Tis the Season

Casey's birthday was last Wednesday. I sent him off to school with some snacks to share with the teachers for their yearly 12 days of snacks at school. It was an early release day so we got to have him home a bit early. I made a mounds cake for him which looked iffy, but tasted great. Casey is 35; he doesn't love his age, but I think he just continues to get better with age. He works so hard to love, serve, teach, coach, and care in every aspect of his life. He cares a lot and carries a lot on his mind and shoulders (this years basketball team is adding a lot to his stress). He shoulders on and does a wonderful job! He's always the kids' favorite parent; they love him so much! I appreciate him beyond words and love him so very much! I gifted Casey a massage that he finally gets to go get tomorrow!

Our ward Christmas party was last Thursday. Casey was at Basketball games so I took the kids solo. It was a beautiful night with a very sweet program where Santa came out and shared how all of the symbols of Christmas pertained to Christ and the first Christmas. Kendal and Peter sang with the primary at the end of the program and did a wonderful job. The kids got to meet Santa at the end of the evening. Alice quickly got into my arms and wouldn't let go or talk to Santa. 

Friday we ate out for a late birthday dinner for Casey. We decided to make it easy on ourselves and take the kids to pizza pie cafe. A very patient balloon artist spent a lot of time making Peter's dreams come true with a balloon Chewbacca. Alice got a puppy, and Kendal chose a butterfly.

Kendal had a full day of Basketball on the 14th. Casey took her at 6:45 in the morning to Bhul so she could make it to her Viper games. She lost the first game to the other Kimberly Vipers, and won the second to the Burley team. She was quickly rushed home stuffed a sandwich in and I took her off to her KYA tournament. Her team fought hard and won their first game putting them in the championship game. 6 of the 9 girls are on league teams and it was their 3-4 games of the day for the championship so they were feeling it. They didn't pull out a win, but I'm super proud of them this season and all the hard work they put in! Second overall is great! (I'm happy now we get to move from 4 to 2 practices a week, - until Peter's season gets going in January. / That evening Kendal got to top off her game with a friend Alycin's birthday party. She played, snacked, and made rice sock snowmen.

Casey missed Kendal's KYA tournament because he took Alice and Peter to the Webb party in Raft River. They had a great time with family. Alice and James spent a lot to time wandering around. Pulling toys around the church, "reading" scriptures in a classroom, and just being silly two year old's! Casey joined Vanessa and played a food guessing game. They were blindfolded and tasted foods and had to describe it to each other and guess what the other had. Casey had olives and Vanessa had marshmallows. They had their usual carols, cereal story (Peter was very excited for and hoping for a "good one" ; ) They also shared stories of their Grandpa and Grandma Webb. Casey recorded them; it was sweet to listen to the funny and happy memories of his Grandparents.

This past week was dress up week at the kids school. I was horrible at pictures; however I assure you effort was put in. Monday the kids wore Santa hats, Tuesday I made Kendal antlers and Peter a reindeer picture for his shirt for reindeer day. Wednesday Kendal opted out of Elf day and Peter made an elf hat at school. Thursday was "ugly holiday sweater" day. I made presents that the flap opened to show a snowman that they had taped on their shirts. Friday was PJ day. I made them layer up because it had been such a cold week at school. It was a long afternoon for Alice. First we helped out at the school library then we stayed for Peter's party. Peter got coco, popcorn, and a movie party that morning and had a fun afternoon party. Kendal had a pancake and movie party in the morning and her class party in the afternoon. Both ended on sugar highs and the holiday craze was in full swing!

Casey won tickets from a local Dentist office to go to the opening showing of Star Wars Thursday. He took Peter with him and they had a fun night together. Peter was on cloud nine and very into the movie! The girls and I ate out at chick fill a and delivered friend gifts. 

Yesterday Kendal had her Vipers games in Minico. We left nice and early to make it out for her 9:00 game. Casey stayed home for the morning because he had games of his own that afternoon and an hour + drive wasn't worth it. Kendal lost her first game by one, however she made a basket and assisted a couple. Their team played their best! We had a two hour wait so the kids just ran around the school and snacked the whole time. Not ideal, but there's nothing to do in Minico. Alice was very done by the time Kendal had her second game. I think I only watched a 10 minutes total because Alice kept running away and Peter was off in the other gym with buddies. Kendal played a tough team from Twin that ended up winning. It was a tough game to watch, lots of turn overs, watching a group of tall girls crowd our girls out of every pass and shot, but they played their game, so we lost. We got Mickey D's on the way home and had a lazy afternoon to compensate for our busy morning.

Today was our Christmas program at church. Casey has been practicing for weeks in a men's choir and the ward choir. He did a fantastic job singing in both; I love his voice and talent! Kendal and Peter both sang well with the Primary kids for their couple of songs. They did a very nice performance. Alice spent part of the program dancing to the songs : > I love the spirit of the season and being able to teach the kids about the real meaning for the season.

Tonight we got a surprise visit from Santa! Alice immediately fled into Casey's arms and refused to talk or acknowledge Santa. Peter was all smiles and shared his list. Kendal was happy he came and visited with us! We're lucky Santa picks us to come and have a special visit!

Casey's had a handful of games 2 last week, 2 this week along with some early practices and late nights. He's doing a great job with a difficult team. The team won their first game this past Wednesday and were a couple points away from a win yesterday, so improvement for sure! He's thankful for the Holiday break to reset and rest before continuing the season and school year.
I've had Jemma 2- 3 x a week this month. I'm not going to lie, some days are very long (most 11 hours) with her here. She's an attached little one that likes things her way. I'm trying my best to have patience in the harder moments and push through the longer days. Hopefully the kids forgive me on days I am lacking in patience.
Tis the Season - for lots of basketball, lots of Holiday happenings, lots to school things, and crazy children, but mostly lots of love, spirit, and Christmas spirit!
We're anticipating our Holiday Break with Christmas, New Years and lots of family time!

