Christmas Music

Music is a defining part of Christmas for me. This year was a little crazy with the amount of concerts, performances, and special musical numbers our family participated in. Each of my children had at least one performance of their own. I have tried to upload videos of the boys' honors concert at middle school and am so frustrated because I can't share how amazing their choirs and orchestras are! Then there is my own group. I love singing with Friends in Harmony. It's a treat for me to be able to sing and not be behind the piano. This bunch of women inspire me and entertain me. I love getting to know them better. We are all different, but one in purpose. I am honored to be a part of their lives and included in this singing group. I feel like we continue to improve with each season together.

We had a great repertoire. Here we are dancing to "Let it Snow."

"Cool Yule"

"Fruitcake"

This is my other "mother." I love this woman. She is a fellow alto and is a person I admire. I love her humor, her beauty, her style, her testimony, and her advice. She is amazing. I keep hoping that the more I'm around her, the more I can glean from her. She's not old enough to be my mother...and certainly doesn't look it, but she reminds me so much of my own mom that I selfishly go to practice just to feel that connection with her.

I am excited for our spring season already. It's going to be so much fun!

BYU Basketball

Over Thanksgiving weekend, BYU came to Chicago for a tournament. Steve's partner/boss got tickets for us all to enjoy the game together. BYU lost in the last quarter, but fought hard. After it was over, the boys waited near the exit for a chance to meet one of the players. Their patience was rewarded.

Noah Hartsock was the first and friendliest. His whole family came to support him. Wow! That boy's got tall sisters.

Having no books, basketballs, or paraphernalia, they got creative in what they wanted signed...

but not over-creative. :)

Abouo!

Li'l Drummer Boy Primary Party

On December 3rd, I helped throw a party for our church's Primary. We held a breakfast with french toast & syrup (I even made Buttermilk syrup--Mmmmm), bacon, sausage, juice, milk, oranges, and bananas. We had a darling craft ornament and a short musical program. I wrote it based on the nativity from the perspective of the Little Drummer Boy, who tried to give the Christ child his loved and only possession, his drum. Mary asked him to keep it instead and share his talent as his gift to the baby. The primary children concluded by singing and drumming on their own drums (made by my counselor, Juliann Griffin, who did a phenomenal job) to the song, "Little Drummer Boy." It was such a special morning and the kids all seemed to enjoy themselves.

These kids are SO CUTE!

Santa came to visit at the end. He was so funny with the kids, joking around with them. Lizzie, though, still decided she was scared of him and wouldn't get near him.

Emma wants a toy dog that walks on a leash and a pink Ipod.

Carter wants an Ipod, Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots, a watch, and a page full of more wishes.

Evan was mortified to be personally invited by Santa to sit on his lap, but through his nervous giggles, mentioned that he'd like an Ipod. I hope Santa has an in with Apple!

Santa's Workshop and Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving break was a nice change from the normal routine. We still did tons of homework, practiced swimming, cello, piano, and basketball, but we had some down time, which I craved.

We decided to head out to Bass Pro Shops on Wednesday to beat the holiday crowd at Santa's Workshop. Too late. We had a 45 minute wait, but the kids scattered and kept themselves busy with coloring, hunting games, fishing games, and remote control cars. We even took Grandpa and Grandma to share in our fun experience. Grandma surprised us with a fun taste of fudge from their shop. Mmmmm!

Lizzie is amazing me how she can stay in the lines with her coloring! I love it!

The boys love this place.

Sitting pretty waiting for Mr. Clause.

"Killing" time. :)

Lizzie knows that this Santa (below) is the real one. However, she didn't like that his beard wasn't as full as last year. Emma told him not to cut it so short. I'm sure he appreciated that bit of advice.

The rest of the weekend has no pictures, but we still had a good time. Our friends, the Reid family, invited all 9 of us over for a feast, football, and fun conversation. Friday's highlight was seeing HUGO at the movie theater. All 7 of us over the age of 6 read the book, so it was fun rewarding ourselves with the movie. We also decorated the house on the inside and out!

My favorite moment was after a big breakfast of delicious crepes (cuz I wasn't cooking a turkey this year--first time in 8 years!), we sat around and read all the scraps of paper filled with words indicating what each of us was thankful for. Emma was the most excited about this assignment. She had multiple things on each paper--even if they weren't even related to each other. Some examples are as follows (and in her spelling):

months, floers, feet (flowers)

insecs

nutella, waterbotls, water, watermellon

pens, pensls

backpacks, my family

legs, feet to run fast

sun, clouds, sky

lipgloss

I am thankful for milk & lollypops & fingers

faith in the Lord

ants and uncles

frut

coats, glofs, scarf, hat, mittins

cupcakes

noodles, sisers (scissors)

For school and friends.

