Lazy Days

Okay, so I admit that when I realized the girls would be out of school for Christmas break for 16 whole days, I got a little nervous. I figured they would be bored, they would fight with each other, and they would make messes all over the house. And you know what? They haven't been bored, they've been really nice to each other, and they've actually helped a lot in keeping the house clean. I've loved having them home! The other morning they requested breakfast in bed! I was happy to oblige since their requests were easy - leftover pasta (for breakfast!) and hot chocolate for Kiera, cereal and an orange julius for Makenna, and an orange julius for Kasidee. Ahhh, simple pleasures!

Merry Christmas!

Hope this posting finds everyone happy, healthy, and with memories of a wonderful Christmas yesterday! For us, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without craziness! Quentin only got 2 hours of sleep on Christmas Eve because he was busy playing "Santa's workshop"; schedules and plans changed and our Stephens party was rescheduled from Saturday morning to Friday night - so we had only had muffins and juice to offer for dinner! But in spite of the craziness, we had a good holiday. We spent Christmas Eve at Mom's with her and Grandma Johnson (being at Mom's house just sets the mood for Christmas - we all love being there!!). The next morning, Mom and Grandma stopped by to see what Santa brought, then we went back to Mom's house for leftovers and to do gifts - and we had a nice surprise visit with Aaron, Lisa and Beau! Then we came back home for the party with the Stephens family. Lots of fun! And today has been a nice "down" day - the girls played with their cousins for a bit, and they've had lots of fun playing with their new toys. Tomorrow will be the Johnson family party, so there's lots of celebrating this weekend! And next week will be nice, relaxing and uneventful - just what I need!

MOM GAVE THE GIRLS A CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT WHICH THEY PLAYED WITH FOR HOURS! KIERA EVEN PLAYED WITH IT FOR AWHILE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING WHILE SHE WAITED FOR HER SISTERS TO WAKE UP!

QUENTIN READING THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE STORY (KIERA AND MAKENNA HAD TO WEAR THE HATS NANA MADE THEM, AND KASIDEE HAD TO TAKE HER CLOTHES OFF)...

SANTA BROUGHT A WOODEN KITCHEN SET FOR THE GIRLS AND A DOLLY BED FOR EACH OF THEM.

SANTA BROUGHT KASIDEE A READING CHAIR FOR HER BEDROOM...

Christmas is Coming!

After such a busy week focusing on Dallin and Crystal's wedding, it was nice to go to church and remember the season and get in the mood for Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas program, and in Primary the kids got to "Journey to Bethlehem." They each dressed up (in simple costumes) as a shepherd, wise man, etc., went to pay their taxes, talked to the inn keeper, then had goat cheese, olives and unleavened bread for a snack. The journey culminated at the nativity scene. Quentin and I were asked to dress up as Mary and Joseph, and we held a doll wrapped in "swaddling" clothes. I felt sort of silly draped in an old sheet, but when the Primary children silently came into the room and reverently sang "Silent Night," Quentin and I bot teared up. How would it have been to be there to witness and worship our Savior as a newborn baby? Something to ponder during the hustle and bustle of the season....

Congrats, Dallin & Crystal!

Quentin's younger brother Dallin got married today!! Can I just say I love his new wife Crystal and am so glad she's part of our family - I'm anxious to get to know her better! I'm so happy they both found each other, and I wish them so much happiness in their new life together! Yay!

Happy Birthday Quentin!

Happy Birthday Quentin! #34! Quentin is always so sweet and sentimental and makes sure he arranges to get the girls birthdays, my birthday and our anniversary off of work. But it stinks that he has such a horrible time getting any days off in December, so he usually has to work on his birthday. And what's even worse, he has to work nearly 12 hours today. Bummer! But we want him to know we're thinking of him today and hope he has a GREAT day! We love you Quentin / Daddy!

(P.S. Quentin's family celebrated his birthday last Saturday - here's the "cupcake cake" the girls and I made!)

First Recital

Kiera has been taking piano lessons for, oh, about 6 weeks now and last night she had her first recital! She said she was nervous, but then she'd giggle - I think she was more excited than anything. She played "Away in a Manger" and did it just perfectly. We're so proud of her!

Happy Early Birthday, Quentin!

Quentin's birthday is next week. He absolutely loves having a December birthday, but I am always nervous that his birthday will get lost in the craziness of the season. And this year is crazier than ever! Quentin's brother will be getting married the day after Quentin's birthday, so next week is full: a temple endowment session, a bridal shower, a wedding, a wedding luncheon, and a reception - as well as Kiera's piano recital, Kiera's piano lesson, the girls' play rehearsal, me teaching preschool, and a ward party. Whew! So anyway... To avoid planning ANOTHER thing next week, Quentin and I celebrated his birthday early yesterday. Mom was in on the plan - she watched the girls while I taught preschool, then she continued watching them while I "kidnapped" Quentin and took him to Pioneer Theater Company to see the play "A Christmas Story." Quentin and I both LOVE live theater and the dorky Christmas Story (you know, the one with Ralphie) is one of our favorites. He was so surprised and it was nice having a night out together!

Catch-Up

I had been feeling a little overwhelmed about all the blogging I haveN'T been doing lately when I came across my friend's blog entitled "Bullet Point Blogging." I think I'll follow Candi's idea for a quick way to catch up on what's been going on:

* We took a couple buckets of our leftover apples to our neighbor's horses just down the street. The girls loved feeding them!



* Makenna made a gingerbread house at school - she secretly picked at it all day long until nothing was left by bedtime!



* We went to the Festival of Trees with Corbin, Nikki and kids. Even though it was crowded and crazy, it's a fun tradition that helps remind us what the Season is all about.

* We went to the Stephens family Christmas party - food, games, stories, a visit from Santa (Quentin's brother Chris!), and lots of visiting and catching up. It's something we look forward to every year!

THE KIDS LISTENING TO GREAT-GRANDMA'S STORY...

KIERA WITH SANTA...

MAKENNA WITH SANTA...

KASIDEE WITH SANTA...

GREAT-GRANDMA STEPHENS WITH SANTA...

THE WHOLE GANG AT THE PARTY...

QUENTIN (THE PHOTOGRAPHER) MAKING A LOVELY LEAP TO GET EVERYONE TO SMILE!


* Since Makenna has a summer birthday, she gets to celebrate her "VIP Week" this week. Monday she took a poster with a bunch of pictures of her and her family and the kids got to ask her questions about her favorite things. She got to hand out a treat, plus she gets to be the line leader this whole week - Lucky!



* My good, sweet mom usually has some sort of craft or activity up her sleeve when she watches Makenna and Kasidee while I teach preschool every week. Last week she and the girls made bird "feeders" with pinecones, peanut butter and birdseed. We all have really enjoyed watching the birds enjoy their treat!



* The other night, Quentin came home from work and suggested we all go to Gardner Village to browse and to look at the elves hiding around the village. It was bitter cold, but helped get us in the Christmas mood!