Christmas 2008

Christmas Concerts

Ethan'sPreston'sSpencer's

Nutcracker

Each year we take the kids to the Nutcracker. (We do make sure that they want to because it is none too cheap.) This year it was a totally new production. I liked it better, but the kids weren't so sure. It was definitely much shorter, but was missing a few things from the past production. The kids liked the "storyline" of the past performances better.

Elves, Elves, Elves

Each night, sometimes multiple times in a night, the doorbell rings, and to our surprise there is a treat/gift on our doorstep. We have some very kind people who are making our Christmas Season all that much better. YUM YUM, FUN FUN

We have been "ELF"ed.

Christmas has arrived at the Lee house! As kids, pulling the boxes of decorations and lights (covered with last year’s tree flocking when I was a kid) was like taking the magic of Christmas past out of storage to fill and warm Christmas present. Well, this year we replaced one Christmas decoration – the artificial tree; we put it up together on Saturday after Thanksgiving and pronounced the halls officially decked for the season! The kids were good sports about it, but we realized they missed the more traditional aspects of trimming the tree (like actually hanging ornaments on it) when we got up Sunday morning to a long and colorful construction paper chain strung across the living room! Well, last night Santa paid a visit to the Lee house, and boy did he do a bang up job!!! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but let’s just say the elves outdid themselves this time! To the delight of the children (and the children in us) the twinkle and magic of Christmas has filled our home, and we look forward to the many years of Christmas future when the warmth and magic of this Christmas comes out of the boxes again and again to fill our home. Thank you!!!!!

Thanks to "ONE STONE"

We have had the opportunity to be served by a great group of kids. Not long after the fire, a care box arrived with wonderful goodies for the whole family. As if that weren't enough, "One Stone", took it upon themselves to help us create some NEW memories. These kids(with help from wonderful teachers) came up with the idea to have a photographer take family pictures. They then invited us to a Pizza party to present us with a beautiful framed family picture (huge), a personalized calendar- with all the photographer pictures (adorable) and a bound memory book (more than memorable). Their kindness has been overwhelming. Thanks for caring so much. We are so thankful.

Jordan's 7th Birthday

Jordan is now the big 7. She wanted to go out to Subway for lunch. So I picked her up at school and we had a nice lunch at Subway. We are celebrating a week long birthday. She is going to have her cake and "other" presents on Saturday. On the night of her Birthday, we went to the Micron Christmas Party, which tends to go late. She got to open one present when we got home. It was a massive "girly present" complete with all sorts of makeup and nail polish and who knows what else.

Work Christmas Party

Spencer riding the surf board.

Ethan showing off his nice painted face.

Jordan loved Santa's Lap. Adam was terrified. He didn't want to even get close.

Preston climbing the rock wall. For those who are unaware Preston is part Monkey.

Adam loved the blow up slide. We couldn't keep him away. Luckily Jordan was a good sport to help him "up and over" so that he could go down it.

Christmas Tree

Last year we bought a great artificial tree at Costco. Luckily this year Costco had the same Christmas Tree. All I can say is, Thank goodness for pre-lit Christmas Trees.

Holiday Parade

Spencer and Preston marched in the Annual Holiday Parade. They sounded great. The rest of us enjoyed hanging out catching the candy.

Relaxing Thanksgiving

We really had a relaxing Thanksgiving. Christopher's sister Shannon, her Husband Vance and their kids Seth and Porter came over. We did nothing over the top and still had plenty of food. Just what we needed.

The Rock Wall

We had always wanted more yard. And had been trying for 2 years to get a wall put in. Well the good news is that they have started the WALL. Here are some pictures of the progress.

Scout Uniforms

A big thanks for the new scout uniforms and tracking down all the boys' merit badges. This was so kind. A special thanks to the Hopkins for taking such good care of us. Thanks

Jordan Lost a Tooth

Jordan did it!! She wiggled her tooth enough to lose it. She was so excited- well after the initial shock of seeing blood. We had to assure her that that is a normal part of the process. She was even more excited the next morning after a visit from the tooth fairy.

Our House on Fire

Our Neighbor kindly gave us a bunch of pictures that he took during and after the fire. I think they are pretty amazing.

Halloween

Halloween night Spencer and Preston went and hung out at friends houses. Jordan, Ethan and Adam went Trick-or-treating with Dad. I stayed home and handed out candy to the kids who came here. Jordan and Ethan are showing off their carved pumpkins. Adam was very excited to wear his puppy costume until someone told him that the dog was going to lick him. He then spent the rest of the night worried the dog was going to lick him.

Jordan and Ethan decided independantly that they were going to be Pirates. Jordan was Elizabeth Swan and Ethan was Jack Sparrow

Pumpkins

Preston's and Spencer's carved pumpkins (they got their artistic talent from their father.)

'nake

One of the perks of raising boys is all the fun surprises they come home with. Spencer found a snake on the way home from school. He couldn't wait to show it off. Adam got/gets so excited he re-lives it often and exclaims, " 'nake, Spencer, 'nake". Spencer got everyone in the family to touch the snake (except for me- I had a camera in my hands or that is the excuse I am using)

Bath Time

Adam couldn't wait to get into the bath. He decided he needed to join Jordan before she was done. Clothes and all. I heard Jordan scream, but I didn't make in time. Jordan was a good sport about the whole thing, including getting her picture taken.

Ethan's a Star

We had a block party to thank all who helped with the fire, including the fire fighters, police, and community volunteers. The media was there and filmed Spencer, Preston and Ethan thanking everyone. Three stations choose to show Ethan's portion.

Diaper cream

Road Trip

Christopher took Preston and Spencer to the Priesthood Session of Conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake. They had a great time. It was a fast trip, but there was plenty of male bonding.