Tuesday, December 31, 2013

NYE 2013

We're getting ready to celebrate the new year. The toast is ready (both kinds!) and the poppers are filled.
Mady enjoyed her drink and toast, even if she wasn't really sure why we were standing around outside at night.
While Alex and Zachary were doing the poppers, Mady started to clap. She just loves to be involved and included in what her brothers are doing.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2014!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Go Dawgs!

The Washington Huskies are in the Kraft Foods Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco! We went to Union Square for the Pep Rally. Arriving early meant that we were able to get a front row spot to listen to the band and watch the cheerleaders and the majorette. And we even got a chance to have a photo with Harry Husky.


Alex and Zachary collected some of the ribbons that fell off of the cheerleaders' pom-poms.
Alex gave us a scare at the beginning of the rally. While I kept our spot, everyone walked to the street to watch the BYU band march into the square. Alex apparently fell in behind the band and followed them to the stage. Since he was wearing his hoody, and was crouched down, it was a scary 10-15 minutes while Phil searched for him. Luckily he was found and no real harm was done.

The next night, Phil and I were lucky enough to attend the game at AT&T Park. And the Huskies won!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

The day began early, as most days around here do. Alex and Zachary dove right into their stockings.
Mady was a little more tentative, but soon she was right in the mix.

Well, she liked shaking the presents, but still didn't understand that it is more fun to unwrap them!
After a break for a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, Alex and Zachary were ready to open presents. In the past, it has taken us many hours, but this year, the boys were so excited, they took very few breaks and just wanted to know what was in the presents. So they finished up, and Mady and the parents finished up on our own schedule. In fact, Mady's schedule involved opening her last gift a couple of days later. The boys received a set of 3 instruments, so everyone can play together. We only managed to catch two kids playing at a time though.
Mady wanted to put her new sweater on immediately. As soon as she saw it, she started trying to take off her jammies so she could try on her new clothes.
Alex, the constructor, whipped through his new lego set and moved on to building a car and a plane.
We want to thank everyone for the wonderful gifts and we hope you had a wonderful Christmas season!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

Happy Christmas Eve! My Christmas cactus bloomed right on time this year. We're still experimenting with our family traditions for Christmas Eve. The menu has stayed the same, but this year we tried more of a buffet style dinner.
Zachary, Mady and Alex enjoyed watching Christmas shows while eating.
Another steadfast tradition is the Christmas Jammies. Everyone's jammies are a little big this time around. They'll probably last until next year. At least they are cozy.
Our tree is all ready for the big day. Since we don't have a mantel this year, we thought it would be fun to hang our stockings on the tree. Do you think Santa will be able to find them?





Exploratorium

We spent the day at the Exploratorium. It was a bit more crowded than the last time we went, but that helped us explore new areas. Mady learned that sometimes science hurts. Square wheels don't always stay on track. Don't worry, she shook it right off.
The kids channeled their inner Goldilocks.
 
Alex and Zachary spent a lot of time building a marble tunnel. Alex probably would have stayed in that area for much longer.
Another area we hadn't explored before showcased Living Systems. There was a large fallen tree. It showed the pulled up root system, part of the trunk was sliced lengthwise and made into benches, and of course there was a round to show the rings. Mady was wondering off while we were trying to get the picture, Alex was ready to move on.
Mady enjoyed learning about tide systems and having the freedom to wander in this quieter corner.
Alex and Zachary each conquered the pendulum. They had to swing the handle and try to get the arm to stop in the upright position. It wasn't as easy as it sounds!
This sand table was lots of fun. It had diamond plate under plexi-glass. The sand made interesting trails as the table spun.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Cookies

Time to decorate cookies!  Our cookies were supposed to be trees, but they mostly turned out like blobs. Green icing and decorations helped.
Mady didn't do much decorating. She mostly ate the first one and let Alex and Zachary do all of the work!

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Knock Knock

Good thing we finished decorating the tree.  Look who stopped by a little early!
Mady wasn't too sure about our friendly visitor, but Alex and Zachary were really excited!
Of course Santa brought presents.  Mario Kart bed tents for the boys, and a unicorn dream light for Mady.
And candy canes for everyone.
Eventually Mady warmed up and even though she didn't smile, she didn't cry either. I'd call that a win! The candy cane might have helped a little.
 
Alex and Zachary absolutely love the bed tents. Thank you Santa!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Snack Party!

Part 1
The first grade snack party was on Thursday. I started making jello stars on Tuesday, and wasn't done until late Thursday night. I know all the kids loved them, (there were none left!) so it was totally worth it!
Mady loves to visit her brothers at school. Add in snacks, and she is more than ready to go!
She kept taking plates and putting one thing on them and then leaving the plate somewhere around the room. It was like a scavenger hunt at the end of the party.

Part 2
On Friday, we celebrated with the Kindergarten class. I was on to Mady's plan this time, and kept the plates to a minimum.
Zachary loves to share with Mady and helped her enjoy some ice cream!

After school, it was the start of Christmas break. Everyone had a lot of things to take home...we should have brought an extra bag to help us carry some of them!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Chapel

All of the elementary classes had a chance to sing at the Christmas Chapel.
Zachary and Alex's classes sang together. Don't they all look adorable?
Mady always has fun at school events, especially when her friend is there.  He has two big sisters, so they can trade stories when they learn to talk!


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Trimming the Tree

This year we got the tree up early, but with so many fun activities to attend, we didn't get it decorated very early. While the boys were off on their camping trip, Mady and I put the majority of the decorations on the tree. We saved everyone's initial ornament for them to hang, and then the kids each picked one of the extra suncatcher ornaments from the boutique.

The tree doesn't have many decorations on the lower portion this year. Just a precaution against the curiosity of Mady.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Christmas Concert

Alex and Zachary participated in the school's Christmas concert. This is the K-5 choir. And a closer look at the boys.

The K-5 choir only sang one song, but the night was full of music from the middle school choir and band students and the high school choir and band. The high school chorale sang a song that was similar to a Gregorian Chant and during one section, they all sang at a different speed. The result was both beautiful and haunting. For the grand finale, all of the students that had performed came on stage and sang/played "The Same Love".The high schoolers carried the song and the elementary joined in for the chorus. Mady enjoyed all of the music and sang along part of the time. Other times she just shouted her approval and clapped her hands. Considering how tired she looked before the concert started, she was the perfect audience member!