Lazy Thanksgiving

Today was officially Thanksgiving and we spent it being lazy.  It was awesome!  Well, if by lazy I mean making eight gingerbread houses and Mike wallpapering our living room.  Still, it was relaxing not to have to go anywhere and to enjoy eating leftovers.  Matt and Sam slept over last night.  That was really fun.  Sam slept in Jorja's bed and Matt was in the guest room.  Sam went to bed at a normal time. Matt played Dominion with me until the early morning.  Again, awesome.

Early Thanksgiving

We had our Thanksgiving meal today.  It was delicious.  My only regret is I didn't take any pictures.  Bubs and Ange were there, Matt and Sam, my dad with Max and Cathy, Gayle, Heidi, Jae and Todd were there.  (It was either Mark or Todd, I'm not quite sure.)  Anyway, the food was great.  My dad made the turkey.  He also brought up sweet potatoes. Gayle brought pies.  I made cranberry sauce, rolls and popcorn.  The popcorn was delicious, but not a big hit.  My kids made turkeys out of oreos and pilgrim hats out of peanut butter cups.  Mike helped me make some yummy green beans.  There was probably more, but I can't remember.  Mike had to work today.  The kids had piano lessons while we were finishing getting ready.  That was pretty funny.  Good thing their teacher is super awesome and just rolls with the punches.  As for me, I am quite exhausted.

Decorating Gingerbread

I had the Beehives over to decorate gingerbread houses today.  This activity takes a ton of work, but it is so much fun.  I love it!  I kind of go crazy on the candy.  I start collecting it in September.  Mike was bringing all the candy out for me.  He told me I needed professional help.  I had such a fun time with my girls today.  It was awesome and they loved it!

Kelsee, Ashley, Paige, Erica, Rachael, Courtney, Nicole, Zoe

 Zoe

 Erica

 Nicole - her gingerbread house was gluten free!

 Courtney

 Kelsee

 Paige

 Rachael

 Ashley - on her birthday!

 Kelsee and Courtney

 Beautiful Rachael

 Ashley

 Nicole and Alice

 Erica

 Rachael

 Ashley

 Zoe

 Ashley's house

 Jacqui and Ashley

 beautiful mom and beautiful daughter

Maysen's activity was making things out of old t-shirts.  Maysen said she tried to get someone to pay her $20 to wear her hat thing for a week. She didn't have any takers.

Maysen

Now I'm exhausted.  In a good way.

First Jazz Game

Chris gave Matt two free Jazz tickets.  (Chris works for the Jazz in their Public Relations department . . . or something like that.  Maybe he works for Fanzz?  I don't know, but he often has free tickets.)  Sam was unable to go tonight, so Matt decided to take my dad.  Dad asked Chris if he could have an extra ticket for Max.  Chris said they only came in twos, so he gave my dad two extra tickets.  We were offered one of them. I really wanted to go, but with gingerbread factory going on and Thanksgiving at my house the next day, I didn't think there was any way I could do that.  My dad asked if he could take Preston.  My dad picked up Preston and they rode to the game on Trax.  They got home about 10:00.  (The Jazz won the Houston Rockets 102-91).  Preston came in with a giant grin and said, "I really liked it!"  He said there were a bunch of people there.  My dad told Preston that he could scream as loud as he liked.  Big mistake.  Preston would scream at random times.  He wouldn't scream, "Go Jazz!" or logical things.  He would just scream "Ahhhhh!" whenever he felt like it.  As I was tucking Preston in bed I asked him, "Did you see anyone score a basket?"  He got a confused look on his face and said, "Yes?"  Haha!  That made me laugh. Thank you dad for taking him.  He loved it!

Construction

We have most of the houses put together!  We will put Nicole's together tomorrow, but I need to run the mixing bowl through the dishwasher. Thank goodness Mike is able to help me; I wouldn't be able to construct these without him!  I'm glad Ange took the time last year to teach me how to do this.  It sure has been fun.

