Random December

My elves helping decorate the tree.

Waiting for Miles each morning at kindergarten pickup.

She's getting good at the slide ladder.

Sometimes the Wallis' don't end up going to swim team practice so Isla and Miles and I hang out in the car while Ethan and Isaac swim.  It's officially book reading time for us and Isla is an expert at Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

This girl is exactly what I would have picked.  Very girly, always surprising me with her dresses and accessories (those things don't seem to even occur to me most often) but just as likely to have a dress and jewelry on along with a sword and helmet on so she can go do her own battling.  Every bit a warrior princess!

I've been serving in the primary for the past 6 months.  It's been a big learning curve but also one of the sweetest experiences of my life.  We have triplets in our ward that are 4 years old.  Their mom is currently battling breast cancer and the ward has kind of taken them as our own children, feeding them, driving them to and from school, having them over for playdates.  The sweetest thing to watch is how much they love our bishop's counselor Brett Parkin.  They treat him like a jungle gym and also a big teddy bear.  It is common to see all 3 of them sitting on him, leaning on him, and looking for his love and attention.  Such a privilege to watch.

Hanukkah can't pass without a good game of dreidle with chocolate moneys.

Sunday evening gingerbread house making contests.  Notice the architect at the end who can't even look up to smile.  Focus people!

Meanwhile, these guys play cards since gingerbread making isn't their thing.

Christmas Programs

5th grade singing the 12 days of Jedi Christmas.  Sorry the pics are upside down.  Not sure how to fix that.

And Isaac's 2nd grade singing something.

This was Miles and Isla's first spanish school program together.  Miles was very excited to be a fat Santa.

Isla wasn't so sure but she was cute standing there and saying her little part.

My cutie littles.  Stop growing up!

North Pole Express

I have to admit that quite often my kids miss out on experiences because I'm cheap.  Don't worry.  My cheapness is certainly balanced out by their grandparent's Christmas trips.  But now that Aunt Sam's living in Utah, she plans and invites us along on all her adventures with Aria.  And we can't resist joining at least one time.  

So one cold Saturday afternoon off we went to Heber Valley to ride The Polar Express train.  

It really was great with all the cousins there- even if we squeezed 13 people into 8 seats so we could all be together in one train car.

Santa was waiting to wave to us at the end.

We were all very excited about that.

And there were elves on the train that let Isla sing "Let It Go".

Miles made himself at home.

And of course we had to dance and sing up and down the isles "hot, hot, hot, hot chocolate!"

And magical moment!  Santa came on board our train!

Even though Ethan is clued into the truth here, he was still excited to see him.  Look at that smile.  He can't fool me!

And Santa gave us all magic bells!

Aria was not impressed with the bearded, fat man.

After Santa got off it was time for a dance party.

And finally silly pictures to memorialize the whole trip.

Zoo Lights with Grams

We can't miss out on zoo lights no matter how cold it is outside.

Monkeying around like the monkeys we are.

Ahh, the tunnel of lights... our favorite.

These pics are pretty hard to see but there's a lioness looking right at Isaac through the glass.  Our zoo got lions this spring and they're mostly sedentary during the day when we visit.  So it was a surprise to find this lioness pacing back and forth in front of the glass and stopping to check out anyone crazy enough to get up close to her.

Checking out Isla.

Taylor Swim Meet

For the past few years Taylor has been getting up at 6am to swim with a Masters swim team.  Basically a bunch of guys over 25 who like to have a coach yelling at them to go faster and swim this or that.  It all feels very familiar to Taylor who was on a swim team most of his life.  

And randomly they decided one Saturday to hold a swim meet for themselves.  

Off to the races!

The kids were interested for about 45 seconds (the time it took Taylor to swim) and then they were bored.  Luckily Grams came along too and was happy to read everyone books.

Way to go Dad!