FOUR

Levi had a birthday! We woke up early so he could open presents before everyone needed to leave for school and work.
He asked for pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast.














Levi went to playgroup and celebrated with his friends. Thanks so much, Kelli for hosting his birthday party!!





He requested smiley fries for his birthday lunch and since the only place I know where they are served is the Merc, that's where we went for lunch. Nonnie was in town so we enjoyed lunch with her. The only candles they had at the Merc was this votive so they lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday to Levi. It was so fun!



Later that night, we had spaghetti and salad and enjoyed a delicious Despicable Me 2 birthday cake.










The next day at preschool, he was celebrated as the Special Person and we sang to him again.




Four things about Levi…


He has the BEST imagination!!

He makes us laugh all the time!

He loves to hang out with his older siblings and listen to music!

He loves to be read to!

Happy Birthday Levi!! We love you so much!!

Turning four is exhausting!!

TWELVE

Andrew had a birthday on New Year's Eve. He opened presents early in the morning and asked for pancakes, bacon and Orange Julius for breakfast.








Yep, he was pretty excited about getting an iPhone.






We tried doing several things on Andrew's birthday, but nothing really seemed to work out. Nathan took him to shoot his new arrows. We had Panda Express for dinner and a HUGE cookie and ice cream sandwich instead of cake.









Twelve things about Andrew ….


He loves playing soccer but actually enjoys playing futsal more.

He is a VERY hard worker!

He has a thing with weapons. If his mom let him, he would have every kind of weapon. For now, he has a bow, crossbow and a dagger.

He is a talented musician. He can play the piano and clarinet.

Scouting has always been important to Andrew. He loves to go to Scouts every week.

He will still hold his mom's hand.

He loves to read.

He runs home from school every day.

His favorite food is chicken and rice!

He had a pretty mellow temperament. He's very easy-going!

He enjoys riding bikes, scooters and skateboards.

He collected so much Halloween candy, he is still eating it.


We love you so much, Andrew!!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We went to the mall early so the kids could have their picture taken with Santa. Obviously, Levi was not happy about sitting on Santa's lap. (I tried to take a picture of a picture so that's why the picture is blurry.)



Then, we met Grandma and Grandpa at the Village Mall Theater to see the movie, Frozen. We all absolutely loved it. We then went to Ling and Louie's for an early dinner.



As a tradition,everyone gets to open one present on Christmas Eve. Surprise, surprise the kids all got new pajamas. They put the cookies and milk out for Santa and then our dad read the Nativity story as everyone was a bit tired and was just happy to sit and listen to the story. (That's baby Jesus in the manger right in front of Nathan.)









On Christmas morning, the kids have to wait at the top of the stairs while Nathan goes downstairs to make sure that Santa has come. He takes a picture of everyone's stocking and gifts from Santa before everyone comes down. Everyone was very pleased with what Santa had brought them. We looked at everything that Santa had brought us and then we ate breakfast. After we cleaned up breakfast, the kids opened presents from each other. Then, we watched the movie Percy Jackson 2 which Sarah had gotten in her stocking. After the movie we had a little snack and then we opened some more presents. Grandma and Grandpa came over in the early afternoon for dinner and to see what fun things we had gotten. We watched another movie, played with our new things and played a few of our new games. It felt like Christmas lasted the whole day. It was wonderful!!

December Festivites

We began our festivities for the month by decorating our home. (And when I say "we", I mean Nathan.)











This is where we could find Jessie for most of the month. She loved the new furry tree skirt.



We drove to Wendell on the first Saturday of the month to celebrate Great-Grandma Smith's 93rd birthday. It is always wonderful to see Grandma, her home at Christmas and we are always happy to see all of the other family who comes.



We picked out a fresh tree to put in the family room. We got the one directly behind those five cute kids!






We went on a train ride to see Santa's village with our Grandpa, Uncle Karl, Aunt Aimee and cousins. Just in case you are wondering about Nathan's reindeer hat, he got it from a lady that he used to work with at Idaho Elks ten years ago. Every year he gets it out of it's box and proudly wears it to EVERY function that we attend during the month of December. He loves it. We endure the stares.





The train ride was absolutely dreamy. I loved that the cousins were able to sit by each other and visit. They sipped hot cocoa and ate cookies. Santa also sat with the kids and asked them what they were hoping to get for Christmas.



When Santa sat next to Levi I could see wonder and amazement in Levi's eyes. He couldn't believe that he was sitting next to Santa. He told Santa he was hoping to get Skylander Swap-Force guys for Christmas and that he has been a very good boy this year.



Andrew told Santa that he was hoping to get camping equipment and a bow and arrow.



Benjamin also said that he was hoping for a bow and arrow.


Once we got to Santa's village, the kids were asked to hang carrots on trees for Santa's reindeer.





Levi wouldn't share his carrot with the reindeer. He ate the whole thing while we waited to see Santa.



Nathan has a thing with pinecones. When we go on walks we have to pick up every good pinecone we can find and then he decorates with them. He took several pictures of pinecones while he waited in line to see Santa.



The kids got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they hoped to get for Christmas.





It was a bit chilly so we tried to stay warm by the fires.



Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa for an absolutely wonderful time!


We had several music concerts to attend. Spencer had a choir concert at the school and at the Capitol.







Andrew had a band concert. He is pretty proud of himself as he is sitting in the first chair clarinet spot. Way to go Andrew!





Levi had a music program at the Clubhouse with his preschool friends.



Benjamin had a music program at school. My favorite song that he sang was I want to be an elf. So, so cute!!



We got our Christmas cards sent out. This is the front…




and this was the back.




We got quite a bit of snow (for us, that is) right before Christmas





Sarah and her friends had an "Ugly Sweater" party.



Andrew got the Patience award at school. He is a pretty patient guy!



Nathan did a beautiful job decorating the Barn. He had a work party during the day and then we had our ward party in the evening. As a ward, we went caroling and then had hot cocoa and treats.



Nathan and Benjamin went to the Piano Guys Concert at the Taco Bell Arena. Benjamin has a definite passion for the Piano Guys. He listens to them ALL the time. It was such a fun surprise and evening out for these boys.








We went to the Botanical Gardens for the Winter Garden aGlow with our neighbors, Mark and Sharon. I'm so sad we didn't get a picture with them. We all had such a fun time looking at all the beautiful lights, visiting with Santa, eating Kettle Korn (thank you, Sharon), watching the mechanical train and petting the reindeer.



It was another wonderful, memorable month!