1.1.11

Happy New Year! After spending the first half of the evening in our home with the Williams' and Jarchow's eating yummy food, playing some poker, and watching some awesome dance moves, we all headed into Seattle to watch the fireworks show off the Space Needle. Marcus took us to his amazing corner office on the 39th floor of the Bank of America building where we had a spectacular view. We ended the night with a toast and best wishes for a new year! We feel pretty lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends here in Washington!



The new year started a big rough for poor Ty who caught a nasty cold on Christmas Day eve but he was still a trooper, along with Sage and Connor who surprised us and made it to midnight!!!

December 25, 2010

Well, it was a little after 7 a.m. and who was awake? Well, it wasn't who you'd suspect! It was me! I listened closely, expecting to hear the the quiet whispers of the kids as they sorted through presents trying to figure out which ones were for who. Amazingly, I was greeted by silence! I then thought to myself well this is awkward. I'm awake and no one else is!!! I guess that's the one advantage of kids going to bed so late on Christmas eve...

So here's the traditional "before the storm" photo in front of the tree.



This year, the kids really didn't ask for much. The boys were only interested in Nerf (as if we needed any more Nerf guns laying around the house) and as long as they keep getting bigger and better, I'll keep hearing about how much they need them...



All Sage asked for was a "Barbie Babysitter" that she had seen at Costco. I think the main thing she cared about was the little "talking potty" that came with it. She also had wanted a "pink" sled. That was a bit tougher to find but luckily Santa came through and found one. We've pretty much determined that if it's pink or Barbie, Sage will love it!!!




Aside from Nerf, all Connor had mentioned were Harry Potter books and video games! His wishes were granted and boy was he happy!



Ty couldn't have been happier to receive a second Nerf gun from Grandma and Grandpa. Thankfully we we were able to come up with a few other things he was thrilled to get! If it needs to be built, he will love it!



Sadly, the Kinect which I purposely never mentioned to the boys before Christmas because I wanted it to be an unexpected surprise didn't get the jaw dropping excitement I had hoped for. I had to pretty much point out to the kids there was still one gift under the tree that needed to be opened. I think the fact it was addressed to all three kids made it less desirable to open. That all changed once we had friends come over in the evening and we had a dance jam! Within a short time, it was quite the hit. If Sage was 16 I'd probably not be too excited watching some of her moves from Dance Central but at 4, she looks absolutely adorable! Photos of the dance session? Well no, thankfully the Xbox already has taken over 700 for us... Boy who would have ever imagined we'd be communicating to our TV with our hand?!



Every year I say I'm going to get a picture of the kids with all their stuff they got and every year I forget until right before bed after everything has been taken out of it's boxes and played with. There have been several occasions when my mom or a friend has asked "what do you get a 6 year old?", etc. I am pretty good about capturing photos from their birthdays but never seem to get one from Christmas so this year I told the kids to put their stuff out so I could have a record of it! Try not to pay close attention to Barbie's wardrobe malfunction. We're just having to accept the idea that Barbie's halter top works better as a belt...




Finally after a tasty dinner, we invited some friends over to hang out, eat desserts, and test their skills at Kinect. Who knew Jack would end up with a five star performance on Dance Central!!! Of course I determined that it must have something to do with the fact that Jack is much larger than me so it's easier for the camera to register and tract his moves...haha! Let's just say you'll never see me on Dancing with the Stars but you just may see my partners in crime, Tricia and Susannah...



It's hard to post an entry like this and not emphasize how grateful we are for all of our blessings including our health, home, and family. We recognize that these precious things can so easily be taken from us at any time but thankfully because of our Savior and his gospel, our family, will forever remain intact. We pray this new year is one full of many more cherished moments with family and friends and our hearts are full for those we know and love who are suffering in their own personal lives. Our prayers are always with you. Cheers to a happy new year!

T'was the night before Christmas...

So this year we spent Christmas eve at Michele's! We met some new friends (with the exception of the George's and some of their extended family who we already knew), enjoyed some great food including my all time favorite prime rib, watched a mini talent show and broke out new pajamas for the kids!

My shoe loving friend and host...



Here the kids are performing their talent which included Ty doing some yo yo moves to their football theme song (thankfully all vases were still intact at the end of his performance), Sage singing I've got a Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas, and Connor having a staring contest (which he did indeed win). True talent at it's best...




Michele had all of the parents bring along new pajamas for the kids so they could all unwrap them and wear them home. Since the majority of the time the boys pj's are spent on their floor rather than on their body, I went with long john's that they could use when skiing or under clothing. I knew I'd have to spice them up somehow though so got them their first pairs of slippers. Who knew claw slippers would be such a hit?!?



Then it was time to come home and have our own small family home evening focused on the birth of Christ and his role in our lives. After doing some reading, the kids select one present to open. Sage and Connor opened up Ty's gifts he had purchased for them. This was an especially sweet gesture since Ty still wanted to buy them something knowing that Connor and Sage didn't have enough money to buy him something. He didn't mind one bit and was so excited to give them the gifts he had gotten for them! He was smart though and selected the Mashoonga's for Connor which wouldn't be much fun without a 2nd person to beat up on...




