Christmas pre-game

Our stake usually has a huge Christmas event, but this year it was a small ward (congregation) breakfast and program. Perfect. Steven was one of the Wise Men (obviously) and Sarah helped with the young children. Our whole family wore matching PJ's, but the boys ran home before I remembered to get a picture. At least I got a cute one with my girls, especially with Audrey smiling. She's too busy to smile on command these days. 

Since I'm Adam's class "room mom", I get to attend all the parties. It's been fun.

We visited Erik on the 20th, which is always one of my favorite things to do. Audrey is counter productive, so don't usually stay long, but I'm always glad we get to visit "him". We went to see the new Jumanji movie after, but Audrey's days of sitting quiet in a theater are over for the time being. Mike and I took turns wandering with her. She was napping in the car when we visited Erik.

The Sunday before Christmas was when our ward decided to have the Christmas program. Mike and Sarah performed and did a wonderful job. I love our little family! As you can see, Audrey loves to pose for pictures. ;)

Sarah's piano recital

Sarah had her third recital on the 17th. She played a beautiful rendition of "Angels we have heard on high". She did a wonderful job and we were very proud of her performance in not one, not two, but THREE recitals. ;)

Caroling for cans

Steven's Lacrosse program participated in a food drive called, "Caroling for Cans". Teams from all over the valley participated. Steven didn't want to go at first, but he decided to and had a great time. His team collected more than any other team.

Mike's Piano Recital

Mike had his piano recital on the 14th. He totally showed up all the kids. ;) He played, "What child is this" and a duet of "The First Noel" with Sarah. Yes, Sarah played two duets with family members before her recital. She was a good sport.

After the ward Christmas party the Saturday before, Mike was using the church piano to practice his song. The ward music director heard them playing and asked them to play for the Sacrament meeting on the 22nd. He refused at first, but finally gave in. They did a great job both times. 

Boys bedroom make-over

We weren't planning on doing a big make-over in the boy's room, so I didn't take any good before shots. You'd have to really see the walls with the posters to appreciate the blood sweat and tears that went into redoing it. ;) When we first moved into this house the boys each had their own room, but they decided they'd prefer sharing. We bought this bunk bed in Mississippi and didn't set it up until we got home. It was a work in progress. The boys decided to split it into two beds, but then it was ugly. ;)

We bought new beds from Ikea and they each got new nightstands and a new book shelf at the end of their beds. It looks about a gazillion times better. 

Steven and Adam's piano recital

Steven and Adam had their winter piano recital on the 5th. Their teacher Ashley chose to have the students play two duets with a partner instead of solo pieces. Steven was paired with a boy named Blake and they played really well together.

Adam was going to play both duets with James, but was frustrated with one of them. Sarah agreed to play, "The Little Drummer boy" with him so he could practice more at home. He and James then played Beethoven's 5th symphony.

They all did great and we were very proud of them. 

Random November

I'm not doing dedicated monthly Audrey posts, but there are so many cute pics I want to add. Audrey continues to love opening and closing drawers as well as dumping out all the contents of said drawers. 

Mike is constantly telling me to get rid of stuff and not hold onto stuff. Apparently I still need to consult him. I was trying to get rid of old costumes in our bin and ran across Sarah's old Kanga costume. It was in tatters so I put it out of it's misery. I let Mike know and he told me that was one of the only things he wanted me to hang onto from her childhood. Oops! Luckily I found the headpiece and saved it, but the rest of the costume returned to the earth from whence it came. Long live Kanga!

Audrey can be so "helpful when I fold laundry and clean the kitchen. Why do I even try? ;) I "Marie Kondo'd" our drawers and they became Audrey's newest fascination. She thought it all looked better on the floor. 

I took Steven to yet another Creature encounters. He never gets sick of them. 

Adam wear all of his underwear, t-shirts and shorts. Sarah managing Audrey at Kirklands.