A Night in Bethlehem

Chad was in charge of the Ward Christmas Party this year. He wanted to do a Night in Bethlehem and transform the gym and have everyone bring blankets to rest on the floor. It was a lot of work, but it turned out amazing. Chad worked hard building cardboard pillars for our market storefronts.

Thanks to both my Mom and Chad's Mom for letting us use their tablecloths to make the look we wanted!! Chad's parents were a humongous help setting up the gym and preparing the food! Don't know what we would have done with out them!

We had a section with tables for "The Inn" for those who could not sit on the ground. The Terry's in our ward made an awesome "Well" for the water.

We all were dressed in biblical attire. The kid's didn't keep theirs on long. I couldn't even get a picture of Lydia.

We had a play on the nativity story with some adorable pictures of the primary children dressed for each of the scenes. Thanks to our awesome Primary President for taking the pictures and providing the presentation! Chad's Mom, Sister Cluff, and her cute daughter were awesome reading their parts for the play.

We also had a booth for kids to color pictures for those living in assisted living and nursing homes. And a  booth where the kids could write Hebrew. It turned out to be a great evening and was worth all of the stress.

The kids were excited to be able to finally set up Christmas this week. We couldn't do it until after the Ward Party since our house was filled with preparations for that.

Thanksgiving and Family Fun

Sophie's kindergarten class put together a Thanksgiving play. She was excited to be a Native American and insisted I had to make her a costume. But apparently she really didn't need a costume as the teachers had taken care of it...she looked cute anyway. Thanks to Grandma Clayton for the materials and ideas :) She did a great job and the play was totally cute.

She was so excited Grandma Miller, Grandma Clayton, and Aunt Sarah were able to come.

After they served pie and juice.

We got to have 2 Thanksgivings this year. I think Sophie thought we were never going to stop eating turkey haha. The day before Thanksgiving we enjoyed dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Millers. Then the next day Chad Brother came with his family and we had another yummy dinner. The girls were so excited to play with their cousins. We had a lot of fun and played hard.

The kids enjoyed shooting their bows.

We fed the animals at Rooster Cogburn Ranch.

Feeding the Lorikeets was awesome. You just hold the container of nectar and they climb all over you and pull off the lid.

The girls had a sleepover with their cousins and Chad and I had to go clean the church and attend a baptism. Right when we were getting ready to leave and meet the rest of the family Easton decided to run for the door where he proceeded to trip on the rug and slice his lip open on the base of the church door. We spent 2 hours at urgent care.

He was one tough kids though. Only cried for a little bit and then played happily. We headed up the mountain for lunch and hiked around a little.

We also went to he children's museum...

And we were all able to go the the Gilbert Temple together thanks to my awesome cousin Amber for taking the children!

Running and Haircuts

Sophie's school did a fundraiser to earn money for new computers a few weeks ago. It was a funrun where they get sponsors to donate a certain amount of money for each lap they run. Sophie runs with Chad after he does Cheer lessons with her and she has never made it around the park across the street twice without complaining. So we all figured this was not going to be her thing. Lydia, Easton and I went to cheer her on and they got the kindergartners all lined up.

They would mark their shirts every lap. And she ran past the two laps I thought she would do....

She shocked us all by running.....43 laps!!!! (32 laps equaled 2 miles) Chad said she definitely was not showing him her potential in Cheer lessons but now he knows!

She did a great job and we are so proud of her.

 Last week I finally decided it was about time to cut Easton's hair. I just love his little curls though. He was excited though.

He thought it was fun until I had to do around his ears and the back of his head. But a lollipop distracted him really well at the end. And my little baby is now a kid.

Sophie has been wanting to cut her hair again too. I have been too nervous since I have only cut Chad's and now Easton's hair. But she wanted to get hers done after Easton and Chad was willing. He gave her the whole spa experience....

Chad and Sophie weren't nervous at all...I on the other hand...well was really nervous. Chad asked Lydia if she wanted a haircut too. She didn't even hesitate to say no haha.

After some tips over the phone with Aunt Kimberly Chad was able to give Sophie a cute little bob. Sophie was excited to be able to donate her hair again!

Phoenix Temple Open House

Last Saturday we went to the Phoenix Temple open house. When I originally scheduled it I completely forgot about the Cops and Rodders show we go to every year with Eleanor. We had already paid the registration fee...oops. The kids love going to this show and they make a pine wood derby car to race every year. When they were talking about what their car was going to look like I broke the news to them that we weren't going. I thought they would be upset and they did get a little sad, but then I told them where we were going instead and Sophie responded "That's okay Mom, the Temple is more important then Cops and Rodders." You are right Sophie! (Insert proud Mom moment here).

. We had to ride a bus to the Temple which the kids loved.

Easton especially loved this part and pointed and said "car!' all the way there.

Both Grandma and Grandpa Clayton and Miller were able to come with us! It was so nice to be able to all go to the Temple together and the kids did a great job being reverent inside the Temple.

Lydia decided to be camera shy

It was a great day and we are so blessed that our kids have gotten to be able to experience walking through two Temples now.

Halloween

The kids were excited to dress up for Halloween. Aunt Sarah let us use her makeup and glitter and the girls were in heaven. There was glitter everywhere and there is still some in their hair today after several baths.

Easton's costume was probably the easiest ever and he especially loved being able to play in the dirt before we left for the Ward Halloween Party.

 

The kids had fun playing the carnival games.

They had face painting and a trunk or treat too.