December Chronicle

I have been neglectful of the blog lately so this post has to be a catchup since the last entry. First off, I guess it is a big deal...


I FINISHED SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, finished my last semester and my diploma will be in the mail by the end of this year. I can't participate in the ceremony until May/June time since they only have one a year.

 We decorated the tree with the kids the first Sunday in December.

We actually bought a live one from Wise Buys because I was in the mood for a real tree. This was short lived and we were offered a nice pre lighted fake tree for free shortly after this one. I took it and Ben came home one day and the live one was in our backyard and the new one in place. I think a 9.98 tree from Wise Buys just doesn't cut it. Plus the fake one looks so much better and doesn't shed needles everywhere.

 Bailey, Emma and Nathan were a part of the Nativity for our Ward Christmas party. Bailey was Joseph, and Nathan and Emma angels. 

 Bailey did a great job in his class play this year "Bullies Anonymous" He  played a science student who invented a Bully-O-Meter. He sang a small duet with another boy and sang loud! This is a first for him and we are really proud.

 

 He thought this play was hilarious and couldn't keep his amusement to himself.

 

 Nathan, Amy, Becky with Kate, Addison with Anna.

These are the ladies at Motor Gym, a weekly sensory therapy session we have had for Addison for over a year. Since she is turning three, she transitions out of the County and is under the school district. Well, she did her testing and did so well she doesn't even qualify anymore. We are excited to have seen all of her progress and how far she has come. 

We went to Sausalito for a weekend Christmas getaway for Ben's work. The sign above is my white elephant gift. I actually found the idea on Pinterest and made it (with the help of a friend to do the letters for me). I still laugh when I see it. The woman who originally came up with this is super clever. 

Ben and I also got up Saturday morning and ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a beautiful day and a great way to start the day. 

 In December we also celebrated my grandma's 80th birthday. Here are all the cousins from my dad's side being..well..ourselves.

 Emma loved the fake jail that was used for one of the dance numbers. Dance numbers? Don't all birthday parties have a program and dance numbers? Well, for my Mamaw this was the case and I know it was the perfect night for her. There was an entire program of dances, a video of her life that I put together, family performances, clowns and even a hula girl. What a way to celebrate 80:)

 All of the great grandkids singing "You are my Sunshine" for Mamaw. Leena and Addison weren't in the mood to sing, and Kate was being a puppy. But, it was still cute.

 Cousins being normal

 Emma and my cousin's daughter Sammy

OK, so we are rather close in age and have thousands of pictures of us together. One day when I get around to it I'll have to post us through the years. I think it would be pretty funny.

Emma was able to celebrate her birthday a bit early with her friends from school and Church. She has always wanted a swimming party. Having a December birthday doesn't make that a reality. Thanks to the city of Roseville and their indoor pool we made it happen for the big 8.

 Claire and Jordan

 Opening presents

 Part way through she told me she was cold and wanted to go home. I ignored her request and she soon was having fun again.

 Farrah excited for cupcakes

Claire and Jordan.

This party was especially interesting as I had to deal with a mom of some kids who were swimming and her idea that she can discipline other people's kids. But I'm tired of blogging right now and that will have to be a story for another day. Let's just say I can bring it when I need to (as long as there is no threat of a fight because I think I would chicken out)

December isn't over yet so I need to stay up on journaling a little better so I don't just vomit it out like this! Now that I don't have homework anymore, it just might happen.

The BIG 3!

They woke up this morning briefly excited it was their birthday. It didn't take long for a twin fight to break out and they both were bawling. Kate pushed Addison off the bed at one point. I told them to stop crying or I would take their picture. They cried even more...

Now, this is not because they don't like their picture taken, but because the LOVE their picture taken and do not want to be crying in the picture. I actually have pictures of them as babies with red eyes smiling because they would always stop mid cry session for a photo and smile. 

They made up and insisted we have a re-take of birthday morning photos. Showing me they are best friends now:)

Kate then turned like this and said "Take picture my birthday butt!" Seriously, this is what she said. I'm sure she'll love this at 16.

Addison's "I Happy Now!" pose

 Then, more hugging.

Nathan insisted he had to have a picture taken as well.

So today, we mark the 3rd year of life with twins. As I type this was around the time I was being wheeled back to the operating room for delivery three years ago. I am grateful no operation was needed and these girls were both healthy, even with a short NICU stay.

This time went very fast and I can't believe they are three (and fully potty trained!) They will be in Sunbeams in two weeks which is even crazier to me. These two little girls are the best ending to our string of children and we are so blessed to have them in our family!

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this past week. We especially enjoyed Ben being off for 4 days in a row:) Thanksgiving morning we embraced with a 5K in the Roseville Turkey Trot.

It was raining the entire time. Laurie watched ENKA at my mom's house while my mom, Ross, Curtis, Ben, Bailey and I did the 5K. I used to hate running as a kid, but now I like it so it was actually fun. 

Later that afternoon we spent at Nana's house for dinner. The only picture I got was the girls watching Barbie movies in bed. What could be more fun than that? :)

The day after Thanksgiving we headed up to Apple Hill.

 This year we got to go without a stroller! However this meant Addison was not happy about being in a group bear picture. This was the best I could get.

 Eating apple doughnuts.

 Nathan ate apple doughnuts and the bear claw thing. I've never seen him eat that much in one sitting!

 Kate and Addison traded being happy and sad. This was Kate's turn to be sad.

 I told Bailey to "look cool"

 Curtis doing a dance I forgot the name of.

 Showing Niki how to press a button on a camera haha:)

 The dance again. Still no idea...

The "train"

It wouldn't be a weekend without YARDWORK!

We got the side (front) yard cleared out and ready for bark. The bark is coming today so more pictures to come. This was our last free Saturday for a while so we are glad to have most of the front finished.

No creative juice this a.m.

I can't think of a clever title for this post, so it gets none:)

Ben organized a Daddy/Daughter fishing trip for the Elder's Quorum this last Saturday. It was on the property of a member of our ward.

 Emma all bundled up and ready to fish.

 One of her three catches for the day. She wouldn't touch it.

Ben's first fish ever! 

I straightened Kate's hair for Church again. She doesn't usually let me do it, but she wanted it done for some reason. First of all, her hair is SO long when straightened! Second, they look a lot more alike without the curly/straight difference. I guess the matching outfits add to the twin thing...

In front yard news....

 Prepping for the sod that was delivered that morning

 3/4 of the way done

 Proof that I worked on it:) But really I was FILTHY from head to toe by the time we finished.

 Look what we did!

Already looking so much better. Next up, bark.

And, last but not least-the kids school pictures for this year.

 Emma, 2nd grade

Bailey, 5th grade