Braces, Gingerbread, Christmas and Disc

December 21st - December 27th:

On December 23rd, Joshua had braces put on his teeth.  I searched through my photo library and could not find a picture of him smiling with his teeth showing, so I am going to have to search Ryan's photos or try and take one. The little nerd refuses to smile.

On December 24th, we went and had dinner with Ryan's family and Zach and Melissa's house.  We had a great time visiting with them and Jay and Tauna who also came.  The kiddos had a great time playing with their cousins.

Jay, Jordan, Jaxen and Ryan

Payton

Payton and Katie

Gracie and Emily

Jaxen and Rachel watching the video Grandma and Grandpa MacPherson sent us about our family history.

Ryan and Gracie

Joshua and Rachel

Jaxen and Joshua

Morgan and her Cousin Abby

Gracie with her new robe and glasses

We also decorated our gingerbread house for the season.  The kiddos had a great time decorating and eating candy.

The kiddos (Well everyone but Morgan) were up and ready to open gifts on Christmas Day at 5:30 in the morning.  Emily even caught Joshua sitting by his stocking trying to find out what Santa had put inside.  We made them go back to bed and wait until 6:30 to come out of there rooms.  

Gracie, Jaxen and Morgan

Rachel

Morgan

Morgan showing off her Magic Trick Set

Morgan finally gets to read the latest Michael Vey book

Jaxen and his new Star Wars Toys

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

After presents were opened and most of them put together,  Grandma Jean Ann and Grandpa Chris, and Uncle Randy's family all came over for Christmas dinner.  We had a great time visiting and the kiddos loved showing/sharing their presents with everyone.

Rachel showing off the disco lights on Morgans Karaoke Machine

Rachel and Owen

Christmas Parties, Baking, Movies and Caramel Corn

December 14th - December 20th, 2015:

This was a busy week for us since it was the last week before Winter Break.  The kiddos were excited to have all the Christmas Parties with church and school.  I'm glad to have the business of parties and activities over, but now I get to keep them busy for two weeks.

 On Monday, we had our family picture taken.  It was the only day this week that it snowed, and it really dumped on us.  However, it was also the prettiest day to have them taken in the snow.  The kiddos had a great time playing while waiting between pictures.  Here are some random out-takes Ryan and the kiddos took on my phone.

Gracie and Rachel

Emily and Morgan

Morgan

Joshua and Morgan

Rachel and Gracie

Morgan and Jaxen.  This picture is an Ode to Lili, their cousin on Ryan's side.

Gracie

Rachel

Miss Gracie's model pose.

Jaxen being a goof.

Ryan and Morgan

Jaxen, Joshua and Gracie

On Friday, the kiddos had their Christmas Parties at school.  All the classes have their parties at the same time at Rose Springs, so it is really hard for me to split my time between them.  This year I have 5 different classrooms.  Luckily, the boys left early with Ryan to see the new Star Wars movie.  Since I had been to Morgan's Halloween party, and I volunteer once a week in Gracie's class, I spent my time in Rachel's classroom.

Rachel dressing up as a snowman.

Snowman Rachel

Rachel playing build a snowman

On Saturday, Ryan and the boys were watching the BYU vs Utah football game, so Gracie and I decided to bake cookies.  I'm not a baker, but we had a good time making treats to share.

Sunday, Ryan and Morgan decided to make Caramel Popcorn, and watch the Sound of Music Sing-a-long on TV.  Dafunny and I cuddled in the chair, and the kiddos thought it would be fun to take some pictures. The Caramel Corn was yumm, and we had a great time as a family.  The kiddos weren't sure they wanted to watch such an old movie, but by the end they were converted.