It's Nerf or Nuffin'

Real smiles!

It's a Christmas miracle!

We had a great day! We slept late, opened presents, ate breakfast, then played. All day. The playing consisted of dart shooting, sword fighting, dancing, Donkey Kong-ing, puzzling, playing games, crawling around after Zhu Zhu pets, napping, eating, and crafting.

It was the best.

Christmas Eve

This Christmas season was a bit different than the ones we were growing accustomed to in Utah. In all honesty, it was a lot different. But, this was the first of many Christmases to come where we have to adjust and change, and make new exciting things to look forward to. We didn't have a house or yard, snow to play in, or neighbors to wave to while you are both shoveling the driveways. We didn't have our tree, or stockings. Or any of our decorations. But we still made our Christmas cookies. We didn't have the recipes, but after much searching, we found them (most of them, no ginger cookies) on the internet. We bought a small tree and new ornaments from the dollar store. And we just skipped stockings and replaced that tradition with new traditions. It was awesome. Everything was perfect. We had a really great weekend.

Making cookies. . .

We had a couple families over for soup, burnt bread, and chocolate cake. That was 18 people! Six adults and 12 kids. I think that's the biggest party we have hosted so far.

The kids acted out the Christmas nativity.

G was so thrilled to be Joseph. A big thanks to all the other kids for letting him have his way.

And more Rock Band. This time we banned any kids, 11 and under, from playing. Which was all but one. Sounds mean, but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't regret it.

I loved how the boys all had the same look on their face while in the video game zone.

I'm Too Tired To Go To Sleep

This was taken at about 8, on the morning of the first day of Christmas break. . .

Where is the missing child, you ask?

Here. . .
That's my girl!

She is the only one of my children who can sleep in. If it was up to her, she would stay up all night, and sleep all day. Me too, Dare. Me too.

Blue Spruce

The National Christmas Tree

We made the kids wear pants under their pants. And it took us about an hour to get out of the house. I thought it would be really cold. Mostly because of the wind, not really because of the temperature. But it wasn't. And we were only there for about 15 minutes. But it was cool to see. Really. I'm glad we did it. I don't know if I would ever take the time again, but for our first and last chance, it was worth it.

Melted

Fondue has become a Christmas tradition for us! I think doing it 3 years in a row counts.

First cheese.

Then a little gift exchange game.

Then chocolate. The other stuff was just a front for what we all really wanted to do. You know, eat chocolate fondue.

Like our missing vertical blinds? It's awesome. We've already had like 4 replaced.

Then Rock Band.

If we hadn't just had chocolate fondue, this would have been the best part of the night.

Never mind G's middle finger.

So cute.

So cute.

Syzygy

Nate was up in the middle of the night (not unusual) the night of the lunar eclipse. And since we had a great view of the moon from inside our apartment, and there were no clouds, he decided to wake me and the girls up.

It wasn't easy to get them up...

It's a good think eclipses are s l o w, because even though it took them a while to wake up, they still saw all the good parts.

I know this picture sucks, and you can see much better ones on the internet, but this one is mine and I think it's cool.

We were all really glad we got the chance to see the eclipse. It was awesome.

Some water and one last look before going back to bed.

Dare didn't make it to school the next day. Lesson learned. She can't be up for an hour-ish in the middle of the night and function properly in the morning.

?Yad Wons

We had our first official snow day yesterday. School was let out a few hours early. This is the first time this has happened to our family. And we have seen a lot of snow. The one day in Utah when we woke up to 3 feet of snow on our driveway, I thought for sure school would be cancelled. But no, it wasn't.

It was pretty amusing. There was maybe an inch by the end of the day. Dare's teacher told me they will sometimes cancel school when there is even a chance it will snow. She also told me how people will go to the grocery store and stock up on milk and bread just so they are prepared. She is from Ohio so she thinks it funny too. I thought it was great! I can imagine as a kid being so overjoyed with the excitement of being able to go home early, unplanned, for no reason! As you can imagine, growing up in Phoenix that was never, never an issue. My kids didn't think it was as awesome as I did. B.A. was mad that she missed yearbook. (I think she even used the word 'pissed'. Don't worry, I told her not to talk that way.) And the other two didn't even think it was a big deal. In fact, Dare asked me this morning if I thought they would go home early again. I said no, and she said, "Oh, good." They're weird.

Of course they played in the snow in the afternoon. I can't imagine there being much to play with, but it is all they are going to get for a while, so I hope they enjoy it.

Inside

3 things. No pictures.

#1

Dare still gets in Rhon's bed. Not as often, but still regularly. A couple mornings ago, I went to wake them up for school and Dare was in Rhon's bed. She was right in the middle, looking comfortable with her head on the pillow, covers pulled up, and laying very peaceful. Then I noticed Rhon's head hanging over the side of the bed, and all of her long hair touching the floor. I'm not even sure how she was able to balance that way. It didn't look comfortable to say the least. I took a picture but I was forbidden to share it. "Don't put it on the blog!" Said in a authoritative/whiney voice.

