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!

Ella and Andrew's Class Parties- Dec 22nd

Ella's class had finished reading Charlotte's Web. Their party consisted of making pigs and performing some Christmas songs (one of which they played the recorder for), and having pizza for lunch, then watching Charlotte's Web, the movie and having popcorn. Andrew's party was filled with fun little center's that the kids rotated thru. James and I were in charge of Bingo. Oh, James came to school and helped out in Ella's class all morning and then helped in Andrew's party in the afternoon. He was there from 8-3 and then we played at the park for another hour before going home! What a long day-he took a nap after that!

Kaitlyn's Choir Performance- Dec 21st

Kaitlyn is in her school choir again this year and is also in Honor choir. She sang in a quartet for one of the songs their school performed! She was so happy to have a new holiday dress and shoes for her big performance!

Karate Potluck Dinner- Dec 20th

Ella's karate class had a Christmas potluck dinner. We went thinking there wouldn't be a big turnout because it was so close to Christmas and everyone is so busy. But we were way off. Last year, the potluck fell on the same night as Kaitlyn's choir performance, so we didn't go, but this year they were on different nights. SO, it was super packed! There was tons of good food! It didn't start until 6pm and our kids were starving so they ate a lot. They played musical chairs and then there was a visit from Santa.

Temple Lights-Dec 17

We took a trip with some other families in our ward to see the Christmas lights at the Los Angeles temple. We had hot chocolate out in the parking lot after. It was nice to look at lights and walk around outside and not be super freezing cold. It was 65 degrees and drinking hot chocolate outside really warmed you up.

Kaitlyn's Class Party-Dec 16

Kaitlyn's classroom had their holiday party, which included a book gift exchange. It was an hour filled with crafts, games and cookie decorating. I think everyone had a great time. What was really nice is that it didn't coincide with the other kiddos' class parties. James was able to come too, and be in charge of the games. He took his last final that morning for the end of the semester! Now he is off for 2 weeks.