More Activities

We had Zhara's "winter" party for school the Friday before Christmas. I didn't get too many pictures because I was very busy being the homeroom mom. It was a very crazy day with lots of things for the kids to do, but I enjoyed every minute of being a part of Zhara's class. A little boy came up to me & gave me a hug & said "you are such a nice lady. I like it when you come to our class" that made every minute of stress I have over these parties, worth it.
We did a couple of crafts Drank some hot chocolate & had sugar cookiesRaced to fill the stockings (Zhara's team won)Zhara's class has an even amount of students so Alyssa helped hold the stocking
My mom & dad took the girls for a few days before Christmas. David & I enjoyed some time to get things done & have a little time together. We were able to attend a play called "The Forgotten Carols". This is a play that has touched our lives since before we were married. We have the book & have been listening to the music for almost 7 years, but this was the first time we have seen it performed. It was such a great way to finally start to feel like it was ChristmasMicheal McLean is the writer of this play. He is a song writer & so many of his songs have touched our lives...so when we heard that he stays after the show to meet people, we waited in line. Thanks to my mom & dad who took our sick children so we could have some down time.

Let the Activites Begin....

Christmas is always a very busy time of year, but with Zhara being in school & David at the end of the road with training it has been extra crazy, but we still have enjoyed every minute we have. Our activities began by going to Bass Pro to see Santa. Last year we got a nice surprise by Santa being free....well, this year it was not a surprise because they advertised it & there were so many people there the wait was over 2 hours. Needless to say we did not stay to see Santa, but we did enjoy some crafts & time at Bass Pro

Zhara's class made gingerbread houses with the 3rd grade class & I volunteered to help out. It was mad chaos with all that icing & candy but I enjoyed being there with Zhara.

We also went to our ward Christmas party at church & enjoyed getting pictures with Santa & I will post those when I get them from my friend because I forgot my camera.

Christmas Tree

The Monday after Thanksgiving we went to buy our Christmas tree & decorate it for Family Home Evening. After an eventful time of trying to find a tree that was not already dead we got together with my mom & dad, Aimee & Glenn to decorate our tree. Every year when we put up the tree it's fun to look at the ornaments we have collected over the years & the memories that go with some of them. Before I met David I always needed to have the "matching" tree with all the fancy ornaments & it be all "pretty", but as I look at our tree with all of our mis-matched, homemade ornaments I feel such happiness in my heart. No "pretty" tree could bring the spirit of Christmas into my home like our family tree & the memories it holds.
I love our flip flops when we buy our Christmas tree!!

This is where ALL of Alyssa's ornaments ended up hanging (we moved them after she went to bed)

Isn't this a cute picture of Zhara?

I didn't have a super cute one of Lys during the tree but this one was at the park the next day :)

My how time flies

The girls at the Salt Lake Temple March 2008 The girls at the Salt Lake Temple Nov 2009

Random moments with Alyssa

It seems like I do lots of posts about Zhara so I have some random pictures of times with Alyssa I thought I would share. She is such a joy to have around while Zhara is at school. We laugh alot!
This is the girls at a birthday party I wear a handkerchief on my head when I cook because my hair is always falling out so we were making brownies & Alyssa wanted to look like me

Alyssa getting her hair cut because "it was getting long"

Alyssa enjoying the decorations at Walmart

Thanksgiving

We went to North Ogden, UT for Thanksgiving. We headed out Tues night after Zhara got out of school & drove to my parents house & spent the night. We made it to Utah Wed night in time for my father-in-laws 66th birthday party (I didn't get any pictures). We had a great time with David's family & enjoyed the cold weather. We did not enjoy the "inversion" that covered up the mountains & caused the snow on the mountains black. I hope you enjoy the pictures of our holiday.
The girls saw the snow on the ground when we arrived at Grandma & Grandpa's house & couldn't wait to get out & play in it (it was funny because it was left over snow on the side of the house that doesn't get any sun). Zhara was begging to go out when it was dark & like 20 degrees outside, so Thanksgiving morning while Daddy was playing football the girls played in the "snow" Right after playing with the snow we were headed to Aunt Debbie's house & Alyssa misjudged Grandma's steps & fell right on her face. I caught her in time that her face slid across the cement instead of smacking it but it scraped her nose pretty good...you will see the scabs in pictures below

Here is Alyssa showing Grandpa how Daddy shaves

Thanksgiving dinnerA little ping pong The girls found some more left over snow and....Snowball fight!!! David got me right in the back of the neck & it went right down my shirt.

Playing with Grandma Making gingerbread men with Grandma & Great Grandma T

The girls were trying to get the cow, who lives next door to Grandma, to come over so they could feed him

Playing cards with Grandma T...she beat us every time.Going for a walk with Daddy & Uncle BradOn Friday night we went to Salt Lake City & met up with our adopted family, the Larsen's, to see Temple Square lights. It was so great to see them.

The girls were having a great time wrestling with DustinBishop helping get Alyssa's shoes onAlyssa insisted that when she is 8 she will come back to Temple Square & get baptized in this fountain

Somehow I can't seem to find the beautiful pictures of temple square & this picture does not do it justice. It was so very beautiful. Me, Sue & Alyssa.