Opera Club, an after school program.  There were 25 children in the group and they sang, danced and laughed.  My girls were the elfs.  Santa wanted to retire and the hunt was on for a replacement.  At the end Santa and Mrs. Clause decided they didn't want to retire, but needed help and invited everyone to help.  The girls really had a lot of fun, and we all know the songs by heart, since we heard them so much at home.  Kaylynn loves to sing!  Unfortunately, Tyler had his band and jazz concert the same night as the Opera.  Allen went to the afternoon show of the Opera and then to Tyler's concert at night.  I wish things didn't happen on the same nights.

While we were in Salt Lake for the week-end, we went to Lehi to visit my brother, Jason and his family.  They had a new baby a month ago and she is precious- Katelyn Rose.  I never heard her cry the whole time we were there.  Ashley loved to hold her.  I am looking forward to spending some more time with them over the Christmas holiday.

Joslynn's Birthday!

We aren't the best singers, but Joslynn didn't care.  The girls wanted to make oreo cookies for Joslynn's birthday, instead of a cake.  We made peppermint cream filling that was yummy!

It didn't take long for her to figure out how to rip open her presents.  She got pretty dress up shoes, a toy phone and some pet shop animals.

Joslynn is a handful these days.  She is full of MISCHIEF!!  She loves to undress and wear several pairs of Alyssa's panties around the house.  I dress her multiple times during one day.  She has even figured out how to get out of overalls.  She loves to climb on Alyssa's dresser and I only pray she doesn't fall.  She loves to play with the dirt in my potted tree and throw it all over the carpet.  Some days the only time she is not in trouble is when she is asleep.  Some days the best part is seeing her quiet, sleeping in her bed and a silent prayer is said that I'll love her the next day, despite what she might and probably will destroy.  I do love her, but hope she out grows this stage soon!!

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Absolutely AMAZING!!  We went to Music and the Spoken Word at the Conference Center Sunday morning and it was wonderful.  The choir had spent the last three nights preforming their Christmas program and after the Spoken Word they preformed a mini concert for the crowd.  It was beautiful.  I don't think anything is as beautiful or invites the spirit as much as the choir singing songs about our Savior.  It was very touching. I am so excited for this Christmas season and the time to reflect and think about my Savior.  I love the new movie the church has about Christ's birth, "A Gift to the World"  (http://www.lds.org/ click on bible videos).  I love the Savior and am grateful for the blessings and miracles that he has preformed in my personal life.  I want my children to develop a testimony and love of Him and know they will be wonderful people if they do.  As I read about Christ, I will become more like Him and will recognize Him when He comes again.  What a marvelous time that will be!!
After the program was finished, Allen, Ashley, Kaylynn and I walked around Temple Square, saw the manger scene, looked at lights and then went to church with Allen's Dad.  Tyler stayed at Grandpa Dawes' home and watched the two younger girls.  On our way back home we drove through Salt Lake again so all the kiddos could see the lights.  It was cold and none of the kids wanted to get out of the car, which was fine with Allen and I.

The Conference Center is an amazing place.  The girls loved this tree and the large snowflakes on them.  It was beautiful, along with everything else the Church does.

Lunch Laughs!

Joslynn loves to make animal noices.  We go through a bunch of animal sounds and pictures and laugh at her sounds.  The other day during lunch Allen was home and he loves to get her to growl like a cougar.  Alyssa and Anna just egged her on. 

We tried to get pictures of the children in front of the Christmas tree and it turned out to be quite the ordeal.  In the morning, when Joslynn is the most cooperative, Tyler had already left for church.  We tried to do it after church, but Joslynn was READY for a nap.  After her nap, she was still pretty uncooperative.  We had some laughs and we were finally able to get a decent picture.

A Bunch of Rednecks!!!

This is Allen's way of hanging Christmas lights!!  We are both afraid of lights, and don't own a ladder, so we had to come up with a different way to hang lights.  We have had lights for several years, but this is the first year actually having them on the house.  Allen's brother was here for Thanksgiving and help with the project.

We spent Thanksgiving day with Allen's brother Doug and his family in Preston, ID.  After dinner the kids all wanted to go out and play in the snow.  Most of the adults were sleeping, so I followed along with the kids.  The sun was setting and it got REAL cold when it was set.  The kids all wanted to stay out and finally had to be told it was time to go inside.

Ashley and Whitney