Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a busy day for us each year.  On previous Christmas Eves, we have tried to have our family time once we get home from visit with grandparents and great grandparents.  I finally had an epiphany and realized that we should do it in the morning before we leave.  So this year that is just what we did.

I know so many people who have the tradition of giving their children pjs on Christmas Eve and we are one of those families.  I wonder how this got started.
Just so you know, I bought this shirt for myself.

Luken has a very expressive face.  He made Christmas so fun this year.

I made Makayla's pants from her robe material from last year.

Same with Sammy's.  Now they have matching pants and robes.

I promised Bailee I would not put any questionable pictures up.  This was the better one.

Captain America

I had to pile a bunch of books on the back of our couch to get this picture.

Makayla is definitely our shorty right now.


I will share more Christmas Eve pictures in coming posts.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Right now!!

I cannot believe Christmas is in 10 days.  I am always surprised at how fast time goes.  Another year almost over, WOW!

Right now, I am sitting on my couch watching the snow come down.  It is beautiful, but why can't it wait for few more days.  I know it will be beautiful and white up here for a few days and then it will be gone for Christmas.

We get more snow up here on the Palouse than the LC valley does, but it is still rare for us to have snow on Christmas.  This will be our fifth Christmas here and we can only think of snow on one.  I am praying it will last.  I would love a White Christmas.

We have been staying busy on our break from school.  We have been trying to do our daily advent activities although I must admit we are behind.  Yesterday, we made homemade marshmallows and sugar cookies.  The marshmallows were a challenge.  The recipes all state that having a Kitchen Aid type freestanding mixer is the best plan and I can give affirmation to that.  The girls and I did a whole lot of whipping and I think our marshmallows are going to be a bit flat.

Disappointingly, I did not take any pictures.  You will just have to imagine the lovely, white mess we were when all the cooking was done.  We had a lot of fun though.

I hope you all are enjoying these days before Christmas.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Three Gifts - River City Dance Christmas Presentation

As I told you, Bailee and Samantha had a dance presentation this last weekend.  I heard it was great, but I cannot say for myself.  We had a terrific, terrible problem.  We had more people than we could seat.

The Silverthorne Theatre on the LCSC campus is where we held last year's Christmas presentation and we had seats leftover.  We held this year's presentation there also, but there were no leftover seats.  We had people lining the walls and filling the back.

I am the administrator for RCD and it is my job to greet people at the door and hand out programs.  This year it left me out in the entrance hall.  Don't feel bad for me though.  Jeremy recorded it and I did get to see bits and pieces.  Whenever our girls were performing, I found a whole.

I did not get any pictures of the performance though or of the girls before.  They did not get their costumes on until they got there.  My sister-in-law, Ange, got a few pictures of the performance and she put them on her business blog.  I will redirect you there.

Just a few notes before you get there, the first picture is of my niece, Ysa (Ange's daughter) and my brother-in-law, Justin (not Ange's husband).  The next is of our Bailee.  The next is (yes, Ange) Rachel Kym.  The last is Largent, who were are in-law relatives of, and his wonderful girlfriend, Lori.

Thanks for the pictures, Ange, and to the rest of you go check them out.  Ange Movius Photography

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

SheSpeaks

I have a possible opportunity for you today.  I am a part of program called SheSpeaks.  It is a product testing program that I have really enjoyed being a part of.  I have received some great products to test and then write a review for.  The most recent thing I have receive is a Phillips Wake Up Light, which retails at $99 and I love it.  


Here is a url that you can follow.  You take a short survey and they let you know if you are who they are looking for.  If you are willing to get new products and review them, I would check this out.


 https://www.shespeaks.com/secure/join_now/survey/139503

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Gingerbread Houses

Makayla was given this great kit to make five different gingerbread houses.  Last Saturday, she graciously allowed Bailee, Sam, and myself to join her in making them.  We had a great time and they turned out very cute.  Thank you so much, Ashley and Mya.

The Village


The pieces

The players

The end product

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Decorating for Christmas!!

 We love to decorate for Christmas.  Honestly, the kids would probably decorate the house for each and every occasion that comes around.

These were the snowflakes we made from coffee filters.

This is our advent calendar for this year.

Dad has the lights on and now it is time to decorate the tree.


Almost done!

Now we are done and we are happy little elves.
Our #1 elf

Friday, December 9, 2011

Makayla's Christmas Demos

As you all know, all three of the girls take dance at River City Dance.  This year the older class are doing a special presentation all together.  The younger classes did their own small presentations.  Makayla's were on Monday and Wednesday this week.  Sam and Bailee's will be on Saturday.  

She did great.  I got just a few pictures of her.  She was not being very cooperative though.




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Turning 7!!!

Three weeks ago, our youngest daughter turned seven.  It just boggles my mind that she is seven.  They grow way too fast.

Blowing out her candles.

Opening gifts - Sam has her gift hidden in her shirt.


I have caught Justin with some of the best faces.

Opening more gifts with Luken's help.

We also had a cookie making party for a few friends and cousins.  Thank you so much girls for joining us for all the fun.

Luken does not like to be left out.

My niece, Ros, I love the look.

Decorating their cookies to perfection.

Discussing why that M & M went there.


We had a great time.  Thanks, girls.  And, yes, Sammy is a whole head taller than the rest.

Bailee and Luken were mixed in the fun.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Train Park

Every year in Lewiston, the city takes on the task of decorating a small park with Christmas lights.  As I am sure you can imagine, our kids love it.  

They put on a presentation each year before they turn them on and Bailee was involved with this again this year.  I was on my own this time though, so I did not get any stills taken.  

The following day, Makayla's birthday, we went for a visit with Brittney, Justin, and Anjahli.

The Derting Family

Popcorn and Peanut - My new nicknames for the girls.

Jeremy helping Luken ring the bell on the train.  Luken loves choo-choos.


Makayla is dancing.

Anjahli was well bundled and had a hard time moving her arms.



The kids loved the penguins.



Right after this, Anjahli lost her balance and fell backwards downhill, but she was not harmed.  Like I said, she was well padded.

It took a lot of work to get this picture.  Sam was our camera woman this time.  Bailee did not get to come for this trip.

In the igloo

Mom and Daughter - Cute, cute

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Thanksgiving

This year I did not host a Thanksgiving meal at our house.  We have been so busy over the last few months that I was just not up for hosting anything.  We had lunch with some of the Movius/Sagers and then dinner with the Kelly's and Grimms.

It was a full and fun day.  Sadly, I did not even get my camera out at Pam's.  I am going to have to do better next time.

Luken, Makayla, and Grandpa Ted

Bailee and her dad

Brenda, Bryan, Elias, and Amanda

This little man is so cute, but he is also full of zip and zing.  He is not one to allow out of your sight.

Bret

Bailee got a hold of the camera, so I actually ended up in a picture.

All of the grandkids love Grandma Brenda's massage chair.