Racing

For Eric's Christmas present, I wanted to do something different and something that he'd enjoy. I signed him up for a Rapid Precision Manuevers class at Bondurant Driving School. Eric loves to drive fast and crazy, so I thought this would be the perfect gift. He headed off to the race track early in the morning. We left mid-morning to watch him during the remainder of the class. There were three parts to the class. The first part (that I missed) timed his reflexes. He was partnered up with someone else. After he had taken his turn, he had scared his partner badly enough that she requested to be with someone else. So, for the last two classes he was alone, which worked to his advantage because he got to drive twice as much during the last part of the class. During the second part of the class he got to drive a mini-course. He was one of the few students who knocked over cones. The last part of the class was real racetrack driving. He drove many laps around the track. It ended up being a fun morning. We hope to go back and drive the go carts.

First Haircut

Before

After

Christmas Trees

We had four Christmas trees this year. Our "nice" tree was in the living room. The kids helped to decorate this one. In our game room, we had our Ohio State tree (eventhough I'm not a sports fan), it was actually fun to coordinate and decorate. In our loft upstairs I decorated a flocked tree with red and green ornaments. I made some ornaments that were clear glass which had family photos inside.

Eric surprised us on night when he came home from work with an 8 foot real tree attached to the roof of his car. I'm not quite sure how the branches and needles stayed on with his driving, but it was a beautiful surprise. The boys loved it. Spencer had been talking about how he wanted a live tree since Thanksgiving. I took down the tree I had put up in the family room. It "sweet tree" with cookies, gumdrops, and sweet candies. That ended up being my favorite tree.

Christmas

We had a fantastic Christmas. The kids were all very obedient with staying in their rooms until 7. At 7 they woke us up. We each took turns opening gifts. It was so fun to watch their sweet faces opening all the gifts. It seemed to reward me for all the preparations I had put into their gifts.

My family came over for breakfast and gift opening. Some of them stayed for lunch and the afternoon. It was a fun play day for all the kids.

This year we simplified things. Each of the kids got 3 gifts from Eric and me - a spiritual gift, a practical gift, and a fun gift.

For the kids' spiritual gifts, they got: Lindsey - a skirt and shirt for church; Spencer - a tie and socks; Logan - a book about baptism; Kaylen - a bracelet and flower hair clips.

For the kids' practical gifts, they got: Lindsey - facial care products; Spencer - a cool water bottle with sugar-free drink mixes; Logan - a case for his Nintendo DS; Kaylen - a bike helmet.

For the kids' fun gifts, they got: Lindsey - a camera; Spencer - Tony Hawk Wii game; Logan - a Nintendo DS; Kaylen - a bike.

Christmas Eve

We had a nice Christmas Eve. Eric's family (Mom, sister, and grandparents) were in town, so we were able to spend the day and evening with them. We went out to lunch together and did a little shopping. After dinner, we did our traditional Christmas Eve activities. We read and sang the Christmas Story. The kids each got to open one present (which I chose for them to open), revealing a (big surprise) new pair of pajama pants.

Logan was in charge of laying out treats for Santa. He got a paper plate, placed treats on it, and wrote on it, "Thank you Satan." I was laughing so hard that I didn't get a picture of it before he corrected the misspelling. It was a nice evening, and we didn't have to stay up too late (I was the last one to go to bed, around midnight).

Babysitting in the Rain

After church, Lindsey could tell that I needed help with all that I had to get done and that it wasn't going to get done with a fussy baby. She took Colton outside and rocked him on the bench. He ended up falling asleep. When it started to rain, she came in the house, bundled up Colton, grabbed an umbrella, and went back outside to continue to take care of C. She was a huge help to me. I was able to get lots done because she "babysat."

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Colton

A Piano Recital

Logan played in his first piano recital. He played two songs - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Camp Town Ladies." Logan is a very talented pianist. When he learns how a song should be played, he quickly picks up on it, and ends up memorizing it. He was so confident during the recital, that when the time came to play the last song, he ended up standing up. We were all very proud of him and how well he did. As a special reward, he chose where we ate dinner, Applebee's, afterwards.

