{Deck The Halls 2016}

our annual deck the hall video!
I treasure these videos. Just Being able to look back at when they were so tiny is a gift!

My Movie 2 from Jennifer S. on Vimeo.

{Skating on the roof}

We went ice skating. In the desert. On a roof. It was such a fun night! The kids loved it. It wasn't unbearably cold and their were heaters and fire pits all over. The city lights were all around us & on the Cosmos big sign they were playing Christmas movies. It was the perfect way to kick off winter break. We went with our family here, the Keys family. Madds is an all or nothing kid. If he isn't perfect at something he is just not going to do it. I think he thought it would be super easy. He got on the ice and couldn't stand at all. He was pretty upset about it and called it quits about 4 minutes in. But after a few minutes we were able to get him back on the ice. He was so proud of himself! I was so glad he tried again. he was doing pretty good by the end. Presley was the best by far. She showed her brothers how it was done. I have really great memories of skating on ponds and lakes while growing up in New Hampshire. I loved giving our children a taste of that even if its in the middle of the city on a man made ice rink. Definitely something we will do again!
also...we gave Christopher a wheel chair. He has wanted one since before his birthday. He was super excited...his parents...maybe not as much! But we couldn't resist! haha...

{12}

12 is a big deal here. When Tre turned 12 he was eligible to receive the priesthood. He has been so excited for this day. Now he gets to be in Young Mens & out of Primary. Its so fun that he gets to do all these fun service projects and play ball and learn new things with the guys in the ward. I hope he makes some really good friendships. His birthday was fun this year. He had a lacrosse tournament so we hired a sitter so Rod & I could just go and cheer him on without the distraction of littles. After a beautiful day of games and some capriottis  we headed home to have pie with the other children. I misplaced the birthday candles so we used a huge table top one. It was fun to laugh over that. He is such a sweet boy. Tre is just such a help in the home. He is truly a sunshine to all who meet him. I love our son so much. Rod was able to confer upon him the priesthood during the 3rd block at church. I bore a short testimony to the young men & bishopric. I hope Tre knows that he is treasured and an example to not just his siblings but to me.

{Saxophone}

At T's middle school Band is a required class. He has it every day which is pretty neat. He already reads music & plays the piano so the saxophone came super easy to him. He was able to choose his own & we went ahead and got one at a music shop rather than renting one from the school. I love when he practices, but I think we all still prefer the piano a whole lot more. Before winter break the middle school held a concert. We walked over to the school enjoying neighborhood lights all bundled up, because we are officially whips when it comes to anything below 60 degrees. The concert was super cute and amazing. Those kids were taught so much in just 2 short months. It was incredible! The little kids loved watching brother! Cooper was a disaster and was all over the place, but Pres danced, Madds watched big brother in awe, & Britt was really enjoying the Christmas music. We are proud of our biggest. Such a neat opportunity for all of us to cheer him on.