Merry Christmas

The kids in their new pj'sKolby liked this "Jacob shirt" from Grandma.
Kolby opening his Pillow Pet
Mallorie opening either a movie or her Wii game

Kolby always smiles so big that his eyes are squinted.
Kolby showing off his new Heelys from Santa
Mallorie's American Girl Doll from Santa
Mallorie's leg looks weird.

Kolby's eyes closed again



We had a terrific Christmas this year. Sledding was very fun, and sharing our Christmas Eve dinner with the Potters was great. After dinner we played the Mexican Train game (Mexican Dominoes) while Kade and the kids played Uno and watched 'Elf." Afterwards we watched a church nativity video, said prayers, and got ready for bed. The kids put out lettuce for the reindeer this year. I wasn't sure if reindeer would like lettuce, but I was all out of carrots. Kolby tried getting up at 1:45 this year. He came into my room, after I had just fell asleep and announced that Santa had came. I told him to go back to bed. We spent Christmas day playing Mallorie's 'Wheel of Fortune' game on the Wii, putting together Legos and then we went to look at Christmas lights that night and to eat at IHOP, which isn't my favorite, but it was all that was open. I also got new couches for Christmas, which I was really surprised to get. They are soooo nice. Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well.

Sledding On Christmas Eve

We took the kids sledding at the park on Christmas Eve. The snow wasn't very good for sledding. We've had so much rain, and it wasn't soft. It was difficult climbing up a hill of slippery ice. Mallorie tipped going down and scraped her face up pretty good against the icy snow, and now she looks like she has blush on one of her cheeks. Reminded me of "The Other Sister" movie where she only gets a makeover for half of her face. I need to add some blush to the other side, I guess. There were some pretty good jumps on a couple of the hills. Jeremy broke our sled on one of them. He flew pretty far, and came down hard, breaking it. He's a little sore now.

Christmas Card Pictures 2010

I took these pictures of the kids at the park for our Christmas card. I thought they turned out okay. I wish I had a better camera, and that I knew more about photography. I debated about even sending out cards this year, since it was nearly Christmas already, but ultimately decided I'd just take some pictures myself. I'll probably have the kids pictures taken (professionally) in March for their baptism pictures.

Christmas Piano Recital 2010

Last night was my Christmas Piano Recital. It went very well and all of my students played their pieces so nicely. I'm extremely proud of all of their hard work. At the same time I'm glad it is done, and I don't have to stress anymore over it. I always worry about how well they will play, yet they never let me down.

Katie, Carson, Kaitlin, Hailey, Mallorie, Nathan, Alina, Kirsi, and Garrett

(missing Brooklyn and Brian)

Christmas 2010 Dance Recital

Friday night was Mallorie's dance recital. She did very well. This year she had two routines, and they were one right after another. We had to change her costume literally on the side of the stage really, really quick. It was pretty funny, but we did it. I'm glad that I had Tricia there to help me out with tying her shoes and stuff. My favorite costume was her jazz one. It's the pink and black one. That dance was to 'Roxy Heart' from the movie 'Chicago.' The dances were really good this year. Her hip-hop one was 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.' Thanks to Natalie for being such a great teacher. Natalie even had an extra practice at her house before the show Friday afternoon, so Mal, Reagan, and Kelani knew their dance better than all of the other girls. Mallorie came home from practice so excited and you could tell her little self esteem had been boosted. She said, "Mom, Natalie screamed because we did sooo good at our dance." I'm so happy that she enjoys dancing so much.

My sister Kilee, Dusty, and their girls came to visit us the first part of November. Kilee's good friend, Jessa was getting married in the Rexburg temple, so they came for that. It was fun to spend time with them. Kilee's girls had never played in the snow before so it was great to watch their reactions. Storie loved it. She kept eating it. Kora, however was a little unsure about it. The first time Kora reached down to touch the snow, she started freaking out because it was cold on her bare hand. She ran over to me with her hand raised so that I could wipe the snow off. It was pretty funny.

Mallorie Lost a Tooth

Mallorie just lost her first tooth in November. I believe she and Kolby were the last kids in the 2nd grade with all of their baby teeth still (and Kolby still doesn't even have one that is the least little bit loose). Mallorie was so excited to lose her first tooth, that she'd ask me to wiggle it at least every 20 minutes to see if it was "wigglier" than before. When it was finally loose enough, she let Jeremy tie the little tooth to the front door with dental floss. Jeremy was a little scared to do the job, but she was so brave. When Jeremy very apprehensively slammed the door shut, the tooth went flying and we couldn't find it. We looked around on the floor with flashlights for nearly 30 minutes, but never did find it. I felt bad for her that we had lost it, especially since this was her first one. Later that night, however I spotted a little white thing on the area rug in front of the couch. I had just vacuumed earlier that day, so I knew the rug shouldn't have any crumbs or fuzz on it. Sure enough it was the tooth. It is quite a distance from the front door to the rug in front of the couch. We didn't even look over there because we never thought it would have flown so far. The tooth fairy brought her money that night, and she said she was going to save it to buy a Christmas present for her brother. She has another tooth that is loose too now, but she is not nearly as excited to lose it. She hasn't been wiggling it hardly at all.

Mallorie Rides A Bike Too

Kolby Learning to Ride His Bike

This was from the first time Kolby rode his bike last Summer. Mallorie fell off her bike, so she was a little scared to try again. She did eventually work up the nerve to ride hers again and I have video of her as well from a couple of days later that I'll post also.

Pumpkin Time 2010

Kolby really liked his whip.

Walk like an Egyptian

Wiped out at the end of the day