The end of the year...

I thought I'd do a little year-end update on each of the kids for our journal...

Jacob is 7. He's excited to be baptized this next year and start cub scouts. He loves to play the computer, read books (especially Star Wars), play with Zach and other friends, and go to the park. Jacob is a great help to me and the best big brother. He is a wonderful example to his siblings.

Zach is 6. He loves to share things and has a big heart...when he wants. This is his favorite spot...leaning over the back of Dallin, while Dallin is playing Star Wars on the computer with Jacob. Zach loves kindergarten, especially recess. He is an excellent runner and has tons of stamina for a kid. Zach is learning to read and loves playing computer for his new Webkinz.

Savannah is 3. She is the little Mommy of our house and at nursery. She is VERY excited to be a Sunbeam in primary this week. She loves to play with Connor (it helps that he usually does what she wants) and I often find her giving him hugs and kisses for no reason. She loves to play with friends and with her all of her animals. She loves to accesorize with jewelry and is a cute little girly girl.

Connor is 23 months almost. He is a sweet little guy and very fun to have around. Connor likes to color, play with noisy things, and look at books. Dora is his favorite thing in the world, other than playing outside. He would live in the backyard if I'd let him. Connor has been a little slower talking and is finally starting to communicate better (which is nice for all of us). His favorite words are "Yeah!" and "Buh-Bye!!!" He's just starting to learn shapes and naming things much more...star, train, duck (any bird), etc. Here are some phrases that he uses tons:
"All done" = I'm done eating; My show is done; I don't want to eat that; Leave me alone
"Uh-oh" = Something fell down; I'm stinky; The TV won't work
"Uh muh" = I want milk

New Year's!

Happy New Year! We had a movie night with the kids last night for New Year's and watched Star Wars the Clone Wars. The kids were so cranky when it finished at 9:00pm. When I told Jacob it wouldn't be the new year for 3 more hours he said "I don't know why people want to stay up...they should just go to sleep. They need their sleep." I went to bed by 11:00 and I have no clue if Dallin stayed up. Such is the party scene at our house.

Dallin went back to work on Monday but had today off. The kids and I have been on walks and to the park and such. Jacob is ready to go back to school...boredom is setting in. Even with fun new toys. Connor is finally feeling a little better and sleeping better too. Yeah!

Christmas!!!

We had a rough night on Christmas Eve with Connor coughing and not being able to sleep. But we still enjoyed ourselves Christmas morning...and took naps later.

First we opened stockings. The 3 older kids all got a Webkinz stuffed animal.Connor got a lightsaber that flashes all different colored lights. He was in heaven.

Then the kids went on a hunt for Santa's clues to find their present from him...

Hauling the loot to the family room...

Savannah got her pink pony!

Connor loves anything that makes noise...

Jacob got some Star Wars legos from Santa, and Zach got some Planet Hero guys. The rest of the pictures are just random shots from the rest of our present opening.

A smile says a thousand words...

Jacob hugging his Bakugan toys...

Savannah got a doctor's kit...

In the evening we had a nice Christmas dinner just with our little family. It was nice to be able to relax, although we did miss being with our families.

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve this year. After looking at Christmas lights for a little while we met up with a group of other families to sing at the nursing home. The kids really enjoyed it, even though they didn't sing much. Zach loved waving at everyone as we passed by their rooms. Connor cheered "Yeah!" after each song was done. I think we'll do that again...

The boys by "Santa" in the foyer of the nursing home (Savannah was too scared to go near it).Singing in the hallway...

When we got home Zach hurried and set out his "reindeer food" (oats) before going to bed...

Capitol Visitor's Center

Today was drizzly and freezing cold outside. We had 4 kids who really needed to get out of the house. They love the capitol building so went and saw the visitor's center today. We pretty much had it all to ourselves. It's free, with free parking. Gotta love free.

Dallin & Savannah chatting on the old-fashioned phone...
What the inside of the dome looks like...

"Ride 'em cowgirl!"

A couple of dudes in front of the cowboy gear...

Connor rockin' out...

Pioneers Zach & Jacob...

Jacob checking out the top of the Capitol Building through the telescope...

This light-up grid map showed the Texas territory at various times in history I think...

Winter Parties

Today was the boys' "Winter Parties" at school. I guess you can not call it a Christmas party, or even a holiday party anymore. Dallin came home from work early so I got to leave Connor at home. Savannah had been looking forward to it all day so I brought her along.

Zach got to decorate Christmas trees out of sugar cones (and then licked all the frosting and candy off). He's wearing his Christmas light hat (I know, it kind of looks like feathers). Savannah always likes visiting Jacob's class because he's such a nice big brother to her, even in front of all his friends.

...eating all of the leftover frosting

Freedom!

Yesterday Connor learned how to take off his shirt. All of a sudden he comes running around the corner with no shirt on, his hands up in the air, screaming "YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!"
The funny thing is that most of the time he can only get one sleeve out...so he played like this for at least half of the afternoon.

Candy train

On Wednesday Savannah had her music/craft class. They made candy trains and she had a blast! I need to do that with my kids next year. She loved the gumdrops best to decorate with...

Singing "Jingle Bells"...

After her class we went to Walmart to go grocery shopping. You know you go to Walmart too much when the lady who works at the bank inside the store (that you don't even bank at) comes over to help you bag your groceries each week and chat with you. She loves my kids and is the nicest lady. This week she gave the kids a balloon. Connor was entertained for the entire day. He also learned a new word..."aiy-oon"!