Christmas! (and after Christmas)

Christmas Eve after I got all the presents/stockings/cushions put out. Can you see Jude's li'l Christmas Elf stocking there? I made that.

What I woke up to. I told the kids they could open their stockings, but they had to wait for all of us before they could open their presents. Colin really liked his flashlight.

I think they were playing with the presents from Granny and Papa's house that they got the night before. I'm not sure, because I don't have any pictures of Christmas Eve. (See broken phone story.)

I made the kids a fort kit out of old sheets and PVC pipes and clamps. I like it because there isn't just one way to put it together. You can build any kind of contraption you want. So far it's been a big hit. They like making weapons and stuff out of the pipes too.

My family came over in the afternoon for food and presents.

I made that shirt for my sister. My only sister. And I wish I had made one for me too.

I gave my mom a picture of me. And the rest of my family. It's what she wanted, okay?!

Nate got new toilet seats! He's so happy! And blurry!

My brother gave me these awesome picture books. They are hilarious.

I don't remember why we got together at Granny's house at the end of December. I just know it wasn't New Year's Eve. Anyone able to clue me in? I guess we had food, and dessert. And it was probably fun.

Colin being a dork.

Nate and I like to do Mad Libs. I guess I thought this was funny.

Gray had an allergic reaction to something. That's as specific as the doctor was able to be. We gave him some medicine and eventually it cleared up. I still don't know what caused the crazy rash/hives. Poor li'l guy.

December 2014

I don't have a lot of pictures from December, because I broke my phone. You'll remember that if you read my last post.

But on December 3 we put up our Christmas tree. Our sad, sparse, old, crooked, Charlie Brown, Christmas tree. The kids helped me decorate it. I didn't go back and rearrange the ornaments, because I knew that it wouldn't matter and they would all end up bunched up again eventually anyway. (I was right about that, BTDubs.) I figured the tree is for the kids, so it's okay if it looks like they decorated it.

Kate's ballet class did a performance at an old folk's home in Provo. Nate took Kate over there, and these are all the pictures he took. (To be fair, he also took a video, but it's too long and blogger won't let me upload it.)

Colin started piano lessons! I'm his teacher! So far it has not been a great success!

Kate's Birthday, and I think I broke my phone

So, it appears that I haven't blogged for 7 months. Whoops. My bad. Anywho, Kate had a birthday at the end of November. I seem to remember we had Thanksgiving before that, but I don't have any other pictures in November. Dang. I think that's because I broke my phone around this time, so I lost all the pictures I hadn't downloaded, and then I didn't take more because I didn't have a phone. First world problems, am I right?

This was Kate's first (and I wish last) friend party. She invited some cousins and some neighborhood friends. I had a great time decorating according to the Frozen theme. I have always wanted a reason to buy the cute paper straws, and I finally had one! Yay for me. Oh, and for Kate. Because this party was about Kate. Not about me making awesome decorations and treats.

And the party has started!

We had blue punch, tiny sandwiches, two cakes, blue sprinkle covered marshmallows, blue sprinkle covered white chocolate pretzels, and blue ice cube jello squares.

Kate says the sprinkle marshmallows were the best. But they kind of grossed me out.

The ice for the frozen cake turned out green, because that darn sugar candy stuff turns yellow when you cook it. Dang.

We decorated goodie bags and colored Frozen pictures.

We also played Pin the Nose on Olaf.

Li'l Sarah Dye won, but I have a feeling she might have peeked...

A couple kids were way off. And I don't feel bad for laughing at them.

Then we opened friend presents.

This is Cake #1. Originally Kate asked for the cake with the candy ice stuff around the outside. Then she changed her mind and asked for the castle shaped cake with purple frosting. I had already committed to the one, so I threw together this other one the morning of. I've done better, but I've also done much worse. The frosting was stabilized whipped cream, and it was delicious.

I'm not a fan of these girl Legos, but Kate liked them. And I liked that she had her own Legos. And that she was happy. But I wish the girl Legos weren't so gender stereotyped. (Sorry for getting all feminist there.)

Time to sing and eat cake!

After the friend party we had the family party where all the aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents came over.

About to sing and cut into Cake #2.

Kate opening round two of presents.

My mom bought Kate some flowers, decorations for the party and the hair.

Kate's Fabulous Elsa Braid, courtesy of her Fabulous Aunt Heather. (My sister Heather, not my sister-in-law Heather, who is also fabulous.) I can't braid.

Jude trying to grab Seth's teeth.

What?! I Haven't Posted Since November?!

Okay, there is going to be a lot of catching up coming. Stay tuned, folks.

This is Jude asleep in Elder's Quorum, being held by Troy the Baby Whisperer.