Sam is 7!

Sam at 7 loves:

Legos

Legos

Legos

Legos

Legos

Reading

Dinosaurs

Writing notes

Tae Know Do

Hockey

Nachos

Smoothies

Rice Krispie Treats

Fruit Roll Ups

 Sam wanted a Lego birthday, and he got it.  It was such a blast.  I've known for a long time that he would want a Lego party, so when we went to Legoland back in May I picked up a few things.  The party was awesome.  Sam planned every detail.  From the cake to the pizza to the fruit punch...it was all his favorite things.  He just wanted a few of his friends and my sister's kids at this party.  So his cousins came for a sleep over and the fun began.

 I had so much fun making little Lego figures to go along with the food and game labels.

 We had a lot of fun games for the party.  We started it off with a guessing game.  Each kid had to guess how many Legos were in the jar and the winner got a minifig.

 We also had some fun masks the kids could put on for a photo op.

 We played Lego Suck Up too.  The kids had fun.  Each got a Lego straw and had to suck up as many Legos as they could and put them on the plate. 

 We also had some free time to play Legos.  How could you have a Lego party without some free play time.

 The relays and brick toss were fun too.  It was entertaining to see who got competitive and who just had fun.

 I think that the favorite game of the night was making the Lego balloon cars.  The kids had a blast designing their cars and racing them. 

 After the games and pizza party it was time for cake.  Look at that face!  What a cute little boy. 

Everyone got a Lego cupcake as a thank you for coming. 

Because we celebrated Sam's birthday a few days after his actually birthday we actually got two special days.  We did presents as a family.  We game him some in the morning and some at night.  He thought that that was pretty cool to do presents twice!

 

 

 

Chloe's First Dance Recital

 This is one of those days I will never forget.  Chloe was so excited to finally be going on the stage to do her dance that she has been preparing.  She loved putting on her special costume, doing her hair, and I even let her wear some make-up.  What a fun night for a mother and daughter.  We giggled and smiled and talked about what it would be like as I dolled her up.  The anticipation was almost overwhelming.

 She did so well.  She was one of the few who was actually trying to do all the moves.  Some just stood there, some picked at the feathers in their skirts, some danced to their own beat,  but not Chloe.  She was focused.  It was so cute to watch her try her best while having one of the biggest smiles on her face I have ever seen.

When she was done we stayed to watch all the other dance groups.  She would commment on the moves she liked and which costumes were her favorite.  It was a fun night.



Chloe's First Visit to the Dentist

Chloe had her first dentist appointment today.  My goodness, is she really already that old?!  She of course had to bring her favorite blankie to help her get through it.  She did so well.  She wasn't scared at all.  She did everything they asked and was very patient as they did all the cleaning and checking of her teeth.  What a big girl!

Ward and Family Christmas Parties

Today we had a busy, yet fun day.  It started with a Christmas breakfast at our ward building where we got a visit from a very special someone!  The kids were so excited to see Santa.  They couldn't wait to sit on his lap and remind them that they had been trying so hard to be good and what they really wanted for Christmas.   

I was in charge of decorating for the Santa spot so I brought over my portable fireplace.  It was so fun and made a cute little cozy ambiance for Santa and his visitors.

 Tonight we got together with my family at my brother Andy's house for our annual Christmas Party and White Elephant.  I wish I would have taken more pictures, but at least I got a picture of my veggie Christmas tree I made for the event.  It was fun to do.
Jonie had asked me to bring some games to play and we ended up having a great time playing them, even after all the guff I got from the guys.  The white elephant was of course a blast.  The best gift by far was a hat that said, "#2 Dad".  So funny!

Dad's Off-Track...FOREVER!

 Today is Seth's last day of his MBA.  He has been working on it for a little over two years, and we are so proud of him for finishing.  What an accomplishment.  It hasn't been easy with him gone and I know it hasn't been easy for him to have such long days and lots of homework, but he did it and he did it well.
I have another back procedure tonight and so we won't be home to celebrate, so we thought we'd leave a little surprise for him on the garage door for when he came home.  The kids had a fun time helping me put it together.  Sam thought he was so funny.  He wrote, "I love Mom" and "good job Mom" and "Mom is the best".  What a little weasel!  He definitely got his father's sense of humor! :)

North Pole Express

Joy got us on the little Polar Express train down in Lindon again.  I was fun.  We love going.  We just wish it would have been warmer than 11 degrees!  We always love doing things with her family.  Our kids them them so much. 

The kids loved being at the North Pole and visiting with Santa.  Sam and James requested Hobbit Legos and Chloe asked for a Princess Castle.

 Santa lead us in singing Silent Night in preparation for the rest of the train ride where we would be able to see the story if Jesus' life.  It was very peaceful.

We loved our train ride and the fun we had and the spirit we felt.  We just hope that next year it will be warmer!

Sunday Best

When we were in Preston over Thanksgiving I went to the little craft fairs they have up there.  They are a usual pit stop for me.  I found these great suspenders for the boys and these cute tights for Chloe.  I just had to get them.  So cute.  I loved having cute little Christmas church clothes for my kids.

I can't believe how big this kid is getting.  I can't believe he is almost 7!

 James' Santa hat never looked so appropriate!

 Chloe cracks me up with the little poses she comes up with!  Some things just come naturally!

 My three most prize possessions!

All Wrapped Up

These may just be for our family's White Elephant game, but I always believe in wrapping presents in the most beautiful way possible.  Just one of those things that brings me joy!

Temple Nativity

Monday night, for Family Night, we did the Christmas story.  We read the kids the story and showed them pictures and talked out the true meaning of Christmas.  I thought it would be fun to go see the little nativity at out temple after reading the story, but I forgot that the temple is closed on Mondays.  So the kids were really disappointed.

After Sam's Tae Kwon Do class tonight I thought, oh, lets just go see it really quickly.  Did I mention that it was 6 degrees!  The kids were NOT happy.  Especially Sam, who didn't bring a coat.  We made due with a blanket that was in the car.  Needless to say, we snapped the photo and got back into our warm car as fast as we could!  Sometimes Mom doesn't plan things out very well! ;)  At least we have a story to tell about it now!