Second Degree

Michael successfully tested last Friday for his 2nd Degree Black Belt. He had to make up his own form that was as many moves long as his dad is old. I tried to tell the instructors that his dad was 112, but nobody believed me. I think we are getting ready to take a break from taekwondo for a while, but he sure has enjoyed it these past three and a half years.

Sledding

This was our children's first experience with sledding and they loved it! I thought they would never tire of going down the hill every way they could think of and then trudging back to the top to do it all over again. It didn't seem to matter that they were all a bit wet and at least a little cold. This adventure was everything they hoped it would be and it was refreshing to watch them all having so much fun.

Temple Square

While in Utah we met up with my sister, Stefani, and her family, my parents, and my nephews, Zachary & Andrew. We met in Salt Lake to have dinner and to visit the light display at Temple Square. For several in our group, this was a first-time experience. It was cold! The children didn't seem to mind, though. They had fun sliding on the ice and looking at all the lights. Trying to get that many people to look in the same direction is quite a task!

Christmas 2008

We spent this Christmas in Utah with Michael's family and most of the LeFevre cousins. The original plan had been to stay at home and travel to Utah the day after Christmas. However, with an impending snow storm we though it would be best to leave earlier. It snowed most of Christmas day and my children were all very excited about that. They never seemed to tired of going out into the snow, getting wet, freezing half to death, coming in for hot chocolate, drying out, and repeating the whole process. Also, this was the first time in several years that Grandma LeFevre got to see them open the pajamas she gave them. Joel was especially excited about the hippopatamus that Santa left in his stocking. He has been singing "I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas" for several weeks now. Noah, Jacob, and Joel each received large Lego sets which required the help of Mom & Dad and cousins Luek & Mark. Now let's just hope they stay together long enough to play with! Emma was also happy with her very large puzzle. This, too, required the help of several family members - Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Cherie, cousin Mark, and Mom! We finally finished it and even managed to transport it home relatively put together.

I love this time of year and am always amazed at the many blessing we have received. It is a magical time to spend with our children and our extended family. Now, if I just start planning now for next year.....

Yesterday the boys finished the soccer season. I know all of you non-Arizonans don't feel sorry for us, but it was only thirty-eight degress outside! This made for a very cold morning. Noah had a difficult time keeping those goalie hands warm. The boys are already talking about their next season. Mom and Dad are enjoying a break from all the practices.

Christmas Concert

Emma wanted to record herself playing her new Christmas song, the Carol of the Bells. Click on the video below to hear her mini concert.

Gingerbread House

This year we decided to build a gingerbread house from scratch. The book we bought said this was the easiest one. It was a good thing, too, because it took us a couple of weekends to complete. We learned a lot and are already planning how to make next year's house bigger and better.