James Christmas Party

We had the James family party the other day. It was a lot of fun! We decided last year that we were not going to give presents to all the kids but instead we were going to go and do something fun and put our money towards a memory instead of a dollar store present. Lets just say I think we all enjoyed that a whole lot more. My kids are still talking about the party.

Susan planed for all of us to go to Classic Skating in Orem. The kids loved it. My kids had been a couple of times thanks to the ward party up at Classic in Salt Lake but this time they didn't spend the whole night on their buts but were on their feet most of the time. Even Railey did great thanks to the skates she got for Christmas last year and all the practicing she did the days leading up to the party (once she found out we were going skating she wore her skates non stop). Even Steve was able to join us for an hour before he had to slip off to the temple (he's at the recommend desk for the next 6 months and couldn't get away)

Most of the time I was pushing Kenna around on her scooter but when I would let go and she would do it herself this is what would happen.

I did manage to finally get a good picture of her sitting up on the scooter (6 shots later)

Railey couldn't wipe the grin off her face the whole time we were there (well until we left and then she was screaming because she didn't want to go)

Damen tried out the roller blades and thought that was more fun than just normal skates

once again Kenna tipping over

After skating we headed over to the church for a yummy dinner and to play ball and make ginger bread houses. I don't know if the game of speed was a bigger hit than the gingerbread houses or not maybe it was a toss up but that game went on the whole time we were there. I think all had fun with both

Kenna mostly contributed by eating the candy and speeding the decorating process up a bit (less candy to put on the house!) It was funny we were just wanting to get the house done so once it was assembled we started putting candy on. Well several kids came up and got after us because we were already decorating and hadn't waited the 15 minutes their parents told them they had to wait. Oh well in the end we probably all finished about the same time.

After the houses were built we exchanged gifts amongst the siblings and then Grandma handed out her candy bar to the kids -- youngest to oldest. I didn't get a picture of the girls but I thought the ones of the boys were cute. She's telling them how much she loves them (I think).

We had a great time and look forward to it again next year. Thanks Susan for all the work you put into it. The kids really did love all of it.

Tradition continues

Friday we continued our tradition of going up to Gardner Village and seeing the elves. This time though we decided to have dinner up there too. Oh their fried avocados and tomatoes are amazing! But the place truly is beautiful during the holidays. Everything is lit up and magical. The kids run from one place to the next trying to see all the elves and laughing at the little displays. This year Steve took the girls into a doll shop and I was going to take the boys to the candy shop but ended up trading Steve since I didn't have my wallet. Railey and Kenna did love the dolls but when they heard that everyone else was at the candy shop they were more interested in that. Steve was good enough to get them each a large all day sucker which they were done sucking on before we got home but I will say this there wasn't as much contention on the drive home (can't be with a mouth full of sucker).

It was a fun night. Steve volunteered to just take me and leave the kids home but I just couldn't do it. There is something about just wanting to be with my kids during the holidays and spend as much time together as a family as we can making and keeping traditions!


The kids had to take a picture under the mistletoe and Dad volunteered to be the recipient of all their kisses!

All the kids with their suckers.

Yes we most likely will go back again next year and the year after that and the year after that.....

Christmas Dresses

I will just say this! I have more talent in sewing than in taking pictures! Sad thing is I probably took more time trying to take the stupid pictures then I did sewing the cute outfits. But these are the skirts and sweaters I made for the girls for Christmas. I had an old skirt that I used to make both of their skirts. I wish I could show you the little details, maybe I will just take a picture of the skirt without a child in it. I used the fringe on the bottom of my skirt and just mad that the bottom of their skirts. They have little pleats up top but an elastic waste band in the back. I also made Railey's sweater out of an old sweater of mine. I was going to make one for Kenna and went to DI to get an adult sweater but ended up finding a sweater that was a 3T I figured I could use either the one I made of the one I bought for her but both were too big so I pulled out an old red sweater that she already had 0-3mo. The sleeves were originally rolled up so I just unrolled them and pretend I don't notice how short it is on her. Anywho I love how they turned out and Railey LOVES it. She wants to wear it All. The. Time.!!!

Now if I could learn to focus our camera. I tried really hard to get one of both girls but one of the was always out of focus. I just don't know how photographers capture those perfect pictures. I sure can't. Oh well we will stick to sewing instead!

Bailey Party

We had a little get together with the Bailey's on Christmas Eve. It was fun to be with everyone (missed Jon and Darc). We had some yummy food, opened a few gifts and acted out the nativity. What more can you ask for in a Christmas Eve party?

Here's the kids eating, or should I say trying to act cool?

Taken literally one second before Railey dumped her full glass of Root Beer

Mom was tying Steve up, Oh I mean trying to help him get dressed in his costume that had a wrap a mile long.

Here's Kate and Seth posing for the camera, they were two of our Shepherds

I don't know what it is about Seth trying to act cool in every picture but he sure is COOL along with pleasant smile Damen

My Three Boys. No that's not strong drink in Steve's hand that's STRONG cologne

Our Mary and Joseph. It was about this time that Railey started to show that she wasn't feeling too hot. I think she had a head cold. But she was sure proud to play Mary.

All Mine

I tried to help Railey understand that she was Mary and I gave her a doll to hold and told her it was Baby Jesus. It was quite humbling to see her reaction and how careful and loving she was toward that baby. I mean she loves her a doll and all but this was different. I know she understood in her own small way that she was playing an important part.

