Christmas happenings

Christmas is almost here and so we are running this way and that going all but crazy.  The kids had their last day of school today, I did Friday.  I was able to help Abby make gingerbread (graham cracker) houses on Monday morning, in her Kindergarten class.  They were so cute.

 

Hailey and Alyssa had their concert for choir (Alyssa) and band (Hailey) last Wednesday.  They both did a wonderful job and well we need to work on our music a little more, hopefully time for that will happen soon. 

 

Macey just stays at home brightening up everything and everyone around her.  It seems so hard to believe that I was dying from her terrible two's just a few months ago.  I litterally had a countdown of how many days til she turned 4.  Now she's sweet, smiles a lot and is a very happy little girl. 
Sunday I had fun taking some pictures of her with one of the balls off of the tree that she continues to look at and wish she could touch. 

Gymnastics

We have had a crazy last three weeks!
Abby and Alyssa are both in gymnastics through the city and they go from 5-7 pm three days a week.
Alyssa is really getting good at her flips and bends.  She can even do a cartwheel of of the higher balance beam.  It is fun to watch them.    Abby has never done gymnastics before and she is learning well.  I think she liked it so much because her friend Katie Evans is in the class with her and the two of them love to play together.

I was able to get lots of grading done during these classes and I was able to work on and finish multiple scarves that were made for holiday gifts.  I don't have that much time to spare and so thankfully they ended tonight! Here are the girls on their bars and stuff.

We did learn the last few days though that Abby's teacher is from Manassa CO and went to Sanford High school.   My friend Marty (Katie's mom) and I were talking about my home town when she noticed the instructer had a 'Sanford Cheer' t-shirt on.  She wondered how many Sanford's there were.  I didn't know her, but I did go to school with her uncle and I knew of her mom.  Small world isn't it?

Santa Claus is coming to town

When you go to see Santa at the Mall, there's a problem.  It's all become so commercialized that you can't see Santa unless you buy pictures.  Well that's great if your kids are all fixed up like dolls and all you are going to do is see Santa, but me when I finally get to the mall I have shopping to do and my kids get drug around into 10 stores and are so upset about it all that no one looks like a doll.  I prefer to go to the mall alone or only have 1-2 children accompanying me.  Lucky where we are we have the shops that the Riverwoods.  They decorate all the trees's beautifully, have Santa Clause, hot chocolate, and free horse/carriage rides. 

Taking my children here, they are happy.  They are excited with the Christmas atmosphere all around.  The carolers in the central area perform wonderfully, the heat lamps around kept them warm and the lines are not long, keeping happy children and hence a happy mom/dad.

Alyssa is truely excited

Hailey informed up before we went that she was not going to set on Santa's lap, but when her sister's had all did it, she did to.  10 years old is not to old to set on Santa's lap.

 

 

This is the first year Macey would set on Santa without screaming, my baby's getting older!

 

 

Abby has always loved Santa and she was definately the most excited about seeing him and letting him know that she wants more polly pockets and barbie dolls.

 

Here are the horses.  Just after we got out of the wagon, the girls thought they should pet them.

 

John and Macey walking up the path

 

Then, my mom and Emily came to visit the next weekend and so we made the trip again.  This time John opted to stay home and Macey wasn't feeling the best so she stayed with him.

 

Here is Abby, Emily and Santa:

 

And Alyssa with Santa:

Meeting Friends

It was so wonderful to meet up with my dear friends Debbie and Dawn for lunch today. Dawn has been a good friend for over 10 years and still lives in Kalaheo HI. Debbie just moved back to Utah from Kalaheo but was one of my closest friends our first few years there. She did so much for us and I was so happy to see her looking so good and well just see her again.
I love you both!!!!