Christmas Comes to Town

Christmas arrived in fine fashion. After a lively dinner with Lance and Dani and Courtney (Dani's sister) and Joe on Christmas Eve, we tucked our munchkins in and then awoke at a pleasant 7:15am the next day. After a quick and humble breakfast of cold cereal, the kids got right to the business of stocking inventory.

"Santa must shop at Trader Joe's. " -Calvin
"This is really good stuff!" -Ivy
"Om nom nom nom." -Bryn
"Plbbbbbt." -Cece

Present opening then commenced, with happiness at each gift (even the socks). They were especially excited to watch each other open the sibling-selected gifts.

"This has not been a disappointing Christmas!" -Calvin

We spent the day lounging and gorging, and meandered over to the church at 3pm for the Christmas devotional. Our musical number was the kids singing "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" and included a cello verse opening by Bryn.

Nothing beats the magic of Christmas in the eyes of a 5 year-old. She was all astonishment at every present- especially the candy nerds rope.

Cece was pleased to be surrounded by her favorite little people all day, and enjoyed her first unwrapping experience- she ate the paper, of course.

Loot! 

Loot in action!

Our woodland tree. My friend gave me the homemade ornament in the lower right.

Merry Christmas!

On the Cusp

Cecily endured her first bad virus (cold + 2 day fever + nursing strike). The following week she cut her bottom tooth. We had a photo-shoot to commemorate the last of the toothless grins, and to celebrate her return to a semi-normal sleep schedule.

Santa Comes to Town

Santa made a special visit to our ward Christmas Brunch again this year.

The theme was "The Polar Express" and they watched some clips. Mason watched in awe, and was sad it was abridged.

Our chorister was out of town, so Bryn and Ellie filled in and conducted the primary kids singing.

Santa Selfie Yo

Cece ho ho ho

Grandparents Come to Town

Peter's parents came and stayed with us for a few days. We enjoyed their visit immensely. We talked, walked (even to school), sewed, read books, went out to eat, baked, cleared clogged bathtub drains, and laughed together.

Cece- 6 months

Cecily is 6 months old! She's a delight when she's happy, and wo be unto the world if she's not. She is perfecting her sitting, and loves to grab and chew on hair. We've found a sweet sunny spot in the kids room during the morning, and she loves to read books and roll around on the kids' beds in there.

The Sea

The kids all found hidey holes around the beach and popped in and out like prairie dogs

Bryn set up a bakery. Her goods are the finest (well, hardest)  around, and may have helped Ivy in her tooth-losing venture if she had given them a chance.

Cece by the sea

Calvin clings for dear life on a sea cliff

See him clinging?!?

We could almost pretend it was warm

Perhaps a balmy 80 degrees!

Just kidding. It was cold.

But still a lovely view, especially from a swing.

Ivy's First Lost Tooth

Bryn convinced Ivy to let Marcus pull her VERY loose tooth. So she did, and he did, and now Ivy gets her very first tooth fairy visit tonight.

Bryn's 11th Birthday Bash

Bryn had 10 of her friends over for a birthday bash. I think an army of howler monkeys are quieter than a small house full of that many tweens, but they're so fun. Activities included Minute to Win It games (cookie race, m&m drop, shake your booty, cotton ball nose vaseline transfer, and mad dog), Mafia, Reader's Theater plays, Never Have I Ever, and "decorate your own cupcake."

Sun bather

Halloween 2014

Link from The Legend of Zelda

Tinker Bell

Moo Cow

Minion Brynion