Preschool, Bowling, and More Treasure Hunts–December 21-23

On Wednesday, the festivities continued.  The kids got some fun matching pajamas in the treasure hunt, and they had fun making a candy cane.

 

Davis reading a book on the tractor while waiting for the activities to begin.

 

Making the candy canes and opening the new PJs

   

We tried to go cross country skiing, but there was no where close that had enough snow.  Instead, some of us went shopping while others stayed home with the kids.  The kids went to Helman school to play on the playground, then warmed up with some hot chocolate when they got home.

Thursday, we had fun learning about the symbol of the Christmas tree, and then going to Grandma’s preschool to play with the preschool toys.  That night, we had a babysitter come and watch all of the kids while the adults went to the cabaret.  We didn’t get any pictures of us there, but it was a fun night listening to some fun and entertaining music, eating some delicious desserts, and enjoying the company.

 

Listening to Grandma tell about the symbolism of the Christmas tree, and making the Christmas tree craft

 

Preschool fun

Reading a book before nap time.

Friday, we went bowling and to lunch.  The kids all love bowling, so it was fun to see them.  James and Ethan even shared a game and took turns.

   

Landon concentrating on his bowling game, the newlyweds, and me helping Davis on his turn

   

Landon getting ready to bowl, Davis and James hanging out on the side, and Jake holding baby Ryan

 

Finding a treasure in the dryer

 

Playing one of the games from the day’s treasure, and playing some Mario Kart.

 

Scripture reading time before bed

 

A little post-scripture-reading wrestling

 

Shane reading the kids a bedtime story, and Camille and Bryce reading a bedtime story

BYU Shirts and Dodgeball–Monday & Tuesday, December 19-20

This year, we spent the week before Christmas in Ashland.  We arrived late Sunday, and Camille & Bryce, and Becky & Nate and their kiddos arrived Monday night.  Dave and Liz drove up Christmas day to spend a short but fun 24 hours with us before heading back to work. 

On Monday, Landon, Davis, and James had fun hanging out with Kallie and Ethan while the rest of us helped get things ready for the rest of the week.  Ethan especially liked Landon, and he would follow him all over the house. 

 

Landon and Ethan hanging out, and Kallie, Davis, and Ethan hanging out

 

Ethan and James making faces through the glass, and James playing in Grandma’s car – he loved it and he and Ethan were often fighting over it. They pretty much had a love-hate relationship the entire week. 

 

Kallie and Davis playing with the itouch

Kallie, Davis, and Landon having fun on the slide

On Tuesday, the real festivities began.  My mom had fun activities planned each day, including an activity with a symbol of Christmas, and a treasure hunt with a little gift to open.  Tuesday, the symbol was a bell, so the kids hung a bell on the Christmas tree and decorated bell-shaped cookies. 

A little pre-treasure-hunt wrestling with grandpa

 

Painting bell sugar cookies, and opening the gift at the end of the treasure hunt

   

Matching BYU shirts!  (Made especially by Stacey’s mom!)

All the kiddos in the shirts enjoying a show together (Thanks Stacey for these cute B&W pics)

 

After opening their gifts, the kids headed to ScienceWorks, a fun hands-on science museum in Ashland.  I actually stayed home from that excursion – Nate went with my parents to help chaperone the kids. 

     

It was a little too sunny for a good picture outside!

We also had some fun adult activities.  On Tuesday, we got a babysitter while we all did a session at the temple.  That was a great experience, and we only wish Dave and Liz could have been there too.  When we got home, we hurried and ate dinner, then went over to the church to play some kick ball and dodge ball.  It was a lot of fun, and even the kids had fun playing the games with us!

 

There’s Cam throwing a ball, and in the back of the 2nd picture is me holding James and throwing a ball. 

  

Davis and Camille bringing the balls up to the line for another round, and Landon, Davis, and Bennett getting in on the action

 

Davis getting everything lined up for another round, and another action shot, with Nate, Jake and Bryce in the middle, and Landon and Davis running to get in on the action.

This was just the beginning.  Many more pictures and fun to come!