Visit with Papa (and Uncle Jim)

Papa came to visit on Wednesday night.  Here are the kids with him on Friday, which was pajama day at school.

We spent Thursday shopping, and on Friday we wrapped gifts.  And wrapped, and wrapped, and wrapped.  My uncle Jim, who lives in LA, came to visit on Friday.  We finished the wrapping before the kids got home from school (thank goodness!  Thanks Dad!!!), and when they got home we baked and decorated Christmas cookies.  We put Uncle Jim right to work, and he helped with the wrapping and baking and decorating.

On Saturday, we spent the day at the Phoenix Zoo.  Daniel is sitting next to a stone that says, "Mommy loves you Daniel."  It even has a picture of Thomas the Tank Engine, who he loves!!

Emily, Papa, and I made this wreath for Uncle Jim.  Papa picked out the colors and helped us put it together.  Michael helped, too.  I think it turned out really well. 

As always, the visit was too short, but we are so grateful that we got to see them both!!!  

Santa

The kids are so excited for Christmas!!  We had a Breakfast with Santa activity at church last weekend.  It was really nice!  The Primary kids did a really fun skit and then they read the story of Jesus' birth from the scriptures while some of the children dressed up for the Nativity.

 

Band Concert



Emily had her first band concert earlier this month.  She just started playing the flute in August and she is doing really well!  She takes band at school but hasn't had any formal private lessons.  She basically taught herself.  She was recently invited to participate in the Honor Band, and she will get to spend a day at the high school preparing for it.  Nathaniel is thrilled, lol!

 

Emily with Grandpa and Grandma May

 

 

Family Portraits 2014

Here are our family portraits!  This time, instead of going to a studio, we chose a photographer who lives in our neighborhood.  She did a fantastic job and I am so happy with the way the pictures turned out.  These were taken on Oct. 13.