An Orchestra Concert

Spencer performed in the school's orchestra concert. This is his second year playing the violin, so he is in the Intermediate Strings class. They played 3 songs, all non-Christmas songs (none of the 3 groups played Christmas songs). At the end, the teacher asked the audience if we'd like a Christmas song. We all enthusiastically responded, "yes!" So for the Winter Concert, one Christmas song was played - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I love that Spencer is able to play the violin and that I don't have to take him to and from lessons or monitor practicing, I just wish that it didn't have to be so politically correct with the school system that only one holiday song, as an afterthought, could be played at a concert. Spencer was a good performer, although he hid from the camera initially.

Rudolph Kaylen

Kaylen made these awesome antlers at school. She wore them off the bus. When she got in the house she transformed into a reindeer. She was down on her hands and knees, acting reindeerish. It was hilarious. Even funnier, she wore these antlers out wherever we went for about 3 days. She even kept them in the car so she could put them on. She made a totally cute reindeer.

Toes

Colton started this silly photo op. I'm sure Lindsey and Spencer won't like that I posted these pictures.

An Attempt at Buckeyes

This year's Buckeye making was unsuccessful. We made 5-6 batches of Buckeyes, only to hand out 7 bags of them. A few years ago I began to really dislike the whole time-consuming process of making them, so I came up with the idea to do something different for "my people." This year I made hot fudge and gave that to my friends (along with some ice cream). I told Eric I'd do the same for his people, but he insisted on the Buckeyes, saying that everyone was looking forward to them. Spencer mixed the first batch. They were all rolled and dipped, only to find out that they tasted "off." In the garbage they went. Spencer made another batch (or two) and the same thing also happened. I'm not quite sure why they didn't taste so addicting, as Eric put it, but we only handed them out to the garbage can. I made another batch, which turned out, and those got handed out to just a couple of people. (During this whole process, Eric added people to the hot fudge list, realizing how unsuccessful Buckeyes were beginning to be.) It was kind of sad to see all the waste of food and time, but at least "my people" got some yummy hot fudge.

French Toast

For breakfast this morning we had French Toast. The kids have decided that powdered sugar is better than syrup, so I got Kaylen's piece ready with sugar (and left the sugar bag on the table). While I fed Colton, Kaylen "ate" breakfast, multiplying the amount of powdered sugar. She had a yummy (breakfast) treat.

the aftermath

Primary Activity Day

For our Primary Activity Day, the kids did service by cleaning the building. I was there taking pictures of the activity, and took these cute ones I wanted to share. All of the kids were excited to clean and had great attitudes. Spencer went to town with his broom, sweeping like a mad man. Kaylen was the cutest little duster, so was Logan. We turned the Sunbeams (Kaylen's age) loose in the chapel to dust. Surprisingly, they were all very reverent and reminded me of busy little bees in a honeycomb, dusting away. The best part of the activity were the ending refreshments - cinnamon rolls and juice boxes.

FHE Fireside

Kaylen eating a smore (she's got a Pocahontas dress on)

Grandpa and Colton (Colton was mesmerized by the fire)

We had Family Home Evening around our fire pit tonight. The kids had so much fun roasting marshmallows and eating smores. We invited my parents over for dinner and FHE. It was such a hit, that the kids want to do it again.

November wrap-up

As I have looked at the pictures for the past month, I realize I barely took any. November seemed to fly by. I guess it was a pretty boring month. Here are a few of the things that happened, but really there wasn't anything noteworthy.

The boys continued football and wrapped up a great season.

A cousin got baptized.

The boys (and Eric) set up the Christmas houses, which look great.

We had Thanksgiving lunch at our house. I was sick, so it wasn't that fun.

Eric did some Black Friday shopping.

Spencer lost about five teeth. He pulled most of them out by himself.

Neighborhood block watch meeting. Kinda scary.