Christmas Story time!

Hey, one tradition that we do with our kids is to read a different story book each night up until Christmas. Then on the 24th we read "The Night Before Christmas" and last but not least is the ACTUAL Christmas story in the bible. We got off to a slow start this year and we are already behind; so last night we read 3 books. It about killed Porter--who wanted to go check out the football scores--but it is still fun for most of them. I used to wrap up the books and put numbers on them--until the books were almost torn into--so now I just set them in a big pile under the Christmas tree...it is still just as fun. The kids have their favorites, and I get to add one or two new books each year. I had board books that were short when they were little--but as they have gotten bigger I have had to swap some of them out. It is a fun tradition--one I suggest every family start. Happy reading!

Cole's favorite:"Mooseltoe"
Karee's favorite: "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree"
Zadie's favorite: "The Littlest Angel"
Andrea's favorite: "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" (makes me cry every time)
Porter's favorite: anything short
Nick's favorite: The Christmas story in the bible; not shocking!

We have many good one's--but if any of you have a favorite, please let me know so that we can try it out!

My Project--continued!

Okay, this weekend I finished Porter's quilt. I was unable to keep it a secret--so he has seen it...but I am happy to report that one rag quilt is done, now just 3 more to go before Christmas! I am showing a picture of the underside of the quilt because I still have to wash and dry it before the quilt will actually rag. Let me tell you, if any of you ever make a twin size rag quilt or larger--you must invest in spring action loaded rag scissors! They are wonderful. Worth every penny.

I was a little afraid of one of the prints in the quilt the yellowish one; I was unsure if it actually blended into the grays and blues of the overall quilt, but those are Porter's favorite squares--so I guess if he is happy then so am I! It ended up being 60x90 and looks great on his bed. We will make some matching curtains for his room--but that will have to be after Christmas!

Now just 3 more to cut and sew!

Piano Recital

My three older kids played in their annual Christmas recital at the Piano Gallery in Orem. It was held on Saturday night, Karee's birthday. Karee was a good sport when Sister Sullivan (Kathy) the piano teacher played a rockin' rendition of Happy Birthday to her and had the whole audience sing to her. I was on my own, as Nick was a little under the weather--but it was a good time and we video taped it for daddy and the grandparents who weren't able to make it.

Porter was a little nervous. He is still not in love with the fact that I "make" him take piano. But, he is actually getting quite good and is playing Hymns out of the hymnal now. Karee is a natural and doesn't ever see to get nervous or crack under pressure. I think she really loves to play the piano and just loves music in general. Cole is also doing well. He sometimes throws a fit, but sometimes he can't pass the piano by with out pounding a Christmas song or 10 little Indians. He did well also. It is neat to see my kids growing in their skills and talents. Maybe someday all that forcing and coercing them to practice will pay off!

Happy Birthday Karee!

Karee had her birthday this past Saturday. It is hard to believe that she is 10 already. Karee is a sweet and thoughtful girl. She is quite a big help to me and a whole lot of fun. She love to craft, help with treats and do anything creative. She has been collecting some small nativity sets for the past few years and was able to add one more to her collection this year. She wanted "4 layer" for her birthday cake, which is technically just a dessert--but lots of chocolate, so who cares right? I had forgot to buy the #10 candle so she got the number 8 and two ones. Lame I know, but we had so much going on; and Karee was a great sport about it! She is a great sport about many things. She even missed a family Christmas Party the night of her birthday (Dad was a little under

An evening with Janice Kapp Perry

On Tuesday night Karee and I attended a guest lecture at Reagan Academy (the charter school our kids go to) where Janice Kapp Perry came and spoke. It was quite a thrill to listen to her speak, sing and share the Spirit with us. I have been a big fan for years, and I love to play and listen to her music. We had her autograph our "Sing a Song of Christmas" cantata that she wrote for the Utah Valley Children's chior. I don't know if any of you remember, but Karee sang in that chior and all the different parts were written by Sister Perry. We sing the songs on the CD every Christmas!

Anyhow, she and her husband Doug were there and told how music has blessed their lives. She shared many experiences from her life. We loved hearing about their mission to Santiago Chile. They have been back for a few years and are serving in a Spanish branch in Provo. It was truly uplifting. I mean--here we were in a school, and she had us all singing a medely of primary songs with her! She truly has a gift and talent.

Sister Perry talked about having a dream and working towards that dream. She shared with us how she feared singing in public, public speaking and the actual story aobut how she became a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior. One of the most amazing stories that touched my heart was one about how she and her husband were in a head on collision in Provo Canyon several years ago. She had sever injuries and pain in her back and couldn't even lie flat when they took her in the ambulance. When she arrived at the hospital they told her that they would have to do an x-ray where she would have to lie flat for 1/2 hour. She was terrified, and had never in her life experienced that much pain. That was when she prayed and as they did the x-ray the words to her song "A Child's Prayer" came into her mind..."Pray he is there; Speak, he is listening. You are his child; His love now surrounds you." She told us that with those words she was able to get through that difficult time.

It was a very neat experience and I just had to share!

My new project!

About a month ago I decide to make each of the kids a quilt for Christmas! I know, nothing like last minute ambition. So, here I go. I don't know that I will finish all 4 before Christmas...but I am going to make a good effort. Porters' is a rag quilt and it is laid out in squares all over my sewing room floor. I hope to be done with his before this weekend. Wish me luck!

Here is a picture of all the batting squares. I'll post an after picture when I am done. Not easy to keep it a secret--but he hasn't seen it yet!

Family Night with the FLASH!

Okay, so Monday night we went to watch a UTAH FLASH game for family home evening. It was loud, crazy and fun. A bit long for Zadie and Cole--but neat to see a semi-pro team play. Nick said it was a development league, whatever. The kids brought the tickets home from school last week when they had an assembly and met some of the players. Porter begged us to take the family. It is right up his alley. He is soooo into sports! The game was against Albuquerque and went into overtime. They lost by two in the last few seconds of the game. Drat! Maybe next time!

Cole left a really disappointed that he didn't get a free t-shirt or ball (you know, how they shoot those out into the crowd) I couldn't believe his attitude. Nick tried to explain how the numbers just weren't in his favor--but he was disappointed nonetheless. Zadie liked the FOX their mascot, and loved to literally "hang" around on the handrail in the middle of the isle. Karee loved to scream with out worrying about hurting any one's ears ('cause we were all screaming) and Nick enjoyed how closely paired the two teams were. It was exciting. I forgot my camera again--always happens...but tried to catch a few with the cell phone. So I will see if any are descent enough to add here.