Dogs & Fences

Lucy gets to sleep in the garage whenever it gets really cold outside, and it's been pretty cold the last week.  We were watching our friends' dog Ginnie for a few days, so Lucy had a buddy to keep her company.

Landon LOVES Lucy lately, and was thrilled to have Ginnie here as well.  Every time someone opens the garage door he comes running to go out and pet Lucy.

We've had a lot of strong wind this week as well, and a couple of posts on our back fence were about to fall over.  Dallin and our neighbor John started fixing it yesterday.  They had lots of helpers.

Connor stayed out there to help the entire 4 hours or so that they were back there.  John even gave him two quarters for being such a good helper.  He started playing in the hose towards the end and came in with some pretty frozen fingers.

Remember the Alamo

It has been our tradition the last few years to do a day trip during Christmas break.  On Friday we had great weather so we drove to San Antonio to "Remember the Alamo."  Jacob & Zach have both had Texas state history since the last time we came, so we though they would enjoy it.  Landon, however, did not think it was great to stand in front of glass cases looking at old things.  After just a couple of minutes in the annex nearby he started throwing a horrible tantrum.  So Dallin took the older kids inside the Alamo while I stayed outside to calm Landon down.  Luckily the weather was nice so it wasn't too bad.

The six flags of Texas - all of the different countries that have "owned" Texas.  This is where the theme park "Six Flags" gets its name.

 We were lucky to get there just before the huge crowds started and they only had to wait a few minutes to go inside.  By the time we left there was probably a 45 minute wait.

 In front of the Texas tree.  There were so many orange shirts everywhere because Saturday was the Alamo Bowl, and the University of Texas played Oregon State (which are both orange schools).

 After having lunch at McDonald's we took a boat ride on the Riverwalk.  The last time we came and walked and walked and walked the kids wanted to go on the boats, but we didn't.  They all loved the boat, especially Landon.  

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2012

I told the kids we were not starting Christmas until 7:00am, so don't bother getting up early.  I got myself all ready and then went to their rooms about 6:40.  They were all still in bed!  Most of them were awake, but just waiting patiently.  Such good kids.  Zach's one request for Christmas was that we turn on the "fireplace" from Netflix.

 First we checked out our stockings.  Santa must have known that our VHS player just broke and that we need more DVDs.  Everyone got a new movie this year along with some other little things.  

Savannah's favorite movie right now is "Matilda."  She also got a new keyboard that does all kinds of neat stuff, a purse, a diary with a lock on it, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, art supplies from the LeSueurs, and silver sequin high top shoes.

 Landon loved his new "Doo" underwear.  I hope that he will be using it in the next few months.

 Then we did our scavenger hunt from Santa for presents.  Landon was so cute running all around with the big kids.  He didn't know why they were running and excited, but he was happy to join in.

 This year their gifts were in the pots and pans cupboard.  It was a lego Christmas.  The older kids all got new lego sets.  Jacob got Ninjago, Zach got Monsters & Ninjago, Savannah got a girl car with a puppy, and Connor got a helicopter.  Santa gave Landon a fun board with all different kinds of locks to figure out.  Our family got a couple of movies and the game Sequence (the adult version).

 Jacob got more legos from us and the LeSueurs.  He and Zach also both got an electronic laser tag set and little lamps that clip onto their beds for reading.  Jacob also received a couple of new books he wanted.  Jacob and Zach were all over the place opening presents and handing them out, that I didn't get very many pictures of them.

 Landon was so cute this Christmas.  He was so thrilled with his stocking that we didn't make him open any presents for a while, he just carried his stuff around and kept showing it to us over and over again.  

 This year Zach asked for money and legos.  He got cash from us and the LeSueurs since he is saving up for something expensive.  He also got a new watch.

 Connor got a couple of lego sets and lots of books about dinosaurs, reptiles, and animals.  This was his favorite, from Grandma & Grandpa.  Santa brought him a snake finger puppet, which he loves very much.

After he opened his book I didn't see him for a while.  The other kids were still opening presents and Connor was off in a corner by himself reading his new book.

 

Savannah helped pick out a wind-up snake for Connor, and she got a big hug in return.

 Landon was finally ready to open more presents after a while.  He got a book from Grandma & Grandpa LeSueur that has their voices reading to him.  He said "Grandma?  Grandpa?"

 I found this set of Little People toys at a yard sale and Landon pulls it out every morning, so I'd say it's a hit.  There is a car ramp, elevator and car wash, a school bus, and a fire station.

Dallin gave me a new video camera!  Since we don't have fancy phones I still need a good video camera, and the old one was having some issues.  I'm so excited to have this one because it is digital, and it will be easy to post videos to the blog.  Thanks Dallin!  I also got my very own pink tool set from my parents, which I LOVE.

 Dallin got some giftcards, camping gear (since he goes lots with Jacob now for scouts), clothes, and the Texas Peach Handbook.  He is determined to have peaches grow in our back yard.

