T'was a Jolly Holiday

Christmas season 2017 was a warm and wonderful one.  Our month filled up with ways to celebrate, concerts to attend and time to share.  The weekend the lights were turned on downtown was a perfect time for us to stroll.  We got a little tour of the conference center and moseyed about enjoying the twinkling lights.  

Grant had a Christmas concert at school with his mixed choir that was really fun.  His choir teacher, extended the invitation to be in Concert Choir for the rest of the year.  

 Having discovered his new found love of singing, Grant dropped Spanish and is now in choir all year.  Adios amigos!

Speaking of singing, we did our annual caroling at a care center with some neighbor friends.  This is our 5th year running and we had a great time.  The kids really look forward to it.  It's an all around highlight of our December.  We all feel like we can feel the true spirit of Christmas.  

Brenna had a busy month with a special holiday program by her grade.  She was all smiles as she performed that night.  She was disappointed because the class had to draw straws for their parts.  I guess we'd say she drew the short stick because she was one of the last to choose, so while she did not get to do the hula for 'Mele Kaliki Maka,' she got a stellar spot and had some great art displayed.  

Miss B was nervous all month about whether or not she would get coal.  She was sure she didn't deserve gifts. 

I think some confession time on the St Nicholas' knee put her at ease.  It all turned out well for her in the end!  

She had her ballet performance of Snow White where she worked her little pick axe as dainty as a little ginger ballerina can.  

Number 2 had a pleasant holiday season as well.  Katelee practiced long and hard for our piano recital.

She played an awesome version of the Hallelujah Chorus while Brenna tickled the ivories with a little Up On the Housetop action.


Brenna is a new addition to the piano crew, as well as Addie and Collin.  We lost Grant, that little rascal would no more be coaxed into playing.  It has been so fun to teach piano.  I never planned on it, but it is rewarding to see my little students growing.



Harrison visited with Santa a couple of times.  When we had the photos taken with the kids and the Mrs, we had made an appointment at Scheel's.  It was pretty much the best set up.  Santa was in a little room hidden away, so no one even knew.  You could tell him your secret Christmas wishes

and then head out to ride the Ferris Wheel!  Win for sure!

This Santa was at the library one day and was just so excited to see Harrison.  It really took us off guard. 

Harry and I were there to pick out books and Kris Kringle was calling him over and ready to present a present bag for Harry.  It was a fun surprise.  We didn't mind seeing the Grinch either!

(Harry is still working on that natural smile...apparently it eludes him)

We had a couple more downtown outings-one with just Dave and me.  We went to the phenomenal Christmas concert the Motab puts on.  We also took the kids down again to drop off things for the Candy Cane Corner store and learn about how it benefits the Road Home.  While down there, we had to get treats and walk through the Grand America.  Who did we see again?  The Grinch!


One fun weekend, we went to a church that was displaying hundreds of Nativity scenes.  We invited our friends, the Smith's to join us.  The church had a seek and find challenge for the nativities, a video in a different room about Jesus' birth, cider and cookies, and a manger photo op scene.  Katelee played a fetching Joseph.

We loved it so much, I quickly shot out a text to my family to run over.  We caught them just as they were leaving.  It is amazing to see other cultures and countries worship the Savior and their art.  Loved it.  He is the one to emulate.  Harrison has that down.  We were discussing the story of Nephi and we were saying who would be Nephi, Laman/Lemuel.  We determined Harry would be a brother and he just shook his head and said, "Nope.  I am Jesus."  

He has an identity crisis apparently, though, because at the nativity scene he wanted to be Mary.  He did tell me I am the best mother in all the land, and in his words, "you know who is number 2?  Mary, Jesus' mom."  Maybe that night, he let the doll be Jesus and he would go for number 2?!??

The much anticipated evening FINALLY arrived and we were able to have Mark and Amy drop by.  We headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve dinner/party.  

We sang, we ate, we opened presents.  It was glorious. 

IT was time to watch and wait for Santa.  We went back home and the kids had their annual "sleepover" which means little to no sleeping.  

Christmas morning was happy and fun as we exchanged gifts and love.  We surprised the kids with tickets to Disneyland and took no pictures, but we did video their reaction.  It was joyful!  We love spending the day in jammies, having Shannon, Grandma and Grandpa stop by.  We played games and Brenna put on a most mysterious and entertaining magic show with her magic set she received from Santa.  The whole day was magical! 

And so, another year wrapped up.  We stayed up late on New Years, reveled in the memories 2017 brought us and anticipated the experiences ahead in 2018.  While years pass by in the blink of an eye and we constantly find our selves wondering, how did we get here already?  We find contentment and fulfillment in the now.  We do miss the years gone by, but we know they are with us because they've made us who we are and we wouldn't trade where we are for the world.  On to a new year! 

