Strong Family Pictures

We got family pictures taken while we were in Arizona. We went to the temple grounds, forgetting that the Christmas lights were all up. Oh well, they still turned out great. In the picture at the top of our blog I actually photoshopped a little on my own to get rid of a few of the lights. The photographer was great! She did all of Dallin's siblings' families individually, then all of us together (over a couple of days). Our photo shoot only took 20 minutes, which is awesome when you have 5 kids that don't want to smile and sit still for very long. If you live in Mesa here is the link to her site:
www.kristencarterphotography.com

We came back later that evening for the large family pictures.

Dallin and his parents and siblings...

All 20 grandkids

Cub Scout Zach

Today was Zach's first day of cub scouts. He is a Wolf. His den went to a nursing home this afternoon to sing Christmas carols. Their families were invited to come along too. Jacob had his own cub scout meeting at the same time, but the rest of us went with him.The boys had made Christmas cards and Zach loved passing them out to the residents. He has been very excited to wear his scout shirt. It's been hanging in the closet for him to look at since Jacob got a bigger one.

Piano Recital

Yesterday was also Jacob & Zach's first piano recital. Jacob has been playing since he turned 8, but I've been teaching him. (He had a teacher for a month or so, and then she moved away.) Zach just started playing a couple of months ago. A friend of mine started a little theory group for 3 of us who are teaching our kids ourselves. Once a month the kids go to a house and play theory games, learn about a composer, and play songs for each other. Then we'll also have a recital twice a year. So far we are loving it. It is great for them to be able to have something to work towards.

Jacob played "Silent Night" and "Freight Train"Zach played "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and "My Favorite Day"It just so happens that all the other kids in the group are girls. They needed some boys to even things out.

"Santa Claus is coming to town"

Yesterday was our ward Christmas party. We had breakfast and then worked on a service project, making dolls to go to Africa (or something like that...we missed the presentation). Savannah loved working alongside Dallin cutting out material from a little pattern. Connor helped too, cutting the large scrap pieces into millions of little scraps.

Jacob helped inside-out the pieces after they were sewn.

Then it was time for Santa! This face says it all...

Connor is terrified of mascots and people dressed up, but for some reason Santa doesn't phase him. He climbed right up and gave Santa a big hug. He told Santa he wants a baby chick for Christmas. In the car on the way there he told us he was going to ask for a diamondback rattlesnake. I was kind of looking forward to seeing the look on Santa's face when he asked for that one...oh well.

Zach asked for a reindeer Webkinz. He also asked me why Santa was wearing tennis shoes. I told him it was because we don't have snow here, so he doesn't need boots.

Jacob asked for books.

Landon stared at all the people smiling at him.

Savannah was TERRIFIED of getting anywhere near Santa this year. I finally coaxed her to take this picture, with me between her and the scary man. She was gone the second it was taken.

1 year 2 months 10 days

...and Jacob's braces are off!He was so excited for this day. He'll be getting a retainer next week (a blue one with a Superman symbol on it) that he'll have to wear for the next few years. Jacob had 3 baby teeth that were loose and they couldn't get the braces off of them...so they just pulled them out! He has 3 teeth with braces still attached to put under his pillow tonight.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We finally started getting ready for Christmas! Dallin's sister Melinda had us for Christmas this year. She told us to open both gifts early. The first was a "witch-a-ma-snifter." That is a total inside joke for their family and it was quite funny. I don't have a picture because it rotted before I thought about it. The second gift was "The Elf on the Shelf" book. It has a little elf with it that goes back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa. For Family Home Evening on Monday we gave him a name and placed him on the shelf. Meet "Winston the Elf!" When the kids wake up each morning he is in a different place. They love it...especially Savannah. She told all the kids in her class about our "flying elf."The kids have been begging to put up the Christmas tree since we got back. Yesterday they had an early release day so we spent the afternoon decorating.It finally feels like Christmas!

4 /12 months old!

I took Landon to the doctor yesterday for his 4-month check-up (a couple of weeks late).
He is 19lbs. 8oz! I was distracted and didn't see his length, but I know she double-checked it twice. He is in the 97th percentile for weight and the 99th percentile for his height. His head is the 28th%. Big boy, little head. He had to get 4 shots and he didn't even cry for the first two. I was so amazed.

We sure love this little boy and enjoy watching him grow. He is just starting to try to grab at things, especially whoever's face is closest. He has a great little laugh that brings all the other kids running over to watch. We are so blessed with such a sweet, snuggly baby.

Going Home

We had such a great vacation! We loved that we got to see ALL of our families and even some extended family. The kids were able to do some of their homework in Arizona and are even almost caught up (3 days after being home). Here are a few last pictures before we left.

Jacob is such a good big brother and always willing to help out. Grandma has been collecting little art projects for the kids to do and they did some almost every day.

The kids found some fun glasses for Landon to wear...or maybe it was Dallin who found them.

Landon loved Ana Paula and being held by her.

We drove to Fort Stockton on Saturday (about 10 1/2 hours). When we got there we had dinner at Pizza Hut and then went to the hotel. The kids think that sleeping in a hotel is the neatest thing in the world, since we only do it once a year. Dallin and I think otherwise. We had to be quiet and keep the lights off for a while until most of them were asleep. We ended up sitting in the bathroom together eating snacks while they all went to sleep. Oh well...good memories I guess.

We got home Sunday afternoon. It was a great trip, but it is so nice to be back at home and in our own beds.