Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas. Here is a video recap.

Piano Recital

We had our Christmas Recital Sunday.  I have been teaching my own kids since AnnMarie moved away. I had a couple of friends find out and now I have three other students. Each of the kids played two songs. I finished out the recital with my own performance. I wasn't to happy with how I played. I was so nervous my hands were shaking terribly. It has been over 15 years since I played in public. Next time will be better and the kids did great which is what counts.

Mikele Jr Spirit Squad

Mikele loves to be busy with friends. December 14th was no exception. Mikele's friend invited her to go to a cheer squad mini camp that morning from 7:30 until noon. Than we had her birthday party. Finally, that evening she had to be back on campus to perform during the half time show. She had a blast with Morgan and Quincy and Jason and I enjoyed a date night watching the game.

Mikele's Birthday

Mikele has gone and done it. She has turned another year older! The big 10!! She had a nice birthday with dinner, owl cake, ice cream and presents. The big event was the friend birthday party on Saturday. She had a "Minute to Win it" party. The girls were crazy good and had a great time. After presents and cupcakes we had a pet adoption basket. Each of the girls was able to pick and take home a webkin. Happy birthday kiddo!

 The Spanking Machine!

Friend Party Time!

Kassie's Ballet Recital

Kassie had her school ballet Christmas recital the afternoon of Brock's guitar Christmas recital. She loves ballet and her teacher Kaitlyn is fabulous! It was so funny the day she found out she was going to have to dance with a BOY!!! She told me at dinner and the conversation went like this. 

Kassie "Mom I have to tell you something and I don't want you to freak out!" giggle giggle giggle

Me "ok what?"

Kassie  giggle giggle giggle "In my dance for the recital, (deep breath) I have to dance with a BOY!!

I was able to go to the rehersal before the performance and help with their costumes and getting them ready. It is so fun to be a part of her dance world.

Brock GuitarRecital Web

  Brock had his Christmas guitar recital Saturday morning. He is getting so good and I sure enjoy listening to him play. Here is a video of the performance.

Nutcracker

Kassie auditioned for a part in the Civic Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker. This is an annual tradition for the Civic Ballet. There were over 80 girls who auditioned for one of the 8 coveted clown spots.  We were both so excited to find out that Kassie was on of the lucky 8!  The performance is over Thanksgiving weekend so the whole week is consumed with dress rehearsals then we have Thanksgiving day off and 5 performance Friday - Monday. It was exhausting but oh so much fun!!!

 We went to the Friday Matinee

Makeup time!

 Zombies!

Passing time before our turn to go on stage.

Getting ready to go down to the stage to perform.

Show time!

Playing games waiting for the finale

Meet and greet

 Kassie and Kaitlyn (Kassie's teacher)

 Claire and Kassie

 Mother Ginger and Kassie

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year for the Norris Family. Bree, James their three girls and Dee were able to attend. We had a great time playing games, having a nerf/balloon turkey shoot and eating lots of yummy food. For breakfast we had Idaho Quiche and a fruit turkey. I couldn't believe that the kids ate the WHOLE thing!! For our turkey shoot we pumped up balloons and hung them from the ceiling. The least artistic person in the family had to draw turkeys on the balloons. (I should stick to cooking!) Then we had three rounds of shooting the balloons with a nerf gun. I came in first and Grammy came in second. Everyone else was left in the dust.  I mentioned to my kids that there was a lesson to be learned here. If I ever have to to shoot them, I won't miss. ;) We had our thanksgiving feast and it was pretty yummy if I do say so myself. We all rolled away from the table afterwards. We spent the rest of the day playing games, looking at ads and enjoying each other's company.  The rest of the weekend was consumed with the Nutcracker but I will save those details for another post.