Treehouse Museum

A week before Christmas, I met up with Brittany, one of my favorite girls from the college married ward, at the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. I was super impressed. It was cheaper than the Discovery Museum in SLC, and I think my kids enjoyed it more. I was just happy because Britt makes me laugh like no other, and we had a blast just hanging out together. My parents just returned from singing in China with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir, so I took this picture just for them. Cutest little China house ever, right? I loved it.

Shining Stars Preschool Christmas Program

I don't include a lot of pictures from my preschool classes on our family blog since I have a private preschool blog just for the parents of my students. But I did want to share some fun pictures from the Christmas Program. It was held in my living room instead of the preschool room so that there would be more seating. Here's my Tuesday/Thursday morning class singing "Jingle Bells."

(Just a note: Wade made that great sign in the background. When I saw it, I was very grateful, but I did notice he forgot the "h" in preschool. I was freaking out at first since my English teachers, Ms. Pilkington and Ms Schweitzer, trained me that way, but I don't know if anyone at the program noticed or even cared.)"Jingle 'round the rosies

pocket full of posies

ashes, ashes

we all fall down!

Jingle Bells!"

singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
My Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class

Singing "Frosty the Snowman" with their very own snowman puppets

"Once There Was a Snowman"

It's impossible for them to end the song "Once There Was a Snowman" without falling on top of each other. They're either really sweet and cuddly or just good wrestlers! haha (Another side note: Salote was out of town the entire month of December, so Emily was the only girl in class, and boy, did we miss her. The boys tried to turn the class into a war zone without her sweet influence. We're glad you're back Salote!)

My Friday class dancing around the room with teddybears on our heads for "Teddybear Playhouse"

It was a successful program where most of my students participated with enthusiasm and more importantly, just had fun (especially singing the last song, "Jingle Bell Rock"!)

Temple Lights

The Monday before my birthday in December, we had a combined family home evening with my sisters and their families to see the lights at Temple Square. It was busier than when we had gone in previous years since every other family in SLC had the same idea for FHE, but it was still a fun tradition and the lights were beautiful. Although I think next year, we'll meet up on a Tuesday night instead. ;) Jonny somehow always convinces Uncle Austin to give him a shoulder ride.

He loves his uncle!

Hailey and Emily as happy as can be...

...and as silly as can be

Austin & Ruthanne, Jason, Margaret, Taylor, Alex, & Hailey, and Wade, Catherine, Emily, & Jon

Afterwards, we went to our house for hot chocolate and birthday cupcakes and surprises from my sisters. They are always so good to me. This year, I really felt spoiled from all my family and friends with gifts, phone calls, emails, and texts (yes, I now finally can text). Thanks to all of you for thinking of me and making me feel special. It was a wonderful birthday!

Em's First Dance Recital

Emily was so excited for the big day, but I was a bundle of nerves because I knew how shy my little girl could be.

But she surprised and pleased us all from the start to the end with her beautiful confidence and stage presence. She wasn't nervous at all! Costumes for the Christmas recital were dancer's choice, and although my mom had bought a beautiful red and black dress for Emily to wear, she insisted that she had to wear her leotard and skirt because that is what she wears to practice each week. :)

all of the dancers gathered together for the big final dance number

I don't know who was more proud of our little star dancer...mommy, daddy, Grandpa & Grandma Reed, Miss Julie, or Ems herself. Afterwards Grandpa and Grandma Reed took Emily (and the family) out to a yummy lunch at Sizzler. It was a day I know we will never forget.

Neighborhood Christmas Breakfast

our little family at the Neighborhood Christmas Breakfast

My friend and workout partner, Meg, with her son, Brock, and our wonderful neighbors, Alix and Trent with their son, "Baby Isaac," as Jonny likes to call him

Jonny and Brock playing in the primary room

decorating sugar cookies

All finished!

Can I eat it now?

Emily snuggling up to Santa telling him she wants a bunk bed, a bike, and a baby doll for Christmas

Jonny boy

That night, we got together with Fraser, Meg, and Brock for some Papa Murphy's Chicken Gourmet Garlic Pizza (the best food on the planet...right up there with a Cafe Rio Pork Salad or Burrito!)

When I work out with Meg during the week at her house, these funny boys are just like this, laughing and being silly all the time. They have a racquetball court in their house, so Wade and Fraser will play a game or two, while the kiddos play with toys, and Meg and I chat. Or sometimes, during their racquetball game, Meg and I will jump on the treadmill and elipitcal and work out. She's been such a motivating work out partner! I sure miss my old running parter, Kathy, but Meg's the same way in staying positive and always making me laugh during a workout. It's great!

Festival of Trees

The kids and I went with the young women of our ward to the Festival of Trees in December. The displays were amazing! The last time I had been was with first graders on a field trip when I was student teaching in St. George, 5 years ago! Here's Melanie, Jonny, and Ems by the all too cool Curious George tree.

We had just seen the movie, Up, with my family over Thanksgiving, so we were delighted to see this cute display.

the beautiful young women and leaders I'm lucky to serve with

This boy

This boy is always climbing on top of and under things. He and Ollie climbed under the back porch one day during preschool and couldn't stop gigging because they knew they were being sneaky!
This boy loves having his mommy as his preschool teacher, but if I ever have mommy guilt for working(does anyone else get that?) this boy lets me give him frosting once in a while so I can see him smile and hear him say "Thank you, Mommy!" Then it helps me diminsh the guilt because I'll take a lick of the frosting myself and just enjoy the moment and enjoy my son.

This boy also doesn't like to take a bath where I scrub off the frosting that was caked all over his body and get him ready for bed.