 We got this game from Dallin's sister's family and it has become a favorite.  We've played it tons since Christmas.  Thanks Medfords, we love it!

 As soon as the presents were all opened the kitchen table became a Lego factory. 

 

 Our family got a new Blue Ray DVD player, since our old one had just broken.  Dallin let Landon play with a couple of pieces of styrofoam and he became quickly attached to them.  He carried them around all day, played cars on them, etc.  When we did the webcam with my parents in the afternoon the only thing Landon wanted to show them was his new "pome," as he called it.  He wanted to sleep with it, but he had to settle for leaving it on his dresser.  Dallin got up with him the next morning and he said that the first thing Landon did was go find his styrofoam.  This picture was taken while he was eating breakfast.  Luckily when they got broken later in the afternoon he took them right to the garbage and threw them away.

We had a nice Christmas dinner just with our family, and have enjoyed just hanging out with each other this week.  

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve this year we were all supposed to go spend the afternoon with some friends, hanging out and having dinner.  But Landon and Connor were both still sick with small fevers (Landon had been sick for a week and a half), so Dallin stayed home with them while I took the older kids to our friends for a while.  We still had some time to take advantage of everyone being home and play some games though.  Landon still idolizes Jacob and wants to play with him constantly.

 Daddy & Savannah playing Uno

 Zach & Mom playing Star Wars Monopoly

 Some of the kids at dinner

 Ish, Alanna, & Lauree

Usually we drive around and look at lights on Christmas Eve, but we did that on Saturday night.  So we just had a quiet evening at home and watched a short Nativity movie before the kids went to bed.

Christmas Concerts

Jacob had his Christmas orchestra concert last Thursday.  They actually got to use their bows this time and did a great job.  He is on the left here, playing his viola.

 His choir concert was last night and I was impressed by how much they have already learned this year.

 

 Well done Jacob!

Zach is 10!!!

Zach turned 10 today!  I can't believe this kid has been in our family for a whole decade already.  Zach always has something interesting to say and we love having him in our family.

Zach wanted to mostly celebrate his birthday yesterday, since his "real" birthday fell on a Sunday.  We rented a redbox movie and Wii game and he had a good friend over for the day.  He also opened his presents yesterday as well.

Zach wanted to go out to eat with just Mom & Dad for his birthday (which is a big deal at our house, I don't think it's ever happened before).  I asked him what kind of food he wanted so we could narrow down the restaurant.  He said "I want to eat lots of different desserts."  That was easy enough.  We went to Golden Corral, and this one had the most variety of food I've ever seen.  The dessert buffet had cotton candy, ice cream sundaes, fondue, homemade donuts, pies, cookies, you name it.  Zach was in heaven.  First he ate some pizza, a roll, and chips.  Then he moved on to cotton candy, a cupcake, a brownie, an ice cream cone, and then topped it off with fudge and a big glass of sprite.  Sugar coma?  Why yes, he slept in until 9:00 this morning (which is also unheard of in this house). 

 The main thing Zach wanted was money.  He is saving for some sort of electronic device, probably a Kindle Fire.  He got some money from us and also this from Grandma & Grandpa.  I loved the memories for each year of Zach's life, and he enjoyed reading them.

 Lego Ninjago spinner

 Some books about rocks and minerals that he really wanted

 This one makes me laugh.  A few months ago out of the blue Zach said "Mom, what were those sheets I slept on at Great-Grandmother's house?"  (Like a year before)  I told him they were satin sheets and he said "I want satin sheets for my birthday."  Well I thought it was funny and told my mom, but she actually found satin sheets on sale.  Zach has always been really sensitive to how things touch and feel, especially his clothes and blankets.  He was SO excited to sleep in these sheets last night.  Good job Grandma.

 Today we made Zach's cake.  He was very specific (like he is with everything).  Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.  He decorated the top with a number 10.

 

 I was telling Zach that the main memory I have from the day he was born was that I was laughing while I was delivering him.  I was induced and it was less than 4 hours before he was born.  I only had to push a few times, and the when the doctor told me after the first push that he was really close I was so relieved I started laughing.  (I was also pretty medicated, so I'm sure that helped too.)  She said "Keep laughing!  That's helping!"  That made me laugh more and I kind of laughed him out of me.

We love you Zach!

Friends

We are sad that we live so far away from our families, but we have been really blessed to have good friends here in Texas and a great ward "family."  Our ward is our congregation at church, and many of our friends there also have all of their family far away.  We can always depend on help when needed, and that's comforting to know.  

In November a lady in my ward organized groups of us to go down to the temple while our kids were at school.  I went down to San Antonio with these two friends and had a nice time.  It was nice to be at the temple, but also fun to have four hours in the car to chat with no kids.

I  was also sad when we moved here 6 years ago because I LOVED my Book Club in Tucson and the friends I had there.  I'm so lucky I found that here and look forward to hanging out with these friends every month.  We had a great Christmas party last night.  Thanks Jeannie!