#2

The boys have been playing together a lot more lately. It could be that G is getting older, and they are figuring it out more, or it could be that I have drastically cut down on the amount of video game time for boy number one. Either way, it has been good. They are becoming really great buds. They have been finding all kinds of things to do. Always using their active (sometimes troublesome), boyish imaginations. One day I caught them in the girls' dresses. G had a witch hat on, and they were both "riding" my broom. I took a picture, but I realize they might hate me later if they see it, so I decided against it.

#3

Mads loves music! I can tell because no matter what kind of music he hears, and no matter where he is, he will dance. He has some awesome moves! Unfortunately he has learned a lot of his moves from Gibby on iCarly. So his dancing involves a lot of taking his shirt off, and getting on the table. I realize I might have to redirect his enthusiasm. I took a video, but again, I'm not in the business for embarrassing my kids, so it will have to remain in the family.

Bigs

I don't think there is a Potbelly in Jakarta.

Echoing

The older girls got to participate in the play at the ward Christmas party this year. The Activity Days girls got to dance and sing. It was fun. They were nervous. They don't do much performing. But they did great. B.A. did another part besides being an angel, but I only got a picture of her running away. I wasn't quick enough.
Dare and I were there to support them. I "forced" Nate to stay home with the boys because I didn't want to hassle with them all night. It turned out to be a good choice.
My camera sort of stinks for long distance, indoor pictures. But, if you make them black and white, it looks like I tried to make it look like a really old picture. Let's just say I meant to do that.

Nature In Art

I got to join Dare on her field trip to the National Gallery.

I have to say how cool I think it is that first graders can get on a bus, drive to the mall, go to a freaking cool museum, look at some art, and drive back. All before lunch!

It was really fun.

What's an art museum tour without a little boredom?

She kept counting the ceiling tiles. She did get some good multiplication lessons out of it.

Besties.

Capital G

We have an exciting new development!

G likes to color! He will sit and color for whole minutes at a time. It is wonderful.

November Birthday #3

Do I look older? You better say no, or say nothing at all!

Yes, I just had a birthday. But that is not why I am writing this post. Although birthday wishes are always nice, even if they are belated. Just kidding. But seriously, tell me happy birthday.

No, I'm writing this now to talk about this little girl...

She is amazing. I don't write about her as often. I don't really know why exactly. I guess it's just easier to write about the younger kids.

On my birthday, she was the mastermind for breakfast in bed. For me, of course. It was toast with Nutella and sliced bananas. Perfect. She knew I would love it. She also made me a card, which was filled with words I don't deserve. AND she made me this bracelet...

All on her own. She really worked hard to make my day special. She succeeded. It was awesome. I love her. I really really love her.

I accuse her of being selfish a lot. Too much. I am wrong. She is such an amazing example of love. Unconditional love. There is no one on this planet who loves more than she does. I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

November Birthday #2

I don't think 3 counts as a baby anymore.

I hope age changes his naughtiness.

Just kidding. I love him the way he is. He's awesome.

When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he always said, "Cake, ice cream, and presents." He was just happy to have presents. I don't think he cared what was in them. But I think we made great choices. He wanted to sleep with them.

Also, I wanted to mention that he picked out his own candles. One day when I was at the party store for Dare's party he found some candles with stars on them. I bought them for him, and he carried them around the house for days. Anytime he would set them down, I would grab them and put them away. I didn't want them to get lost. And, inevitably, he would go to the drawer and get them out again. I have never seen a kid so excited about candles in all my life. He would have been cool if I told him that was his present.

Interview:

favorite color - dark dark dark dark black

favorite book - Pokemon book (It's true. He gets one at the library every time and carries it around with him everywhere.)

favorite movie - Nemo (? I don't even think he has seen it.)

favorite TV show - Go Diego Go

favorite game - Super Smash Bros.

What do you want to be when you grow up? - Batman, I mean Spiderman

What do you like to do all day? - play with Mads and cry with him (?)

November Birthday #1

I don't think 7 counts as a little kid anymore.

I hope age never changes her bouncy-ness.

Then we had a friend party.

Interview:

Favorite color - yellow and red and orange

Favorite movie - Alice in Wonderland

Admin

I think Washington DC is so freaking cool. Everyone should come here at least once. (Preferably while we are living here so you can visit us too.)

Tiger Trail

Some memories aren't enough. You have to have pictures to back them up.

We didn't think we'd be in DC this long, but I'm glad we are. The fall is amazing. And we get to take the most beautiful walk on the way to school. I can't wait to see it in spring.