Christmas time!

 Kendal had her Christmas piano recital on the 9th of December. She played a beautiful piece and we got to listen to a lot of talented kids that night. 

Casey's birthday was on the 11th. His main present were new Nike's that he's been wearing to games this season so he only got a few treats and a wallet for his gifts. Casey and Kendal had early morning practices so they were off before the other two were awake. I took treats to school for him and we got to celebrate him after school that day. The kids had mutual that night so we had a simple song and cake time with them, but still a good day nonetheless. I took him out to dinner a couple of days later to better celebrate just us two. Casey is the heart of our family. The kids adore him and he is amazing in so many ways. I love him so very much and feel so blessed we have each other in this crazy life we live! 

Kendal and Casey had a home game on the 12th. Kenny and Cheryl got to come see her and her team beat Filer and play a great game! 

 

After my dinner date with Casey on the 13th we went home and scooped up the kids to go see the live nativity in Twin. It's tradition, and we couldn't miss out even though our days seem busier as the years go on. We love the immersive experience and are in awe of all that they create to make it such a special event. 

On the 14th Casey was gone most of the afternoon for basketball (Kendal's team didn't play). That night while Kendal stayed at home to write a talk for church Alice, Peter and I went to a cookie decorating party at the Meidells house. The kids ate a ton of sugar and had fun with friends. 

Casey took Kendal driving the last two Sunday's. They are on a Geo Caching kick and that sets their routs when they're out for an hour or so. They've had some success and some not so lucky hits, but it's been a fun thing for them to do together while she gets her hours in. 

There was a dress up week leading up to Christmas break. Alice had her outfits planned out every day! She got to wear her Santa hat one day, reindeer day, Christmas sweater day, elf day, and pj day. Pete got to do "undercover dress up week" where the middle school students "hid" their dress ups until they showed up for school. They had pj day, dress like a teacher day, color day, famous duo day, and dress up as Santa / reigndeer or elf day. Kendal had similar days to Pete, but didn't get into it as much as the other two. I dressed up to match Alice and the Stricker crew most days and Casey just chose to be festive all week. There was one day I compared him to Scott Calvin from the Santa Claus and our teacher friend Kiz compared him to Young St. Nick. (What do you think?) 

We got a special visit from Santa on the night of the 20th. Coincidentally we were downstairs watching The Santa Claus when he showed up. Alice even plucked up the courage to say what she wanted for Christmas this year! 

Kendal had a friends Christmas party on the 21st! They exchanged gifts and had a fun night together. They watched Red One and we did as well back at home. 

Grandma and Grandpa Loosle were so awesome and got the kids a group gift this year. It was an air hockey table! They let the kids open it on Sunday the 22nd. We put it together right away and spent the rest of the day playing each other in air hockey. We love that this gift is one that will last a long time and bring us and friends together for some fun. 

We took the kids to see Moana 2 in the late afternoon on the 23rd. We enjoyed the movie and spoiled the kids with popcorn and dinner afterwards at Cafe Rio. 

Christmas Eve we cleaned up the house a bit. In between our to do's we did a family tournament with air hockey and crazy enough I came out Victor since Casey came from behind after a loss to Pete early on. That evening we went over to Brett and Vanessa's for our usual Christmas Eve tamales. The kids all had a good time hanging out together. It's a fun tradition we enjoy every year. Kenny and Cheryl joined us again for the night. We listened to the Forgotten Carols book / songs, and read Twas the Night Before Christmas before the kids gift wrapped themselves downstairs for the night. 

Pete was up really early Christmas morning, and got his sisters up in the process, but thankfully they stayed downstairs until they were supposed to come up (which was at 7). As always we listened to the nativity story with our special ornament and then got work on presents. The kids were happy that Santa came and loved the gifts they got! Alice's favorite gifts are her American Girl Doll suitcase / accessories, and the Disney Doorables. Pete loved the sports watch he got as well as his new tech Lego set. Kendal got mostly teen items and was cuddled in her new blanket all day. She also got a 3D pen that she's had fun using. Casey spoiled me and got Kamut flour while he was in SLC over Thanksgiving break, and I got him running shoes, a cooling blanket, and a shower speaker. Kenny and Cheryl got to spend the morning with us watching the kids open gifts and having breakfast together before they left to see the other grandkids' Christmases. We had a relaxing morning and early afternoon together enjoying our presents. We headed out mid afternoon to go to Logan for the rest of the week.

We got to Logan just before dinner. The kids got new scripture cases from Grandma and Grandpa as well goodies. Katherine got them new books to enjoy. David and his crew came for dinner also. We got to play the evening  away together. Thursday we hung out at the house until mid afternoon. We tried to go bowling but it was busy so we ended up at the Trampoline park for a while before we had dinner at Chick Fill A. We had a game night and Pete got to go up to Smithfield for the night with the boys. 

Friday we were able to go bowling and to the arcade at the Fun Park. We had lunch at Jack in the Box and spent the afternoon at my parents house. We played games and watched shows. Alice had a bit too much screen time and ended up with a massive headache that night. So the older two and Casey went up to Davids house for fun with the boys while Alice napped off her headache. 

