Ward Christmas Party

We had a wonderful ward Christmas party this year. We had it outside in the freezing cold weather (after a week's worth of rain) at the Bowman's house. The decided to do a live nativity scene and asked me to be in charge of getting it together. We had some amazing costumes from the Bowman's (like this wise men costume that Mikey is so fashionable wearing) & an amazing (every time I use that word now I think of Kelly from The Office).... Anyway- an amazing stable that they made. We had some beautiful songs- Aaron Ballard singing "O Holy Night", Rebecca Barney with "Mary's Lullably", and Katy (and she made me harmonize on the chorus) on a different and pretty arrangement of "While Shepherds Watch their Flocks". It was a spiritual night....just what a Christmas Party should be about.
And then Santa came....a little too late too....the kids were all very tired and cold by the point.
Jackson was a little leary of this whole "Santa Claus" thing!
And Olivia didn't even make it.....out cold before Santa even came. It was so sad because she was SO excited.... I guess there's always next year!

Christmas 2007

So Christmas was the best this year! Seriously....it just gets better each year with the kids growing up! We were so lucky to have a big fun group at our house this year. Annie, Doug, and Callin spent the night on Christmas Eve since they would just be too lonely all by there lonesome! And then Grandpa & Grandma Slade showed up at the exact moment we were waiting in the hallway to come and see if Santa came! And then Chris & Katy stopped by for a wonderful breakfast after we opened presents. It is such a blessing to have family so near...and dear! The big highlights included Olivia's Butterscotch horse that actually makes sounds and responds to her voice! (Buddy was going crazy the night before...completely afraid of it!)

Oakley loved his knights castle and had all the neighhood boys over playing with it shortly after. And Brent was completely surprised by the motorhome.....a really old one....we named her Betty the Bounder! It was a miracle that I pulled that off, especially since he always knows or finds out what he's getting. So yes....a fun Christmas!

And of course, Christmas Eve was so much fun over at my mom's / Annie & Doug's. We had a wonderful dinner & the best ever Nativity story. The next day Josh & Heidi came in stayed for a week or so. It was SO much fun with them! We had them over for a few days at our house and had some good times swimming in the jacuzzi!

Santa Baby!

Olivia is in a little dance class with her friend, Elli Baker and she loves it! It is a tap / jazz/ tumbling class so she learns a variety of things....and one of those things is how to shake her booty to "Santa Baby!"

She was the 2nd to last class to perform (a bad idea with 3 year olds)....so she just couldn't wait patiently to get up there. By the time it was finally her turn, she was jumping up and down when she got on stage because she was so excited to start!

She did such a great job....she turned and looked at her teacher on the side the whole time & her skirt was hiked up to her armpits, but it was still so cute! Brent was so mad because he was stuck in the worst construction traffic ever and missed the show by just a few minutes.

Good thing we have video cameras!

A Proud Joseph

Wow.....he was SO excited to be Joseph in his preschool play! He's the oldest (and by far the tallest as you can tell by the picture below) ... :) He was counting down the days! We arrived really early and he took us on a tour of the room, saying "This is where I knock three times". He even memorized other kid's part...he always said, "Mary, God loves you!"

His little buddy is Ezra (just to the right of Oakley in the picture). His teacher, Miss Nancy says that all the kids like Oakley (probably because he's the oldest and that means you're cool!)

Yep....that's a whole head taller than his friend Ezra!

The Proud Parent Moment

Livi's Joy School Christmas Play



So I am sure more than one of you parents out there has experienced this very moment.....

We were SO excited for Olivia's Joy School Christmas performance! She knew all the songs and practiced "Ding Dong...Ding Dong...Christmas bells are ringing" a millions times with spoons for the bells....she was ready. I dropped her off at school and came back an hour later with Grandma Packard to watch her be the cutest little innkeeper ever! But lo and behold...right when I walked in the door, she pulls off her costume, whines, and says she doesn't want to do. So after begging turned to pleading and then pleading turned to threats, and then the threats turned to bribes- she finally decided she would participate if she stood right next to Grandma.

....so Grandma was suddenly her best friend and I was her worst enemy.

After the best & most hiliarious play in the world...Livi finally started singing on the last line of the last song while sitting on my lap!

Is this worth all the effort? I hope so!

Thatcher...here we come!

NlightN Thatcher Concert 2007

It's Monday, December 3rd, ....the biggest day that's Thatcher/Safford's had in a long time! NlightN is coming to town! They are coming home.....home to their roots that gave them wings! (I think they originally did their first concert here?...I think).....but I do know this...they love them! How could you not?....5 cute guys with musical talent! They got me!




Backstage before the show started, Jack-Jack had to wish his daddy good luck! (6 months old!)

The NlightN groupies of course had to take a trip! We were front and center cheering on our hunks! (That would be (left to right) Alissa, Jami, Jenica, me, & Lauren....in case you didn't know) We had so much fun...especially on our drive down. Lauren let me and Jami tag along in her Suburban with our kids too. We had a fun trip there and got to do a little bonding time!

Okay.....after all the autograph signing calmed down, we finally took a picture of the group together (I think it's been a few years!) But seriously, I think the girls were a little hopeful still....even after 5-7 years of marriage each & 12 1/2 kids between us all!

So.....apparently I do not know how to stand like a lady! Someone please help me!

I LOVE THATCHER!