Superstar Jared

December has been a very busy month for Jared. I didn't get pictures of it, but he competed in the Oral Language Festival at the district level after winning his classroom , his grade level and school competition. He didn't move on to Regionals, but I'm hoping his success this year will motivate him to actually practice and put some effort into his performance. I was teaching him about talents and how we need to develop them. I told him that he is very talented in public speaking, drama etc. He says, "I don't want that talent." Hmmm. He also sang a solo in sacrament meeting with the primary children. He sounded so good, but he doesn't want that talent either. Next, he received a student of the month award.

And lastly, he performed with his school's beginning band. He was on trumpet. Pretty fun!

Jared is such a great kid!

Ballet Class

It was parent observation day at Jacey's ballet class.

Can't help but show that personality.

She got some air on that leap.

They did a dance at the end for the parents.

Christmas Adventures

Last Saturday, Amy and I took our girls to see the Nutcracker. We had a great girls day out.
Jacey and Alyssa

Pretty Amy and Alyssa waiting for the show to start.

Best Friends!

Me and Jacey

Later that night was the ward Christmas party.

Jared refused to sit on Santa's lap and Jackson went hysterical.

Thanksgiving 2009

I finally updated our blog after a month--be sure to check out our Savior of the World pics below the Disney ones--I started that entry awhile ago, so it posted before the Disney one. Life has sure been busy. We had a great Thanksgiving in town with my side of the family. Jared and Jamey made their traditional cheese ball.
Grandma with Jackson

Jackson loves the playhouse

All the grandkids on my side including Jake's new baby Corbin.

Jared-10, Jackson-2, Jaden-7, Jacey-5

I thought it was cute Jaden and JoJo had the same missing tooth smile. She knocked hers out on the kitchen floor.

Disney Again

Last Friday, we managed to get out of town and visit Disneyland again! It was this little boy's first time and everyone was excited about it. We finally decided to bring him along after leaving him at home on previous trips. The kids discussed and planned for weeks about who would sit by Jackson on what ride. We went down on Thursday evening and stayed with our friends, the Zollingers, who were so nice to let us use them for a hotel. They are conveniently located just 10-15 minutes from Disneyland's main gates.

I managed to get the camera out a few times. Visiting Disneyland with our WHOLE family for the first time EVER was busy. But everyone did a great job!

Waiting for Dumbo

After all that ride position talk, Jackson mostly rode with John on everything. You can see the top of his head here.

Jaden rode by himself.

Great day!

Silly boys

Waiting for John after one of our split ups.

Jacey and Jackson- Jacey rode Splash Mountain for the first time. She was terrified but was very brave. I told her she had to pick one ride to go one that she hadn't been on before, and if she did it, I wouldn't bother her the rest of the day about going on the others. She chose Splash Mountain and we sat together in the back. Unfortunately, we were riding with a bunch of 20 year old boys who thought it was great to scream loudly the whole and time and have water fights. We hardly got wet on the ride, but I got soaked by the boys riding with us. I yelled, "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!" I think they felt bad. Good. When we came out of the ride, John had Tigger Tails for us!! YUM!!!

Jacey

More posing

He was such a good boy and was not afraid of anything!

Jacey was thrilled to catch the whole HSM 3 performance. We walked by it when were there in September, but it was 103 degrees outside and there was no way I was sitting outside to watch it.

She was picked to go up and dance.

Jared and Jaden- Jaden went on Tower of Terror for the first time (twice!) and loved it.

Jared resting his legs at the parade.

Dancing in the streets before the parade

Waiting for mom and Jared to zoom by on California Screamin.

We were there on the first day of the Christmas decorations. Disney knows how to do it right. Missed getting a picture of the huge tree in the park though.

Finally tuckered out after a full day at the park. Waiting for the tram. Too bad this didn't last. He woke up when we put him in the car and screamed for an hour before falling back asleep. It was a great day though and we hope to do it again soon!!

Savior of the World

I am finally posting. It's been a month. John, Jaden and I had the wonderful opportunity to be in our stake's presentation of the Savior of the World. John had a main part--Cleopas--Jaden was a Micham's nephew, a temple boy and an angel, and I was in the Angel Chorus. It was a great experience and we had so much fun getting to know other members of our stake.
Jaden- a temple boy

Here I am in the choir loft singing with the angels.

Jaden

John and his right hand man, Christopher Slaughter, singing a duet.

John and Chris

John did a great job!!

John with some of the apostles

Rehearsal

Behind the scenes

Jaden had fun running around with Nate Krumm

The kids hanging out backstage

Angel Jaden

Jaden and Nate

John as angel and Christopher as Nephi- 1st Act

2nd Act- Cleopas and the disciple

John and Mark Williams--institute director

Us as angels

Jaden was so tired-we were at the Stake Center for 10+ hours on Saturday.

John decided to shave his beard the minute we walked in the door after the last performance. Let's face it. I was glad to see it gone too. He had it for over 3 months!

He took at least 10 years off--nice cuts on his neck. :)

We had such a great time; it was bittersweet when it was over!