Lights at Aspen Meadows

December 21, 2015

A friend told me about a light display that we might like at a church in Molalla, so we decided to check it out for Family Home Evening.  She was right, it was great!

There were several areas that you could walk through.  They had an awesome Christmas village, there were religous areas as well as non-religious areas. 

The Stars Wars room was a hit with the kids.

There were several warming spots, which was good because it was cold!

There was even free hot chocolate and cookies.

Best of all we were reminded of the light of the world, our Savior Jesus Christ. 

How wonderful to celebrate that light as a family.

The Nutcracker with Grace

December 19, 2015

I surprised Grace the weekend before Christmas by taking her to see The Nutcracker.  It was just a local ballet school production, and it was a shortened version, but it was perfect for her.  She was so excited and loved it all.

Of course she had to take her own nutcracker. 

She talked to me and asked me questions through the whole thing.  Her excitement was contagious.  I love my Gracie Lu and I’m glad we had that night together.

Nativities and Food & Toy Drive

December 14, 2015

Our December schedule was packed, and we were sad that there was no way we were going to be able to fit in going to the nativity display at Milwaukie Stake Center that we usually go to.  Isaac and Grace hadn’t been in on that decision though, and one night they asked me when we were going to go.  I decided it was too important to miss, so I found a time when I could at least take them.  We went right after school one day, just the three of us. 

There were only a few other people there at that time so we were able to take our time and look at what we wanted to look at. 

It was beautiful as usual and the Christmas spirit was strong.

Isaac and Grace love to pick out their favorite nativities, and I like to look at all the different sets from around the world. 

The childrens room was cute and fun.

Grace even made her own darling nativity.

It was a huge bonus that the Sunderland’s showed up right then so the kids got to play together.

On the way out we stopped at the rest of the photo booths. 

What a great time with my twinners!  I love them and that they know the important part of Christmas.  We rushed home after that to meet Lee and Emma at the fairgrounds so we could volunteer at the Kiwanis Food & Toy Drive for Family Home Evening.  Another favorite Christmas activity.  The first job they gave us was to move all these empty boxes to where they were loading the food.

The kids liked pulling those carts!

Once that job was done we headed up to the toy area, which was where all three kids really wanted to be.  They love to choose toys to go together for kids who need them.

Cute little elves!

Emma had come straight from school, swim team and piano lessons.  Whew.  She’s a trooper.  She also wanted to take this toy home with her…

What a good Monday it was!

SVU Basketball Players

December 12-14, 2015

The head coach of the women’s basketball team at Southern Virginia University used to be in our ward.  She was bringing her team to Oregon and asked if we would host two of her players for two nights.  We jumped at the chance and were so glad we did.  We loved having Kadie and Kimmy in our home.  They were fun, very polite, and just fit right in.  We didn’t get to spend as much time with them as we would have liked since they were busy while they were here, but we enjoyed the time we did have.  Most of that time fell on Sunday.  We had a yummy breakfast that morning and then we visited and played a lot of games before church.

After church and dinner we did  more of the same and they helped us put together a puzzle. 

The night the whole team gave a fireside for our stake and we got to mingle with the rest of the players.

They had to leave the next morning for their next stop but they left us the nicest note. 

We were bummed that we couldn’t go to any of the games, but we didn’t feel quite as bad when we found out that both Kimmy and Kadie were injured and wouldn’t be playing.  We were so glad that Heather asked us to host, and we hope to do it again.

The End of Basketball Season

December 12, 2015

Isaac and Grace loved playing basketball.  Isaac especially enjoyed it and liked it from the very beginning.  Grace took a little longer, but once she found her groove she really liked it.  Of course it helped having one of her besties on the team.

Isaac spent tons of time perfecting his shot at home and at pratice.  By the end of the season he had made several baskets in games and had gained a lot of confidence.

Grace finally made her first basket during the very last game.  Oh boy was she happy about that!

This is the only picture I have of that last game.  I wasn’t very good at taking basketball pictures.  But I guess it’s appropriate that it’s a picture of Coach JP.  He was great with the kids, very patient and willing to teach themb skills. 

Since I don’t have any good action shots, I’ll post these fun team pictures instead.

I loved basketball.  It was most definitely the easiest sport we’ve done yet.  They could get themselves ready for every practice and game because there wasn’t a lot of equipment needed.  No shin guards, cleats, bats, helmets, funny pants and belts, or anything else.  Just tennis shoes and a ball.  It was inside and it was ok if we forgot the water bottles because there was a drinking fountain.  I think I could get used to that!  I see more basketball in our future…