Nativity, P.J.'s and Smores

This year we celebrated Christmas in WARM Las Vegas, with weather a beautiful 71 degrees. We had Christmas with Mike's family, and every Christmas Eve it is tradition to do something around the Nativity. This year we all acted it out. Madisyn was a wise man.

Aidan insisted on being the star, but he made a cute star.

Mike and I were the coveted Mary and Joseph, being in my condition it was perfect, except the baby stayed in my tummy. The little girls kept saying how great it would be if it would come out. :)

After the Nativity we read a story called "Come and See" a great Nativity story about the young children coming to the baby Jesus and singing and dancing out of joy. The little kids really liked it. After that we opened our NY Pajamas. The kids loved dressing the same, it is crazy how the three girls look so much alike.





After we all got comfortable we made smores, in the fireplace, and Julie played the piano as the kids all sang their favorite Christmas Songs.

My Star Perfomer

Aidan performed for the Grizz Kids Preschool today. They sang 4 different Christmas Songs, and Jingle Bells and Wish you a Merry Christmas were definatly his favorite. In the middle of one song he turned around to make sure that all of the kids were singing with him.


After they sang Santa came and each kid got to sit on his lap and then get a yummy candy cane.


Aidan's candy cane broke. He showed his Big Buddy Braxton what had happened, so Braxton, who just broke his ankle hopped down the stairs in the commons to get Aidan a second candy cane. I guess I'm not the only one that spoils him.

Good 'Tithings' we Bring to You and Your 'Kids'

Madisyn had said that she wanted to go caroling, and so I told Mike that for Family Home Evening on Monday that is what we should do. So I made Peanut Butter and Chocolate Fudge for the first time, GO ME, packaged them and off we went.

We went to all our friends' houses in our neighborhood, and had a ton of fun. The kids both sang really well. Aidan at first though wanted to leave the treat and hide, but we explained that is what you do for Halloween, for Christmas we sing and then give our friends the treat. So he finally warmed up to the idea when he got to be the gift giver. We sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and both kids kind of added or changed the words a little. For Madisyn tidings became tithings, (hey we teach gospel principle at our house :)) and for Aidan it was to you and your kids (to a kid what is a kin anyways, we should change it to kids).

The kids and both Mike and I had a blast. Thank you to all our neighbors that listened to us sing, you were all great! Well on that note, We wish you a Merry Chirstmas, only 3 more sleeps!!

Our Vist to the Big Man!

We went to Fashion Place Mall today to visit with the Man of the Hour, SANTA. I told Madisyn that Santa had some bling (check out the belt) and she asked what that was, I tried to explain the belt. Latter that day she told someone we visited Santa and he had "BLING" too cute. Aidan didn't cry this year for the first time!! YEAH! He was actually really excited. Aidan asked Santa for the Diego Underwater Adventure, and Madisyn asked for the American Girl Doll Camping Set and Bunk Beds. We will have to see what happens when Santa comes in 6 nights. The kids were great in line, we read "Who Will Guide my Sleigh Tonight?" and "Fancy Nancy Christmas" both great books.

Aidan Can Do Things Too

I feel like I have posted and facebooked so much about Madisyn's gymnastics, that Aidan has been pushed aside. So here it goes.

Aidan is also in gymnastics and loves learning tricks like his big sister. Not that I encourage competition between my lovely kids, but Aidan does much better when I remind him that Madisyn can do that trick. :) Here are the pictures from today's Gym class.





He was in a beginning class, and they moved him up to an advanced class with ALL GIRLS that take gymnastics a little more serious then my little guy, but he still likes doing all the tricks. I think BEAM is his favorite.

Graham Cracker Houses

Thanks to Windy and Whitney, my most AWESOME, neighbors Aidan got to make his own graham cracker house. He asked for a square one like a present and then as we were decorating it he said it was a Movie Theater and then asked if we could go see "Avitar". :)

WHOA! Guys Look at That

Aidan and Madisyn both loved the lights at Thanksgiving Point. They are wonderful this year. I love that you go though all the fun toys, reindeer, Santa, ect. and then end with the real meaning of Christmas. It was wonderful, highly recommended.


Aidan would tell you it was amazing he didn't have enough words to explain to us what he was seeing, he was just in AWE, and kept says GUYS LOOK AT THAT, over and over until we would acknowledge every light display, and I mean EVERY light display, and there were a lot.

Jolley's Christmas Performance

Madisyn got the chance to show off her AMAZING gymnastics skills again, but this time to Christmas Music and on stage. She performed to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and loved getting all dolled up to perform. She wore eyeliner for the first time, and thought she was the cat's meow. Our Video Camera wouldn't work again, so we only got the video from my camera, and it's not the best. She is the 5th girl from the left, (stage right) and has a WHITE bow in her hair. She did a great job. We love you sweetheart.





