Christmas Eve, 2010

Dale's sister always puts on quite a spread for us each Christmas Eve!  I try to bring a few things to add, mostly baked goods.  This year Aunt Bonnie had the children play a hide-n-seek game to find their present.  We had plenty of good laughs, good food and good company!

Dale

 Bonnie had Santa hats for all of us to wear, making the evening more festive!

 Ashton

 Again, Brady always the goofy one!

 Even Nan Nan got into the Christmas spirit!

Thanks for having us Aunt Bonnie!  We look forward to it each year!

Kenzie inducted into The Thunderbolt Society

On the last day of school before Christmas break Kenzie was inducted into The Thunderbolt Society at her school.  This honor is given to a select few each month from the fourth and fifth grades based on academic performance and good character traits.  Kaden and I were able to attend the ceremony.

 There were a few extra in the group this month because some were missed the month before.

 Kenzie received a certificate and a pencil.  She will also be invited to a special in-school carnival at the end of the school year for all Thunderbolt Society members.

Kenzie and her Alloway Creek Intermediate School principal, Mrs. Doumont.

Congratulations, Kenzie!  We're proud of you!

Brady turns 16

On December 13th Brady turned sixteen!  We were all set to eat at a new pizza joint that night for his birthday meal.  I had eaten there with a girlfriend the week before and the pizza was delicious!  We get there and the place is closed!  Brady had to settle for his second choice, Infinitos.  I had been instructed not to take any pictures, so I didn't.  I still don't have a picture of Brady after turning 16!  I'd say the pizza at Infinitos was pretty good, or at least Brady thought so, he ate THIRTY slices!  They were not little slivers of pizza either!  Because he didn't get to try out the new pizza place, Dale and I are taking  him there sometime this week.  Brady has still not picked out a birthday gift, although I gave him two of his requests, his own pound of ham and a jar of pickles!

 Here's Brady just prior to his birthday, being his usual goofy self.

Brady charmed two young women at church into making him a birthday cake!  Brady photographed the one Ally and Katie made.  His early morning Seminary teacher also made  him a cake!  I waited until those two cakes were gone before making him one from me.

After Brady turned 16 he was interviewed and found worthy to be ordained a Priest at church.  Today for the first time he blessed the Sacrament before it was passed to the congregation.  He had been practicing the Sacrament prayer for weeks!  He was nervous, but it didn't show.  All went well.

Brady is anxious to begin driving.  He'll have my father's truck to use when that time comes.  We would like for him to be further along in receiving his Eagle Scout before driving.  He's getting there!  I have to admit, I'm ready to have another driver in the house.  It is not unusual for me to make six trips back and forth to the schools in one day between Kaden's pre-school, play practice and three kids in basketball!  Perhaps Kassie will learn along with Brady, although she still has no interest in driving at this point.

Happy Birthday, Brady!

Kassie in "Almost Maine"

Kassie always thought it would be fun to try out for the school play or musical, but never had the nerve to try out for either one.  Finally, as a senior in high school she mustered up the nerve to try out for the school play.  She never once thought she would actually make the cut!  Much to her surprise she was cast in the role of Ginette!  These pictures were all taken after the play was over.  I had forgotten my camera and had to use my iPod, so the pictures aren't the greatest, but certainly better than nothing.

 Almost Maine is composed of eight vignettes, each taking place at the same time...  9 pm on a Friday night in the middle of winter.  So, each character is only seen once, except for Kassie and her love interest in the play, because they were in the prologue and epilogue.  All other characters appeared only once.  It was a different sort of play.

 Here is Kassie with her love interest in the play.

The cast of Almost Maine.

Kassie enjoyed herself so much she decided to try out for the school musical too!  She was thrilled to be cast in the role of Miss Lynch in the musical Grease!  Can't wait to see it!

Trying to update

Back in early November Tim burned the huge pile of rubbish we had collected as we cleaned up around our parent's home.  I didn't get a before picture because by the time I got there he was nearly finished.

 In early November we also began dividing up our parent's belongings.  In this picture Mike debates whether he wants this saw that once belonged to our grandfather.

 We spend two different days deciding what would be ours to keep.  We each picked a number from one to four, number one being first to pick an item, number two picked second and so on.  On the second day we reversed the order.  If you picked number one the first time, now you were number four in the order.  Were there any arguments over who got what?  Truthfully, I would have to say yes.  One such argument was between my oldest brother Mike and my youngest brother Tim.  It went a little something like this:

Tim:  "I'll take Grandpappy's toolbox, unless you wanted it." 

Mike:  "No, you can have it!"

Tim:  "I'm not taking it if you want it!  Really, take it!"

Mike:  "No!  I don't want it if you want it!  You take it!"

Tim:  "Well, what tools do you want from inside?  Pick what you want."

Mike:  "You pick the tools you want first."

Tim:  "No, you pick what you want.  I can take what's left."

I think you get the idea! 

I was thrilled to get my father's wheelbarrow and these four tools leaning up again the garage.  I was just thinking yesterday about the last wheelbarrow ride my father gave me.  He was 70 years old and I was in my early 40's!  Dad wanted to give Kaden a wheelbarrow ride.  Kaden was a toddler and didn't want to go alone so it was suggested that I join him, which I did!  Good memory!

Also in November Kenzie, Kaden and I attended a service at The Lutheran Home in which Pappy was remembered.  That was the second of such services  I attended.

When I think of my father, my heart aches.  If I continue in my thoughts, it's not long before I'm in tears.  As I write this post, it is Christmas Day 2010, the first Christmas without my father.  Still very hard to believe he's gone.  Fortunately, I have a strong testimony in the Plan of Salvation.  I know I'll be together with my parents again one day.  What a joyous reunion that will be!

Ashton plays basketball

This fall a friend of Ashton's convinced her to try out for basketball.  Although Ashton had never played the sport before and knew little of the rules, she was willing to give it a try.   There is only one other girl taller than Ashton, and only by an inch.  Ashton towers over most of her teammates!  At this week's game Ashton scored the first points of the game.  It happened so fast I didn't have my camera ready!  (I'm still mad at myself for that!)  I did manage however, to get her making one of two foul shots.  I have tried several times to upload the video, but to no avail!  I'll try again another time. 

Basketball Video

I realize I'm a month behind with blogging and have a lot of catching up to do!  I just have not felt like blogging, haven't felt like doing anything!  The more we empty my parent's house the more depressed I become!  I did attend Avery and Bryson first basketball game of the season this afternoon.  Here's Avery (number 23) making a basket.  Bryson didn't make a basket, but had the best steal of the game, unfortunately, I didn't capture it with my camera.  Maybe next time.