Owen's Music Program

The second graders were in charge of the musical presentation this year at their school.  Owen participated with what little enthusiasm he could muster.  His face below is just a sample of the excitement that he demonstrated that night!  Owen had a speaking part as well.  He did a very good job.  He even listened to our advice and spoke slowly and clearly! 

I would post a cute picture of his face...but I don't have one :)

I was also impressed that they had the audience and the kids sing Silent Night.  I haven't heard anything close to a religious song at school in a long time.  I thought it was wonderful.  (And also the kids new music teacher is a woman from the ward I grew up in 15 years ago.  Crazy!)

Sledding

The morning after the parade we woke up to snow.  We don't get a lot of snow in Boise.  So even when we get a little bit we have to take advantage of it.  So even though there was BARELY enough snow to sled...sled we did.  And in case you were wondering, it was still frigid outside.  Freezing.  And windy.  I was miserable, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

Winter Light Parade

The studio where Ainsley takes piano lessons decided they wanted to have a float in the Meridian light parade this year.  It sounded like a wonderful idea.  So Ains signed up.  And I volunteered to help out.  And then it got really cold.  Like 2 degrees cold.  And then the parade didn't sound so fun anymore.  But we went.  We started out all smiles. 

John sat with the kids and watched while Ains and I walked.  The full on snow gear and hand and foot warmers didn't seem to be touching the bitter cold that night.

Finally they saw us walking by. 

And then they left because they were so cold!  And then Ainsley and I made them come pick us up because we were so cold!  I don't think I warmed up for days.  But...we got to light ourselves up and walk in a parade.  So I guess it was all worth it.

Visit with Santa

There is a new shopping area by our house called The Village.  It's a trendy place with a lot of cool things inside.  There is a water fountain that dances to music every hour (think Bellagio, but about 1/4 the size), outdoor fires, ice skating rink, etc.  And this year they also had a special house for Santa.  We chose to go on a night that was FREEZING. I think it was 11 degrees outside.  And it was windy.  We were chilled to the bone.  But we got our list to Santa....so it was worth it right?!

 

Emmie declared that she wanted a teddy bear.

Ains told him that she wanted girl legos.

And Owen asked for a rubic's cube. 

I wonder if Santa will deliver?

A once in a lifetime event.

I got a call from Kortney in November.  She wanted someone to make stockings with her.  I reluctantly said yes.  This task has been on my to do list for a decade.  Literally.  When John and I were newlyweds I bought some fuzzy red and white stockings at Target on clearance for $1.50 a piece.  Just to hold us over until I made some.  And then I decided I should wait to make them until our family was complete. Or at least that's what I told myself.  Really it was just a task I was dreading.

Kort and I worked on these for what seems like forever.  We planned, watched you tube, videos, shopped, and got in way over our heads.  I had to make many phone calls to people who actually knew how to sew along the way.

Since we are completely unskilled we decided to quilt the stockings as well!  Smart, right?  I'm not sure why I thought I should try out a new skill on something that I planned on lasting forever.  I honestly never want to have to make these again.  But alas, the stocking are finally done!  And I think they turned out pretty well.  They are full of mistakes.  If I get motivated one day I might sew around the top again so that the ric rac lays better.  And I'm going to have John's mom embroider our names on the cuffs the next time we make a trip to Utah. But other than that they are complete.  Now go ahead, tell me how pretty they are!  (Oh, and Kortney's turned out pretty cute too...same design, just different fabric.)

Thanksgivings Main Events

The week of Thanksgiving was full of fun.  It was the year that my entire family was together for the event and we filled the week full of all the fun we could.  We bowled, saw movies, played basketball, played board games, ate, ate, and ate, and we played our first turkey bowl.  Which is something that I actually have pictures for!  Yay me!

The kids also discovered loom bands.  So they bought a ton of them.  And spent a lot of time making them.  Which made mom happy.

Kortney also found out that she was having another girl that week.  I think the plan had been to have a boy.  Funny how things never seem to go according to plan.

Syd also made an announcement right before our Thanksgiving feast.

What was funny was that we all thought she was making the +1 sign for Kortney to hold.  Which Kortney was refusing.  And then we were all complaining that Syd had ruined the picture and we'd have to take another one.  I believe Kortney's exact words were, "Awww, Syd!  She's holding the sign!  Now we have to do it again! Wait, are you?!"  It was pretty funny.  So there will be two new Welch babies born this year.  Fun!

.....Oh, and we also did some black Friday shopping, which now is more like black Thursday shopping.  We all scored the deals we wanted in only a few hours of shopping and we were in bed by 1:00 Thanksgiving night.

Puzzle. Take 2.

Last year I attempted a puzzle with my family during December. It was terrible.  And yet for some reason I bought another puzzle this year while we were out shopping one day.  I bought a puzzle that was half the size (only 550 pieces this time).  And I decided we would start it during November to be sure we were done before Christmas this year.  Well, I 'm happy to report that we finished before Thanksgiving! And not to brag or anything, but I did most of it.  Just sayin'. And now the great debate is whether or not to attempt last years puzzle again.  I'm thinking probably not.