Thank you Kristine for coming, you made Madisyn's night. She loves you so much.

Mike's Dad is a SUPERSTAR!

Mike and I flew down to Vegas (without the kids) this weekend to hear Dave sing in the choir with Andrea Bocelli in the MGM Grand Arena. We ate with Mike's family at Hash House A Go Go (yes that is the name of the place, but it was REALLY GOOD) where Mike was able to try Chicken and Waffles for the first time. He said it was GREAT!



Then we headed over to the MGM with lots and lots of other people to watch Andrea Bocelli sing. As you can see we defiantly had the best seats in the house. The first half of the concert was famous operas, and the second half was Christmas songs from his Christmas Album. Silent Night was my favorite, he sang in Italian first and then in English, it was breathtaking. Mike made fun of me for bringing my binoculars, (they were a little big) but I was able to see the whites of their eyes, and Mike looked in them a lot admitting that it was nice to have them. Dave sang background to more then 8 songs, Italian, French, and English, it was unbelievable. I will have to say I am not a Bocelli fan, but the concert was really remarkable, and the Christmas songs were fun to hear, especially in a different language.



After the show we went and got Pie, Dave's favorite thing to do after a concert, and I presented Dave with a picture that Krisine helped me find. Dave said that his Mother was with him through out the entire experience, and that The Lord's Prayer was always her favorite. This is a picture of Dave in High School singing with his Mom.

The Princess and the Frog

In My Family fashion, I talked Mike into working from home today and taking the kids and myself to the first showing of the Princess and the Frog. I got the kids ready like normal and off to school and playgroup, not letting them in on our little secret. After Aidan's playgroup we went over to Madisyn's school and kidnapped her and took her to the movie, saying off course that she had a doctors appointment. Madisyn was extremely confused, and when they called her up to the office the teacher didn't hear that she needed to be ready to go, so Madisyn did not have her backpack or coat. I had to send my confused child back to class, but before I did I told her we were going to see The Princess and the Frog. She told her teacher and class what was up when she went back to get her backpack and coat, we will need to work on her "getting out of school" skills for next time.



We all loved the movie. I loved the fact that it wasn't in 3-D, since my kids are too little to enjoy that, and how Disney worked the Princess thing in since it was based in New Orleans, and Madisyn and I both cried and laughed too many times to count.
Yeah for the new hardworking Disney Princess, Dreams do come true, but Wishes only take you half way there. Great MOVIE!

Etta Lane Party Tonight

DATE: Tuesday Dec 8, 2009
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
BLOG LINK: ettalane.blogspot.com

I am having Jen come over one last time before Christmas to do a watch party. These are interchangeable beaded watches and this is the best price around, they make a GREAT gift for sisters, daughters, moms, grandmas, yourself, any women in your life.

The party is at my house Tuesday Dec 8 6:30-8:30 pm. If you need to you can bring the kids, come have fun.

Our Little Angel

Madisyn was asked to be an angel at our Ward Christmas Party. She got to wear her new white dress that Irelynn passed down to her, and she felt like the queen of the ball. The nativity was to music and written word, and Madisyn's part was to sing with the choir of angels at Christ's birth. She did beautifully and so did all of the other little angels involved.


I had to take this picture, because I feel my son is odd...



When eating any cupcake he insists on taking off the wrapper and then putting the cupcake upside down and then eating it "how the little piggies eat" (Christmas Story Reference, you MUST see the movie) I know all kids like the frosting, but not mine. Oh well I still love him.

A BIG thank you to everyone in the Ward involved in the party, it was a HUGE success.

Deck the Halls!!

Both kids have been so excited to set up the tree. Since we were in Vegas for Thanksgiving they had to wait for Monday to set up all the Christmas Decorations. Mike is adimit that we can't decorate until after Thanksgiving. Each box led to the kids getting more and more excited for Christmas. Aidan just kept saying "What the Heck?" and Madisyn just loved that she got to help put on the tree ortaments. Every year the kids get to pick out an ornament that represents them, and it is always fun when they remember that that ornament is theirs, and then they HAVE to put it on the tree "All by my best self." as Aidan says.




Last year we got our stockings (I LOVE THEM), and yes we have 2 more in storage without names for any future members of the family. Merry Early Christmas.

KNOCK the White Things Down

We went bowling with my Mom and Dad at Sunset Lanes, and it turned out to be COSMIC BOWLING. The Opening song was Ali and AJ Like Whoa, Madisyn and Irelynn's favorite song on Disney Sing It, so they LOVED it.


