Snow Trip

This trip was over a year in the making, and I was so glad we finally made it!! Last year I went with our ward's youth to play in the snow near Williams, AZ, and I loved it so much I couldn't wait to bring my family back. Seriously, this place is AWESOME!!

So I made plans, spent the winter finding good deals on snow shoes for everyone (good shoes is a must if you actually want to enjoy the experience), got everyone excited, and then got SICK two days before we were supposed to leave.

I guzzelled airborne, rested, and hoped that I would wake up Monday morning (President's day) feeling amazing and ready to go. It didn't happen.

But I was determined to go anyway. With cold medicine and a lot of help from Phil and the kids, we made it and had THE BEST DAY EVER!! It was everything I had hoped for: the perfect place, lots of snow, hardly anyone else there, and tons of fun for everyone.

And look--I even got a picture!!

And I think you all should be impressed that I even remembered the camera and took a picture!! So maybe it was only one picture right by the car before we even got started playing, but I was sick =). And who wants to have to worry about the camera when you're playing in the snow!?!

Not Pictured

We had a busy start to 2011, and none of it made it onto our camera. Six weeks of the camera not even making it out of the cupboard. Sad...but I'm sure no one is surprised with my track record with the camera.

As always, though, I want at least some record of what we did, even if it isn't as fun with out pictures. So here goes:

I spent a lot of January having fun putting together a baby shower for a friend who serves in young women with me. The girls (as in the young women) and I had fun planning the shower, making fun gifts like wood blocks, making yummy treats and putting the whole thing together. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to host a shower, and I had fun being all creative.

I also spent a ton of time in January practicing the piano so that I could not embarrass myself as I played for the ward choir. And I did pretty good when I finally came time to perform. Two weeks later when I played a duet with one of my Mia Maids, I did not do so hot. Nor did I do well when I accompanied the young women at a baptism in February. One step forward, two steps back. At least I will always remain humble about my piano skills =)

Valentine's Day was also a lot of fun for our family. It started off great when I received some beautiful roses from Phil, got busy in the middle when Ty and I helped out at Jonathan's class party, and ended with a fun dinner at home with the kids. We got Chinese takeout and had fun creating a somewhat formal dinner for the kids to practice their table manners. How do I not have this on camera!?!? It was a fun night with great food and an awesome way to celebrate Valentine's together.

I'm sure there were a million other moments I would love to have on film and in my memory. Is it too late in the year for resolutions? I'm in serious need of one about getting the camera out more....

Snow!

We woke up to snow this morning! This is the first time we've ever lived somewhere where it snows, so this is pretty big news for us, even though there wasn't a lot of snow. The kids couldn't wait to get out and play in it...everyone except Jonathan, anyway. He was not interested in going out into the cold. I only went out long enough to take out the garbage and snap this quick picture, but the others had fun making a couple of snow angels and lots of snowballs to throw at each other.

Christmas

My parents came for Christmas, and brought the kids their traditional new pajamas on Christmas Eve. After opening them & putting them on, we went out to look at Christmas lights. Then back at the house we watched Joy to the World. It was really late then, so the kids didn't even want to stay up for hot chocolate and cookies (it had been a long, good day--we'd been invited to a fun lunch and program at some friends earlier that day), but the adults stayed up and continued the tradition.

Christmas morning, all the kids had big smiles on their faces when they found their Santa gifts.

We opened the rest of the presents, relaxed, played games and ate way too much food for the rest of Christmas. It was especially fun to set up our new trampoline mat and the kids enjoyed jumping again. We really loved having my parents here and just being together all day.

Garage camping

Brendon had a scout camp out in the freezing rain the weekend before Christmas. They had to pack up during the downpour, so when he got home he needed to set up his tent and clean it out. It was raining here, too, so he had to leave the tent set up in the garage to dry out...and so of course they needed to sleep in the tent when it dried out, right?

Only Suzanna and Brendon lasted all night in the tent. Jonathan and Ty didn't stay out long, and I don't blame them. With all the wind here, there's a lot of creepy noises in the garage!

Piano Recital and Jonathan's Birthday

So I may have forgotten my camera at Brendon's band concert, Suzanna's chime choir concert, and Suzanna's Christmas play/choir thing this last month, but I did at least have it for my piano recital. Course the piano recital was at my house...but I at least I remembered to get it out!!

We had Suzanna's friend Morgan (my piano student from Phx) who was visiting, Suzanna, Brendon, my new student Bridger, and Jonathan playing this year. They each played their own song and then a duet with me, which turned out great!

We finished off the night with some ice cream cake for Jonathan's 7th birthday!! Just what a kid always wants for his birthday--a piano recital, huh? In my defense, we did celebrate all day before the torturous recital began =) Actually, Jonathan is really loving piano lessons and was excited to perform that night. Hopefully his enthusiasm with piano will continue.

Santa Sighting

We had a fabulous ward Christmas party complete with a talent show and a visit from Santa. Only my two youngest wanted to get in line to see Santa, though Anna might have come too if she hadn't been pouting because I hadn't entered her into the talent show. Brendon is "way too old" I've been told. It's their loss, though, cause this Santa was pretty authentic!!