Preston helping Mike put the houses together

 The houses will be ready by Tuesday!

We had a few extra roof pieces, so the kids were able to decorate them. Maysen didn't see the point in that, but the others had a good time.

Preston

 I love this boy!

Last night Maysen helped me make 60 pilgrim hats for the scripture reward challenge.  I wish I had taken a picture of all of them, because they looked more impressive.  I had no idea how much I would love these.  We made witches hats like this for Halloween.  I ate one witch hat and was good.  Once I tried the pilgrim hats I wanted more.  I thought they were so delicious.  What a silly little thing that tastes so good!

Chocolate Factory

Every year Mike's sister, Lisa, makes the most delicious chocolates.  A long time ago her sister-in-law's worked for Cummings and learned how to dip chocolates.  They have been making these chocolates for years.  I told Lisa that my nephew has talked about opening his own chocolate shop for a few years and would be fascinated if he could come and watch them.  She invited us over today!  Unfortunately they started earlier than she thought, so they finished earlier then she planned. They were already finished when we got there.  She did invite us over another time where the kids could dip there own chocolates.  Even better!  Then we don't have to worry about things looking nice.  I hope that works out.  Lincoln would love it!

Gingerbread Factory

Gingerbread Factory started again a few days ago.  Right now I am in the process of making nine houses for my beehives.  They are coming over on Tuesday to decorate them.  This year they are taking them home.  I need to figure out how to make one of them gluten free.....should be fun!

Jorja's friend, Olivia, invited her over for a few hours tonight.  I was actually going to try to go to the Family History Library, but I knew she would love this.  One day I will make it there.....I'm not sure when though.

Dinner Date

Stockton watched the kids tonight while Mike and I took Maysen to pottery.  Actually, we dropped her off and went to dinner.  Brazilian Barbecue.  Yummy.  Stockton read scriptures with the kids and had them almost in bed by the time we got home.  I love having older children!  If only I had them when Maysen and Stockton were little!

Choir

Stockton had a choir performance today.  He had to miss diving for it because this was required.  Just like choir was required.  His teacher really likes him and he has a 100% in the class.  It did take me forever to figure out how to get the video up here.  The video was too big, so we had to get it at a lesser quality.  It is really grainy, but Stockton is in the front.  Actually, I never figured out how to get the video up, but I was finally able to have Mike put it up for me.  Thanks Mike!

Maysen MVP

We had our Evening in Excellence tonight.  Camee was in charge.  She did a sports theme.  I went over to help Camee and Becky this afternoon. I cut a lot of astroturf!  I think everything turned out great and the night was really fun.  Maysen and Dixie received their Personal Progress awards.  They had a table set up for them as the MVPs.  Athena and Kelsee were the announcers.  Of course Athena spoke in a British accent the entire time.  Cracks me up.

The girls made the decorations last week.  I think they really enjoyed that.  Plus they got to run through the Go Angels banner below.  Too bad Jaime and I sent them in too early.  Oh well.

As part of a skit the girls dressed up Nicole in a football uniform. Maysen's was Good Works which they somehow related to face paint. Maysen got to draw the black lines under Nicole's eyes.  Good thing Nicole is such a good sport!

Nicole and Maysen

 Nicole

 Maysen and Dixie receiving their medallions from Becky

 Stake YW presidency giving Maysen and Dixie a bracelet

 These girls earned lots of ribbons this year.  Love them!

Stockton has a hard time getting his teeth to fall out.  Usually they stay in until the dentist pulls them.  His permanent teeth do not grow under his baby teeth, they grow to the side.  It looks really weird.  Once the baby tooth is out, somehow magically his tooth ends up in the correct position.  Stockton's last baby tooth is ready to come out.  He wanted it out so bad and has been working on it for a couple of weeks.  Today he asked Mike to get it out for him.  Oh boy.  First Mike tried pliers.

Mike & Stockton

That didn't work, so he tied dental floss around it to try and yank it out.

