Jasmine Moran Museum

We went to the science museum twice over Christmas break.  The first time was on Harrison's birthday and then we went back with Heather, Marna and kiddos.

We had some great court scenes - one in which Garret ripped by favorite book because it was a scary pop-up bunny book.  He was forgiven.  Also I ran over Jackson's aunt Edna... which turned into a Grandma got run over by a reindeer scenario.  Hilarious!

Lincoln spent lots of time with bubbles again!

Harrison made a really cool mini movie about how to draw a pig.

We also found that they had laminated Jackson's drawing from the last time we were there (back on my birthday!) and were using it as an example.  Fun!

We picked up a few cookies to celebrate Harrison's birthday, party to come!

Painting Party!

The girls and I talked about doing one of those wine & palette type things, but thought it would be more fun (and cheaper!) to do one of our own.  We thought some of the kids would like to do it with us too, and they did!  Even Jeff joined in!  I thought it was especially fun to see how different they all turned out even though we were all painting the same thing.

December

We decided to slim down our Christmas giving this year to service instead of goods.  Among our own family we drew names and that was actually really wonderful.  Each person thought carefully about what to do for or give to their respective family members.

After we had decided to do service each day of December we learned that the church was doing a campaign that was basically the same thing.  They provided ideas for each day and that was a fun help for us! There were several days that I felt like I was just too busy to do a service, but then I realized that what was making me busy was service! Working on He Is Jesus Christ has been almost a full time job. I have also been volunteering at the kids schools, mostly Harrison's elementary.  I am a "helping hand" to three teachers: Harrison's teacher, the music teacher and the art teacher.  I go in weekly to help his teacher and have done some big projects with the others for assemblies.  It has been fun!

On Christmas Day we cooked dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House.  Jeff has been setting up times for us to do this on a regular basis and it has been very enjoyable. On Christmas Amy, Spencer and their families joined us as well.

We spent Christmas Eve at the Poyner's and had delicious Spaghetti. Granny started a noodle war with the extra noodles in the backyard. That cracked me up!  This year we started a dirty santa gift exchange and we had a lot of fun with that!

Shy

I first met Shann in Relief Society.  It was one of those Sundays when the YW were having opening exercises with us and I thought she was a new sister in the ward.  She was, just younger than I thought!  She moved into the ward with her dad, step-mother and baby sister.  They were living with a family in the ward and needed a place of their own. The church was helping them and had paid for a hotel for a while until they could get on their feet.  Unfortunately, that meant that they didn't have an address for her to be enrolled in school.  We offered her a room in our home so that she could go to school and we are so happy we did!  She has been a delight to us.

We just sent her off to her mom in Utah this week and we will miss her dearly.  We are so glad that she can be with her own family though and feel good about that!  It will take me a while to stop looking for her when we load up the car and set the table or when the bus comes home from school.  She will always have a place in my heart and a home to come to should she need one!

He Is Jesus Christ

Every year there is some sort of wonderful Christmas program that the stake or multiple stakes perform.  This year I finally felt like I could participate because the kids are old enough to be on their own. The first rehearsal was a sing-a-long. We listened to the music for the first time and I was already in love with it. I felt a strong desire to create visuals to go along with it and requested the opportunity.  I didn't mention that I had never done video before.

I could have rehearsed all day.  I love singing (never felt completely ready) and I really enjoyed the people I met along the way. I took this picture hoping to post my first hash tag, but it never happened.  Ha ha!

I worked really hard on learning how to make video.  I have had the tools for a long time, but had never attempted to use them.  I watched lots of tutorials and just dove in. I spent a lot of time searching through YouTube to find good clips to add in and a lot of time listening to the music.  I spent more time getting all of the transitions right, watching it over and over.  I was kind of sad to declare it "done" because I enjoyed it so much.

I also did all of the printed materials - the posters, handouts, programs, website, etc.  

Thirteen and Thanksgiving

I have a teenager in the house now. A TEENAGER! How did this happen? Lincoln turned 13 on Thanksgiving day. We threw some candles into the desserts and gave him a little celebration, but I have yet to throw him his party. I need to get on that!

I remember noticing as the kids hit their milestones that they really did change into a new little person.  A 6 month old was definitely different than 5 months and 18 months was definitely different than 17, etc.  I am feeling this already with Lincoln again.  He is morphing into a whole new him.  Still Lincoln, but definitely a new stage of Lincoln.  I can't wait to see what unfolds. 

Thanksgiving was unusually brief this year.  We hosted all of the Poyners, but no one came early to cook!  That was weird.  Everyone cooked at home.  They came at the designated time.  Weird.  We had a nice time, ate, cleaned and it was over! Almost everyone left to go and walk in the Yukon park or went home.  I didn't even take any pictures other than these of Lincoln.