Christmas Morning 2012

We usually have some kind of booby-trap or something for the kids every year but this year Santa took a break or maybe it was because the kids forgot to leave out some cookies.

Christmas Eve 2012

I love going home to my Mom and Dad's house at Christmas time. It is full of the sights and sounds that come with this holiday season.

This is one of the things I look forward to the most that my Mom puts together every year...our storybook baskets.

The traditional reading of the book that Grandma picked for our baskets.

Grandma got to emotional so Braeden had to finish reading..

Izzy decked out in her Christmas attire

Peyton has us all wrapped around her tiny, little fingers

Joshua, Shane, and my sister, Becka

Cousin love...Heather, Kate, Peyton, and Sophie

Opening gifts from Grandma and Grandpa

Shane and Braeden are almost exactly 1 month apart..twinners

More cousin love...Braeden, Megan, and Shane

Santa Clause came late Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning sometime and left this note for the Jones/Wallace cousins:

Are we in OK?

On the way to Missouri we spend a large majority of our traveling time in Oklahoma. Probably about 4 1/2 of the 6 hours. Anyway, on our most recent trip Joshua asked,

"Are we in Oklahoma? I replied with mmmhmmm. His response, "I can tell. It smells bad." -12/23/12

puppy love

This is what happens when you aren't feeling well and you have a puppy that loves you sooooooo much.

backpack at breakfast

The other morning Joshua sat down to the table for breakfast before school with his backpack already on. I asked him if he was super excited to get to school. His answer was, "No, I'm just to lazy to take it off."

very first band concert

Joshua had his very first band concert ever. He is in percussion. They started learning the snare drum and now have moved on to the bells.(looks like a xylophone to me)

It was almost impossible to get any decent pictures so this one and only will have to do.

Leiandie's wedding

Cary and I were honored to be invited to Leiandie's wedding. Cary taught her in seminary and I was one of her Young Women leaders for years.  We are so proud of her and love her so much!

12/12/12

Just wanted to post the date...:) Next time that happens I'll be dead.

what's been goin' on

We decided Kate's room needed a makeover so we have been busy working away trying to make a few changes. She chose to paint over the lavender in her room to a very bright turquoise. I was worried about the color at first, but it has turned out very cute. Her new bedding is black and white. We have also repainted some of the white furniture black as well. I covered her old lamp with two different print ribbons and it turned out super cute. We still have work to do but it is coming along and she is very happy with the results.

Recently we had some friends over for dinner. I noticed that all three of our boys were so consumed with electronics. Each of them had their nose either in a phone or laptop or iPod or something. Anyway, I made some kind of comment like, "our kids are way to consumed with technology"....and from the other room I hear Adria say, "We aren't. We are old-schoolin' it". She and Kate were in the kitchen reading, writing, and drawing pictures. Definitely old-school...

The Beehives came over last Wednesday night to put together cookie plates and deliver them to several families in the ward. We sang Christmas Carols as we waited for the families to come to their door. It was a super fun activity.

St. Nick made a stop at our house. This is a tradition that I grew up with having lived in Germany for many years when I was younger. Every year on the night of December 5th the kids put their shoes out. If they have been good during the year a small treat will be left for them...if they've been naughty some coal or switches will be left behind. Somebody forgot to put his shoe out this year....he's lucky I've got connections. :)

12

Joshua is now 12. How did that happen?  Time is slipping by way to quickly and my kids will not stop growing up.

We started out celebrating with a date to Baskin Robbins on Friday night. Just me and him.  I love this boy so much.  He makes me smile and there is never a dull moment when he is around.

Taking him to get ice cream reminded me of this picture that I took of him years ago.  He still tends to eat this exact same way. I love that cute little face.

Saturday night we opened presents then went out for a celebration dinner to a place of his choice.

It has been a tradition now for the last few years that Joshua receives the latest Wimpy Kid book. He reads them in a matter of hours.

Joshua has wanted a fedora for quite a while now. Braeden found this one at Target and thought it would be perfect for him.

..and the thing that Joshua wanted most of all

Sunday morning, with his hair cut and new suit Joshua was ordained a Deacon in the priesthood.

Sunday afternoon, we invited some friends over for Joshua's favorite dinner which consisted of Tortellini Carbonara, homemade french bread, and not 1 but 2 chocolate pies.  He insisted on pies not cake.

We love this boy more than words can express. He has a quick wit and sense of humor....he always keeps us laughing. We are so very blessed to have him in our family.

brain test

Since Braeden's concussion about 5 weeks ago he has not been able to play soccer. We saw his pediatrician 2 weeks ago and he did not release Braeden to play because of some lingering headaches. Yesterday, we went to see a sports doctor. He administered several tests to Braeden to see if his head was completely healed. Braeden went through some balancing tests, hand-eye coordination tests, memorization tests, and a computer test. The Dr was so impressed with the results of his computer test. He said that in the last 3 years or so that Braeden had one of the highest scores he had ever seen. He scored better than 99% of kids his age. So, needless to say his brain is intact and is working just fine....oh, and he is super intelligent. Those were the doctors words..not mine. I already knew that. :)

Over the next 4 days Braeden has to gradually add in more exercise. If he is successful without having any symptoms he can go back to playing soccer next Tuesday. He is more than excited about that.

Thanksgiving 2012

Kate and Josh were given the task of photographer on Thanksgiving day. This is what they captured....

oh....and these were dubbed the "butt rolls" by my sweet and very lady-like daughter...

they can't live without each other

the saga is over

No more Twilight....Ever. I love that I can be silly with these girls and we can laugh at ourselves while we obsess over sparkly vampires and gigantic wolves. It was so fun while it lasted....Now what??