Spooks and Sillies

Sometimes you are blogging and it is January, but you have to write about things that happened in October and you just hope you aren't fabricating events too much, but that's why there are pictures to prove you really lived the stories.  That's where we are today, folks.  Throwing it back a few months to my favorite season.  Brenna has Halloween listed in her top 3 holidays, while it doesn't have the same place in my list or heart, it does bring about a lot of fun! 

The kids and I ventured out to Thanksgiving Point during Fall Break to wander the gardens and the Scarecrow Festival.  

We voted on our favorite ones and I tried to keep the munchkins from destroying the displays.  

Harrison had to get a picture of every pirate Scarecrow, but the photos didn't turn out, so here is Dorothy instead!  I have told Harrison not to touch or pick at things and his reply is "I will NEVER."  So, he respectfully left all art in tact, but there was a little man handling.  

It was Red Ribbon week for the girls during October.  Crazy Hair day has now become a 'rat the little ladies' hair into huge balls of tangles' Day.  It's kind of a tradition now, I guess.  Oddly enough, it's the only day my dear daughters tell me I'm great at doing their hair!  HAHA!  It's true.  

Sure do love these wild ladies of mine.  Each of our kids, ok, mostly the 3 younger ones, love teaching our Family Home Evening lesson.  Harrison usually welcomes everyone, we sing a song with someone conducting.  Occasionally, the musical number even includes and interpretive dance, then we move on to family business before we hear a lesson and have an activity.  Katelee's lesson on the First Vision recently was especially creative as we capped it off with an activity she designed.  On a paper, she had drawn a forest and a young boy kneeling.  Then, she handed us a cut out of Heavenly Father and Jesus.  We were then blindfolded and we had to "pin" them in the sacred grove blindfolded.  Best family home evening game in a long time.  Ha! 

We had lots of fun at the Witches...

Having our annual family spooky dinner

where Harrison would not eat the worms.  I don't know what is wrong with that child.  

He was introduced to 'Captain Underpants,' the movie.  So, many a people have seen him doting a red cape and saving those in distress around our house while singing "TRA-LA -LA!"

He is a fun kid, who is completely in love with electronic devices.  Boo.  I am not a fan of parenting the screen time, but such is life.  He, does think that I need help in my choices and parenting strategies, he dishes out advice a lot to me.  He told me the other day that 'the spirit will tell you what to do.'  I appreciated this faith filled encouragement, but the declaration that came from his mouth "you can't argue with me, I'm in charge,"  was not so much my favorite.  

Harrison's little preschool class worked hard on learning some Halloween songs and presented them to parents at a Halloween party.  They were so adorable.  

We sure love Miss Amy.  She and I were cracking up because I've been worried about Harry's behavior at preschool.  There have been multiple times that I pick Harry up and as I'm buckling him into his carseat, he will let out a big sigh.  I've asked him what is wrong and then somehow it comes out that he has been on the time out chair.  Strangely, he can't remember why he spends time on the Time Out Chair, or what he has done to warrant that.  

When I picked him up last week, I asked Miss Amy, 'no time out chair for him today?'  She chuckled and said of course not.  I told her I was relieved cuz he has been on it lately. She stopped in her tracks and asked me what I said.  She started busting up laughing because apparently, Harrison has never been on the Time Out Chair, not once.  We are yet to discover why he wants to claim his delinquency when it isn't accurate, but for now, he is record is clean.  

The last day of October seems like it takes an eternity to get to, for the kids.  We fill our month, but waiting for the candy filled holiday is a stretch.  Finally the day arrived and the kids donned their costumes of a vampire, pirate, peanut butter and jelly and a baby.  So simple, so great this year.  

We filled our day with the parade, (SO glad we don't allow 10 year olds to have binkies...he slobbery talk around that device all day was driving me crazy!)

 class parties (Katelee had a mad science party, so I needed to dress the part...ok, it gave me an excuse to dress the part), 

 a neighborhood dinner and Trick or Treating.  Grant went out for a just a little bit with his friends, Katelee was with her gals and I took the two little people while Dave had a rough time having to answer the door so much while he was trying to watch the World Series.  ha!  We have had bags of candy ever since.  We actually threw it away just barely (much to the children's dismay), but Harrison keeps asking me if he can "borrow a cookie" from me.  I don't think I will like the state he will return it in, so I have declined.  That is not well received.  

Thanksgiving this year was hosted at the Petrick's this year.  We had a delish dinner and went to see Justice League.  We had a great time and had our special Grateful Gobbler up all month.  A lot of the blessings repeat year after year and how grateful we are that they do!!!  (Although, Mario was a new addition, not too thrilled about how he has entered our life!).

Fall-in Back

Fall means Back To School!!  It also means getting into a routine and extra curricular activities.  So, here are the pic of our start to 7th, 5th, 2nd grades and preschool year 1. 

Grant started a new school this year!  He was anxious and excited to be going to the same junior high as his neighborhood friends, but leaving the charter he had been at for 7 years was a big deal.  Of course, he misses the dress code (ha! yea, right).  He has adjusted so well and is doing great.  He probably roams those halls with a smooth presence, as perfectly displayed here.  

