2012 Top 5

Merry Christmas!!

2012 Top 5 lists ~

Ashton (2):      (Madagascar 3)

1.      LOVES going to ‘class’ at church and doing art crafts at home.

2.      Like to participate with the big boys in their sports and recreation.

3.      Loves to be outside in the dirt or at the pool.

4.      Is Mom’s best tree waterer.

5.      Has decided that carnival and moving rides are NOT for him.

Nathan (6):      (Wreck-It Ralph)

1.      Rides bike without Training Wheels and Ties own Shoelaces.

2.      Loves his bow and arrow and shooting his BB gun.

3.      Full Day Kindergarten in a duel immersion Spanish program.

4.      Was in an undefeated soccer team early this spring.

5.      Won 1^st place in the 3D category for his school “Reflections” program.

Shane:              (Skyfall)

1.      Has improved on new 4-wheeling skills at the sand dunes.

2.      Planted Apricots, Apples, and Almond tree in April.

3.      Loves to shoot stuff – had some fun hunting/shooting days.

4.      Builds elaborate Train Tracks and creature hunts (scorpions, lizards, spider) with the kids.

5.      Actively involved in Young Men’s, teaching and Wed night activity.

Cami:               (Hunger Games)

1.      Adds Plum, Cherry, Gran Apple, 2 Peach and shade trees this fall.

2.      Ran in two local races this year, a 5K and a 10K.

3.      Has picked up in cake decorating and catering business.

4.      Enjoying season 3 of ‘The Voice.’  Go Terry!

5.      Happily engaged in PTA, Activity Day Girls, Temple Trips, and Friend and Family time.

A    And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Little Miners

For DAYS these kids have been sporting headlights at every opportunity.  Even at meal times, the lights are glowing! 

 

I Adore these cute boys!

 

 

One day, while Nathan was home with stomach flu, his drink was getting low, with a little grin on his face, he looked at me and asked for "Mas siete arriba, por favor."  Yep, I think the Spanish is sinking in! Yesterday, when asked what one of the good parts of his day was, Nathan answered, "Spanish Class!  Because I could understand EVERYTHING!"

Ashton has THRILLED in the magic of Christmas this year.  We've been for neighborhood walks and drives to see the lights.  Ashton shouts and claps and his whole body trembles with excitement when we go to 'see Christmas!'  Ashton has also visited Santa at the mall a couple of times, though he had to warm up to it the idea for a couple of weeks.  Now he knows exactly who Santa is, and willingly, albeit shyly, sits on Santa's lap.  He's not too concerned about telling Santa anything, but enjoys getting a treat or coloring book, or even a little reindeer for going to visit.

NQ's Award

This Year's Reflections theme was "The Magic of a Moment."

Nathan turned in a Sun catcher he called, 'The Colors of the Rainbow.' He made the sun catcher from plastic beads spread into a pie plate and melted in the oven. He did the design himself, 100%!  Once he decided he was done, I put it in the ready oven and Viola!  A project was created!

He turned it in on November 1st, and a few weeks later he received notice that he was the winner of the 3D category!  He was thrilled.  He won $10 cash, a kid's meal from Carl's Jr., a free pass to the swim pool, and a free event at Lazar Mania.  The project went on to the next level, but didn't place there. 

At any event, Nathan was thrilled with his win!  Now he's thinking he'll do more than one category next year.  YAY Nathan!!

November!

Lot's of things happening in November:

NQ's 6th Birthday!
We had lots of fun friends, ate a picnic outside, played games, and when it got dark, we retreated indoors for present opening!

Shane is still home on Worker's Compensation with back pain.  He's had two injections and will see a Surgeon this week (December 20th) to see what the next step is.  This is a picture of a day when Shane was in considerable pain, and unable to leave the bed for lunch.  So he and Ashton had a picnic on the bed!

Thanksgiving, Grandpa Barney came back to St. George and we had the Holiday with the Shepherd Family!  And then the next day after viewing the Temple Lighting Ceremony, the clan came over with the Cannings for a pizza dinner! The boys all went for a bird hunt, and made some mighty and plentiful kills!

Cami's Birthday - she enjoyed a sweet dinner with her little family and then a mini mama vacation for some spa treatments, a nice dinner and some Christmas Shopping with Holly! Grandpa helped and funded the purchase of Birthday Trees!  A Chipulta, a Crepe Myrtle, a Cherry, a Plum, a Granny Smith and two new Peach trees now reside in my 'orchard!!'  Can't wait until spring and blossoms and posting beatific pictures of them!


Grandpa's Birthday - Upon Grandpa's return to St. George, we had some gifts for Grandpa Barney, and we also checked off a whole bunch of To-Dos for Grandpa - Doctor appointment, a new windshield, new frames for his glasses, Christmas shopping and more!