Christmas 2011

We had a nice Christmas at home this year. Grandma Linda, Aunt Sue-Sue, Uncle Andy, and Irene joined us. We had a great time.

On the 23rd we had a little party at Gregg's house. This kids did crafts, we ate, played some bingo, and opened a gift.

We spent Christmas Eve morning in Fallbrook at Grandma & Grandpa Thompson's house. Before the festivities started the girls had a little baby shower for Cathy, since she was in town. The kids got to open presents from G&G, we had a great lunch and the adults had a white elephant gift exchange.

That night we had a little family evening at our house. We went around to each person and everyone shared a thought and had an activity. The kids opened their present from Grandma Linda. They got their annual Christmas Eve pajamas. It was a nice night. We sat out cookies and milk for Santa and lit the candle Bruce had made in Cub Scouts.

Christmas morning was full of excitement as the kids opened their gifts. It was fun to have Irene around and see her very first Christmas morning. Gregg's family came over that evening for Christmas dinner.

Grandpa & Linda

2004-2011

Santa!! I know him!!

Claire tried to be brave when we saw Santa. She even said in her prayer earlier that week, "Bless that I won't be scared of Santa." :) She agreed to see Santa if I went with her. The closer we got, the tighter her grip on me was. When she handed Santa her list her hand was shaking. So, mommy sat on Santa's lap so we could get a picture.

Jane admitted afterwards that she was as little nervous. She put her Christmas list in Santa's bag and was excited to get a candy cane from him.

Bruce told me earlier that he wasn't going to sit on Santa's lap. But after the girls went he told me he guessed he'd go ahead and sit on Santa's lap.

(Linda was at Sea World with Robert. Lucky! We're going to the mall next week so she can give Santa her letter.)

Report Cards

The kids just got their report cards. More than how well they did in their different subjects, I'm really proud of what good kids they are at school.
Here are some of the comments they got in the comment sections of their report cards.

BRUCE:

Bruce is a very conscientious student and works very well both independently and cooperatively with other students. I enjoy having him in class!

Linda:

Linda is a sweet, cooperative, hard-working student. She is making good academic progress in all areas. Tell her to keep up the great work.

JANE:

Jane is a very bright little girl. Jane listens carefully and puts forth good effort. She is a good friend to all her peers and a role model to others. Jane said her favorite Kindergarten activity is doing centers. I really enjoy teaching Jane!

Linda's 7 year stats

Linda had her yearly check up today. She is very healthy with great vision and hearing.
She got a finger prick & TB test. She tried to be brave.

She's still the "average kid" as far as stats go.
Weight: 51lbs. 8oz. (53rd percentile)
Height: 48inches (47th percentile)

Road Trip: Friday/Saturday

On Friday night we went to see the lights at temple square. They were so beautiful. The kids thought it was amazing. It was COLD that night. Robert decided to opt out of the cold. He dropped us off  and then picked us up when we were done. Great service. :)

We headed out of town on Saturday morning. On our way out we stopped at BYU. We looked around and went to the bookstore. Each of the kids got a souvenir from daddy's school. We also drove by the MTC. Bruce was excited about his future at both. :)

Road Trip: Thanksgiving Day

We spent Thanksgiving with Jill's family, Carole's family, my mom, and JB's family. It was a nice day with really good food. The pecan pie was especially good. :)

Jill's Family, My family, My mother

 The kid's table

That night we went to WalMart's 10pm sale. It was crazy but we had fun.

Road Trip: Wednesday

On Wednesday we picked my mom up from the airport and met up with everyone at Carole's house. We all headed out to go ice skating. We had a lot of fun. The kids really liked it. It was their first time.

Bruce skated his heart out and took some good falls.

This is the result of his last fall that took him off the ice. He was so sore that night.

Linda was persistent and did not give up. She was doing pretty well by the end.

Jane was our rock star. She did not want any help and just kept trying. She was skating all around the rink by herself in no time. She was the last one off of the ice.(cousin Richard is to her left)

Claire did well too. She had her ice walking down. :) She could go on her own. Pictured with Elly and my Aunt Carole.

Robert was a really good ice skater. Over 9yrs. of marriage and I had no idea. We headed out to my Uncle JB's house later that night. Linda loved trying to help my Aunt Lucinda make pies. They also loved checking the chicken coop for eggs.

Road Trip: Tuesday

Tuesday was Linda's birthday. (see earlier post) Besides the bday festivities, we headed to temple square first thing in the morning. We toured the conference center and looked around the visitors center. The kids were excited to finally see the temple they have learned so much about and to see the conference center, where the prophet speaks to us. Bruce especially enjoyed the conference center.
We attended my cousin, Randy's, basketball game that evening. My cousin did great, with 2 dunks and a lot of points. Bruce was really in to it. The girls loved running around the bleachers.

 The conference center is so beautiful! I had seen it once before but forgot how awesome it is.

Grandma Naef's Funeral

The night before the funeral all of the families hung out at Aunt Patty's house. It was nice catching up with everyone! I even met cousins and others for the first time.

The funeral program.

The four sisters singing How Great Thou Art. It was beautiful. It was touching watching daughters pay tribute to their mother. It was an emotional day. The funeral was very nice. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman.

Road Trip: Monday

We arrived in SLC on Sunday night. The next morning we went out on the town with my Aunt Carole. She had a list of about 10 different places to go. She jumped in the car with us and off we went. Places we went to that day include tours of:
Mrs. Fields factory
Sweets Candy Factory
LDS Humanitarian Center
& Mrs. Cavanaugh Chocolates

We also went to lunch, two church book stores, and the Lion King 3D, and made little turkeys for the Thanksgiving table. Busy day!! Here are some pictures.