Pinata Part 2

Christmas Traditions

Every year, for as long as I can remember, we had a Santa pinata on Christmas eve. My mom would paint the face and us kids would help curl strips of paper for the beard. On Christmas Eve, we would take turns, youngest to oldest, hitting the pinata full of candy and one present each from Santa. I've desperately wanted to continue this tradition with my kids but I seriously lack the skills of painting Santa. One year I tried and am still teased about my Santa who looked like Osama bin Laden. Another year I just used a Raley's bag that was already covered in reindeer, better than nothing, right? So this year, when I found this Santa from my mom in the mail, I almost cried! The tradition lives on!!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning was very exciting and very fun, and lasted two minutes, tops.

Conner slept through the whole thing.

Breakfast With Santa

So, we had breakfast with Santa at our church. It was so incredibly early, but I was raised to never ever skip a party that includes a meal. My sister, Bobbi, was visiting and I was happy to see that she still feels the same. At least it was a pajama party, so we all rolled out of bed and went. Braden has been struggling with the realness of Santa, he often proclaims that Santa is not real, but harbors a secret hope that he is real, so that he will continue getting presents from him. So, after we ate breakfast, the very tired adults of the family tried to round up all the kids and leave BEFORE the program and Santa, and of course it was Braden (who doesn't believe in Santa) who cried about missing Santa. So we stayed. And notice, that Braden is very happy in all the pictures with Santa (last year he would NOT go near him). Conner was very interested in Santa's beard. We were very disappointed with Santa when RJ asked for two different game systems, both of which cost more than $200, and Santa told him that maybe if he was extra good he would get both!! Doesn't Santa know he is supposed to tell the kids he is on a budget! Naughty Santa. And afterwards Braden yelled, "Now I KNOW Santa isn't real because he was WAY too tall and WAY too skinny!!"

Ode to Uncle Jon

Braden has been bringing home riddles from school that he has written. The most recent is in honor of his Uncle Jon. If you can't read it, it says, "Who am I, Who has short curley hair? Who is good at singing? Who likes to eat chicken. Who likes to play tickle monster. My uncle."

RJ's 9th Birthday Party

Braden & His Tiger Balloon Sienna, Her Butterfly, and an Ice Cream Cone

Daddy & Conner

10 boys!! (11 counting RJ, it was a wild party!!)

RJ Blowing Out the Candles

Random Cuteness

The Kensley Smile

This quote inspired me today.

"Let us remember, too, that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one’s life, but of the quality of one’s life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now." --Spencer W. Kimball, "A Gift of Gratitude", Tambuli, Dec 1977

Make sure and pause my playlist on the right side of the page before you play this video.

It's the End of the World as We Know It

Conner knows how to pull himself up. This is how we find him in the morning. Yesterday, he pulled himself to standing using the dishwasher door. He fell over, but was not deterred. Of course he is pleased with himself. Time for lowering the crib mattress, baby gates, tables with nothing on them, etc. Time for a whole lot of fun!

Joseph B. Wirthlin, Oldest Apostle, Dies, Age 91

SALT LAKE CITY 2 December 2008 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91. Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006. He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.Funeral arrangements will be announced.

Bob the Builders

When we moved, we had to take down Braden's big giant bed in order to get it out of the house. That was about 5 months ago. We are FINALLY putting it back together, yay! And it was a family event. Here, Sienna is washing off the plethora of dust. RJ showing Sienna how to work the drill.

Braden taking his drilling turn.

And of course, RJ does the bulk of the drilling. What manly men I have!

My First Pack Meeting

So, my new calling is den leader of the Bear cub scouts. I recently had my first pack meeting where I got to sport my hot yellow scout shirt. At first I contemplated various ways in which I could make said shirt a little more attractive. However, Ryan said it was unacceptable because it's a "uniform" and must be worn accordingly. Whatever. So, as you can see, I decided to throw fashion to the wind and embraced my frumpiness. The same night, RJ earned his wolf badge and some arrow points, and Braden, feeling a little left out in the scouting department, made numbers out of paper and glued them to his shirt so he could be a cub scout too.

This is what happens when you leave markers on the floor...

My Little Chubber

Conner has been crawling for about two months now, but has not been interested AT ALL, in sitting up. Now he FINALLY is sitting, but for very short moments! I love these pictures, because you can see his little fat rolls under his shorts!!

• I've Been Tagged! Rules: Post rules on your blog. Answer the six "8" items. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

• Nursed Conner
• Laid in bed
• Laid on the couch
• Laid on the floor (I'm sick, blah)
• Watched TV (A LOT)
• Ate some crackers
• Laid on Sienna's bed, directing her in cleaing
• Visited with brother-in-law

8 Things I Look Forward to:

• My sister visiting for Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Losing 10 pounds
• A Finished backyard
• My whole house decorated!!
• Fitting into all my cute clothes I bought pre-Conner
• Thanksgiving Break to be OVER
• Conner sleeping 1o hours straight

8 Restaurants I Like:

• Cheesecake Factory
• Costa Vida
• Olive Garden
• Red Robin
• Mikuni's
• Round Table
• Chevy's
• Taco Bell (Gross, I know, I can't help it)

8 Things On My Wish List:

• Being fully rested
• More shoes
• Video Camer
• Mad Photography Skills
• Laser Hair Removal
• A "no-yelling" house
• Date Nights EVERY Friday
• A house that cleans itself

8 Favorite TV Shows:

• So You Think You Can Dance
• The Closer
• Privileged
• ER
• The Unit
• Kath & Kim (so weird but so funny)
• Smallville (I have yet to watch it this season, but I have 8 episodes in my DVR!)
• Army Wives

8 People I Tag: (You're It!)

• Theresa
• Jenny
• Ashley
• Shelby
• Robert
• Heidi
• Katie
• Nydia

Soccer Highlights for RJ

This year, only RJ was interested in soccer. Lucky him, he got dad to be his coach. His record was 6 wins 5 losses and 1 tie. He did awesome! Braden always watches soccer with his back to the game! Playing Soccer with Papa Michael (I think he cheats!)

School Pictures