Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was a great one.  The kids got to celebrate 'early Christmas' with Amy, who was able to come to  Cedar City to visit.  Then, we went to Salt Lake to celebrate the holidays with grandmas, grandpas, cousins, and more!

Marina, Lincoln, and Kyle - Riding the train to Salt Lake City to see the Christmas lights.

Kyle on the Train

One of Marina's new favorite things to do is borrow the camera to take her own pictures of events.  Here are some of her photos. 

The artist's self-portrait

Christmas Party - from Marina's vantage point

Cousin Jaxon thinks he wants a turn with the camera

Cousin Ella makes a funny face

Chritmas morning was a lot of fun.  I snapped this photo as soon as Lincoln had sat down with his presents (his presents included this bike).  In this photo, he had not yet noticed the bike he had to walk around in order to get his stocking.  We had to point the bike out to get him to notice it.  Alas, I did not get a photo of that moment.  

Christmas morning.  Lincoln and the 'invisible' bike.  

Lincoln trying out the new bike.

Marina got a Hello Kitty clock

Marina also got a new doll named Victoria and matching outfits for Victoria and Marina.

Christmas morning with the cousins

More Christmas morning fun

The kids also spent time with their cousins Will and Petra.  Marina and Petra play so cute together!

Marina and Petra

Aunt Melissa painted their faces.  A snow fairy and the abominable snowman!

Lincoln and Marina LOVE spending time with all their cousins.  The rest of the photos are of fun with their cousins. 

Marina and Jaxon, a big baby at 6 months

Marina, Lincoln, Kyle, Ella, and Carter at the Living Planet Aquarium

Marina at the Living Planet Aquarium

Lincoln at the Living Planet Aquarium

More fun with cousins

Lincoln and Marina really LOVE to play with their cousin Jaxon!

Lincoln and Jaxon

Marina and Jaxon

We have a couple of pieces of big news.  Lincoln was cast in a children's production of Peter Pan.  He is Nibs, one of the Lost Boys.  The performances will be then end of March, and he will be busy with rehearsals until then.  Check back here for photos and video as it comes together.

We also have bought a new house.  It is in the same neighborhood, so the kids won't have to change schools.  We will be moving in the next couple of weeks, and I will post photos of the new house as soon as we are settled, or at least somewhat settled.

Thanksgiving, Christmas Preparations, and School Happenings

Marina Channeling the French.  She only knows a couple of words, but walks around in her hat with her small dog, saying "oui, oui."

Making Apple Cider at Iron Mission Days at Frontier Homestead Museum.

Making Apple Cider at Iron Mission Days at Frontier Homestead Museum.

Iron Mission Days at Frontier Homestead Museum

Iron Mission Days at Frontier Homestead Museum

Lincoln got a citizenship award at school for being a peacemaker

Marina got a citizenship award at school for having a good attitude

Lincoln and Marina with their citizenship awards

Marina made an Indian outfit at school for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving dinner at the kids table.  Lincoln got to sit with the grown ups!

After Thanksgiving dinner, the kids put on a play.  This is Lincoln's costume for the play.

 Here is the play in its entirety.  The actors are all over the place, the plot is difficult to follow, but there is certainly a lot of enthusiasm.  Not unlike other plays I have seen.

Marina and her cousin Ella playing

Sassy Cousins

Lincoln feeding his cousin Jax.  Lincoln was the best at getting him to laugh too.

Christmas Light parade in Ogden.  Cold but fun!

Christmas at the Homestead

Marina has been very good

Lincoln has been very good too!

Merry Christmas to All!

Lincoln after his Christmas program at school 

Lincoln's school choir performed at the hospital's festival of lights. Lincoln is on the second row a little right of center. His head appears and disappears throughout the videos. Of course it does.

Latest Family Photos (well, from September)

school pictures 2011

Whew!

What a month!  Ryan and I are a little road weary after several trips this month.  The kids got to have Joseph and Britannia stay with them (their favorite babysitters), so they did not really mind.  I visited Capitol Reef National Park during one of my trips - here are a couple of shots of Cathedral Valley.  

 We attended the Halloween carnival at church, and Lincoln and Marina loved it.  They got to wear their Halloween costumes a little early, and they played games with sweets!

 After bobbing for powdered doughnuts. . .

 We also carved a couple of pumpkins for the holiday.  Marina's is a cat with the full moon.

 Lincoln's is the Headless Horseman, and he was so excited for Halloween, he could not stand it!

 Happy Halloween!

 A closeup of fairy makeup.  Her hair is also full of glitter.

 A beautiful, powerful fairy on Halloween night.

 Boba Fet is in the house (or rather the yard).

 The Force vs. Fairy Magic.

Just before Halloween, we went to the Cedar Livestock Heritage Festival.  The weather was a little chilly for the parade, so the kids bundled up.



The parade was mostly tractors, farm equipment and sheep camps.  Some of the farm equipment would turn around and show off for the crowd.  It was pretty fun!

 The finale of the parade was a herd of 1,000+ sheep headed trotting down the street.  The kids loved it!