Little "Pip"

Well, here we go again!! I must be a sucker for punishment-I just can't say no to my kids (at least not for very long).  Jake has been asking for a puppy pretty much since we had to put Lacy to sleep but recently he has really been begging for one.  Dennis and I felt that maybe he really needs a puppy right now in his young life.  Most 11 and 12 year old boys dream of having a pup so we've been looking the last few weeks for one.  This little guy caught our eye.  He is 8 weeks old, his father is a toy poodle and his mother is a toy chihuahua.  They were both only about 4 lbs so Pip should be a little guy.  He took to Brad the moment he got into the car and loves Jake as well.  He already loves to nibble toes (and Brad's earlobes).  I sure hope I can potty-train this baby while taking care of my Eli, who still needs his momma most of the time (unless Ethan's home;)

Pinewood Derby-2013

Here's our Jake with his derby car for this year.  Ethan and Brad no longer do derby cars so Jake was on his own this year.  Dennis always cuts them out and the boys paint and decorate them.  This year Jake chose a spray paint that looked like rock.  After the paint dried, he put googly eyes on the front. I think his award was for the "funniest car" because of the eyes. He came in last most of the time but managed to squeek a couple of third place finishes and one second place. He had a good time and enjoyed the donuts afterward;)

Eli's First Haircut

Baby's hair was growing over his ears so we decided to give him a haircut.  He was sick and hated getting it done. I was surprised at how much it aged him!! My baby is gone! He was so sick at the time I took the bottom picture so I'm surprised he smiled at all. What a sweet little boy!

Grandma's Birthday "Surprise" :)

Here's Grandma's most special birthday surprise she has ever gotten I'm sure!! Little Miss Annaka came up on the 27th of December with her mom and dad (they had a wedding to go to).  Ellie arranged for me to meet them at the Draper Temple to pick up Annaka and take her to Grandma's for her birthday.  Grandma was at Relief Society and then ran errands for quite a while but she finally came home.  We had Annaka hide and told Grandma we had a birthday surprise for her.  We had her sit on the couch and close her eyes and then placed Annaka on her lap.  She was so excited to open her eyes and find little one there!  What a great birthday for Grandma!!

Christmas Afternoon

Here are the kids Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's.  They loved getting gift cards this year and couldn't wait to get to Wal-Mart.  We had a wonderful time together and then enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner.

Christmas Morning:)

Oh my goodness!! There is nothing like the excitement in a house on Christmas morning! The kids just bubble Christmas Eve in anticipation of the next day.  I think the kids were up by 4 or 5 am this year.  Eli joined us at 6 and we started opening the gifts.  Eli's favorite for quite a while was his bell that Santa put in his stocking.  Ava and Jake both got the American Girl dolls they asked for.  Brad got a tablet, Ethan a new ipod, I got new running shoes and Dennis a running outfit.  Everyone received so much and we had a good time together.  We always start out our morning by singing a Christmas hymn and saying a prayer of gratitude for our Savior.

Christmas Eve Without the Momma!

This year Dennis and the kids went to the Ralph Family Christmas Eve party without me.  I was so sick! I thought for sure I was getting the flu and would miss Christmas Day too. Luckily, I felt a little better the next day and was able to join my little family.  Anyway, the Ralphs got together at Don and Jill's house again this year.  David and Carolyn's family was here this year because Andrew went into the MTC right before Christmas.  These pictures are of the kids acting out the story of Jesus' birth (with many angels;), all of the kids with the pillowcases that Grandma made for them, and Dennis and the kids.

The Actor

Jill's Uncle, T.C. Christensen (filmmaker of "The Work and the Glory", "The Testaments", and "17 Miracles") is working on another pioneer movie. I believe it is a continuation of the movie "17 Miracles.  Anyway, Jill invited us to see Nick (the boy in the black cap) on set.  It was so absolutely cold and they were shooting a scene in the river (I think this is actually a bit of the Utah Lake).  They did this scene in the river over and over.  It's amazing what actors have to go through for a good take! Jill said she's not sure that Nick will make it in the movie. I guess he was a little too happy and excited to be a suffering pioneer but what a neat experience for a kid to have!!

Bye-bye Andrew

Andrew received his mission call to Colombia!  This is a picture of all the cousins (the ones who came to dinner) saying goodbye to him.  He went into the MTC on the 19th I believe and this was the Saturday before.  I know his mom, Carolyn, is a bit worried about Colombia (she actually prayed that he would go anywhere but there). Heavenly Father sure knows how to help us grow! I told my boys about Aunt Carolyn's prayer and Jake said "I sure hope I don't get sent to Hawaii"  (wink, wink).  We'll see if it works;)

My Model

Jake wanted his hair colored as one of his Christmas gifts. So, while shopping at Wal-Mart we saw their salon and went in. We asked if they colored hair and they said they did. Jake explained that he wanted some blond and bless her heart she did the best she could I guess. He was told at school that it looked like a dog peed on him because there are chunks of blond only on the front part of his head. He said, "I guess we should have tried Fantastic Sams". I guess I should have just taken him to a real salon instead of trying to cheap out on him;) I think he is such a good looking boy that even this can't hurt his looks!

Santa's Workshop

Here are the kiddos with Santa in his workshop at the Polar Express.  Some of the kids look more enthused than others;) but I think deep down they were all excited to get a candy cane from Santa!

"Fat Girl (Me) on a Little Train"

As you can see, the train was a wee bit tiny but we really did enjoy it.  A woman was kind enough to take our pictures as we waited for the train to leave the "station". Mom said she also wanted to go see the lights in Spanish Fork but that didn't happen this year with all the sickness.  Maybe next year we'll get to do that with her:)  (Dad of course, was happy to stay home and watch baby Eli)

 

Polar Express with Grandma

Grandma Merrill always wants to do something special for Christmas so this year she did it.  She arranged for all the grandkids to go with her on a train ride.  It was really fun! When we first arrived they had us all go in and watch a bit of the movie, "Polar Express".  Then it was our turn to ride the train (quite the ordeal to squeeze us adults into the little

seats).  The first part of the train ride was dedicated to the "fun" part of Christmas and the ride ended with the kids meeting Santa in his workshop.  Then Santa asked the kids if they knew what a candycane represented and told them that it stood for a shepherd's cane or if they turned it upside down it was the letter "J" for Jesus.  He explained that the rest of the train ride was very special as it would be about the Savior and we were to be quiet and respectful and listen to the beautiful music as we looked at the pictures of Jesus' life.  It really was wonderful and the whole group enjoyed it!

Silly Sis!

Just a silly face.  She found these in my lesson manual and cut them out.  She was trying to hold them on so we got the tape and did it right:) Love their imaginations!

Manners and Studying=Awards;)

Brad and Jake both got awards from their school at the same time.  Brad got an "Allstar" student award for demonstrating the character trait "Respect".  His teacher said he not only shows respect for the teachers but also his peers. He is a sweetheart!!  And our Jakey Juice got on the Director's list.  This is for students who's GPA is higher than a 3.8.  He got to go tothe gym and watch the teachers and director participate in a sumo wrestling match.  He loved it!  Both boys seem to be thriving at this school and have made wonderful memories

Dennis, Garage, and the Tree

Dennis completely forgot we had a tree on the roof of our car and just drove into the garage like normal! We all had a good laugh (not so much him;) and then he backed it out without too much damage. I think we're probably the only ones who would do such a thing! Never a dull moment with this man!!

Picking THE Tree

It was Mr. Ethan's turn to pick out the tree this year.  He picked a tall one and of course we all thought it was just beautiful.  Ava just had to wear the boys' head-light because it was so dark:) Got to love family traditions!