Madisyn did great by herself! She scored great for a second time bowler.



Aidan LOVED everything about bowling, and when asked what you do he said "You throw the ball and knock down the white things." He was gitty the entire time and everyone wanted to help him, because he was so happy.



I have to mention though that my amazing bowler Mom got 198 as her FINAL SCORE, with 4 strikes in a row and 3 strikes in a row in just the 10th frame. It was her best GAME EVER!!

Town Square and Ethel M's

So even though it was BLACK FRIDAY, I love the park at Town Square. It has little houses and even a green hedge labyrinth for the kids to play in. No other park on the south side of Vegas is like it.

We went again to see a movie, this time "Old Dogs" and we all thought it was OK. After leaving the movies Chelsey said she was going to the MAC store. Mike and I love Apple, so I said we're in, as we are walking away from the Computer MAC store I ask where are we going, and it was the MAC make-up store, so Dad, Aidan and Bompa headed to the computer store, and Nana took us girls to the MAC make-up store. Nana was nice enough to buy us each a little treat. I got a smudge brush and liquid brown eye-liner. I am not really a make-up person, but this stuff is really good. Thanks MOM!

After that we stopped in at Ethel M's where we walked through the Cactus Garden where Mike fell in love with the Peanut Brittle, and HAD to buy a box, and the kids and I got to pick out one of the specialty chocolates like, American Apple Pie, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Raspberry and Peach. I love there NEW Ethels.

Thanksgiving in Vegas!!

Each year we switch off families for the holidays, and this year we were at my parents for Thanksgiving. The kids LOVED playing with the cousins, and everyone agreed that Aidan was just following the older boy cousins around, just waiting to be given just a little piece of action. Madisyn loved playing with the girl cousins, and salon with fake money was her favorite. Messages, Make-Up, Hair, you name it they had it, and they even gave you the fake money to spend.

My Mom had over 21 people for Thanksgiving (and that's not all of us). It was fun sitting around the table and talking about old family memories. My Dad cooked a 30 pound free range turkey, that was to die for, and this year I got to contribute with my (well Angela's) pink salad. I felt BIG having a side dish of mine on the table.



After dinner we went to the "Fantastic Mr. Fox" at the RAVE in Town Square. It was a little weird, probably not the best movie, I liked George Cloney as the voice, but not the best story. My kids are waiting for "The Princess and the Frog" Disney slated it for this weekend, but oh well we got to be together as a family.

The day before we saw "Astro Boy" we hadn't heard much about it, but it was by far, we all agree the best movie we saw over the weekend. Aidan loved that guns came out of Astro Boy's butt when he was captured by the monster.

One, Two, Three, Four, Eight, Nine, Ten

Aidan has been counting wrong now for a really long time, and I have decided that I am going to fix it, so we have been working REALLY hard to fix the skipping of five, six and seven. I think it is really cute though still when he skips those numbers.

Shoveling the Walk!

Today we got our first BIG snowfall, and it looks like it is going to last a while. It snowed last night, and then snowed from this afternoon until...

The kids loved playing in the snow again.

Madisyn's First FULL Gymnastics Meet

Madisyn performed a floor, beam, valut, and bar routine on Saturday all by herself. It was like a pretend Gymnastics meet. She did an amazing job, and excelled at all aspects of gymnastics. Mike and I were really proud of her.



We purchased an extra medal for Aidan since he does gymnastics too, but was too young to participate in the meet. So after the meet Madisyn put Aidan's medal on him, and both thought they were pretty cool. (Aidan choose the number 3, because he is 3 years old)

What is it About Jack?

My kids are IN LOVE with the Pumpkin King. Halloween night Mike went on a HUNT to find "The Nightmare Before Christmas." The kids have been on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland and Madisyn loved talking to Jack at Disneyland so they wanted to see the show, and Mike had never seen the movie. Halloween night we watched the CRAZY, little bit scary, Tim Burton movie. The kids were captured by the animation, and loved every bit of it, until Jack got SHOT out of the sky and Santa is no where to be found. Aidan and Madisyn both had a melt down, and then the Boogie Monster becomes lots of BUGS, pretty gross, but it's Tim Burton, what do you expect. Then all is great and Santa saves everything and even makes it snow in Halloweentown. I remembered the happy ending, but shooting Santa out of the sky was a little extreme.

Even though the first night was a melt down, both kids LOVE watching this film. It's got to be the animation, but both are dead set in loving this movie. Oh well, "This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween..."

Madisyn and Aidan got Baby Zero and Baby Jack at Disneyland LAST Halloween, but they were in full use this Halloween and are still being played with and slept with as we type.