After a late night out I was so thankful to have been better this year about getting most of my wrapping done before Christmas eve. At around 11, the kids finally made their way to bed. Thankfully they did so without checking out the Norad website or they would have been very disappointed to see that Santa had come and gone through Seattle right as they were making their way up to bed.

Here at home it was a busy year for Santa so he could be heard snoring at around 11:30 while Mrs. Clause finished up some last minute work. After her work was complete, she enjoyed the calm before the storm...

signs of the season...

1. A beautiful amaryllis plant from my friend Michele. I've never had one that actually bloomed, not to mention one that bloomed right during the week of Christmas!



2. Ty was determined to make our upstairs landing look more festive so he found some ribbon to add to our garland and lights!



3. Looking forward to getting the mail!!!



On the other hand we ran into Christmas Card Crisis!!! Once again I mistakenly way under ordered Christmas cards this year. I quickly ordered a new one from Costco and again ran out... Note to self: Update the Christmas card list BEFORE ordering!!!

4. Hiding presents and then forgetting where I hid them...a sign of the season and a sign of old age!!!

5. Missing packages in the mail... Heather you and I both know someone is enjoying that Starbucks cold cup and unfortunately it isn't you!!!

6. One full trunk!

7. pomegranates and caramels

8. A well read "Great Big Christmas Toy Catalog" from Toysrus

9. Candle lights in the windows

10. Being mindful of all we have, where it came from, and never taking it for granted!

3rd grade holiday parade!

Right before the holiday break, the 3rd graders at CVES study holiday traditions from around the world. The highlight though is taking what they've learned and sharing it with the rest of the school in a parade format! Some kids dress up, others display posters and some even put together floats. Connor was excited because he was selected in his class to be St. Nicholas (care of his teacher who had the costume already). He then asked Ty if he wanted to be Black Pete who I've been told is St. Nicholas' apprentice. Ty's not one to play someone's assistant but he was quite excited for this role. I've since learned that Black Pete is a bit controversial. Welcome to the 21st century where everything seems to be a bit controversial or politically incorrect...

Our handsome St. Nicholas...



Here they come...



It would just be too much out of character for Ty to have a stick in his hand and NOT hit some of his buddies with it...



Team Roddy:

3rd Grade Winter Concert!

A little ear piercing at times but nonetheless, a treat! I was so proud of the boys and the enthusiasm they showed during this performance! This was the first year they appeared to be doing more than a lip sync. Connor, who hates to sing was singing right along and Ty was stealing the show with his dance moves as he sung. Several people approached me after to comment on Ty's performance and encourage me to get him into the entertainment business. And a couple other parents ended up video taping him because they thought he was so hilarious. Here are a few shots from the night. Unfortunately I didn't bring our camcorder...

Our sweet Connor got selected to be a greeter, handing out programs to families as they entered the school:



All smiles and waves before the performance! Ty was on one end and Connor on the other side on the back row in green:


The proud boys after knowing this was as performance mom would be proud of!!!

And with a blink of an eye Thanksgiving is gone!

This year's Thanksgiving week was fun! We started with a winter storm on Monday that dumped over 6" of snow on us and basically brought Seattle to a halt. School was cancelled, Jack got to "work from home", the kids went sledding, and I did the unthinkable, I decided to decorate for Christmas before the Thanksgiving turkey had even been served, something I have never done! Since we were spending this Thanksgiving with friends in their home I didn't have much to do so the Christmas ornaments started calling my name!

If I had my way Thanksgiving would take place in January! Wouldn't it be nice spending Thanksgiving writing thank yous rather than Christmas lists? Wouldn't it be nice for our children to have a day set aside AFTER Christmas for them to reflect on all their blessings, even the ones that come wrapped and placed under a tree? It would definitely lessen the after-Christmas low that takes place for me every year as I pull down all the Christmas decorations that first week in January!

I must admit though it was really nice to return from a fun Thanksgiving evening to a home that was fully decorated and a weekend with nothing to do...with the exception of our annual trip to the mall for photos with Santa! The last couple years we've figured out that the best time to do this is on Thanksgiving weekend. So off we went on Friday late afternoon after the Black Friday shopping madness had died down and again we ended up having Santa all to ourselves. Not only is their no line but on this weekend only they give the kids a stuffed animal and they throw in a few wallets when you purchase their pricey 5X7. The primary motivator for me though for going this early is that the kids know that once they tell Santa what they want, it's difficult to contact him if they change their mind so they are very careful to tell him only things they know they really want! I love capturing them as they each tell Santa what's on their list. Of course, I quickly ask them after for a run down of what they told him... I'm not sure how much longer the spirit of Santa will exist in our home, at least for the boys but for now he's alive and well!