It is wrestling season!

One evening as I was looking at the pictures on the camera. I came across the above pictures. Not sure who took them or when was my first thought. Second thought was, "Does weightlifting your brother and sister make your legs stronger for wrestling?!" The top picture is Jordan and Patrick, bottom is Raeleigh and Patrick.

As soon as football season is over, Patrick heads over to the wrestling room. He enjoys the sport and comes home exhausted after practice. The two pictures here are the match between Patrick and his rival high school oponet. Patrick is in blue.

Our Clarinet Player and Drummer

Okay, so the drummers are in the back and it is difficult to get their picture. So I had the drummers pose after the Jazz band concert. Of course I didn't make it back stage before all the drums were put away, so no drums are in the picture. Here are Samantha and her fellow drummers.

Jordan's first middle school band concert. He is so handsome. Jordan played very well and was pleased with his performance. His parents were also.

Samantha and Mackenzie

Samantha and her friend Mackenzie did the the science fair together. They put in a lot of thought and hours. I can't explain what all they did. However I do know that several people came in exhaled into a bottle of distilled water, ran two laps then exhaled into another bottle of distilled water. Test strips of some sort were put into each bottle of water and then were compared to see if there was difference. Then of course there was the display board which took more thought and time! Both of the girls dressed for the day of judging and were a little nervous to share their project. I thought they did wonderful.

When I picked Samantha up from school after the judging, she told me she didn't make it. I tried to console her, saying all those motherly things. Later on, she told me that I needed to be at school the next Monday. She did not want to tell me why. Finally she told me that she was getting an award. It took me a few minutes, but she finally admitted the award was for Science Fair. Samanth and Mackenzie took first place in the group division. So they will take their project to Fort Meyers to be judged in the Regional Compitetion. Way to Go!!! The pictures are of the girls at their school awards ceremony.

Decorating for Christmas

I love this willow tree nativity. Craig has been giving me pieces for while. I get excited to add a new piece each year. The picture to the left is a close up of the Holy Family. Below is the whole nativity scene.

Patrick set up the willow tree nativity. He was also the designated photographer for the evening.

Samantha made hot chocolate for everyone. Yummy, thanks!!

Morgan set up the Bethlehem Village. She pays attention to detail so it had to be perfect.

Below Stuart is putting the orgami star on top of the tree. Jordan mad the star.

Jordan put garland and lights on the banister. This is where we put some of Craig's 12 days of Christmas decorations.


Raeleigh is holding up the wall hanging Santa. We had this up for a few days and then noticed it had become subject to the humidity (mold). So our wall hanging had to go to the trash:(

I love to have the Christmas decorations out. I like to do this the day after Thanksgiving, but this doesn't always happen. This year it was three days after Thanksgiving, on Sunday that we decorated. Craig had a long bishopric meeting, so it was just the kids and I that decorated. I gave each of the kids a project to work on.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. I like to think about all the blessings I have. So things I am thankful for (in no particular order) : the ability to read, hugs from the students at the elementary school, friends, the scriptures, an amazing husband, Morgan's desire to help others smile, Patrick's sense of humor, Samantha's love for adventure, Jordan's ability to draw, Stuart's inventiveness, Raeleigh's wanting me around, a house to live in, my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my family of orgin, both my in-law families, memories of Searls, photographs, need for volunteers, serving in the church, and many more.

Thanksgiving day Craig's family came over. Craig did most of the cooking. The kids all helped with the dishes and watched the parade. Patrick played ball at the church. It was a nice day.

I must also admit that this was a difficult day for me. My Mom started of tradition of "Pie Day" years and years ago. This happens the day before Thanksgiving, all the daughters and kids go to Mom's and bake pies all day. There are usually 20+ pies made. Of course the kids all make their own mini pies. Living out of state means I haven't been to Pie Day in 10 years. I missed my sisters and mom all day on Wednesday - and wondered throughout the day what kinds of pies they were making. By Thanksgiving I was an emotional wreck. I was so homesick for my family. I took two naps that day and lots of deep breaths. I think/hope I put on a happy face while my in-laws were here. Then at bed time Craig held me and let me cry. I am greatful that he will listen to me share memories of my family that is so far away. Thanks Craig for helping me to make it through a hard day.

Stuart's Thanksgiving Feast

For a day and a half, Stuart's school class along with another class, cooked. They made a turkey and all the fixings! For about a week they made decorations and invitations. Stories about Thanksgiving were also written. Of course there were also rehersals for the performance and songs.

Tuesday morning the students decorated the classroom. There were pinecone turkeys, turkey napkin rings, woven placemats and name cards on the table. The walls had the pilgrims and ships the students colored, along with their stories. Also there were turkeys all over the wall. The room looked great.

Guests were seated as they arrived. When we were all there, the student came in in their costumes, singing. They lined up front of the classroom. Each of them read a part of the story about Thanksgiving four hundred years ago and today. It was awesome and all the parents/grandparents were thrilled. After the program, we all ate. The students were excited to try the food they had made. It was an awesome day.



This is Grandpap, Stuart and his cousin Austin.



Good job Stuart and classmates.

The students waiting in their costumes to go in and perform. They are so CUTE!

Our principal carved the turkey for everyone. I love that Mr Gifford gets involved in the classrooms. He knows each of the students names and who their parents are. Mr Gifford is a terrific principal.

How do you spell COW?

"C Zero W" is how my nephew spells cow. That is one of the cutest things I've heard in a long time. Austin is four years old. He is a happy boy who makes me laugh. I love to see him.

Last night Austin spent the night. He loves the boys trains. So after everyone was asleep, Austin got out of bed and played with the trains. Until I came to check on him. The he helped me change the laundry and then came to my bedroom to sleep.

This morning when Austin woke up,he said "Christina, it's play time". After going potty he came right downstairs to play with the trains. He is fun to have around!

This was taken on Thanksgiving Day. Stuart and Austin with one of Austin's favorite things, trains. Austin was in the corner of the room - so hard to get a picture of him when you can't get into the room because it is filled with train tracks.