Of Course

Of Course we can't end the year without one of Jere's famous pictures.

Curlers

Olivia likes for her hair to be curly. But like her mother she has very straight hair. We got her some curlers. They take awhile to get in her hair but then she sleeps in them.

And she wakes up with curls! 

Sewing Machine

Olivia loves to create things. She would take scrap fabric and make little clothes for her dolls, make teddy bears, and just create things. We decided since she loved it so much we would get a sewing machine. When she opened it on Christmas morning she was so surprised and so happy! She couldn't wait to get started.

We had her practice with paper first, doing mazes.

Jenn came over and helped her get started with the bean bags.

So far she has made 3 scrunchies and 4 bean bags. We went and bought her some more fabric and some patterns to make aprons and baby clothes. More pictures to come.

Making Crystals

Garrett got a crystal making kit for Christmas.  He really loves science things.  He was super excited to get these crystals.

This is one of the crystals he grew since Christmas. 

We will show more pictures later of other crystals that he grows.

Haruimka Dolls

Fashion Show

Olivia got two mannequin dolls with some fabric for Christmas. She can design clothes on them.  They are easy to design and she has made several designer clothes.  You can reuse the fabric and make lots of different combinations.

Robots

Jere got a "Make your own Robot" kit. So for family home evening we made robots.  They were were pretty fun.  You got to put them together, decorate them, wind them up and race them.  We like these Christmas presents that give us something to do together.

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Gingerbread Houses

Normally we decorate Gingerbread houses (graham cracker houses) before Christmas. This year we did  it after. It was still fun and we still got to eat a lot of candy. Jenn brought her crew over to decorate with us.

Victor

Olivia

Garrett

Jasmine

Hector

Devin

Jennifer

December Sayings

Devin: On Christmas morning as we were getting ready for Church, "Today is a pajama day not a church day." Dec. 2011
Devin: Devin wanted to know when he got more presents. We told him his birthday. He then goes on a long narrative about what he wants for his birthday, " I want that thing with candy that you hit with a stick, and I want 100 people to come." Dec. 2011
Devin: "I have the hiccups, they are still hiccing" Dec. 2011 
Olivia: We were looking up cartoons on Netflix that we used to watch as kids like Smurfs. Smurfs was aired in 1981. I said I was three at the time and Jere said he was 6. Then Olivia pipes in and says, "Wow, was that in Black and White! That was so long ago." Dec. 2011
 Devin: It has been cold lately but no snow. Today it was actually warm outside. He exclaims, "Yeah, today is summer!" Dec. 2011
Devin: He got a cut on his belly when he fell. We put a band aid on it and I hear him tell Olivia later, "It will take 100 days to get better." Dec. 2011
Devin: I went to pick up Devin at the Sitter's house on Friday. He runs into my arms and says, " I cried a lot because I missed you." I look at the babysitter and she shakes her head and says he didn't cry at all. (I think he is trying to make me feel bad.) Dec. 2011.
Devin: This morning he climbs into bed with us. I give him a hug and tell him that I love him and the he is smart, handsome, and nice. He replies, "Sometimes." I then ask are you nice sometimes. He replies, "Yes," I said you should be nice more often. He says, "A really a lot more nice."
Devin and Garrett: The boys were playing with blocks and weren't agreeing on where to put the blocks. Garrett was saying, "No, it doesn't go there." Devin kept saying, "Yes it doos"
Devin: We asked him to pick up his socks. He asked, "Why do I have do ANYthing?"
Devin: "I want Santa to come down the chimney. I don't want to be on the bad list you only get a rock. I want to be on the good list and get a present." (He is a good kid and I am sure Santa will bring him a present) December 2011
Devin: Every day he says, "I want Santa to come? When is Santa coming?" December 2011
Olivia: They made toys and wrapped them for their stuffed animals and made them them little stockings. Olivia came to me and said, "I don't think Santa will come and bring the toys a present will you get me some suckers so I can give them to them on Christmas Eve." (How do you say no to that) Dec. 2011
Garrett: He forgot his lunch today. I took him his lunch. I asked him what he needed to say to me, "He spelled, "T H I N K Y O U" Dec. 2011
Garrett: Today is Friday and we hollered downstairs for Garrett to get up. He come up really grumpy. He yells, "You woke me up." I said , "Yes you need to get dressed." He was indignant, "Today is Saturday why did you wake me up." (Yeah we all wish it was Saturday) Dec. 2011
Devin: He wanted to come and sleep in my room. I said, "No, go back to bed. He says, "Please, REALLY, Please." Dec. 2011

S'more Christmas

Jennifer and her clan came for Christmas Dinner.

Victor, Jasmine, Olivia, Hector, Devin, Garrett ready to open more presents.

Jeremy got a fire pit for Christmas.  So after the presents we went and burnt some wrapping paper and made S'mores!

Then we went in and had dessert!

Christmas Clothes

Santa brought everyone new church clothes.

Opening up the presents

The picture before the chaos!

The kids got me a Coco Motion Machine.

Presents from Grandma Doolittle.

Presents from Emily.

Devin loved his Mickey Mouse PillowPet and blanket.

I love the look of pure excitement on their faces.

Nerf Guns from Thomas.

Jere was pretty excited about his robotic Lego set.

When Garrett opened any present that had Mario in it he would exclaim "Yeah, Yeah Yeah!" This was his favorite gift.

Olivia's favorite gift was a new sewing machine!  She can't wait to get started.

Presents from Grandma Vickie.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Thank you!