What do you do...

on a Perfectly great Christmas break, sunny, warm, with lots of snow on the ground kind of day?????

Build a Snow Fort!!!!

The kids and I spent a couple hours outside yesterday sledding a little (we all got a bit tired of climbing back up the big hill in the back) and we built this snow fort in the front yard. It was lots of fun and the kids kept talking about how awesome it was and how they never thought that they would ever be able to build anything like this. It was some precious time spent with them.
Joseph looks like he isn't in this first picture but he is actually looking out the little window.

These next pictures are from Christmas. We were at Brent's parents.

The kids are ready to go to church.

Daniel Loved laying on this wonderful dog, Caden.

Sarah with her new vanity on Christmas morning. We put this in her room and I was walking downstairs one morning and thought she was asleep, but then heard this going off (it plays a litle song) and found her in there "putting on her make-up".

Megan and cousin Bailee, hanging out Christmas morning

Decorating sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, they were sooo yummy!

If you can't tell, Daniel was in Heaven doing this!

Another little fun thing the kids did, made a T land out of blocks. They thought this was pretty cool.

And last, Daniel caught reading by the stairs.

Early Christmas..

At least on my side of the fam.
We usually open our Christmas presents from my side of the family the night before we go down to Brent's parents so tonight was the night.

The kids enjoyed getting presents early. Some of them included, an outfit for each of them from me and Brent (the less we have to take the better!), a big transformer for Joseph, a Zoobles set for Megan, another Princess doll for Sarah (she literaly SCREAMED at the top of her lungs when she opened this and was jumping up and down, I should have video taped it, it was sooo funny!), Daniel has a fun new "ball", a boat with blocks, and they all got pajamas.

For Brent he received a shirt, snow pants, and a book on prayer he has been wanting for months and me...I think I scored the best, I received a sweatshirt, a new set of pots and pans (this was actually to Brent and I, but since I am the one who does 99% of the cooking, more for me), a set of sea salts and lotion for feet, and a....KINDLE! Brent won this at work, I am sooooo excited. If you know me well, you know I have a LARGE library of books and really enjoy reading.

Pretty fun stuff!
If I was on top of it I would have video taped the kids and taken pictures to post, but I have been going all day and I am getting a nice migraine, and I still have to make some more fudge and give all the kdis a bath/shower. Then I get to get all the presents ready to transport down to Brent's parents after everyone goes to bed. (Santa has to hide things well to escape notice of the kids' eyes)

I think I will have to treat myself to getting a book for my Kindle when we come back..!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Out the window....

with the blogging everyday goal...
Maybe I should have tried this on a month where there isn't a major holiday. I have done most of the month but this week is sooo busy, I have hardly had a chance to get on the computer or take a nap. A nap is a much needed necessity for me when I get up at 4:30am.

Yesterday, was a busy day. Between kids' last day of school before winter break and their winter parties in the afternoon, running errands, cleaning house, and the kids' friends over last night from about 6-9:30. I felt like I was going, going, and when bedtime came, I was gone...except for that sore throat and headache coming on. Then Sarah woke me at 3:00am having a hard time sleeping, so I took her to her bed and fell asleep with her on her bed until around 8:00 this morning, which means I missed working out :( I am hoping the little sore throat and headache are just from exhaustion and not the onset of a cold or sickness....(crossing fingers and praying )

Today, we are going to go buy a present for my father-in-law and something for Brent. That includes going to costco and the mall and most likely we won't get out of the mall without having to go to the play area. The kids will Love that!!

Other activities while they are out of school are: going to Pump It Up, playing the wii, having friends over, Christmas of course, hopefully they will get in some reading (I told the if they read a book during Christmas break, I would bring them lunch at school, but it was up to them to do this, I am not going to remind them everyday), sledding, dentist appts., and lots and lots of playing!!

On another note about my previous post on sharing time, someone was mentioning to me how much they liked the sharing time I did and reminded me that last year I did something similiar. Last year, I dressed up as Mary and came and told the children about the birth of Jesus. That was a really fun one too. I just love teaching!!

Sorry this post was a little all over the place, that seems to be where my mind is right now....

Sharing Time

I am lucky enough to be the Primary President in our ward right now and along with this calling I get to teach all the kids from age 3-11 at least once a month, called Sharing time. We have 2 groups of kids, one Junior, one Senior.

Yesterday I taught a Christmas lesson. I hung a strand of lights off the chalk board, turned off the light, had the Junior kids sit on the floor, with me on a chair and I told the Christmas story from the scriptures found in Luke. I pulled out props to have some visual aids for the kids.
I have some adorable felt hand puppets of Mary, Joseph, wise men, a sheep, and a shephard, then I used some of my kids' toys and a church picture book to show the kids more realistic photos. I loved seeing the look on their faces and to see how much these little kids already know about the Birth of our Savior.

With the older kids, some sat on the floor, some were on chairs and I used a little porcelain nativity set we have. With the older kids I actually pulled out the scriptures and read from them. They had some pretty deep, good questions....smart kids!

With both of these groups I also talked about how Christ grew up and taught us how we should live our lives, then how he died for us and was resurrected and Atoned for us.

My wonderful counselors and I then gave them a Christmas present. It was an ornament, clear, in the shape of a heart, with a little glitter inside with a picture of Jesus and then on the outside was written CTR. Which stands for Choose the Right or Christ the Redeemer.

I always love to teach the kids in our ward such basic gospel truths. I feel blessed that my Heavenly Father trusts me enough to lead, teach, and guide these young ones, along with my own 4 wonderful children.

This time of year can be hectic and crazy, but teaching these kids yesterday and hearing a wonderful talk by a great friend in church, puts the Christmas season more into perspective.
May you all have the Christmas spirit with you and remember the Birth, life and Resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ!!!

Last Saturday before....

Christmas of 2010.

Make 3 batches of peanut butter fudge....check (YUMMY)

Make about 300 chocolate covered pretzels....check

Assemble plates/goodie bags with fudge and pretzels....check

Deliver 18 holiday treats to friends around us....check

Do a little christmas shopping....check (at least Brent and his mom did)

Watch more christmas shows will I make all the goodies....check

Kids go sledding down the hill in the backyard....check (at least Meg and Joseph)

Give all 4 kids showers/baths before church tomorrow morning....check

Make sure my lesson for sunday primary is all set and ready....check

Go to bed in a good mood and with a little Christmas spirit.....almost check

todayesterday

CHEESE!!!

Sarah had her preschool program and we are happy to announce that she is our first child to actually do the actions and sing in a preschool program!!! She was sooo cute.
Right before they started and when the kids were going up there, Daniel got off a chair, ran into a stroller in the isle, and fall flat on his back and head. OUch! He cried and cried and made quite a scene. Luckily he was fine and calmed down just before they started singing.

Megan had Grandparents day at school today and Brent's mom came up for it. They had wonderful time and we were all happy to have her come.

That was our happenings from today and yesterday!!

A Look back in time.....

This is a look back in time with pictures, starting with 2010


First day of school, Joseph 1st grade, Megan 3rd grade and Sarah pre-school(she isn't dressed yet)




2009

First day of school, Joseph kindregarten, Megan second grade

Daniel, 1 month old

Christmas 2008

summer time 2007

2006
Sarah, around 3 month old

Joseph 2 1/2

Megan, 5 with Trevor my brother