That didn't work either.  Then he couldn't get the dental floss off of his tooth.  He cut it short and told Stockton he would have to go to school like that.  Stockton didn't think that was a good idea.  Mike finally gave Stockton some ice cream to 'numb' his tooth.  Then he kept pulling and pulling and pulling until the tooth finally came out.

 Last tooth!  Thank goodness!

Scripture Pictures

We had a few last minute things to get done for the Evening in Excellence tomorrow.  We have been gathering pictures for a collage of all of Maysen's value projects.  After she was in bed I realized I didn't have one for Virtue - reading the Book of Mormon.  I woke her up so I could take her picture.  We picked the top picture.  She was a good sport. I sure love that not-so-little girl!

Maysen

 Ummm.... fail.

Out of Control

Mike was asked to give a talk for the Priesthood Preview in our ward.  I wanted to go see him.  The only problem was I was involved in a game with Dominion with Matt and Maysen.  I was dominating! I decided to have Stockton play for me so I could go watch Mike.  He did a great job and we both snuck out after his talk.  Right as I left the room, my phone rang.  It was Maysen.  In the background Preston was screaming like I have never heard him scream.  At first I was worried he was hurt, but then realized that it didn't sound like a scream of pain.  Maysen was laughing.  She said, "Preston is screaming and hitting and punching people."  Then I hear Preston yell, "I'm not!"  He then proceeded to run at Maysen and hit and punch her.  That made Maysen laugh.  Matt and Sam were there to witness the meltdown.  How embarrassing!  By the time Mike and I made it home (3 minutes later) everyone was calm and peaceful as if nothing had happened.  Weirdos.

Preston's 6th Birthday

My baby is six today!  Where did the time go?  I love this little boy!  He has brought so much joy into my life and into our family.  I am so thankful that he is ours.  We were worried for a long time that our family was done and we wouldn't be blessed with anymore children, but luckily we were able to have one more little boy!  What a perfect way to end our family.  Preston is exactly 4 years and 15 days younger than Jorja.  I am so grateful for Jorja and how well she plays with Preston - even with the age difference.  We sure are lucky!

Preston

 Stockton and Jorja

 My beautiful birthday boy!

 Stockton, Preston, Jorja

 Preston and Jorja looking at Stockton's present.  It was Omnom.

 Preston got a new Shiver puppy!  He named him Iceburg.

 It is crazy that Shiver one time looked like this.

 Another puppy?  Preston with Butterscotch, Shiver and Iceburg.

 Preston and Jorja

 Preston with his dream light pillow pet.
This is the one thing he asked for!  Over and over.

Preston really wanted a pinata.  He was allowed a birthday party this year because he turned an even number.  He has two friends down the street that he likes to play with.  I had asked their mom if they were available, but they are actually in Disney World.  We talked Preston into the $50.  (When they turn an even number they can have a party or $50.)  Preston has never had a party, so we let him have a pinata anyway . . . especially since we just filled it with Halloween candy. Max came over for the cake and pinata.  So it looks like Preston got the $50 and a mini-party.  Best of both worlds.

Max

 Jorja

 Stockton

 Preston

Max and Grandpa spoiled Preston.  They gave him Mario and Sonic London 2012 Wii game.  Max had brought this game over last week and Preston loved it.  They surprised him with it today and he was very excited about it.

Preston

 Bow Boy

Max also gave Preston a new puppy.  At Seagull books they have bins and bins of Webkinz for $3.  Pretty cool.  My kids love that - especially Jorja!  Preston doesn't have this dog, so it was perfect.

Preston

Yesterday I took one of my Beehives out to Cold Stone.  While I was there I saw this cake and thought it would be perfect for Preston.  The lady did a cute job writing on it for me.  I had been asking Preston all week what kind of cake he wanted.  We looked through books and on the Internet, but he couldn't decide.  When I saw this cake I knew he would love it and realized it would make my life a lot easier!

 Preston

I sure love this boy!