Saturday we hung out again. Andy, Kim, and Campbell came around and the older kids cooked up stuff for the Loosle party that night. We got to go see Tony and Lisa get married that afternoon. It was a sudden decision in the last two weeks, but we are thrilled that they got married! Alice got to see Maggie and they fell into their usual silly / cute selves together for the rest of the evening. We went out to Kelly's house for the Loosle party and had a good time seeing extended family (some that I rarely get to see and miss and love so much so much). 

 

Sunday morning we gave our goodbye's and headed to Raft River for the day. I didn't feel good at all, but it is what it is. The kids had an amazing afternoon / evening playing together. We had our annual gift exchange and cereal story time. We got to Skype with Cody, Mia, and their awesome kids. It was a bit chaotic to try and talk but still so good to see them. We played bingo as well before dinner. We look forward to family time and are grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives! 

Just some extra pics! 

Finishing November / Begining of Dec.

 Casey and Kendal have had four basketball games since I last posted. They had two the week before Thanksgiving. They played Jerome on the 19th at home and came out with a win! Thursday the 21st they played in Twin. I was unable to attend because I was at the school board meeting petitioning for money to go towards the reading program at the middle school. The team also pulled out a win that night. Casey got to join in coaching the Varsity team at the Delta Center on the 30th. This past week were both home games. Mountain Home was on Tuesday the 3rd. The girls played well and pulled out another win. They played Sugar Salem on Thursday and had a hard fight that ended in their first loss. 

The middle school did an undercover dress up week leading up to Thanksgiving break. Day one we all had to wear one color. I went with blue, Casey did gray. None of the students noticed. Day two was anything but a water bottle day where Casey had a maple syrup jug and I had a sandwich baggie. Some kids questioned why teachers had odd cups, but not many clued in to it being a school wide thing. (Casey just told his students maple syrup is good for sore throats. ; ) Wednesday was dress like the students day and the teachers went all out for this. It was so fun to see the teachers and get the kids reactions to our casual dress and demeanor. The students definitely knew something was up. Thursday was Hawaiian dress up day, and Friday was spirit day. It was super fun (I'll be doing it this coming week at Stricker)!

 When students wear hoodies at school they have to show their ears so we know they don't have ear buds in. Casey played this card well. Plus my November Library bulletin board. 

  

Thanksgiving week Casey held practice from Monday through Wednesday. We took the kids to jump time on Monday for a bit of fun. Tuesday afternoon we took them out to pick books for each other for Christmas, and had a Wii tournament that evening. We went down to Logan on Wednesday after Casey and Kendal were done with practice. We gifted my parents family pictures for Christmas and had the photos taken Wednesday afternoon. It was chilly, but worth the memories we captured. We ate at Cafe Sabor that evening. 

Thanksgiving was a day full of cooking and family time. We had everyone there and even got to have Nana with us for dinner. We ended the day playing a very long game of phase 10, while the kids hung out downstairs. 

Friday we had an easy going morning. Casey, Kendal and I only went to one store to get some athletic gear. Most of the rest of our shopping was online this year, but I can officially say I'm done Christmas shopping. Casey and Pete helped my Dad with his fence as well. Kendal chose ice skating as her birthday adventure this year so we all went to Eccles Ice rink in North Logan. We weren't sure how it would go since Kendal and Pete have only skated once before and Alice has never been, but they warmed up quickly and did really well! I shouldn't be surprised since they all roller blade, but they genuinely did a great job skating and we were so impressed. Casey and I (as well as the others) struggled to skate well, and had some falls and hurting feet by the end of things, but it was worth it to go for the kids. We had pizza that night and played more games. 

 

Saturday Casey, Kendal, and Pete left early Saturday morning to go down to Salt Lake for basketball. Last year the boys got to play in the Delta Center and this year it was the girls' turn. It was just the Varsity team, but still a cool experience that Casey got to be down on the court helping to coach their team. The girls got soundly beat by Sugar Salem. After the game Casey took the kids around to some shops and to eat as well as the planetarium. They then went back to see the Jazz play that night and had a great time watching the game. 

Alice and I stayed in Logan for the day. We got treated to Chick Fill A for lunch and went to Gossners and Costco afterwards. We spent some time with Nana that afternoon and just hung out at my parents as well. We finished our night watching Polar Express. We joined my parents and Katherine for church the next morning. I got to stay and enjoy my Dad's Sunday School lesson. He blows me away with his knowledge and dedication to his calling. My parents have a love for the gospel and they continuously study and seek to gain knowledge and understanding. They are an amazing example to me in so many ways and I am blessed by the gospel light they carry. We had a family dinner that afternoon and then came home that evening. We had a simple dinner and I pulled out Christmas Jammies since it was the 1st!

                                                              

Besides basketball this week has just been our typical work and school week with the kids. We ended our work week with a ward Christmas dinner on Friday. Always a nice addition to the holiday spirit. Saturday we got some chores done. Casey took Kendal and Pete to get free yogurt from the Chobani giveaway in twin. Casey and I went and watched David play with the C Team that afternoon while the kids stayed home. I came home mid way through the JV game and Casey went back to finish. Casey took Alice and Pete to our community Christmas night while I drove Kendal over to Hannah's so they could do a surprise party for Alicyn. 

We went to church today, did some come follow me afterwards, delivered friends Christmas goodies, played games this afternoon, and watched the Christmas devotional before bed. A good way to end the weekend!