Snow!!

This morning an unusual thing occurred, I only had to ask the boys to get out of bed once.  Usually I have to request they arise numerous times since 6:30 comes pretty early.  Why was it different today?  It snowed last night.  I told the boys there was snow on the ground and they got up, dressed and played in the snow for 10 minutes before they left for school.  All the kids loved the novelty of snow in Mississippi, yes it is not near what you Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah people have, but it was fun and cold.

Temple Trip

The ward had a temple trip planned for Saturday and we wanted to go.  It ended up being a lot longer trip than originally planned because of ice.  The free-way was closed in Baton Rouge due to ice on the bridges.  This meant we spent extra time working our way to the temple and missed the session we were scheduled to attend.  Kyle was wonderful and watched the kids so that I could attend a latter session.  I really needed the temple experience and am so grateful for that holy place.

Here are some pictures of some of the 7 hours spent in the car.

Hyrum, Wendy, and Mom

Wendy and Hyrum are fun to be with.  Here is wendy posing after a Princess Birthday party she attended.  They fixed their hair, painted their nails, and put make-up on.  Wendy was thrilled.  Hyrum is showing off his wings.  He loves to fly.

Here I am in my pregnant glory.  One month left!

A Mississippi Christmas

This year we spent the Christmas Holidays in Mississippi.  This meant that we did not have time with extended family, which we truly missed, but we did have a great time together.  We did enjoy the warmer weather and the relaxed atmosphere.

Zachary and Eric wrote a thank-you note to Santa for the gift we had already received, Disney World.  Wendy and Hyrum drew a picture for him.

Christmas Eve in front of the stockings.  Santa we are ready!

 Here we are opening presents.  This year we had a present opening station that everyone went to when it was their turn.  It seemed to work well.  Everyone got wonderful gifts and also had a great time giving to others.  It was a fun morning and then a fun filled day playing with what we got.  That evening we got to talk with Grandmas and Grandpas which made the day more complete.

Quotes about our Christmas:  Zachary = "I like all, all, all of them."   Eric = "I like my bike and I like my switch and go Dino from Elden.  "I like my Spiderman thing, and I like my airplanes that I could make from Wendy. I like to celebrate Jesus' birthday"  Wendy = "There is Christmas trees around.  I liked the picture and all my kinds of presents, they were kind of good and I liked them alot."  Hyrum = "Go presents, a long thing and tree."

As you can see we had a good low key Christmas.  It was nice to be with one another and we had fun!

Christmas Programs and Parties

Wendy did a great job in her preschool Christmas program.  The music teach told me she put her front and center because she was so cute.  I agree!!  

 Eric did a great job in his program.  I was able to go to the practice and Kyle saw the actual performance. He was outstanding in both.

Wendy, Eric, and Zachary had Christmas Parties.  I was able to attend Wendy and Zachary's.  Eric reported his was fun and he had Santa and Rudolf painted on his cheeks to prove it.  Zachary and Eric got to wear PJs to school the day of their parties as well.

Playing in the leaves after getting home from school.

Santa Zachary and Mom at his party.

Wendy and Hyrum building a Gingerbread House

Our Christmas Tree

 We decorated our tree the Tuesday after we returned from our trip.  It was a fun family experience and the tree turned out beautiful.  The kids also got into decorating their own little trees and helping make the house Christmasy.

Orlando Vacation Part V

December 5th

 We went to Epcot on thursday.  It was a fun, full day, we stayed until the fireworks at 9:30pm.  We were able to go on rides, help Perry the Platypus solve a mystery, eat and participate in a program at the Biergarten restaurant, watch the Christmas Candlelight Processional, meet a few characters, and watch the fireworks.

 Here we are waiting for the Candlelight Processional.  It was a wonderful program focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  The music was wonderful, and I enjoyed it, the kids sat through it :)

December 6th

 Happy Birthday to me.  I had a pin that announced to the park that it was my birthday, and each of the kids got a pin that said they were celebrating with me.  Kyle bought me a tiara which I was able to wear.  We spent the day at the Magic Kingdom, Jenifer and Joey met us for the afternoon.  We then went back to the resort and swam, had cake, and I was sung to.  It was a fun day.  After the kids went to bed, I went down to the pool and lounged.  It was wonderful!!!  

December 7th

Kyle forgot his wallet, with the tickets, in the car, so we took pictures while we waited for him to go back.  

Funny Faces :~)

The kids were able to finish earning all their Wilderness Explorer Badges.  They were very proud of their accomplishment.

We spent the morning packing up and leaving the resort.  We then spent the next few hours at Animal Kingdom.  We then got in the car for the long drive home.  Kyle drove for hours making it to Mobile, AL.  We found a hotel and then attended church in the morning and finished our drive home.