On Friday the 18th we stuck with tradition and had our annual cousin Christmas party, complete with pizza and a movie. I had to include pictures of past years so you can see how our crowd has grown. This year we were lucky enough to get Mya and McKenzie as well! Next year it’ll have to be in Boise!
2007 (4 members)
2008 (6 members)
2009 (8 members)
Most days Jake doesn’t get home from school until 6:45pm, with just a half an hour before it’s time to get the kiddos in bed. But on rare occasions he’ll show up at 3:00 or earlier! Well, I like to make the most of those days, so on this particular one, we headed out the door to Zoo Lights. It had been raining all day, but had stopped just minutes before. So not only was it a pleasant evening weather wise, we were also one of the few people at Zoo lights that night. It made for a great adventure, and anytime my kids get to run wild is a good time. Also, I was impressed that they weren’t scared by all the large animals walking around the place. I wasn’t so sure about that lion, but the kids were more than happy to have their picture taken with it!
He’s warm and soft and cuddly and he smells so good.
We just can’t get enough of our new little cousin.
Sage had her first dance recital today, and to say it was cute would be a HUGE understatement. The costumes were so fun, so I have to post a picture of all of them. There were 7 costume changes in all, if you can believe it.
#1
#2 (my personal favorite)
#3 (so pretty when she twirled)
#4
#5
#6 - I didn’t get a picture of this one, but I have video of it, so it’s okay.
#7 (okay, maybe this is my favorite)
What a little princess. She had a dress rehearsal on Saturday and was really shy, but in her recital today she just twirled and leapt with the best of them. I love watching my little girl experience and love new things, and dance has been so fun for her to be a part of. A huge thanks to Miss Heidi for making it possible!
Videos coming soon!
My kids are just full of Thanksgiving this morning, and so I wrote down their lists as they rattled them off to me. Very sweet.
Jaxon is thankful for:
Sun
Live with Jesus again
Jesus and heavenly Father
Christmas is real
presents for Christmas
Cousins
mom and dad
Sage
The baby in mommy’s tummy (surprise?)
House
T.V
Baby Jesus
Everything
And Sage is thankful for:
Pajamas
Holly (said 6 times)
Abby
Princess book
Ballerina book
And I am thankful for so many many things. My handsome husband and sweet little children, Heather, for her amazing example to me and for those sweet African children she is helping. Heidi, for her example, and making these past 3 1/2 years so much fun! For John and his kindness and willingness to always help out, Michael for making me want to somehow be able to touch people with my voice as he does to me with his, Mark for his humor and respect, my dad for his passion for life and for his love. I’m so glad I grew up in a family of 6, because I can’t imagine my life without every one of these people in it. For Rick for putting up with me, for Stacie and her capacity to love and give, for Mikalann for her sweet personality and willingness to put up with my brother, for Mirm and her a perfect example of what a loving wife should be. I grateful for each and everyone of my friends who have shaped and influenced me throughout my life. For an apartment that has been perfect for us, for Jake’s upcoming graduation and for moving on. Oh gosh…..I’ve opened a can of worms here. I could go on all day. But most of all, I am grateful for a loving Savior who has made it possible to live with my family again. Also I am thankful for my mom. For somehow shaping me in 10 short years into the person that I would become. For her love that she has for me that has sustained me through so many tough times, and for her presence in my life even still.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
My kids are hilarious sometimes. And this was one of those times. We told Jaxon he could have a piece of French bread, and this is the piece he choose. Jake offered him $1000 if he could finish it before bed. Luckily he wasn’t able to, because we really don’t have $1000 to give to our 5 year old. 
Next thing we know, Jaxon is dressing up Sage, and Sage knew just how funny it was, just look at that laughing face. She’s just a goof ball.
After we had been laughing about Jaxon eating all the bread, Sage needed her chance to try. Who knew French bread could be so much fun.
Of course Jake wanted in on the action. I sure do love my crazy family.
This morning the kids saw some peacocks outside our back door, so I broke the rules a bit and gave them each a piece of bread to feed to them. By the time the kids had finished throwing out the bread (2 minutes top), we had gone from 2 peacocks to 9! I quickly made them come inside, just in case they thought little fingers and toes looked appetizing as well.
My throat hurts really bad this morning, so I’ve had to whisper to my kids. It’s hilarious. Sage has asked “what?” maybe 100 times, and Jaxon doesn’t seem to notice that I’m not responding to any of the million of stories he tells me in a morning. I don’t know that I’d survive long without a voice with my two noisy kids!
And here’s some fun little videos. The first is for Aunt Heather. Hopefully you’ll get your package soon, and you can see that it was packed with love from the little ones, the 2nd one was after we got our webcam and were trying out all the fun voice changing features. I’ve seen it so many times, and I laugh every time. :)
Remember how I’m supposed to post a lot? It’s harder than I thought it would be. So in news today, my TV broke last night, and already we found a replacement! And here I thought I was going to go without for awhile. Whatever, I need my nightly escape!
I guess I’ll post about a fun time we had this summer. When we went to Snohomish to visit Nana and Papa, Joe took us salmon fishing. So, being the kind, supportive, and loving wife and mother that I am I woke up too early, bundled the little ones, and was off. We had a good time, and since I didn’t do much fishing, I took a lot of pictures. I’ll share a few.
Sage enjoying the fresh air
“Mom, get me out of here!!!
After I took this picture of Jake he promptly chased me with the dead grossness. YUCK!
As much as a love fall, I guess I do kind of miss summer.
