Christmas Eve we read the story of Jesus' birth and had the kids help build a nativity scene.
It was also fun to get to see the ornaments on Theresa's tree and their significance like this missionary angel ornament for when Brian was on a mission.
Then we let the kids each open one present. Jonas opened a present from Sydney, a toy car. And Sydney opened her present from Grandma and Grandpa Tuck, a Rapunzel doll whose hair glows when you brush her hair.
Sydney rushed to Dad giving him a hug thinking Rapunzel was from him and we had to tell her to thank her grandma!
Then this is cute, she started dancing while brushing Rapunzel's hair! big hit!
Then, Brian started a fire for us and we enjoyed some time by the fire and roasting some marshmallows.
I'm a little late in posting things from October but here are some pictures of Halloween night! We went over to Drea's neighborhood and we hadn't planned it but our kids' costumes really went well together! Liam was a knight, Sydney a princess, Scarlett a witch and Jonas a dragon! Worked well! Then Uncle Ian was an executioner. Now, Tessa, Brian and I were nerds and Tessa asked how we went along. I said that we were nerds playing Dungeons and Dragons and the kids were our role-playing characters. I think that works!!
Some hilarious pumpkins we saw
Even Drea's dog Eva was all dressed up for Halloween! But poor puppy, no one was handing out doggy treats.
The stash! Jonas' bucket was filled to capacity more than once and we would dump some in Sydney's bag to make more room! When Sydney and Liam complained of having to carry their heavy trick or treat bags, we knew it was time to go home!
Jonas was pretty slow moving. I think he and Scarlett found the decorations more interesting than the idea of candy. We got him to say at least "Candy please" wherever we went.
A very fun Halloween! I know the kids had a blast!
Sydney and Jonas' first chance to wear their costumes was for our ward's Fall Festival. They had a blast! I was really surprised that Jonas would keep his costume on, even the head part! As I would get him dressed in it, he would say "head, head". So he definitely liked that part of it! He also LOVED getting candy!
Sydney especially loved the cake walk!
Here are the kids decorating their pumpkins before the fall festival. We had them sit outside our door as we handed out candy.
Here is Sydney with her friend Peyton!
Jonas waving hi to everyone.
Sydney having some fun fishing!
And there I am as a nerd!
And here is Sydney doing a mash-up of some costumes! She got this wedding playing dress from her Aunt Drea on her birthday and then she decided to be a super bride!
Here are some more shots of Sydney and Jonas, this time before they went to a Carnival at their cousin Liam's school.
And here's a video of them saying Trick-or-treat. It was easier for Jonas to say "Candy, please".
The kids and I have been having some fun the last couple of weeks. Have some photos to share with you about our adventures!
August 2nd
A quick video Sydney playing hopscotch. She saw on an episode of "Blue's Clues" where Blue learned to play and so Sydney wanted to, too :)
August 4th
In the morning, we went to the Kids' Workshop at Home Depot and the kids got to build stuff. I met up with Nicole there, too! Her boys, Brendon and Ross, as well as Jonas decided to make a small toolbox. Sydney went with a butterfly house.
Brian painting Jonas' tool box.
My nephew Brendon checking out the steps.
Sydney wanted to paint her butterfly house blue. She did a great job of carefully painting each side and was very patient about it. I was pretty surprised.
My sister Nicole, getting some green paint for Ross' toolbox.
Brendon with his finished toolbox! What to go buddy!
Jonas with his finished toolbox.
And Sydney next her butterfly house she painted all by herself!
Next, we went to the Sci-Port.
Brendon, the captain!
Think Sydney is old enough to learn how to tell time?
August 5th
This day we got to have a special event in the family as my cousin Patricia had her baby Ariana blessed by my grandpa in church. I wish Jonas had not started screaming when Brian went up to be in the circle but it was great to have all the family together. Here is the little star, Ariana.
This picture shows Patricia's 3 children, my sister Andrea's two children, my sister Nicole's two children and then my two children. 9 of my grandmother's Great-grandchildren! wow!
And here is my grandma, with Patricia and her mother and of course little Ariana. 4 generations of women!
And the grandparents and great-grandparents of the little angel.
August 7th
This was Sydney's 2nd dentist visit. She did a great job the first time and so I wasn't really worried about her this time. But the hygienist just went on and on about how great she did and gave her 3 prizes! Sydney was so excited to get her new toothbrush!
And yay! teeth checked out great!
August 9th
First we went to a water park with my sister Nicole and her son Ross and our nephew Liam.
The cousins with a friend they made!
Later that day, I had to go home and make a German's Chocolate cake from scratch! I made it myself because my grandmother can't handle the soybean products they add to the store-bought cake mixes. So I made everything from scratch! It was quite the process but everyone said it turned out well!
And it was all for my super awesome Grandpa! Love that man! Happy Birthday Grandpa!
The great-grandchildren singing "Happy Birthday!"
And my grandparents, the awesome people that they are!
August 11th
And then, just an ordinary day. Sharing you some photos of sibling love. Awwwww!
Sydney wants to sleep in her princess tent and the mattress on the floor wasn't working out for the bed frame that remained and was getting climbed on so this was dad's solution, place it around the bed! They have lots of fun in this! Till next time!
Brian and I met at BYU-Idaho. We were married in August 2005 in the Las Vegas Temple and we now have a beautiful daughter, Sydney and son, Jonas! We are now located in Louisiana.
