So happy!  First horse lessons were a success!  

 Bryn + Fab:

Bryn is a natural and even had the horse trotting!  So much fun to see her smiling ear to ear, doing something she's wanted to do for a long time!

In the Spotlight!

Following in her sister's footsteps from last year, Kambria performed in her class talent show and was chosen to perform in front of the WHOLE SCHOOL!  I thought there would be no way that she would go in front of that many people, but then again, she is my most unpredictable child. :)  Kam has always tended to shy away from the spotlight, I told her she didn't have to do it and she acted offended that I would even mention that!

She did AMAZING!  I think she does her tricks even better in front of a crowd, which is definitely something special!  She worked so hard picking out the perfect music, choreographing her own routine, and practicing hundreds of times in our backyard.  She chose God Bless the USA for her music, it was a very emotional performance (for me!), I bawled (what's new?).  What can I say?  I am ONE PROUD MOMMA!

The gym was PACKED and they were very excited for her!  She came home from school and said EVERYONE told her that she did a GREAT job!  I think she has now caught the "performance bug!"  She already wants to do it again next year!

Not a Creature was stirring...

...except 4 of them!

Around these parts, Christmas Eve is also know as "the longest night of the year!" (According to the kids anyway.) As the evening started out, I think Alivia was a little confused on what Holiday it actually was:
Here they are, about to open their Christmas Jammies from G-Ma C. They are also discussing how much they miss all of our extended family! If this face doesn't say "Thank You!," then I don't know what does!
We played a game with some dice, a big chocolate bar, some oven mitts, a hat... ...now that's a recipe for FUN, if you ask me!
Then, we watched The Grinch while we put together a puzzle. We also discussed the real meaning of Christmas and read scriptures as a family.


Then, we drugged them all and sent them off to bed.


Well, we didn't actually drug them...but I am seriously considering it for next year. :)

Not Even Freaking Out! ...

This is a breakthrough for us! My kids have NEVER wanted to sit on Santa's lap in the past...
Alivia even smiled, I thought she would be bawling for sure. She even told Santa that she wanted a baby. Gavin told him that he wanted a Wii Game. Santa thought he said "CandyCane." He must be getting old.

Kambria wants makeup. He told her that if she got some, to not wear too much, because she is too pretty for makeup.

Brynlee has had her mind made up for a long time. It must be a camera: a red one, that also has video.

It was a Jolly Ol' Time. What a fun time of year!

I have a crush, his name is Gavin...

...AND he's in the Spotlight! Gavin had his very first Christmas program this morning! He did a GREAT JOB!!!
Of course, I bawled through it. I can't help it, watching my kids perform makes me so happy and emotional.

Below is Gavin with his teacher, Miss Konni. She has been Incredible for Gavin! At the beginning of the school year, he would never let go of my leg in public. Now, he can PERFORM in front of a crowd!

Seriously, I'm so in love with this kid...

...and with the big kid in the picture with him (below)!

So Thankful...

Thanksgiving was different for us this year. It was our first Thanksgiving at our own home! We missed the chaos of all the Aunts/Uncles/Cousin-Fun, but we were SO GRATEFUL that my parents could join us! The kids are in HEAVEN with them around (me being one of the kids)!

The kids had a ball riding around the yard in the Ranger, going for walks, painting their toes (the girls), cuddling, reading books and eating ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa!

We went light on the pies this year... only 5 instead of 17! They were Delicious, and as always, made by Brian (but I usually get the credit). :)

We are so blessed!

Sisterly love...

Look closely at the difference between the pictures...

... I can't stop laughing about it!

(I didn't even realize the "drama" until I was looking at the pictures later on!)

Halloween 2011

Another successful Home-made Halloween! We just love this Holiday! Maybe next year I will have time to make a costume for me! (I doubt it :)

No magician costume is complete without a REAL bunny!

I've never seen a more Beautiful Butterfly!

She always comes up with her very own poses (they are the best ones)!

Gavin said his Alligator costume was going to scare everyone so much that they would scream and throw all their candy at him and then they would run away. Of course, that is Exactly what happened!

Everyone decides what they want to be, and then they help me create it!

Our little Alivia Joy was an owl. Well, she says it "AH-YOOL." She helped a lot with this costume... by taking a few very good NAPS!

Until next year! (We already have big plans!)

Par - taaay!

This post is subtitled: I am Crazy. :) We had 24 kids here on Friday night for a Halloween party! The kids really had a great time!

I wasn't sure how we would fit that many kids in our house and be able to do much, but a friend offered their military tent for our back yard. It was awesome (and huge)! It also made for a great Halloween-style setting.

First, my friend Cheryl (the Sorceress) made some Frankenstein SLIME with the kids. Then, each of the kids decorated their own pumpkins, had a donut-eating contest, and a fabulous DANCE party! Just some good ol' fashioned FUN!

Brynlee was so excited to "be in charge," with a microphone and everything! (She likes to tell people what to do.) :)

This might become a tradition. We will see how CRAZY I am feeling next year!