2011 Christmas

Christmas Eve in their new pj's...

Christmas Morning

Joe's Christmas Work Party

This week we were able to attend Joe's Christmas work party.  He currently works at the ISR building doing research and lab work.  The party was held at a Military Housing location, it was a nice large room with lots of comfy furniture to help it feel cozy.  In the past they've gone out to dinner or met at someone home.  It was nice to be somewhere where there was lots of room for the kids to run around and play.  Santa showed up and passed out presents to the kids(supplied by the parents).  Michael ended up liking Landon's cell phone toy better then his Venom(bad guy to Spider man).  Oh well.  We had a great dinner and I brought a dessert.  Joe bought me an early Christmas present, a 9 inch spring form pan.  I made a delicious Tuxedo Cheesecake.  This is the first Cheesecake I've made beside the little cupcake size ones.  I ended up taking it out before it was done though so the middle was too soft but the part that was cooked was awesome.  Next time I'll make sure there's not so much jiggle in the middle. 

Catching up...

I'm trying to catch up on my blogging since I've gotten months behind.  I am almost caught up as I don't want to be years behind.  If you read my blog by just coming to the site I just wanted you to be aware I changed the dates of some summer posts so that they are in chronological order so if you want to be fully caught up on us be sure to go back to June.  I will be doing this for a couple more posts in September and October- just a heads up.  Thanks for all those that read my blog, I really do it so it can be my journal. Now I need to catch up on reading your blog! :)  Happy reading.

"I do not like the way that they play! If Mother could see this, Oh, what would she say!"

 Our Halloween this year was fun.  I liked how all the kids knew who we all were.  I think Michael really liked all the attention.  Joe wasn't able to make it with us to the Ward Trunk or Treat so I had to be Cat in the Hat.  I was originally going to be Sally. 

 I had to compromise with their costumes regarding their hair.  There was no way Landon was going to keep a hat on and there was no way Michael was going to let me touch his hair.  It worked out great even though they were different.  You can see Landon enjoying his first sucker in the picture above.  :)

Primary Program

Each year our church has a Primary Program for our Sacrament Meeting.  This year was Michael's first year to participate since becoming a Sunbeam. He had his part memorized weeks before the program.  The primary kids work really hard for months to memorize new songs too.  Michael did a great job singing along with the other children.  I could hear him singing from a few rows away.  He loves to sing so this was the easy part.  When it was his classe's turn to say their parts though he got shy and didn't want to go up to the podium and say his part in the microphone.  So his teacher said his part while he stood on the side so eveyone could still see him.  I was really proud of him at least knowing his part and singing really well the whole time.  Hopefully next year he won't be so scared.

Here is Michael repeating his Primary part just for you...

 

Michael's 4th Birthday!

Planning Michael's 4th Birthday was too much fun for me.  Who knew boys parties could be fun even though there is no pink or glitter.  Once we decided Michael had to have a Mario Kart Wii party we got to work, well I did anyway. 

 These are the invitations I came up with.

The party bags for the kids.  

I made the mushroom bags in green and red. The bags included: yellow star shaped marshmallow treat, gold chocolate coins, Mario Kart pencil & sharpener along with green and red sour licorice strips.

I made these Mario and Luigi hats for all the kids to wear, along with matching mustaches.  

 Joe and my dad took Michael shopping that morning and ended up bringing home a Mario Kart Wii hat so he was not going to trade that in for a regular Mario hat. :(  I was a bit disappointed he didn't want to wear it but oh well.

We played a few easy games like drop the clothes pin in the jar- seeing how many you could get in.

Pin the mustache on Mario!

I painted this guy that morning of the party.  I think he turned out pretty good except that I didn't center his face very well.  :)

For Michael's cake I bought an edible image cake topper.  It was a great decision except that I should have decorated the cake sooner than 5 minutes before the party started because the image didn't have time to absorb the frosting so it was hard to eat.  It was still a yummy egg free chocolate cake.  (Michael is mildly allergic to egg whites so we've been trying to avoid them)

Michael had such a fun time with his friends at his party.  His friends were very generous in their gifts.  Michael got completely spoiled this year with all his gifts and I'm afraid Christmas just isn't going to compare. 

 My mom, dad and sister were able to visit for a long weekend with us during Michael's Birthday. So Sunday afternoon on Michael's Birthday he got to open his presents from family.  After seeing all the gifts Michael received we will definitely be doing the every other year friend party from now on.

 Michael is a sweet and funny boy and we were excited to have a fun party with friends and family for his 4th Birthday!  Here are a few shots I got of Michael a day or so after the party with his Mario hat on.

I have to add in a few pictures of my family although I didn't get one of my dad playing with the boys.  

Of course the first thing Michael wants Aunt Shelby to do with him is play Mario Kart!

Puzzle with Grandma.

While my family was here we had a lot of fun.  We went downtown out to dinner- my dad finally got to see the Alamo (we didn't make it there in time to go inside though), on walks around the neighborhood, ate lots of cake from two birthday parties, trip to Costco to roam and spend money of course.  My mom, sister and I were able to do a little bit of shopping.  I really appreciate all the help my family was for Michael's Birthday party I couldn't have done it all without them!  

Michael's 4yr pictures