There Goes January!

Wow. It's amazing how busy you can be without really doing anything out of the ordinary! January has sped on by and we haven't done much beyond school, lessons, and various dentist and orthodontist appointments! We have received A LOT of snow this month, so Amelia and Cooper have had fun playing on the huge snow hill on our lawn:

Last week we visited the fire station for Cooper's scouts. Although he was a little disappointed they didn't allow him to slide down the pole, he still had a good time and asked alooooooot of questions! Amelia opted to stay home and "relax". She's nearing the age she wants more alone time!

Inside the ambulance:

Of course, I wouldn't mind snuggling up in bed if I had just gotten a new comforter:

She felt this was more age-appropriate that her pink pastel butterfly one!

That's it! We're starting another week of school--and on Saturday we're going to the new Super Walmart. I'm not excited about getting sucked into the black hole of shopping centers, but the old Walmart has packed everything up, and my list is getting longer and longer of things we need!

Christmas and New Year's 2015!

Wow. WOW. A week can certainly speed by. Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day happened all so quickly. Here are a few of the highlights:

Christmas Eve:
We had a huge family party with games, food, and lots of laughter and fun.

Amelia and Cooper at our family party.

We must have been good this year, because Santa visited out house!

Santa came!

Christmas morning (not until 6am--which was nice!) we opened gifts, ate breakfast, then drove down to Blackfoot to spend time with our family for a few days.

They were very happy with the gifts they got each other!

After a long debate between Mom and Santa, Amelia finally received her beloved Kindle Fire.

We spent the week between the holidays hanging out with family that visited, going to movies, bowling and lots of "pajama days."

New Year's Eve we celebrated at 9 o'clock our time, which was midnight in San Juan. I explained to my sweet, already tired children that San Juan was a US territory, so therefore counted. In the first few minutes of our new year, it became apparent 9 o'clock was just late enough:

New Years Day we worked on resolutions and relaxed. School starts up on Monday for everyone and although it'll be an adjustment we are all happy to be going back! Happy 2016!

Last few things before CHRISTMAS!!

Cooper had his Christmas program at school and did great! The fun thing about Cooper performing is he looks at me the whole time.....it's like getting a personal concert. :-) He did very well with his speaking part and smiled the whole time, waving at me occasionally.

We have been getting a good bit of snow lately (7 inches) so we had to go sledding! It was really cold so we only stayed out for about 45 minutes, but at our home there are huge snow piles from the snowplow, and Amelia and Cooper go out to play on those a lot.

When we were sledding, I sent my camera down with Amelia and Cooper to document their view of things. They are pretty funny. First, here's Amelia:

Now Cooper:

Next post--Christmas!

More Christmas Activities!

We survived last week! It was packed, with something every night plus it was my last week of commuting to Idaho Falls for my senior practicum. Monday Amelia and Cooper finished their last night of the Nutcracker. Tuesday was just one big blur, and Wednesday Cooper had his science fair. His project was sandwich bag explosion using baking soda and vinegar:

Thursday night Amelia had her Christmas orchestra concert. I was amazed at the difference a year (plus lessons) can make! The sixth grades last song was a version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" altered to fit the Polar Express. Their principal dressed as the conductor and read the poem while the orchestra accompanied him. In the end, he handed out red sleigh bell ornaments to the kids in the front and Cooper snagged one.

Friday night was our ward party, and it was a lot of fun. The primary did a short presenation and sang a couple songs. I didn't get any pictures, though--too much to eat and do!

Saturday was, as Cooper put it, "A free Saturday--best day ever!". We've been incredible busy the last eight weeks, so I agreed with him! The only problem to a "free" day is it allows me to see how much stuff needs to get done at home! :-(  I got some much needed chores done, and seeing it was only two weeks until Christmas, thought I should get moving on my Christmas cards.

With a bit of grumbling, I managed to get a few pictures of Amelia and Cooper so I can get Christmas cards out!

We also had the chance to go to the Christmas celebration put on by Hemming Village last week. They had Santa, the Grinch, sleigh rides, and cookies and milk. While we didn't have a lot of snow, it was still plenty cold to help get in the Christmas spirit!

After I took this picture, we ran into almost everyone we knew in Rexburg! I love living in a town that has such good values, activities for families, and people.

Still more pictures to come, I'm sure. We have Cooper's Christmas program at school and all the other Christmas activities!

Nutcracker 2015

We've been attending the Nutcracker for the last five year because that's how long Amelia has been dancing in it. And each year Cooper has suffered (not so quietly at times) through. This year changed that. In early September, Amelia's teacher asked Cooper if he wanted to be in the party scene. He told her he would think about it then and preceded to ask 1,342 questions about what exactly would be involved in this "party scene".  Apparently the answers were to his liking, and he accepted. He was thrilled to be doing something before Amelia!

This lasted two weeks. Then Amelia came home from lessons ecstatic because her teacher had asked her to dance in the party scene.

However, the children worked through Cooper's disappointment about not being the first one in the party scene, and began attending the rehearsals. Lots of 'em.

Now, because of their perseverance and raw talent, last night they both performed in the Nutcracker and absolutely nailed it. I may be a teeny bit bias, sure, but they were great. Just wait for the DVD to come out. Here are a few highlights:

I think they would both have liked living in this time era. For a week. Until they found out there was no internet or Legos. Or indoor plumbing.

Amelia was a soldier this year, and was very precise. During the fight with the mice, she took a mouse's sword and held it out of her reach---even though she had to jump to do it. 

At intermission I picked up Cooper from the back and presented him with his "bouquet". He had told me in the preceding weeks flowers were NOT for boys. He was thrilled to get this and gushed repeatedly the rest of the night.

My fabulous performers. (Amelia was thrilled with just flowers). 

We have another performance on Monday, then onto school Christmas programs, concerts, and ward parties!

Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff

It's been a month since I posted, yet I feel like it's only been a week! We have slammed into the holidays like a tornado. Thanksgiving was fun--so fun I don't have any pictures. Not a single one. However, I do have several of putting up the Christmas tree. It's always so much fun to go through our ornaments from each year and relive the memories...especially my Jon ornament! Sigh.

As I looked through these pictures, I realize I forgot another momentous occasion. Cooper got glasses!

He was happy to get them, and even happier when he could start reading signs, numbers, and words from further than 4 feet away! Isn't he just handsome?!

In other non-picture accompanied news, the first trimester is over and report cards were sent home. I have brilliant children! I'm hoping some of that brilliance rubs off on me as I finish up this semester....if I make it!

I'll post soon about the Nutcracker performance.....like tomorrow, since it's tonight. Stay tuned!

Programs and Recitals

Saturday night Amelia had her first violin recital. She did a wonderful job, and didn't even need any music! She has progressed so much in just two months of lessons, and I'm very proud of her! I think she was a little humbled however, after watching what the students who had 6+ years could play. It was good that she could see what's possible, and hopefully her practicing time will increase a bit. :-)

I didn't get the first measure of her song because my phone froze, but you can still see plenty of her excellent skill:

                                    

Sunday was our primary presentation. It was a little bittersweet for Amelia because it was her last one. She'll be going into Young Women's in March. She gave a beautiful talk, and Cooper nailed his part. Here's a picture of the two superstars before we went to church:

                                                         

 

 

Next up--Thanksgiving!