Ouch!!

Brielle was running around with her friends during recess and forgot to keep looking in front of her to see where she was going.....and face planted into the chain linked fence.  Luckily the cuts weren't very deep and didn't need stitches.  Her cheek is pretty swollen and bruised and has some abrasions....I think that it will heal pretty fast.  She said she didn't cry and that her friends helped her to the recess aide and the school nurse.  The school nurse called me and told me what happened and said she iced it for awhile and pretty soon Brielle was ready to go back to class.   Tough girl!!

Mikenna~Christmas Choir Concert!

Mikenna performed in her Christmas Choir Concert tonight.  She sang 3 Christmas songs. The orchestra also performed.  She had a great time - it was held in the high school's auditorium.  Lots of parents and families there.  I really enjoyed listening to her and her choir group.

Mandy~New Church Callings

I am so excited about the new Church callings that were extended to me last week.  Assistant ward chorister for Sacrament meeting and also serving on the Relief Society enrichment committee for enrichment once a month.  I will lead the music in Sacrament meeting every other Sunday.  I am used to being behind the organ or piano so this is a little different for me, but I am really excited about it.  I have also been asked by the Primary president to be the substitute piano player for Primary.  I have been feeling like I need to get back to playing the piano more and just have music be more a part of my life like it used to be before I had kids and got so busy with being a mom.  I have also felt the need to be around the sisters in our ward and serve with them.  I helped out with Midnight Madness in October and I really got to know some of the woman in the ward on a different level; so I am excited to serve on the enrichment committee too! I feel like Heavenly Father knows my heart and has blessed me with these callings.  I am so excited and I know I will enjoy these callings!

Mr. Grinch!

I took the girls to the movies today - and we had to get a picture with Mr. Grinch too!  Mikenna and I had to convince Brielle - but she did it!  She'll sit with Mr. Grinch but not Santa Claus - ha, ha....go figure.

Brielle - Haircut!

Santa Claus!!

We took the girls to a place in Richland - "Beaver Bark" - a landscaping and decorating place.  They go all out during Christmas time and we love to go there to see all of the beautiful decorations, trees, koi fish, and of course Santa Claus and his reindeer!  You can get your pictures taken with Santa on a bench if you pay.  This year we lucked out.  It wasn't too busy when we got there; and Santa was on break and came up to the girls unexpectedly and talked to them and gave them a hug.  Brielle was so funny.  She was in shock that Santa came up to her and didn't quite know what to do.  Everyone around us was smiling about her reaction.  It was cute.  Brielle has always been a little unsure of Santa Claus - and I have to talk to her every year about going to see him and coax her to sit by him and get a picture with him.  Mikenna and I were trying to tell her she could do it and Mikenna would sit by Santa with her - and still Brielle wasn't buying it......so Santa came to her instead luckily or I wouldn't have gotten my oh so important picture with Santa.  Ha, ha!!  I am so glad I am in the habit of bringing my camera with me.  I whipped it out and got these gems!  I love Brielle's face expressions!  Priceless!  I really think it helped Brielle's fear of Santa Claus - after he walked away I said "Good job Brielle!  You did it!" and gave her a high five and hug.  She smiled and said "Ya!  my legs are a little shaky though."  Love her!!  She loved the all pinked out tree.  Mikenna loved the huge stuffed dogs - and reminded me she would be good with just a puppy for Christmas.  We may have to go back and go with Jaron because he had to stay late after school.  We had a great time together and it's become a tradition for sure!

Buddy the Elf!

Here is our family Elf - his name is Buddy.  We break him out the 1st of December every year.  This is our second year with this tradition.  And our kids love it.  I write out 31 Activities, etc. on 31 cards, and  I choose the activity for the night and put the card with Buddy.  Every day after the kids get home from school or activities they run to Buddy and the card to see what we are doing for the night together.  Reading the Christmas story, going to see Santa Claus, doing service for someone in need, making cookies and delivering them to friends, etc.  This year I asked for their input on some things they would like to do.  We are having fun carrying out what we have decided for this December 2012 to get in the spirit of Christmas and create lasting memories together!