Breakfast with Santa

We kicked off our holiday season with a very early visit from Santa Claus this year.  I loved having it so early because it just felt like we got in the Christmas spirit so early.  After a delicious breakfast as always, we cleaned up and waited for Santa to arrive.  My absolute favorite part of the day is watching my kids' faces when Santa arrives.  Look at that joy!  

My kids are always so patient waiting for their turn to go up.  

Daxton went first and asked for a Dreamzz Lego set.  

Kelton went next and whispered in Santa's ear so I actually don't know what that sneaky little dude asked for.  

McKenzie said she didn't need anything but after some pressing said she'd like some more make-up.  

Cambrie asked for another puppy, but we all just laughed because Moki is already our Christmas miracle.  

Something new and special this year was that Santa brought his naughty and nice list!  My kids were able to go look through the list to find their name and see how they did this year.  The relief on their faces when they saw they were on the nice list was priceless.

My not-so-little fam.

Candid party pictures.

 

Airborne

On cold, snowy days kids still need to get out their wiggles.  So we went with the Rogers to Airborne Trampoline Park.  The boys laughed and said, "They made this place just for us!"  It's true. Everything my boys like to do was squeezed under one roof.  McKenzie was able to use her strength to conquer every and loved tumbling on the tumble tracks.  Watching my confident kids in places like these makes me smile.

 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was celebrated in Utah.  We gathered in Logan for a few days first where we hung out with cousins and then had Thanksgiving dinner round 1.

McKenzie and Ryan loving their Rubiks cubes.

Conga line!

This reminds me of when we first got Moki and he hung out with Cambrie in that same spot.

Group picture before dinner.  We were missing Jeremy but otherwise it's the most complete family picture we've had in awhile.

The kid table.

The teenager corner.

Feasting!

Good morning sleepy heads.

Then we drove down to South Jordan for the actual holiday and our annual turkey trot.  Things were a little hectic because Aly had a health scare, so we weren't able to get a full family photo.  But here are the kids with their championship medals.  

All of them ran the 5k this year.  McKenzie had Jeremy pace her and she finished with a a 28:25.  She was really proud of that.  Kelton and Stockton ran together and crossed with a 33:14.  Daxton was with me and his goal was to run the whole time without walking.  We had one short break up a hill and to get a drink, but he really did run and finished with a 35:26. I was so impressed by him.  Looking at his splits he even negative split it.  

So proud of these kiddos!

November moments

Amid all of the structured activities, here are some moments during November that made me pause and appreciate my life.

A sunrise that took my breath away.

Daxton actually stopping to play with a friend on the walk home from school.  

Having a very random night to ourselves where we ate chicken wings at the park.

Cuddle attack on the couch.

McKenzie's room is going through a teenager transformation and it's looking great so far.

Binge watching Netflix with the girls.

Trying to lure back the squirrels to our backyard.  They've been missing and the kids want their friendly faces back.

Moki knows that it he waits long enough, Jeremy will likely toss him a piece of his lunch...or breakfast...or snack...or dinner.

Making decisions can be hard!  Cambrie was trying to decide if she should register for an HXP humanitarian trip next summer or not.  This is how it was going.

Taxi dog in cat mode.

Bouldering Comps

Kelton has made the climbing team at our local rock climbing gym.  Right now it's bouldering season and he has absolutely loved every minute of it.  He has had three comps so far this season.  There's been a bit of a learning curve as we figure out how to climb strategically and what the comps entail.  When he tops a route he is so ecstatic.  When he falls he doesn't let it get him down and he'll keep going back as many times as they'll let him.  

He is so in his element, it is awesome watching him do what he loves.

Cello recital

Cambrie is still loving playing the cello.  She loves her teacher.  She loves how playing calms her.  She has yet to love recitals.  They still make her nervous but she did so well this last time!  

She stayed calm, her hands didn't shake, and she smiled when she was done.  I love hearing her play.