Happy Birthday Lilli!

Girl's Camp Theme song. 

I thought it was appropriate considering she is now a YW, and gets to go this year!!

Maggie....Maggie today is 10!

She is our little "Firework"

I hope she always stays that way...

she makes our lives fun and full of love!

Temple Square Lights FREAK OUT!

Let me esplain...no, there is too much.

Let me sum-up!

 We went to Utah to do 2 things...1, buy Emily a much needed dresser at IKEA for her Christmas present, and

2, go see the Temple Square Christmas Lights.

We went on Friday Night...and it was a MAD house! 

I hate crowds, and this gave me soooo much anxiety!

We did have the right cloths this time...and 3 out of the 4 kids were thankful for the layers.
Lilli was NOT excited about wearing her dorking snow gear, and her teenage side took a nasty turn.
She threw a super mega ultra fit...and it was ugly.
In the end, I won, she decided it was cold enough to wear the snow gear and put it on.

I couldn't figure out how to use the flash on my camera without it being super washed out and ugly..

.but I got a few pictures anyway to help us remember this event.

This is my favorite shot from the night. She was still sort of pissy...because we had to walk like 6 blocks.

Joe decided to park like a mile and a half away because he figured there would be no parking closer.

I think he forgot that there is a parking garage right under Temple Square... I know I did.

But this picture is so pretty.

 Here is my family, under the glow of the millions of lights. 

I don't think this will be a family tradition...

only because I had such bad anxiety about it. Crowds and me do not mix.

But it was a wonderful weekend, and lots of memories were made with my sister and her family. 

And we did get both of the objectives met!

So, not all was lost!

Dance Camp

Emily and Maggie begged to do this Nampa High Dance Camp, presented by the Drill Team.

I let them. It was cute...but if I didn't know a girl on the drill team that I was supporting,

I probably wouldn't have done it.

Here is their dance numbers.

Emily

Maggie

This is the big group final number. They performed it at the Varsity Basketball game that night.
They had fun, but like I said...it was basically for this one girl!
We will not be doing it next year.
At least they got a t-shirt out of it!

Christmas Concerts

Lilli's Christmas Concert, at Nampa High Auditorium

I had to include a picture of her teacher, Mr. Ledbetter. 

He is a silly and fun, and he is a perfect fit for a Jr. High choir teacher! 

Lilli loves him, and she loves being in choir!

 Lilli had her 1st solo! It was only 2 measures long, but still!

I was not this brave in 6th grade! Go Lilli!!!

The song is "Christmas Fever" and I included the video in this post! It's great!

Maggie is also in Choir this year! I love all the concerts!!! It's so much fun to see them enjoying their talents!

Both Lilli and Maggie are awesome Choir girls! They knew how to position their mouths for the best sound! And they are so poised! Never goofing off, always looking to their director! I guess I taught them well!

And I am so proud.

Katie is her usual spot.

Maggie's choir singing, "Masters in this Hall"

 

Lilli's Choir singing, "Christmas Fever"

 "Winter Has Begun"

Hope you enjoyed some sounds of the season.

I have been hearing these songs in my house since October.

It's a great time of life!

Lilli's Piano Recital

Lilli and Brooke after the Recital and award ceremony.

With their teacher, Wendy Winston

Emily and Dani watching their big sisters get their awards.

I just had to take a picture...I love how they were both in pony tails!

Playing one of her pieces, "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem".

We are so proud of her accomplishments in piano, and we love her teacher so much! 

We found out yesterday at church that Wendy is very ill! 

She has been having bad nose bleeds lately, and the other day she finally went into the ER. 

They do not have insurance, so it take a lot to get her to the hospital.

She had to have 4 pints of blood put back into her.

Some Dr.'s are worried it might be leukemia, some are not worried at all.

We love her so much, and we pray for her quick recovery.

Caldwell Night Christmas Lights

This year, we started a new family tradition...a cold one.

The city of Caldwell, has been doing some major urban renewal around Indian Creek, 

and at Christmas time, they like to show it off by lighting it up!

It is magical! 

We took the kids on Monday night, the 1st day of the 12 Day of Christmas,  for Family Home Evening.

I tried yo bundle the kids up, we wore gloves and hats and scarfs...

but we forgot the snow pants and boots, and I have to say...we were warm, except our legs and feet! 

Next year, we will bring the snow pants.

The kids loved it! 

Christmas Music was playing over loud speakers, and we sang as we walked and looked!

We will definitely do this every year.

 

The best part...the price! FREE and the memories made...PRICELESS!