Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Time Activities

We've had a fun month doing many things for Christmas Time. We started things off with a ride on the Polar Express.
The kids had so much fun.


The Anderson family does such a wonderful job. I know it must take so much effort on their part. I am grateful they were willing to share it with us.
Parker was totally excited to see Santa Claus. He told him that he wanted a Remote Control Helicopter for Christmas.

Halle loves any chance to see Santa Claus. She told him that she wanted a Pillow pet.

Next on the agenda, Halle's dance recital. This year they did a ballet.

Warming up with a few poses!

The whole family came out support Halle. (Rod and Connor had to hurry off to a Lacrosse meeting.) It's the only performance I make the boys attend. There are two reasons: 1. it's nice and short and 2. only the little girls perform so no worries about the cute teenager dancers!!

I sure love watching Halle perform! It's fun to see her improve.

No performance is complete without flowers!!

For the girls dance Christmas Party thisyear they went to see the Nutcracker. I was lucky enough to be able to drive all these cute girls to the performance. I think we must have the cutest girls in the state living right here in our neighborhood!!

On Santa's Helper day, Halle went to school looking very much the part!!

Next it was on to the Junior High Choir Concert.

Braden sang with the beginning choir.

Connor sang with the Men's Chorus. He loves Choir so much, he sings for both Men's Chorus and the audition choir.

He loves Men's Chorus because all his buddies are in it.

Encore did a great job.

He's having a blast singing in Encore. Its fun to watch them perform.

Next, we were off to Parker's first preschool performance. He did SUPER! He even had a speaking part that he did a wonderful job on!!

That same night, we headed off to his second preschool performance. He was super animated and we were so proud of him!!!

Santa even made an appearance!!!

You know, you can never talk to Santa too much!!!

Meagan came along to support Parker.

Halle thought it was great that Mrs. Claus came too!!!

Parker loves Ms. Wendi! I am so grateful that he has such a great teacher. Since he goes to this preschool everyday, it sure makes things easy that he enjoys the kids in the class and his teacher.

Next it was off to the Christmas Sing at the Elementary School. This is a favorite every year!!!!

Rod and I even found time to sneak off for our work party.

Of course, no Christmas is complete without decorating a gingerbread house.

Next we headed off to the Christmas Carole Sing Along. I had to bribe the boys into coming by telling them we'd eat at Crown Burger.


I can always win them over with good food!!!

This is not my favorite place to eat all, but I'm kind of out numbered!!

This is the second year that we have gone to this. It is a free event and well done.

We got there early enough to get decent seats, but the boys insisted that we sit on the first row of the upper bowl.

Although I didn't see them singing much, they were good sports about it all.

Parker loved every minute of it!!!!

Santa even showed up. In addition to the caroling, John Schmidt performed. The boys did enjoy that!!

After the caroling ended, we jumped on the Trax and headed over to temple square. Unfortunately, my camera battery died and so there are no pictures from there.
We also took the kids to the Carl Bloch Exhibit. Although it is hard to enjoy art with kids, we wanted them to be exposed to a little culture. Needless to say, Rod and I will probably go back without them!!!
We also went out to a yummy dinner on Christmas Eve and then drove through the light exhibit at Thanksgiving Point. We had a great December hanging out as a family and taking a little break from the norm.

Parker turns 5!

I know, it has almost been a month since Parker turned five. I am a little behind in my posts, but I am trying to get caught up! So this year Parker really wanted to have a friend party. I just wasn't up to having another big party like last year. It was a little overwhelming! I told him he could pick a few friends to take to Chuck-e-Cheese. We went while the kids were still in school, so we checked Halle out, cause she just wouldn't stand for missing a good party!! Parker loved all the presents! He and Payton are such good buds. While his Mom is feeling yucky, we have had Payton over at least twice a week, but usually more. Such a cute kid!!
This is Jenny one of his best buddies in the whole world. They go to school together every day and just love playing together.


Joshua and Parker go to preschool three days a week and almost everyday after school, they just have to play. They have a lot of fun together.

This picture is so cute. I can just see them in 12 years or so, heading out on a date!!! We picked the perfect time to go. We had the place almost all to ourselves. I just paid for tokens and we could have played for hours! It was a wonderful time.

Make a wish Parker!!


What a cute group. Thanks for a fun party!!

That night we had some family come over to celebrate.

Parker loves his new big boy quilt made by Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks so much!!

A stomp rocket!! One of the funnest toys every made!!!

Two wishes in one day! Lucky boy! I hope they come true!

Happy Birthday Parker! You truly are our little sweetheart! Our life would be so dull without you!