Here's Kate and Railey sporting their outfits (they sure were proud of them almost as much as their parents were of them)

Oh she could have played an angel just as well as Mary

Raileys head thing kept falling off. I love this picture cause it shows Grandma Bailey (almost 90) trying her best with her shaking hands trying to help Railey get ready again. I wanted to step in and help but was too moved to do anything except take a picture.

Here comes Mary and Joseph on Carson, the donkey.

Here's Kenna playing with the nasty cologne (I had to get at least one picture of her). Then that was all the pictures because Railey was done. I don't think she felt too well and she didn't want to sit up there with Damen holding the doll. So I went up and held her while she held Jesus and while Joseph sat next to her. As Grandpa continued to read the story I was moved. In my heart I was feeling so much. I have now given birth 4 times one of which was the little girl on my lap. How grateful I was that My Mom was able to come and be there with me. Though not in the labor room but shortly after and then there to help me recover with each of my kids. I was taken to the time when Mary delivered, I'm sure she had planned on sharing that experience with her Mom and I'm sure her mom looked forward to being there and taking care of her own daughter and helping her through the process of giving birth. But she was unable to be there. God had a different plan. All her worrying mother could do was pray for her, pray that all would go well. When Railey was scared of being up in front of everyone I was able to go and hold her until the pageant was over but I won't always be able to do that. I know there will be times that all I will be able to do is pray for her and pray that she will feel love and comfort.

A couple weeks ago I was expressing some frustration to my own mom in regards to some things we have been experiencing. I was brought to tears as she told me they wished they could help but that they had been praying for us. I know the prayers of others and many sent up from us have helped get us through some hard times. I definitely am grateful for the prayers of parents and hope that I can teach my kids and help them to see, hear, and know that their parents are always praying for them so that when we can't be there they will automatically know we are on our knees praying for them.

But I am grateful that so far God's plan has allowed my Mom to be there when we have had our kids. It almost wasn't so last year when we had Kenna, but how grateful I am this Christmas Season for that!

Milk and Cookies

The kids were out of school a whole week early. What did that mean? Mom had to come up with things for the kids to do everyday. One of the days we made sugar cookies "cause it's a tradition." We "have" to give these neatly decorated cookies to Santa every year so of course we have to make them. The kids did have a great time and for once I really did enjoy it. A lot of times I plan to give them to neighbors and get frustrated that they aren't decorated just perfect (so we don't give them away). But this year I LET IT GO! I let the kids have at it and it was FUN.

My little perfectionist

This was another reason why I quickly tossed the idea of giving them away out the door.

So intent! But you should have seen her once she got a hold of the red frosting. I knew Railey had only had one cookie but I didn't realize how much red frosting she had eaten until I wiped her bum the next morning. Yes it was fluorescent PINK!

The beautiful cookies!

Polar Express

Yesterday Steve and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. Wow how time flies! He was gone working all day but knowing that we would be going on the Polar Express at night I decided to at least make a nice dinner. Well he had to work later that he thought so that meant the kids and I ate and then he hurried right before everyone showed up to leave. Why did we plan this activity on our anniversary, you may ask? It was the only night they had available. See this guy up at the temple runs a Polar Express in Lindon. He had invited us before but we had never been, I am so glad we went this year even if it was on our anniversary!

We invited the Strongs and the Bradshaws to come along for the fun. We get there and they send us into a garage to watch the movie Polar Express while we wait for our turn to ride the train. All 11 kids were very well behaved and when it was our turn they took us out to sit on these chairs. Where you are on these chairs is the order you will be on the train.

here the kids can see the train coming. They were so excited

Here we are all loaded onto the train

Here are a few individual car pictures. That's Oliver, a friend, behind Steve

Here was our car as we were pulling away.

Everything is to music so as the train leaves the station it is playing the polar express music and we are seeing all sorts of lights and fun decorations as we are on our way to the north Pole. We got out and walked into this big room to see tons of toys and a train going around and of course Santa and his wife.

Railey was so excited to get a treat from Santa. She was not just sticking her tongue out for fun. I just am not great at taking pictures at the right time. But it does so her excitement.

This shows how Kenna felt about the whole Santa thing.

Here's Seth

Now here's Seth looking over at all the toys trying to figure out what he wanted. What did he see? A flat screen and yes that is what he asked for. What ever happened to a toy truck?

Here's Damen and his cheesy grin.

This was some of the kids looking at the train and all the toys.

After the kids were done telling Santa what they wanted he held up a candy cane upside down and said, "J is for Jesus, who was born on Christmas day. Hold the candy cane upright and it looks like a shepherd's staff. The shepherds in the field were the fires to find out about Jesus' birth. What are the stripes for? The prophet Isaiah said, "by his stripes we are healed." Before he died on the cross, Jesus was whipped. He bled terribly. The red reminds us of his suffering and his blood. When we give our lives to Jesus, his blood washes away our sins, making us white and pure as snow." Then he asked us to sing Silent Night as we walked back to the train.

Steve and Kenna as we were walking away from the North Pole

The rest of the ride was taking us through a neighborhood and going by pictures of Christs life. It was all done to music. From the angel appearing to Mary to the wise men and shepherds all through Christs life, miracles, death and resurrection. It was very touching, even bringing tears to the eyes. When we got back to the train station there was a big tent with pictures of missionaries on paper. So the kids proceeded to sign their names to as many pictures as they could. This was such a neat experience and one I hope we can do again sometime. I know they sign up friend and family and anyone else is on a lottery because there are so many people that want to do it. I now know why!

This definitely was a memorable anniversary. I have the best husband in the world and I am grateful for the past ten years that we have had to be with each other and make memories such as this with our kids.