Our Christmas Traditions - 2009

Thank goodness this year we weren't to overwhelmed and busy to enjoy some of our favorite family Christmas traditions. Although some had to be modified to meet the circumstances we were able to check them off our list.


First: Concerts


We were able to enjoy Amanda's choir concert this year. It only had to be rescheduled once due to a snow day. Amanda loves to sing and what is Christmas without music? They ended with a beautiful rendition of silent night that was so awesome.

Second: Ward Party
Kirt & I were in charge of our ward dinner. The primary gave an awesome nativity program and Papa Santa was there to visit with all the kids. It was a nice night!

Third: Sugar Cookies


Every year we make cookies together as a family. This year there was no way we could all get together so Kirt & I made these cookies with some friends and their kids. Amanda and Kari were able to make cookies one day at Gramma Karen's so somehow we were all able to participate.

Fourth: Ornaments on Christmas Eve

Every year on Christmas Eve we gather at the tree before the big family party and Kirt & I give the girls a special ornament that has something to do with what each girl did that year. I like to wrap it fancy. This year we gathered around Kari's tree in her room at Grandma's. (another necessary modification)
Kari got a wakeboard, Amanda got a jet ski, and Alaina got a little doll.


Fifth: The Family Party with Papa Santa

During our family party we share songs and Santa reads the Christmas story from the New Testiment. Then he brings in his big red bag and calls each child to sit on his knee for a gift, picture, and a goodie bag.

This year mom & dad gave us all a special book of Danny's life. It was awesome and we all cried.


Sixth: Santa comes Christmas morning





Mrs. Claus tries very hard to make beautiful packages to surprise the girls in the morning. The girls can get in to their stockings whenever they want but have to wait for me & Dad to open their gifts. The biggest gift is always from Me & Dad...that way Santa doesn't get all the credit for the good stuff...ha ha! There are usually a few items not wrapped for instant gratification.

Seven: Something handmade




This year i taught myself to crochet flowers and I made each girl a reversable tote bag. I even spent way too many hours sewing Kari a small back pack. It was great but I don't think I will ever try that one again...LOL.


Eight: Christmas Breakfast


We always have a formal breakfast in our jammies on Christmas morning. We have been lucky enough to share this event with Mom & Dad for a number of years now. We set the table up the night before and always try to fix something extra special. The berry & fruit salad was to die for this year. I wish I could say it was the best Christmas ever...but I can atleast say we had a great time!


We hope you did too!

Girls Day Out

Alaina-Amanda-Kari-Shari

Last Weekend Kari came home to go to a friend's missionary farewell. Kirt had gone to the valley to do a job at Kim & Randy's new home so we had a random girl's weekend.

We started the morning by me going into the office for a few hours, followed by a haircut for Kari, thrift store shopping for Halloween Costumes and a belt for Kari, we ate lunch at Licano's, then we bagged the needles that had piled up on the lawn...(just in time for the snow). Then we drove to Snowflake and went to the Corn Maze at Willis Farms. At night they do a haunted maze but I had no desire to pay $8.00 to wet myself! We had a great time searching for all the hole punches with different shapes hidden throughout the maze...this was more my style than bloody body parts and hissing dragons. I think we had more fun taking pictures on the side of the barn though. We went to Sonic for slushes afterwards...What a great day!

Wish you were here!

Our Last Wee Haw!

We had such a wonderful time with friends over Labor Day Weekend. We took the boat out to Roosevelt Lake and camped on the beach. The weather was great...Friday Night we camped next to my boss Lance and his family. They had to leave on Saturday but the girls had a great time playing on his jet ski's. Amanda even drove solo for about an hour and didn't drown! On Sunday our "brother" Rico and his son Jordan came and stayed with us. We had a great time showing them how to have some "Arizona Fun". I think we took them a little too fast on the red tube...even though they said they had fun neither one was up for another try! (Still glad you came Rico!)
Kirt even taught Jordan how to drive the boat which cause quite a stir with Amanda. So eventually he caved and took her out on her own to teach her how to drive the boat....while the rest of us stayed safely on the shore. On Monday Natalie's family came with their boat to play. Kari practiced her wake jumping skills and Amanda even actually got up on her knees on the kneeboard. I had fun the whole weekend taking as many pictures as possible Amanda busted a few moves on the boat and the kids really enjoyed the water trampoline. Kirt fished as much as possible - but still no proof exists of his actually catching anything. We still all had a great time and felt very relaxed on our last Wee Haw! I'm going to miss this summer, the lakes, and all the fun we had together.
We made some Awesome Memories!

Its a Cheer Thing

Amanda made the Cheer Squad this year at the Junior High.

She has always wanted to be a cheerleader. She looks so cute in her little uniform too! A couple weeks ago I took off work early so I could watch her at the pep assembly. Here are a few pics!


Ofcourse then there was the fun of sitting through football
games just to watch the cheerleaders!

But the fun was short-lived. Amanda quit cheer last week...I don't know whether to be upset or to breathe a big sigh of relief! She says that the fact she made it at all was an absolute "miracle" but she had reached her limits emotionally. Amanda had a hard time with the coach putting her down and then the girls would follow suit. Atleast the girl knows her limitations...and we had fun while it lasted! Next up is Volleyball - GO COUGARS!