We ordered papa murphy’s pizza, watched a movie from 1951: The African Queen. The 3 oldest boys really enjoyed it, the 3 youngest slowly went away to a different movie.
Fun busy day! Love my family.

Cold temps keeping us indoors at all times, Christmas fast approaching, and the to do list endlessly long had me a bit concerned for the long Christmas break from school.  What would we ever do with 6 kids for two weeks?  Not to worry, we played hard and enjoyed fun times together!

We stuck with tradition for many Christmas events.  This year Kimball made our traditional bread bears to deliver to friends.  We reenacted the Nativity on Christmas eve.  The kids wore new pj’s and got tucked into bed . . .  and Christmas morning came really quick.  What fun!  Eigen helped open most of the presents and needed to try everything.  The funnest present opening was Kimball’s box of balloons.  He asked for a million dollars and Santa brought him cash in balloons.  At first all the kids were confused until Calvin discovered the balloons had stuff inside, then the popping fun began!  Logan is loving his ripstick and Calvin is cruising on roller blades.

We enjoyed some nice sunshine, still cold, but pleasant-to-play-outside days.  We have had lots of fun sledding, Eigen is fearless and could sled over the jumps all day.  We checked out the harbor, walked out on the frozen lake, and rode the new mini bike.

The party never stops!  Two birthdays, New Years, and Bridget’s baptism brought us into January.  It is great to be 8!  It was exciting to have so much family join us for Bridget’s baptism day.  It was a special day that she will treasure.

I loved having the kids home for two weeks.  In retro-spec it was awesome to have a whole week after Christmas to relax and play together.  The stress of preparing was past.  It was precious wonderful family time.

Moving forward and back to school was a challenge.  Life is always exciting.  Logan had his first gymnastics meet.  He placed 6th in his division!  Calvin and Bridget have joined Kimball in the ranks of piano lessons.  Sterling is all about friends, always having friends over or on the go to their homes.  Eigen turned 3 January 22, happy birthday little man!  He thinks he is very clever, taking off and going around the block all by himself on his trike or “cooter.”

Decorating Christmas tree for FHE

Bridget Christmas dance recital

Kimball Choir concert

Santa Clause

Live Nativity

We hope you are enjoying this Christmas season, we are!

Bridget Dance Recital–Wednesday Dec 4th 6pm
Kimball Choir Concert–Thursday Dec 5th
Calvin Shelley Sounds Choir Concert– Wednesday Dec 18th 5:30
Bridget Baptism–Saturday January 4th
Logan gymnastic competitions in Jan, Feb, and March

Ready, set, go for the Rowbury Easter egg hunt.

Eigen went for orange eggs at first, to match his shovel.  He quickly switched to gathering all colors of eggs.

Sunday- Easter morning ready for Church.  Sterling did not want to have a picture and Kimball was already at Church.

Bridget wanted to be the Easter bunny.  She hid the eggs after Easter dinner for another egg hunt.  Eigen was prepared with two baskets.

Eigen the climber loves the fire hydrant.

We had a fun Easter weekend.  We went to Driel’s for another egg hunt in the evening.  Bonus dessert too.  It was super fun to spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles.

School pictures

Calvin's birthday and awards at pack meeting

Fall break, carving pumpkins, Halloween party and first snow.

The annual Rowbury "Halloweenie Roast"

Halloween parade at school and the Trunk or Treat! Yummy day.

Wild riders Kimball, Calvin and Logan

Eigen wanted Daddy's glasses.

Bridget being the flag holder

Easy ride for the littles

Williams family joined in the fun.

Eigen fell asleep!

How many cheetos can you fit in your mouth?

Kimball trying to eat all those cheetos

back at the dock

It was a fun day.  We are all a bit tired from playing and soaking in the sun’s rays.

Tonight at Family Home Evening it was Sterling’s turn to choose a fun song.  He wanted to sing “Ninja Bends.”  We were at a total loss and told him to sing it first so we could learn the song.  He says something about you know how everything bends…aha the light comes on, he wanted to sing “Hinges” like I’m all made of hinges cause everything bends.    So I guess we don’t have hinges we are all amazing ninja’s!!!

Sterling is now a Sunbeam. He is the “little guy” according to the others in his Sunbeam/CTR 4 class. Sharing time was about agency and how every choice has a consequence. The kids got to take turns holding a choice/consequence stick. One child said a good choice and the other child answered. For example: “clean your room before your mom asks” Bridget got to tell the consequence “your mom will be amazed!” “Eat your fruits and vegetables” Sterling responded in a sweet tiny voice “you will be healfy.” Both answers were quite precious and sincerely thought out.

Hope 2012 is a wonderful year for all.