Thanksgiving into December

Thanksgiving week:
Casey had games the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I took the kids to watch for a bit. They hit the snacks hard and wandered a bit to much, but we got to see Daddy. The next day the Kendal and Peter went to practice with Casey in the morning while I took Alice to story time. After lunch Kendal had her well check. She's growing and doing good! I had spent the rest of my spare time baking that morning. After Alice's nap we went to Raft River. Brett, Vanessa, and their crew were there for Thanksgiving as well. The kids had fun with cousins and we had a nice Thanksgiving day! We were thinking about going to Logan to finish the weekend, but weather deterred us and the girls ended up sick Sat. / Sun. anyways. So we had a couple of lazy days at home (with a tiny bit of shopping in there) to finish out our week.

 

 

 

The kids got their Holiday jammies at the beginning of the month! The girls say Goodnight Deer and Pete's says Young Buck. They have deers and a buck on their shirts.

This past week Casey had three game days. His team only played  Tuesday, but he was assisting the Thursday and Saturday games. Because his team didn't play Thursday he still had to hold practice, which put it in the morning making for a long day. Kendal is nearing the end of her kya season. She had a few practices last week, missing one because it overlapped the other. Same thing with her games Saturday. She had a couple at the same time and had to pick. So we went to Hansen at 9 and 2 for Vipers games and came back in between for a KYA game. She lost the first and won the next two. She put in a lot of hard work and get feet are feeling it this week!

 


Kendal had her piano recital on Thursday. She's worked very hard on her piece (Silent Night). She did a great job and we're sad she's losing this teacher (Nancy) after the new year when she moves.

Peter just does his thing these days. School, hating homework, Legos, bugging sisters, etc. He got all positive points this past week at school! He's met his reading goal at school! I'll sign him up for Basketball this week and he'll start in January.
Peter just had to make a snowman last week before the snow left.

Alice is a ham lately with a growing picky side. (food, clothes, how her socks are, not wanting to ride in the cart or be next to mom at the store) She's growing into her own independent self which is a good and a bad thing all in one. Her imagination and pretend play are growing every day. It's so cute to see her jabbering away with her characters or often singing what she's doing! Alice also takes after Kendal with the amount of books she wants read and read and then read again.

 

Our thankful leaves this year:
Casey - A/ C, rules, sun, books, vehicles
Marianne - Heat, laughter, scriptures, temples, Casey's job
Kendal - love, school, Jesus, animals, Heavenly Father, learning, happiness
Peter- teachers, friends, monkeys, church, Earth, family, Holy Ghost
Alice - Dad, Mom, Kendal, Peter, Alice, blankets, noodles

You win some you loose some

We're well into basketball season now with no end in sight for a few months. Casey's had three games the past couple of weeks. They were all losses, but there is potential if the girls can get their skills in gear. Kendal had two tough games the past two Saturday's. She played the same team both times. The first time they had a good lead, but lost it in the end. (Kenny and Cheryl came to see Kendal and Becca play last weekend. They gifted Kendal a cute purple dress for her birthday! ) This past Saturday they were neck and neck the whole time and ended up in a tie after an overtime. Kendal continues to have four practices a week, she's growing in confidence and skill. Fingers crossed she doesn't have major conflicts in a couple of weeks when her league Vipers team starts games.

The kids got to sing in a Veterans day assembly this past week. They've been singing the song at home and were happy to see the veterans in the area and honor their papa's that have served with write ups about them on their hero wall at school. I was able to go and have parent teacher conferences with Peter's teacher. She had good things to say about him and is happy with his progress this fall. Both kids are doing good in school this year, and have both met their AR (reading) goal early! Being in fourth grade Kendal is learning about Idaho history. She made a Salt dough map of Idaho this past week. I've gotten to help out at the school a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. Peter's class is one of the classes I get to help with. Alice loves to sit with Peter and read, or find girls with princess, or animal books to read to her.

After a month of refusing to pull his tooth out Peter finally lost his tooth on Friday (when he bit into his sandwich at school). It's about time bud! We have a feeling this trend is just going to continue with all his permanent teeth coming in from behind till the baby teeth give up and let go. Peter's reading is improving and he's all the way to Dragon Masters #10! He loves the books and we're happy he's found books he enjoys. ( Aside from Desmond Cole ; )

Crossing our fingers, but it seems Alice is finally potty trained!!!! (cue the fireworks, trumpets, "we are the champions"! etc. Seriously I feel like an Olympic athletes mom. I'm behind all that hard work these ridiculously long past few months, and am so thrilled she's won the race!) Little lady just decided this past week to sit and poop instead of go when she wanted, near the potty, or on her way to it. I've got to say this has been our longest and hardest "battle" and my are we happy were on the other side. She may out do Peter in the strong willed category (Heaven help us). She is a hoot though. She's at the funnest stage where she does and says so many random things that crack us up and make us smile every day.

Kendal had a good birthday. We got to extend the celebration yesterday when we went to see Frozen 2. Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma we were treated with the opportunity to see the new movie and we went yesterday afternoon. It was very funny and had a good story line. All of the kids were enthralled (even Peter who says it was ok ; ). We gave it our approval and loved going (THANKS MOM and DAD!). Afterwards we went to Costa Vita for Dinner and picked up Kendal's birthday cupcake at Barnes and Noble.