Merry Christmas

We hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed the holiday here in AZ this year. We missed our families tons, but enjoyed some of our own traditions.

The kids were all extremely spoiled this year; I guess they were really good. Rachel had more fun checking out everyone else's stockings and presents than her own. She wasn't really interested until the wrappers came off. We even had to hide all of the candy; everytime we turned around she had stolen something else from one of her brother's stockings.

We enjoyed a nice dinner with my Aunt Cathy, Craig, and Kristen. Thanks for making the long trip across town.

The hightlight........... I got a new camera!!!! Enjoy the slide show below of our Christmas with all of the lovely non-blurry pictures!!!

Temple Lights

Tonight we made our annual trip to the Mesa Temple to see the lights. We usually go on Christmas Eve, and it is SO busy. This year we decided to try it tonight, it was so much nicer. The only draw back-my camera! I sure hope that Santa has one for me on his sleigh!!!

This was the best shot we got all night on the grounds. Rachel loved the lights and watching all the people. (as you can tell, she wouldn't look at us)

We were even able to go into the visitor center and experience some of the amazing things they have inside. Usually it is so crowded we don't even attempt it.

This is the kids in front of the Christ statue they have.

Gingerbread House

It is a yearly tradition at our house to make a gingerbread house. This year was no exception. The kids all helped out and put on some of the decorations. Rachel ate more than she actually put on, but overall it turned out great.

Getting started

Rachel putting on her candy

Licking her finger's clean



Zachary with his decoration

Christmas Sunday

Trying to get 4 kids to hold still and look at the camera at the same time is next to impossible, but enjoy a few of our attempts this morning.

Dressing a girl for the holidays I have to admit is so much more fun than boys!!!! But she wouldn't sit still and pose. This is the best shot we had. She was all decked out today! And spent the whole time in the hall at church since she was SO loud today. It's a good thing she is so cute!

Young Scrooge

Last Saturday, we went to Hale Theater and saw "A Christmas Carol" with the boys. Yesterday Ethan came downstairs with bits of a few different costumes on and said," guess who I am?"
He was Scrooge!!! This was taken today before church, he was still wearing it.

Santa Picture

Today we ran up to the mall to see Santa. I wasn't sure if Rachel would like him, but she did great.
We were the only people in line, so while the lady taking the pictures was helping out the group that just finished Santa walked over to Rachel and talked to her and shook her hand. He even said "Ho, Ho, Ho" for her.(She is can't say Santa, or much else, but can say, Ho,Ho, Ho" pretty good)
Then when it was our turn she got to slowly approach him and he picked her up and she sat there, and kind of smiled.
Again, Sorry boys, but the lines are so long when you are home!! Maybe we can try again next week when school is out and actually get all 4 of you in one picture.

Ethan's Gingerbread house

Today in school Ethan made a Gingerbread house with his buddy at school. They are kids from 4th grade (?) that come in once a week and read with them or help them with projects.

Arrow of Light

Tonight at Pack Meeting Zachary received his Arrow of Light award. This is the highest award that a cub scout can earn. Our ward has a really nice ceremony that the boys get to participate in.
Unfortunately our camera is on its last leg and I didn't get any really good shots of the ceremony or the bridge crossing to welcome them to boy scouts.

It was a really nice evening. Zachary was so cute when we got home. He said,"Man it feels really good to get your Arrow of Light". I hope he gets that excitement about scouts forever!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Tonight was the Kindergarten Christmas Program. All 4 classes got together with the help of Mr. Murphy (the music teacher) and gave a great concert.
They all sang - "We wish you a Merry Christmas", "The Hanukkah Song", and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".
Ethan's class sang "Up on the House Top". It was really cute. Ethan did such a good job; he sang great.
Below is a video for your enjoyment.

Wildlife World Zoo

Today while Grandma and Grandpa R. are here visiting we went to the Wildlife World Zoo. We had been there before and the kids LOVED it but $$$. They recently opened an aquarium so we decided to hit it again. Of course it was probably the coldest day we have had all year. Take a look at the slide show below for the highlights.
** The picture at the sting-rays I snapped seconds too soon! A sting-ray surfaced and Rachel actually reached out and touched it as it went by.**

Flat Colin

Recently we have had the opportunity to help out a few cousins with their "Flat Stanley" projects. Last week we got a little different version of this. My cousin's son sent us an e-mail with a scanned copy of his flat self. It asked us to take a picture somewhere and e-mail it back to him with a letter. I liked this idea since it always takes me so long to get to the post office to mail it to the next person. Technology has its perks.

Just Swinging

Yesterday during a church meeting here, I got out the baby swing for one of the sweet little boys who was here. Well after everyone left, Rachel decided she wanted a try. We can hardly keep her out of it now. If we don't open the tray, she just climbs up and sits on the tray. She doesn't even need it turned on; she can basically grab the side and push herself.
I tried to find a picture of her as a baby in the swing, but I couldn't find one to compare. Either she didn't spend too much time there or when she was there I was just too busy to take a picture.

Rachel-Proof Christmas Tree

We had a great time this weekend decorating for Christmas. It wasn't without its challenges. It has been a few years since there has been a little one at Christmas. But our house is now Rachel Christmas proof. Our tree is only decorated about 2/3 of the way down, some things are out this year, and other are up a lot higher.

This picture is my favorite of all the ones we took of the tree. I was trying to get just the tree, and she walked into the picture and looked up, exactly as I took it. I'm sure she was trying to figure out how to reach the ornaments.