History Alive!

We have an event at our school called History Alive. This is an optional activity (which I really don't encourage because we are so busy as it is!) and Alyssa really wanted to do it this year. She chose to do a live report on the fashion from the 1920s.

Isn't she gorgeous??!!! It was interesting to get her looooong hair into a bob!

Here she is with the fabulous poster she made (the pink and black thing behind her) and also some great dresses from the time. The green dress is a vintage dress from the 1920s that a very sweet mom loaned to us. Since hats were very popular at the time, and also very distinct, Alyssa set up her booth so the participants could come and design their own hat. She did this all on her own and did a great job!

Black Belt

Alyssa earned her Black Belt in taekwondo back in December. She also certified to be an instructor at the same testing period. I was so impressed with all of her hard work, her grace as she displays the forms, and her skill! She had to show the judges white belt through red-black belt and all of the defenses in order to certify as an instructor. Congratulations to my girl!

Nathan turns 10

Happy Birthday to my adorable boy.

The 10 year old!! What a handsome guy!

Nathan invited 20 of his closest friends to help celebrate. They sang to the karaoke, danced to the Wii, and at all they could eat ice cream. Surprisingly, they didn't eat very much! Nathan has such a great group of friends. It was so much fun watching them play these games. I wish every day was a party day! (Without the clean up though.)

We didn't get a photo of him blowing out his candles, it was too dark, but we will do that on his actual birthday.

Bike Ramp

Alanna trying out our 'bike ramp.' Notice that her eyes are closed almost the whole time!

Arya in Ballet

I love when my little girls go to their first dance class. They have all started around three years old and always love it. Arya hates me doing her hair, but she will always let me do it for dance class.

Kanab

For a Christmas present to our children this year I made them a couple of things, but their main gift was a trip to Kanab, Utah. My wonderful Aunt and Uncle let us stay in their cottage for a few days. It had just snowed and the ground was still covered in snow. The kids loved playing in they yard. Nathan built a slide out of snow and loved to relax on the hammock. We celebrated New Year's here. New Year's Day Jared took the kids to Wire Pass. Amazing! I stayed back with Arya and Alanna, played in the snow with them, and baked cookies. Jared also took the kids sledding one day. It was a wonderful trip in the cutest cottage ever!

Christmas Day

Christmas we usually spend some time at home and then go up to Jared's parent's house for dinner. The kids opened some gifts Christmas eve and the rest Christmas morning. I made each of the girls a doll this year. My mom made me a doll one year. I named her Tinsel. I still have her. I tried to make these dolls like that doll. My mom was a much better doll maker than me, but the girls love their dolls! Nathan got a watch. :)

Santa brought Alyssa a cell phone this year. She was thrilled!

We gave everyone in Jared's family marshmallow guns. We had a great marshmallow war!