Christmas Is Coming!

Because I haven't been able to upload pictures to my blog it's been put on the very back burner. But, the more I put it off the more I have to update. I have a bunch of links to kids concerts. Lexi has had many many choir concerts and performances, and her winter band concert. Ashlee had her first orchestra concert- I will admit, it was much better then I thought it would be! Lexi and Ashlee just had their piano recitals and did great. It's not always enjoyable to listen to a child learn a new instrument, sometimes it can be quite torturous!! But, after a few months it's so fun to see and hear their improvement and then attend their concert and hear how well it all comes together.

Carly just had her 8th birthday- this little girl is growing up so quickly! With her birthday being so close to Christmas, and our trip to Las Vegas for her baptism- we were really struggling to figure out ideas for her party. I had a crazy idea that it would be so cute to buy each of the party attenders pajamas as their take home gift instead of goody bags. So after playing with that idea and talking to Carly we came up with the great idea of a Spa Party. A friend of mine LOVES to polish toes- she holds monthly toe polish parties. I asked her if I could pay her to polish the girls toes at the party, and she was happy to do it.

Next I got on Pinterest- cause that's what you do when you need ideas.:) I found a good face mask for sensitive skin (since they are kids after all) and figured we could polish fingers too. Lexi and Ashlee were able to invite a couple friends to come help with all the foot and hand soaking, applying the mask, and polishing fingers. They had a lot of fun doing it, and it left me free to take pictures of the girls.

They were sooo cute during the spa! We only had time for one game before parents came. It was a How Well Do You Know Carly type game. I will list the questions and answers so you can all know Carly a little better to!

1. When is Carly's birthday? December 17

2. What is Carly's favorite color? Purple

3. What color are Carly's eyes? Blue

4. How many sisters does Carly have? 4

5. How many toes was Carly born with? 10 (I like this trick question)

6. What is Carly's favorite sport? Tumbling

7. What does Carly want to be when she grows up? A tumble coach

8. What is Carly's favorite book? McKenna (American Girl)

9. What is Carly's favorite dessert? Sugar cookies

10. How old will Carly turn on her birthday? 8

For each wrong question the kids had to put a piece of bubble gum in their mouths- it was so funny to watch them keep shoving more and more in!

Baylee is Baylee, she's sweet 90% of the time and then quite sour the other 10% of the time. I may or may not sometimes claim she's bipolar.:) She's busy with Dance, preschool, and playgroup- each once a week. Registration starts soon for next years preschool- it's such a bittersweet thing! I know she will LOVE it, and I will LOVE my free time- but I'm going to miss my little friend that goes everywhere with me. I am starting to think it may be a little harder on my then I thought it would be.

Darrell and I are busy being parents. We love life, love each other, and love our kids. Since finding out about my Mom having breast cancer- it (again) has given us that little jolt of a reality check to remember what is most important. My emotions are all over the place- but through all my crazy emotions I know all will be fine.

I will keep trying to figure out how to change my blog to allow for more pictures, until then it will be a lot of links to things I've uploaded to youtube.

Oh- if you've moved in the last year, please email me your address so I can send your Christmas card out.
And onto the many links for kids things!
In October Lexi had her All Region's Concert. Darrell and I have been shocked with her voice- we had NO idea she could really sing, so we were in a huge state of shock to find out she made All Region. She is 12th chair in Soprano I. This was her favorite song- Only Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZ5KI_me_o
Ashlee has really come a long way on the viola. She practices her viola every single day. She was even able to learn the advanced part to one of their songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbx4FTKvVLw
Here is another part of her concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvw_m_Tiaxs
Lexi's band concert- she has been fluctuating between 1st-5th chair clarinet, and right before the concert her clarinet needed repairs, so she was bumped to 12th chair for the concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC31PdzJnMw
Last one for tonight, Lexi's Bel Canto group was able to sing in a community musical weekend. It's held annualy at our Stake Center, so it was fun for her to be able to perform there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwpWeiiLczc