Christmas 2013

A few days before Christmas, we decorated our gingerbread men.  The kids kept talking about how we can't do these next year, because they come in a package of 4, so there wouldn't be enough for the baby.  I love how they're always thinking about the baby.

This was by far my favorite Christmas.  Ben had Christmas eve through New Year's Day off of work.  It was so fun hanging out with each other for so long.  The kids loved that Dad got a Christmas break from work like they did from school.  It was the loneliest day when they all went back.  My picture taking this year was definitely lacking, but we were having so much fun that I didn't pull out the camera often enough.

Christmas eve, we went to open p.j.'s and eat lunch at the Dawson's.  All the grandsons in Utah got Chargers p.j.'s while the grandsons in Indiana got Colts.  All the girls got leopard print.  The kids were so excited about them.

Later that night, we went to dinner at the Jenkins's.  We played games with the kids, did our nativity puppet show, and exchanged gifts.

 Shannon always has the best game ideas... my kids always ask what fun game she's going to plan, this year she brought the unwrapping game, and the kids loved it.

 The puppet show 'area' is getting a little crowded these days, so Luke read the story for us.

Christmas morning was so fun, the kids were so happy.  They're so funny, they seem to get more excited about the little things, toothbrush, chocolate orange, cereal box, than their main presents.

Christmas Dance

Abigail and Carly had their Christmas dance recital at the Veterans home this year.  It was fun, crowded, and chaotic.  Neither of the girls were the least bit scared to get up there and dance.  

 The girls with their friend, Ellie

 Luke and Dad brought flowers for the girls

 the sweet grandparents who always come and support.

Oh how I love these girls!

Abigail is 7!

Oh what to say about my sweet Abigail.  She is such a loving, responsible, helpful, and happy girl.  We have a paper on our fridge where the kids earn points by doing random good deeds or cleaning up without being asked... she by far has the most points.  She gets sad when there is a long school break or she's sick and she can't go to church.  She loves her teachers and talks about them all the time.  She's the only one that consistently doesn't grumble about scripture study.   Ab is always in need of new clothes because she's SO active.  Every week she comes home with a new hole in her pants.  She's always on the go... out playing all day,  never getting tired.  She works hard and plays hard.

Abigail HATES homework.  

Luke can finish his entire weekly packet in 5 minutes, and Ab is still crying that she has to write her name at the top.  Ab is stubborn, and doesn't let anything go.  She gets one idea in her mind and it stays that way.

Favorites-

color- yellow

book- Everything but the Horse

school subject- Art

scripture story- Story of Jesus' birth

Holiday- Easter

Season- Summer

Toy- My doll, Lilly Anna

 For her bday breakfast she chose chocolate milk, toast, and cuties

 Pretty little girl waiting for some teeth to grow in

 Her Grandparents came over for cake, ice cream, and gifts

 She was happy with all of her gifts

 She had asked for a snowman cake, but as I was taking it on the deck to cool (too big to put in the fridge and I needed to frost it asap)  I dropped it.  The funny thing was is that I was on the phone with Ben asking him to bring home some licorice for the snowman's scarf.  She was a little sad when she saw the cake frozen to the deck, but thought that going to walmart to pick out a cake would be great too.  And,  I also forgot candles.  So we had "8" candle and a single one.  I told her 8 minus 1 equal 7 and she was just fine with it.

I just don't know what we would do without our Abigail, she's such a happy spirit in our home.

Thanksgiving 2013

 Eli was kind enough to host Thanksgiving this year at his house.  We had Larry and Sharla, Ryan, Courtney, and boys, Eli, and us in attendance.  We might have a small group, but it was so much fun to hang out together.  And all my kids care about is that Dawson and Fisher are there to play with :)

 pre-dinner football... the boys have all the fun while us women are slaving away in the kitchen ;)

 The kid table

After dinner, the kids tried out Eli's new hot tub.  They thought it was the coolest thing ever.  

I love being with my Dawson family.

Pinewood Derby 2013

 Luke was so excited to have his first pinewood derby this year.  He has been loving scouts and all the fun things that they've done.  He modeled  his car after a king cobra I think, or diamond back, I can't remember.

 watching it go across the finish line.

 Hailey found her nursery leader, sister Jen, she was so excited.  She loves her nursery teachers.  Jen even let her help out on her cross stitch.

I'm not quite sure why he's got a serious face, because he was having a blast.  He carried his car around for the next few days showing it off.