The North Pole

So Seven Peaks (our local swimming hole) had a little Christmas fun park this year. Since I decided (with some trepidation) to get some passes again this year, the kids and I decided to go check it out.

Like most things that Seven Peaks offers, it was a little hard to be patient about, but the kids seemed to enjoy it so all's well that ends well.

First was a bumper boat ride through the lazy river.

They turned the slide into a sled ride. Kind of fun except that those sleds weigh a ton and I had to carry three of them to the top. I didn't go again. I made the kids carry their sleds for a second go.... They decided twice was good.

 

Then a "train" ride that dropped us off at a short movie with treats.

Last was a little craft.  I was busy helping and I was super cold so there's no pictures.

It was something to do that is close to home. I guess that's about how I feel about the place in the summer time so it was right on par. :)

Brace Face

So, Marisa is done with her expander! Her pallet is a perfect width and she had room for those big girl teeth to come in. However, one little tooth is still being very stubborn and is hanging out on the wrong side. So this lucky girls gets to have some braces for a few months. Yay!

Seems kind of funny straightening out mostly baby teeth but it's all good. My teeth are worn funny where they hit each other incorrectly until I had braces to straighten them out so if this helps prevent that... so be it.  I think she is getting a kick out of being unique in the 3rd grade. Now if she were in middle school... she'd fit right in. Which she will.... when she gets to have them again.  Poor girl.

Letters to Santa

Here are the letters the kids sent to Santa this year... and the letters he sent back. Ezra's cracks me up. He is an odd bird, that's for sure. Every time I help at school his sweet teacher says, "He sure marches to his own drummer doesn't he?" Yes he does...We both laugh and shrug our shoulders. What can you do but enjoy it?

Here's Ezra's: (I'm dictating his because it's a little difficult to read)

 Dear Santa Claus, Here's what I want for Christmas. 1. A new water bottle. 2. Hawaiian Punch gum. 3. Any K'nex Set. (but not one that I have) 4. Coal 5. Scotch tape.
Merry Christmas! From: Ezra

And Santa's response:

Marisa's:

And Roman's:



Trip to Temple Square

The kids and I joined my sister and her family at Temple Square for an evening.  We took the train. $10 for the four of us....sure beats driving...and parking.

We had dinner at the mall, then hopped over to the Church History Museum. There is so much to see. It was all very interesting to me as I just finished reading Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling. Kids weren't as interested but they survived.

Then it was to Temple Square to see the lights

 

 

Because we weren't cold enough, we had to get some ice cream (no picture), then back on the train for home.

 

It was lovely. I wish we lived closer to these people... I really like them.

 

All He Wants For Christmas

Is his two (really four) front teeth.

Beautiful

One evening this November there were only a few wispy clouds in the sky, no rain, and there was a big beautiful rainbow to the East, and a colorful, gorgeous sunset to the West. Lovely.

Halloween 2015

Well, At least I'm not two months behind.

Halloween happened. The kids got so much candy that a month and a week later, there is still some floating around. GROSS!

The pumpkins.

They celebrated on Friday at school.

The sixth grade class upheld the tradition of dancing "Thriller." They did a great job.

 

Marisa with her best friend. Last year Marisa was Anna and her friend was Elsa. Her friend will be switching to a different school next year. It will be SO sad.

Ezra.... What a funny kid. His was the only homemade costume this year. Not many kid-sized Santa costumes at Costco.

The day of Halloween, Grandma and Grandpa were in town so the kids put on a mini piano recital.

Grandma helped with some homework and then it was on to more Halloween festivities.

Our ward had a party and trunk-or-treat.

 

Then we went around our block for even more candy from the same people....classy.

 

 

 

 

 

SO MUCH CANDY!