Andrew and an Angry Bird Birthday Party - Jan 28

Andrew got invited to his friend, Derek's "Angry Birds" party. It was fun, and a perfect day to be outside at the park. The cupcakes were amazing! They had a set up to play the angry birds game, using stuffed pigs and angry birds and brown paper wrapped up shoe boxes. It was a great hit with all the kids!

Activity Days Talent Share - Jan 25

The girls were super excited that they had a talent share night for activity days. Ella did a nun chuck demonstration and Kaitlyn did a lyrical dance that she choreographed herself. They had a lot of fun and afterward we went out for ice-cream at Handel's where they have dollar scoop Wednesdays (and we have a gift card to, that our home teacher gave us for Christmas).

Basket Ball Practice - Jan 24th

Andrew started basketball in January. It's still nice enough weather to practice outside in the late afternoon. They actually practice at their elementary school, so it's convenient that Kaitlyn has her math team practice til 4 and that's when basketball starts so she just walks over to the playground when she's finished. Andrew is really getting the hang of basketball. The guy in the second picture is their coach.

Kaitlyn's Dance Recital-Jan 21-22nd

I can't believe how time as flown by this month! Kaitlyn was extremely busy getting ready for her dance recital. She had many long hours of rehearsals. She was in three different dances with different costumes for each (lyrical, jazz and ballet). I took a few pictures, but they are not in her dance costumes. I will have to see in a few weeks when I get the ones in her costumes, if I can post them. I know that the photographer who took photos during the recital will post them on the internet, and I will see if there is a way everyone who is interested can have access to view them... Anyways, it was a crazy, weekend. To see her dance was beautiful-bringing tears to my eyes, even now as I am remembering her dance.

 I believe Ella went to bed frustrated this night (Jan 19th) because she didn't understand and have a copy of the directions to do her journal writing assignment.  She was super tired and this is how we found her that night.  Her light by her bed, still on and her pencil still firmly held in her hand.  Makes me smile :)  Funny thing is, her directions for her assignment were glued into the very first page of her journal (we found out the next day).
 

December 30th, 2011

On Friday, December 30th, we went and picked up the girls from Vanessa's house. They had had a sleep over the night before. James' friend, Eric had two of his nieces over as well and we went to see Dolphin Tale with them at the dollar theater.

We had driven to Utah on the 27th all day. We spent the later half of the week visiting friends and James' family. Wednesday night James and I went up to Salt Lake to a dinner at the Grand America Hotel sponsored by Henry Shein. We had an adult party, with dinner and games Thursday night at Josh and Emily's house, and a white elephant gift exchange on Friday night at Lori and Rick's house. Saturday, we traveled back to La Verne. On the way home we stopped in St. George and met up with Megan and Daniel's family at McDonald's for lunch. It was a fun trip and the time flew by so fast. I can't believe it's a brand new year today! One New Year's resolution will be to remember to take more pictures. I can't believe I didn't take more when we were in Utah!

Christmas Day!

Since Christmas was on Sunday, we woke up and let the kids open just their stockings. Then we went to church at 10 and it was just sacrament meeting. Then after church they were able to open the rest of their presents. We tried to drag out opening the presents, but we were finished in less than 1 hour. For dinner, my mom cooked a turkey and ham. We had rolls, and yams and salad and mashed potatoes. All the yummy food! For dessert we could choose from mint Oreo pie, chocolate cream cheese supreme, or pumpkin cake. It was a wonderful day, I even fell asleep and took a nap in the afternoon.

Christmas Eve!

After the kids got out of school on Friday the 23rd, we drove up to Fresno. The kids got to decorate the Christmas tree as soon as we got in. Saturday was spent making and decorating cookies. For our Christmas Eve dinner, we ordered in Pizza Hut with the gift card that my grandma gave us. We had root beer and salad as well. The kids played with the Kellogg's for a bit and read the Christmas Story in Luke. We also sang Christmas Carols around the piano, while my grandma played. Then, just before bed, the kids put out their stockings and cookies and milk for Santa. My parents and I watched some t.v. and took turns falling asleep earlier in the evening. But ended up staying up past 2am talking. Good times!