Christmas Dance Showcase

After Emma's birthday party was done, we had a couple hours to get cleaned up and then head out to Mountain View for her dance showcase.  It was a really informal night where they got to show us what they've been working on.  Lennard had the Town Christmas party at the same time, so he attended that while I took the kids to this.

Emma did a great job performing.  She definitely likes to take charge and 'help' everyone.

 I got videos of all her dances, but I didn't get many good pictures.

Early Birthday Party

Emma has been so excited for her birthday party and it kept growing as she planned things!  I had to work this morning, so last night was a little busy trying to get everything organized.  Emma and the girls met in the school foyer and walked home together with Ben and me.

They were all 'starving' when we got home, but I still had to make lunch!  It only took a half hour, but you'd have thought it was days!  They inhaled all the food put in front of them... except the carrot sticks. Ha! Ha!

 I had a bunch of "Minute-to-Win-it" games set up for them to play.  We even kept score so that they could win a prize at the end.

 After a bunch of games, they decided it was time to open presents.  Emma got thoroughly spoiled.

Back: Violet, Emma, Maelle, Alyssa, Fiona  Front: Peyton, Amy and Izzy

 They had a cupcake decorating contest afterwards... although most of them thought it was a contest to see how many sprinkles they could fit on one cupcake!  There were sprinkles everywhere!

It was loud and wild, but I think they all had fun. 

Gingerbread House

We'd bought a gingerbread house from Costco last week and the kids have been anxious to make it.  We finally pulled it out tonight and they were thrilled!  We let them do most of it by themselves.  Lennard helped a bit with the icing, but it was definitely their own creation!

 I didn't end up with a picture of the final product.  They just kept adding stuff!  They had fun, so that's all we could ask for.

Choir Concert

We've had a crazy busy first half of December!  We've had a Flying Club Christmas Party, Ward Temple Night, Ward Christmas Dinner, trips to Lethbridge, the Primary Presentation, etc.  It's been wild!  

Today, I managed to get to a temple session in the morning and then Emma had Activity Days.  As soon as she got home, we race and got her fed and dressed so that we could get down to the theatre for her choir concert.  I was welcoming people at the door, so I had to be there too.  

The concert was SO good.  They did such a great job.  Linda Burwell (who's been going through cancer treatments) was able to conduct two of the numbers.  It was very touching to watch.

CES Jr Choir - Emma is on the second row, 2nd in from the left

 Unfortunately, because of Linda's health, this is the last performance for the choirs this year.  They will start up again in September with a new choir director, but they miss the rest of this year.  We are all really sad.  It's been such a good experience for Emma and she's learned so much.

Senior and Junior Choir together for the finale

Oh Christmas Tree

We looked at the calendar and realized that if we didn't get our tree up this week, that we weren't sure when we'd be able to!  Also, since my parents don't have a house right now, we thought it would be nice to include them in putting the tree up, so they came to start the Christmas season out (with all our craziness!).

 The kids were so excited to help that I was a bit overwhelmed, but it all worked out and things look great.  It is always fun to have it 'feel' like Christmas in the house.

ER Visit

Ben woke up in the middle of the night gasping for breath.  I don't usually hear much during the night, but I heard him!  We sat outside for a while hoping that that would help him, but he was panicking pretty bad.  I took him down to the ER and he was seen within minutes.  Of course, his breathing improved once we got there, but they still treated him to make sure his airway stayed open.  Thankfully, we weren't there very long and we were able to get home and get him back in bed.

Family Dinner

Shauna invited the family to a dinner in Lethbridge this afternoon. It will be Becky's birthday soon and Brendan got ordained to the office of an Elder!  He's been working hard on getting his life figured out and it was nice to get to support him today.

Uncle Lennard and Mia

Hatch Family

Playing with cousins