The Nativity

Scott, Samantha, Brett, and JD were cast members in our Stake Nativity Pageant this year.




Scott was the innkeeper, Samantha was his daughter. Brett and JD were shepherds.



It was very simple, no speaking parts, just music and narration. The set was stunning. These photos don't do it justice.



I went to 2 of the 5 performances and really enjoyed it. Scott commented to me that he thought participating in the show was a wonderful way to bring the Christmas Spirit into the season.



Clara getting excited for the show to begin.

The second time we went she figured out how to climb onto the set.

Trying to get away and sneak back on stage.

This adorable photo was taken by our friend, Jayden. She has serious photography skills and she's only 16.

Update: Lazy Saturday

All the kids slept great last night. I think I slept better than anyone.

Everyone seems to be back to normal this morning. Scott left the house while it was still dark to go play floor hockey.

The four older kids are in the kitchen making Perler Bead creations. It's Nathan's first time, and he's doing great.

Clara is still in bed. She might be awake, but I haven't heard any noises yet. Hopefully she will be feeling better today.

JD has a hockey game this afternoon. He is so excited about it because his team is currently in 3rd place, but if they win today they will move up to 2nd in the league.

Other than some piano practice and homework to catch up on, we don't have any other plans. Looking forward to cleaning the house, finishing up some laundry, and getting ready for a Fireside we are hosting tomorrow night.

And getting photos from the last month off of my camera.

Update: January Sickness

This is an excerpt from an email I sent my sisters this evening. I thought it was a good summary of the last couple days around here:

Our kids have been sick since Wednesday evening when Samantha started throwing up before bed. Just after 2:00 AM, JD joined in.

And then last night it was Clara's turn - starting after midnight and continuing on every 45-60 minutes until morning, same as the others.

I haven't slept more than 2 hours at a time since Wednesday. I've cleaned up so much vomit that my hands are dry, cracked, and raw from all the hand-washing. The last thing I want to do is spread the germs.

Scott, myself, Brett, and Nathan have been okay so far (knock on wood) but I'm thinking since everyone else was a bit staggered, we might be next.

The good part is that I've taught my kids where they can vomit, in order or priority. Toilets and sinks are best. Second are the puke bowls they must have beside them at all times. Third is on their beds, or into their shirts or laps, or on the bathroom tile, or hardwood floor.

Most of all they know that they can never, under any circumstances, get sick on the carpet, no matter what. I can wash bedding, blankets, towels, clothes, pajamas, floors, couches, skin and hair, and have done so several times during the past 48 hours. But puke on the carpet is unforgivable.

The other good thing is that it seems to be a short-lived virus as Samantha and JD are both back to normal today. Basically a 24-36 hour thing.

Hopefully Clara will be okay soon, although she still has a high fever.

Some more good things I can mention:

I took a wonderful nap this afternoon, while Samantha held down the fort. One hour of much needed rest.

I have a good sized washing machine that can wash a huge load of dirty clothes and bedding all at once. It's been running non-stop for 2 days.

Scott and I were going to go away next week, but on Wednesday morning we decided to cancel our trip. I am so glad we did!

It feels weird blogging about yucky sickness when there are so many more exciting things on my ever-growing list of things I need to blog about, such as Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, a visit from my sister and brother, a trip to Edmonton, a new niece and nephew, and oh so much more.

I will try to fit some of that in soon... right now I need to go fold some laundry.

Ice Skating on Christmas Day

JD was so excited to be the first one to skate on the backyard rink... which was finally ready on Christmas Day.

I think this rink was his favourite gift of all. His new skates were probably a close second.

Merry Christmas!

JD's Birthday: Part 2

We had a party for JD and his friends at our house. Guess what the theme was... ?


The loot bags... filled with NHL wrist bands, hockey cards, a puck, water bottle, and hockey treats. Oh, and Play On! t-shirts.

The cupcakes had NHL team chocolates on top.

We started the party off with a bunch of games downstairs. Scott and I were a great team. I planned the games and he ran them. We played lots of old fashioned games (musical chairs and pass the present) but they all had some sort of hockey twist.


Presents were opened.



They came upstairs for cupcakes and snacks.

We played NHL Bingo until the parents came to pick up the guests.


Nathan was at his friend's birthday party the same day and came home dressed like a pirate.

JD's Birthday: Part 1

We had a birthday dinner for JD on his actual birthday.

He requested fish, potatoes, corn, buns, and jell-o for dinner. There was so much food, he needed two plates!

We were happy to have Nana and Papa come down for the occasion.


Samantha and Hali made a balloon person. So creative!

The cake was Dark Chocolate with Mousse topping in lieu of icing. I was too slow to get a picture before the candles were gone.


Opening presents...




Video chatting with the Alberta cousins!

Landon checking out the camera.

Happy Birthday JD!

It's Beginning to Look a Little More Like Christmas...

Snow Days

Last weekend we got our first snow of the season. Up until then it had been ridiculously warm. The night we set up our Christmas tree it was pouring rain.

But December came, and the weather changed... and we got snow.

Lots and lots of snow.

Our kids had not one, not two, but three snow days this week!

So... we hibernated in the house for three days. We ate soup and homemade baked goods, watched Christmas movies, sipped hot chocolate, wrapped presents, and pretended we were having an early Christmas vacation.

The only time we went outside the house was to build snow forts and go sledding and work on the backyard ice rink and shovel the driveway.

And when I say "we", I mean Scott and the kids, of course.

I stayed inside by the fireplace to stay warm keep an eye on Nathan and Clara while they napped and watched Dora.

Sweetness

Today I was explaining to my sister how hard it is to get Clara in trouble.

Despite the fact that she is constantly getting into mischief of one kind... or another.

As soon as I tell her "No", before I have any time to get upset, she turns into this little ball of sweetness who agrees with me wholeheartedly on every point.

It goes something like this:

I walk into the room and see Clara covered from head to toe in marker.

Me: Clara! We don't colour on our bodies.

Clara: Okay Mommy. (hands me the marker)

Me: See your legs? (Arms, face, hands, feet, etc)? They are all messy now. That is naughty!

Clara: Okay. That's naughty.

Me: You need to apologize to Mommy.

Clara: Sorry Mommy. (gives me a big hug)

Me: Clara, please. We only colour on paper. Nothing else.

Clara: Okay. Paper.

Then she gives me a look something like this:


And I forgive and forget and lose complete sight of the fact that she's coloured on herself (or the walls, floors, important papers, etc.) almost daily for the past 3 months.

Then I go find one of the older kids and threaten punishment if they don't stop leaving their markers lying around the house.