Having a holly, jolly Christmas!

Here is some of the festive cheer we've been able to be apart of this holiday season:

We went to the old school house in Fairfield to listen to the Timpanogos Ringers.  Gavin got to go up at the end and help ring in some Christmas spirit!

Laynie had her last day of dance class and was awarded "most creative dancer."

She wanted to get her picture taken here before leaving her dance studio.

Laynie performed Jingle Bells on the piano as part of Ms. Sandra's piano recital.

I read Christmas stories as part of Gavin's class party.

Laynie performed in her dance recital to the song:  Peppermint Candy Canes.

We reenacted the nativity for FHE.

Sharon sent a package from Ireland and had the kids open it.  Their favorite gifts were these costumes they got to color!

A pirate and a princess.

We had a Polar Express party in preschool.  The kids decorated train cookies, made a hot coco art project, and played a numbers game along the Polar Express theme.

Then all the kids sang "Must Be Santa" and played a little song with their bells.

Gavin (in the green shirt with antlers in his face) sang I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas in his school's Christmas Sing program.

Then we visited the library to see Santa and do a few fun activities.  Laynie was a bit shy, but Gavin wasn't.

FROZEN Starring... Ashley!

We got to go see our very own Ashley act the part of Elsa in her middle school play.  It was really well done and there wasn't anyone that could have played the role of Elsa better than Miss Ashley herself!

What do Snowmen do at Night?

We have been receiving some nice snowfall - enough to make a Frosty on this evening in December.  Amber gave us a cute snowman kit for Christmas that she and her kids made out of wood/dowels.  We put it to good use.  After making the snowman, we decided to go night sledding at the park near our home.  It was an enjoyable evening!

 As the days wore on, our snowman seemed to be... moving.  What do snowmen really do at night?

Thanksgiving 2019

We hosted the Anderson Family Thanksgiving this year.  There were never more than 10 people at our home at one time, so it made for a low key meal and...

I had enough fine china for everyone!  Got this pretty china for free off fb marketplace, and finally had a reason to use it.

The table spread.

Gavin and Laynie posing pretty.

Out of all the fine food available, Gavin chose to eat corn and pickles. {sigh}

Heather, Abby, Ainsley and Amelia came for dinner then Danny, Brittney, Raelynn and Olivia joined us for dessert.  We played the Thankful game and Family Feud with the dinner group then Pie Face with the dessert group.  It was a fun time visiting and enjoying each other's company.

Danny about to get catapulted by a dollop of whip cream.

(Told ya so!)

Grandpa joined in, but avoided the pie face.  (I got it instead...)

Pie Day 2019

Every year Grandma/pa Anderson host Pie Day where we gather to make the pies for Thanksgiving.

Gavin peeling apples.

Laynie was feeling quite proud of herself for rolling out the pie crust.

Chopping pecans with Grandma.

Trimming the Tree

We put up our tree the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  A neighbor was giving away her tree skirt last year and I happily took it.  So our tree now looks extra fancy with the red and gold skirt at the bottom.

Sorensen Family Thanksgivin

The Sorensens had a premature Thanksgiving since this year was everyone's "away" year.  We got together the weekend before Thanksgiving for food, fun and laughter.

Mom decorated the table all fancy.

We celebrated Bridger's birthday.

Then we played a fun game of Family Feud - Thanksgiving Style.

Sorensens are quite competitive.

The Fast Money round

We all went to Carl's property in Fayette for our family pictures.

All the grandkids.  

We are most likely all done having kids, so this is it for Moo Moo and Poo Poo.  Now to watch them all grow, learn, and fulfill their potential!

Preschool Fun!

This little preschool gig I have going has been AMAZING!  It has helped me feel like I have something to work toward in life.  It gets me to put on make up (at least 2 times a week.)  It stretches me and gives me an outlet to CREATE.  I LOVE it!  Here's a smidgeon of what we've been doing:

Finger painting with pudding.

Ms. R. Tistic (my friend, Linda) came and taught the kids about blending colors.

The children's art project with Ms. R. Tistic  - colorful peacocks.

We performed "The Greatest Little Circus in Saratoga Springs" for our parents and grandparents on Nov. 21st.  This was quite the day, involving waking up to Laynie puking all over my bed and having one student get cold feet.  But... the show must go on, right?!  So we adjusted accordingly and it all worked out!  I was sad that Laynie couldn't be a part of the show.  Her act was the elephant act and she was one cute elephant!  I had Gavin stay home from school to be our clown.  He did a great job at that and he also filled in and did the elephant part as well - bless his heart.

Halloween Day

Halloween day was busy!  Matt worked from home so he could: 1. attend Gavin's costume parade at school, 2. watch Laynie perform a couple Halloween songs in preschool, 3. be home early for trick or treating.

The kids sang, "Witches' Brew" and "I'm a Mean Old Witch with a Hat."  They were adorable.

I let Laynie watch "The Witches" on tv while I put away ALL of the Halloween decorations.  (I was ready for Halloween to be over by this point in the day! LOL.)

Then we ventured out for trick or treats.

Pretty sure this balloon has to do with the movie, "It."  One of the neighbor boys was looking down the gutter for a scary clown...

The night was cold, but the amazing sunset was breath taking.

I copied these photos from Mrs. Schiess' fb group.  I was sad I didn't get to see Gavin in his costume parade or help out with his classroom party.  (The parade was during my preschool times and enough other moms had already signed up to help with the party before I was able to.)

Gavin making a spider web during his class party.  He had a really trying day.  The sights, sounds, and hype of Halloween make it hard for those with SPD...