Christmas!

Bass Pro Shops

The kids love to go here with Papa whenever he comes to visit.

Decorating Christmas sugar cookies with Papa

Their motto seemed to be, "You can't have too many sprinkles!"

I got to go on three field trips that last week of school before Christmas break.  The first one was on Tuesday with Emily to Walmart and the mall to buy gifts for charity.

Then, on Wednesday, the 1st graders at Daniel's school had a performance at the mall.  They did a great job!  Here they are waiting patiently for their turn to perform.

Then on Thursday, it was back to the mall (this makes three times in one week!) for Daniel's field trip to see Santa, ride the train, and go to Build A Bear.

On Christmas Eve, we made Shrinky Dinks ornaments.  Remember those?  I remember doing those as a kid, and our kids sure loved it.  It was fun to watch them shrink up in the oven.  The kit came with this cute little tree.

This is for you, Dad. :-)  Here is Emily in her pretty dress that Papa picked out for her.  Doesn't she look sweet?

We had such a wonderful Christmas!  The kids are so happy with all of their gifts, and we feel so blessed.  We are grateful for Jesus and the knowledge that He came to the earth to provide a way so that we can return to live with Him and Our Heavenly Father some day.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Family Portraits 2013

Merry Christmas!

Love, The May Family

 

 

Jonathan, age 4

 

Daniel, age 6

 

Andrew, age 8

 

Emily, age 10

 Nathaniel, age 13

Christine's Birthday and Setting Up the Christmas Tree

My birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, so we celebrated on Wednesday night with cake and gifts and then we went to dinner together on Friday.  I felt pretty spoiled! 

 

I loved this Edible Arrangements gift my sister sent.  Do you see how the kids want to attack it before I even get a piece? 

This was a nice surprise from my dad.  He ordered it from the Publix in Florida, and they made it for me here.  Yum!!!!

The kids had fun decorating the Christmas tree.  I put up the lights and the garland, and then let them go to town on the ornaments.  They love decorating it!  Posing for pictures?  Not so much.  Notice Jonathan hiding from me on the couch. :-)

 

Merry Christmas!

 

School Stuff

Andrew's Halloween school program

He did a great job!

 

Pumpkin Patch field trip with Daniel

We had a blast!  Daniel loved picking out his own pumpkin.

Halloween

We had another great Halloween this year.  Jonathan wanted to be Mickey Mouse again.  This time, he kept the ears on!  Nathaniel came up with his own costume--Roadkill.  Get it?  Poor frog.  Emily was a zombie.  You can't tell from the picture, but her plaid shirt is ripped and she had makeup on.  Daniel was Iron Man and Andrew was Dash from the Incredibles.  Right as we were leaving we got our first trick-or-treaters, and they were school friends of Nathaniel so he ended up going with them.  Poor Andrew didn't feel well and didn't make it through trick-or-treating.  Even Jonathan and Daniel didn't last very long, so I went home with the boys and Michael took Emily all around the neighborhood.  Everyone was very happy with their loot! 

 

Here is Jonathan with his friend Annie Mae at our ward Fall Festival.                               

                                    

Nathaniel

Ready for Trick-or-treating!

Good Grades

The kids got their first quarter grades and they were great!  Nathaniel, Emily, Andrew and Daniel had almost all As and only 2 Bs among them (and the Bs were only one percent away from an A).  I am so proud of them!  We took their report cards to Krispy Kreme and we got two dozen free glazed doughnuts!  We also let them pick out their own frosted doughnuts for an extra treat.  Here's hoping they freeze well!

A Busy Saturday

This Saturday, Andrew and Emily had their piano recital.  They each played three songs and they did a great job!  Andrew has only been playing for about a month, and he was so happy to be there and so proud of himself.  I was very happy that they both practiced all week without any nagging from me!

 

The rest of our Saturday was spent working on essays and projects.  Emily, Nathaniel, and Daniel all had projects and papers to do.  I think Andrew felt a little left out of the "fun" so I said, "Andrew, if you need something to do why don't you go out front and pull the weeds."  So he did.  And then he got out the rake and push broom to clean up all of the pine needles.  By the time I went out there to check on him, he had already filled a bag with pine needles.  I told him we should use them to lay down a fresh layer in the front planter, so he did the side that faces the street and I did the other side.  Doesn't it look good?  He was so proud of himself for making me happy.  I was feeling stressed because the yard needed attention and Michael had been out of town, but just getting that little bit done made me feel much better.

 



When I went back inside, I found Nathaniel helping Emily with her project because he was already done with his essay.  I am a very blessed Mama!!!

Andrew's Baptism

Andrew is 8 now and he has chosen to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He was so excited!  The smile on his face as he came out of the water was priceless!

 

Here he is, waiting for his baptism.

Andrew and Mommy

We were also blessed that his grandparents, Jim and Carol May, could be there to share in the joy of the occasion.

Jonathan couldn't be bothered to be in this picture.  He was too busy talking to his "girlfriend" Annie Mae in the second row.

Thank you, Nathaniel.  That smile is much better!

Daniel and Grandma

Emily with Grandpa and Grandma

Daddy and Andrew

On Saturday night, Michael was ready to cheer on BYU.  Go Cougars!

Grandpa and Jonathan

We love you, Andrew, and we are so proud of you!!!

Birthdays

Jonathan is 4!!! 

The thing he wanted most was a Mike Wazowski toy from Monsters University.

He also loved the Lego set he got.  In fact, all of the kids loved the Lego set he got.

Here is one of his many creations

Andrew is 8!!!!

He loved his cookie cake and Sully toy.  We saved the rest of his presents for his party at...

...Chuck E. Cheese's!

We had a combined party for Jonathan and Andrew.  They had so much fun!

So did Nathaniel and Emily

and Daniel

Jonathan was pretty excited about his Mike Wazowski cookie cake.  Andrew doesn't look too happy in this picture, but he really did have a fun time.

Meeting Chuck E. Cheese

Jonathan and his friend Annie Mae
Jonathan only wanted to invite girls, so his guests were Annie Mae and Valerie (above in the pink).  Andrew invited three friends--two friends from church (Jared and Travis) and a friend from school (Riley).   

Happy Birthday to my sweet boys!!!!

First Day of School

Nathaniel, 8th grade

Emily, 5th grade

Andrew, 2nd grade

Daniel, 1st grade

Jonathan, Preschool

The kids are off to a great start this year.  Everyone seems to be happy with their classes and their teachers.  I am grateful to have a few hours of quiet every day, but I sure do miss them when they're gone.