December randoms 2015

Luke is so good to read to his brother.

When I was little, my Dad would bring home tins of popcorn that he'd gotten at work during the holidays.  So every year we watch a Christmas movie and eat a tin of popcorn.  Just opening the tin smells like my childhood Christmases... and gross cheese popcorn.  I only like the regular and caramel.

Hailey and I had to do some last minute Christmas shopping.

For Luke's school Christmas party, we played a game where you pass the candy cane around with other candy canes that are in your mouth.  I guess fifth grade is a little too old for this game.  They were so weird about getting too close to each other. They either freaked out, or giggled and blushed if they actually touched each other.

Hailey's kindergarten party was fun and easy...  

Duck Duck Goose is always a good time filler.

Abigail and her bestie, Kate, wrapped each other up during their Christmas relay game.

We went to visit our Grandmas.  We only have Ben's two left... we definitely missed our Grandma Dixie this year.  The kids love to visit Grandma Smith at the nursing home.  Grandma Ruth had her hair in curlers I believe... so she didn't want a picture of that :)

Ben, Luke, and I went to go see Star Wars.  The girls did not want to come with us.

They chose to stay at Grandma Sharla's a make mints.  They were so delicious.  Sharla is so sweet and patient while cooking with the kids.

I helped out when we got back to pick the girls and Ike up.  They didn't want my help (bossyness)  So I had to just watch.

I love these kids so so so much!

sledding

My Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Mark live in Preston, ID.  They have a big piece of land with the best sledding hill ever.  Most of the Carruths got together and had lunch and went sledding.  I can't remember the last time I liked being out in the snow so much.  

Cookie Trees December 2015

Grandma Barb invited all the grandkids over to make Christmas cookie trees.  They love this tradition so much.  My kids usually eat theirs within a day of making them.  I went over to my sister's house about a week after this and saw that her kids had barely eaten any.  I thought it was so funny.  She said her kids love to look at them and keep them for decoration.  I must not feed my kids enough because food doesn't last long at our house... especially treats.

Abigail is 9!

This girl has always seemed older than what she really is.  She is so responsible, kind, loving, stubborn, and helpful.  She loves to help out with Isaac, making lunches, packing the church bag, and so much more.  I don't know how I would do life without her willingness to help.   

She loves to craft... that's what she calls it, but I say she loves making messes :)  She'll cut, glue, and tape anything she can find. She's a hands-on learner...  She's always coming home and re-creating whatever project they did at school.  She loves to be outside riding bikes or playing with friends.

Favorites:

food- crepes

color- yellow

hobby- sewing

subject- art

scripture story- Lehi's Dream

sport- basketball

summer activity- swimming

candy bar- Heath

winter activity- making igloos with friends

chore- lysoling door handles

holiday- Easter and Christmas

Unfavorites-

food- broccoli

color- black

subject- math

holiday- st. patrick's day

chore- laundry

Abigail chose crepes for her birthday breakfast

Ab had her last basketball game of the season on her birthday.  Hailey liked to sit on the bench with the girls.  Ben was her coach this year and Abigail loved it.

Ab has the best teacher this year, she came to watch her and Kate play. 

Abigail and Kate... they are such cute friends!

We had a pre-party of games and junk food before grandparents came over for the real party.

My sister made a panda cake for her.  Ab loves pandas and Jess does such a great job with cakes. 

She loves to get dolled up for her birthdays.  She had three hairstyles in one day.   She's not normally particular, I guess just on her birthday.  For the ball game she wanted a fancy ponytail.  Later she wanted a bun... but then decided it was missing something.  So we took the bun out, re-did it with a braid around it.

And the party begins!

 She was so happy and grateful for her gifts and her guests,  she asked for pictures with Mom and Dad, and she was just beaming all day long.  She's such an important part of this family.