My Crone Champion II

My Braxton is a special kid. He tries so hard to do what's right and please everyone. In the last few weeks, we have received 4 different notices from teachers at school telling us (Steve and I) what a great kid he is. It's reassuring to see others find his effort noteworthy. Two emails and postcards came from teachers praising him for his citizenship and integrity. He was also named a Crone champion yet again. This is an honor where the school recognizes a boy and girl from each "team" in each grade who exemplifies positive accomplishments. The students and parents are invited to a breakfast, where they are recognized by their teachers and administrative staff.

Another recognition was for his integrity. Braxton found a dollar bill on the floor as he was walking down the hall in between classes. He handed it in to the office. After 4 weeks, they gave it back to him along with a letter commending his honesty and also gave him a gift certificate for a free meal!

He comes home with candy bars almost weekly from helping others in his classes and being a positive role model.

I love this kid!

Since I went last year to the Crone Champion Breakfast, I allowed Steve to accompany Braxton so that he could see his son honored in front of his peers.

(This is something we never thought possible when Braxton was young. We are amazed by the kind, gentle giant Braxton has become.)

Of course, I'm choked up as I am writing this, but I honestly am in awe of the spirit inside this young man. He is an example of purity not seen often in 13 year old boys. His faith in God and in others is rare. He sees the good in everything. He has no guile. He is definitely sheltered and naive, but I appreciate it. He couldn't be a better role model for his younger brothers and sisters. Steve and I are so blessed to have him as our oldest child.

Oh the weather outside is...confusing.

Despite what my father-in-law thinks... our weather has been quite mild. We did have one day, however, with a freak snow fall. We had snow for 5 minutes. Emma was the only one quick enough to get dressed and run outside to play in it.

A week later, they're back outside without coats on...able to jump on the trampoline.

Don't you love static electricity?! :)

We tried to clean up the yard and rake some leaves. Of course, Emma was looking beautiful while jumping in our piles. Sometimes I wish I were small and young enough to run and jump in leaves...and not get hurt.

Lizzie wasn't into the running and jumping, just the falling.
They are too cute! I love seeing them enjoy Fall weather. It's the best!

Build a Bear

Lizzie received some birthday money and knew right away how she wanted to spend it. We decided to wait until the giver of the gift (Grandma and Grandpa Bird) moved here so that they could share in the experience with her.

Lizzie chose a Dairy Queen Blizzard Bear that smells like chocolate.

She gave her a bath.

And is still giving her lots of love and attention.
We got to join our cousins at the mall and have some fun climbing at the play areas and riding on the carousel.

Straight No Chaser-part 1

Last Spring, Steve was let in on one of his new favorite music group's touring schedule. They were coming to Chicago! He was so excited! The day the priority tickets were made available to those in the fan club, Steve was online ready to order. In the time it took for him to walk out of his office and clear the date with me and my schedule, the concert was sold out. He tried other venues and decided to go for it when he was able to get tickets for a concert in Milwaukee. He also wanted to take the boys with us.

We made good time and had very little traffic, so we decided to go to a "sit-down" restaurant...Benihana's. Steve was the only one who had ever eaten there before. So fun! Braxton was very hesitant, but quickly realized that he had a choice of more than just sashimi. :) As usual, he cleaned his plates...as well as his brothers.

We were the 8th or 9th row back in the dead center. They were spectacular seats!

Carter wanted a turn with my phone and proof that I was there.

What a great, memorable night! The boys had smiles on their faces the whole time. My favorite numbers were the mash-ups. They are brilliant!

Locks of Love

Emma did it! She donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love.

For months, she has known that she was going to be Rapunzel for Halloween and then she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love. She was a little disappointed when I wasn't prepared to take her Tuesday, November 1st to get it cut. I made her wait until Friday.

She was SO excited! My mom was devastated, since Emma's hair is one of her defining features. I was anxious not knowing if she was going to be happy after she cut it. She never regretted her decision for one second.

Lizzie was going to try to donate her hair as well, but it was one inch too short. The hairstylist felt that the remaining hair would not be long enough to make her look cute and girly. Lizzie will wait and get her own special day to donate hers in a few months. This news was supposed to help her feel better, but the tears never stopped. I was grateful Grandma was there to comfort Lizzie, since she needed someone to herself.

Here's Emma with the final product! She looks darling! In fact, Carter's teacher has a daughter who did the exact thing--was Rapunzel for Halloween then donated her hair the next day. In talking with her, she said she feels Emma's new hairstyle actually fits her bubbly personality better. Probably true. It's definitely easier to take care of, but I miss the styles that I now cannot do on her hair. Oh, well. Emma is so happy and can hardly keep her hands out of it!