Another season of soccer was started with Grant's team.  These kids have been playing together for years, but they had some additions to the group.  Grant has decided he would rather not play goalie, so he was out there running with the other Gold Rush teammates.

Scouts keeps Grant busy as well.  His troop worked on this huge tower-built it and put it up...

Jason, the scout master, left it up all week at his house, so all of us went to climb it.  It was pretty impressive.  Grant was awarded his star ranking and is getting really close to wrapping up the required merit badges and moving towards his eagle project. 


Fall means football (viewing only, not so much playing at our house).  Dave and Grant went to Louisiana to watch a BYU game.  The game was supposed to take place in Houston, but Hurricane Harvey changed those plans.  We were just glad that Serena, while evacuated from Houston, had no damage or danger from the hurricane. 

While in New Orleans, Grant dined on beignets

walked Bourbon Street (pretty much a street of sin),

had some VIP treatment at a posh hotel,

and watched BYU get creamed.  Game aside, I think the boys had fun. 

Dave and Grant stayed in Pensacola as well and were able to visit Grandma, Grandpa and Grandpa Church.  Grant also wrapped up his fishing merit badge with a handy net on the beach... way easier than using a pole out here!  Ha!



Beautiful Katelee Lyn started 5th grade and was busy right away.  She auditioned for Seussical Jr and had rehearsals right when school started. 



She worked very hard as a BIRD GIRL and boy did she flip her hair around on that stage. 

There were 3 of them as bird girls.  It was such a fun musical.  The kids all had a blast. 

There were 11 kids from our neighborhood, I believe.  This was convenient for carpooling and extra exciting to see so many familiar faces on stage.  One of the moms made all the kids in our hood Dr Seuss pillowcases.  Katelee uses hers every night. 



We loved going to see the performances and Katelee had tons of support. 


She just loves theatre.  It is fun to see her shine up there.  Katelee has also started taking tap dancing lessons.

 She is an excellent performing, but I think she better leave the stage makeup to someone else!


We already miss her teacher from last year, but Katelee is doing so well in 5th grade.  She has been given the opportunity for an extra science class which she is enjoying.  She won the school Reflections competitions in two categories-Music Composition and Photography.  So, I'm pretty excited to use those movie coupons!

It is one of my favorite things to watch Katelee and Brenna walk out the door and go to the bus stop.  I try and implant the image in my brain because I think it is so adorable.  I am so glad they have each other to go to school with.  I took a cute and deceptive picture of them on the first day.  Someday, just someday, they may be best friends!


Brenna, the second grade firecracker is a busy little lady.  She claims that 'dance is life' and I would almost believe it because it seems like she lives at the studio.  I can only imagine how much time we will be investing in this love of hers.  

She is loving school and dance and combined the two to win her Reflections competition in Dance choreography.  I went to pick up Brenna's little dance carpool and walked into the studio to hear random dancers telling their parents that someone tried to burn down the studio.  Sounded like a dangerous and eventful evening there.  We get in the car and start driving home, when one of Brenna's little buddies exclaims, "Kara, do you know what Brenna did today?"  Oh dear...I started putting two and two together and gently coaxed Brenna to explain what her friend may be discussing.  Brenna, not so gentle little Brenna, with a voice I can only describe as demonic, yelled at her friend and said 'thanks a lot, I was never going to tell my mom.'  Again, I am persuading to be informed, again Brenna is getting angry at her friend.  Finally, it comes out that Brenna stuck bobby pins in the electrical socket and experienced a mild shocking, as well as sparks shooting up the studio wall.  Luckily everyone was ok.  Brenna's other friend tried to explain to her that 'we want to tell our parents everything.'  She told Brenna, 'that's what they are there for, to help us and teach us so we don't make those mistakes again.'  Yea, Brenna wasn't buying it and insisted I was never going to be in the loop, if she had a say.  Great.  Happy parenting to me! Love this little spark!

Then, there is Harrison.  Harry started his first year of preschool and he couldn't love it more!

He also started soccer and he could love that more, like a lot more.  I am fairly certain he kicked the ball once.  But he did get a lot of time on the field kicking the dirt, flapping his wings, and hugging every player (to which his coach would firmly respond with 'Stop hugging, there is no hugging').  He also spent a fair amount of time yelling at players from opposing teams for being rude and getting the ball or pushing him.  Lets just say we are going to hold off on soccer for awhile...or ever...with this one.  But, hey, he sure loved those after the game treats!

I couldn't be mad at him long though, the games were hilarious.  We lost every one, terribly.  Good thing we always love our family despite of near studio burnings, masculine stage makeup, inappropriate displays of affection during competitive sports, etc.  Harrison tells me all the time how I am the best ever.    In fact, he recently said, "You are the best mom in the land.  You know who is next?  Mary, Jesus' mom."  So, I would say he has me on quite a pedestal, but it's good company for sure.