Christmas Day with Nana & Papa D.J.

Christmas morning with Nana & Papa D.J. We actually didn't wake up very early. Church was at 10 am and so we looked in stockings before Church. Santa brought tickets to the Rockets game. Church was great, and such an emphasis on getting home to spend Christmas with our families. The sacrament is the most important part, and once the speakers started talking they cut their talks down to just few minutes. What a blessing to belong a church with such an emphasis on family.  

Brady was so fascinated by the tree that morning...so excited "Santa came"

Brady got a "real" tool set

Opening present from Grandma Cherri and Grandpa Mike.

Brady and Whitney got soft animal blanket/pillows from Nana & D.J. They are super soft.

 Santa brought Bennett and Garren Kindle Readers.

 Here Brady is using his new hammer to build his wooden car kits. He loved every minute.

Bennett is putting together Brady's train set. 

 Bailey is trying out her new loom to make warm caps.

Garren disappeared (shocking) and I went up stairs and he was down for a nap (and they didn't even get up early). It is amazing how kids reach teens and they need more sleep. They are changing so much that they need more rest (and want to sleep).

 So of course because of their naps they want to stay up late and I caught Bennett and Garren extending Brady's train set. Yes, you are never to old to play. I think once we forget to play we get old!

Christmas Eve

We had our traditional Reflections of Christ Dinner on Christmas Eve. We get rid of all the red and green for a moment and eat by candlelight. We eat foods Christ may have eaten and we have a scripture with each of the foods listed that we read before we eat. It really brings Christ into Christmas.

NANA & PAPA D.J. Christmas at the Bartschi Bunch: Part 2

The Bartschi Bunch & Nana & D.J. went to a nursing home and the kids played their Christmas songs (I forgot to record Bailey) and then we sang songs. Whitney spent  lots of time at the nursing home with an elderly lady who had a little piano. They sure love the kids.

 Garren played Jingle Bells. It was a 3 page song. When he got to done with the second page and needed to turn to the 3rd page, he reach up to turn and the audience started clapping. He immediately shuts the book and leaves the piano. (It was so funny...see the video and watch the end)

Christmas Eve

 My mom and I went running on Saturday morning, Christmas eve,  and when we came back we layed down on the ground and stretched. My mom was laying down and Moe started cleaning her face. It was so funny. I don't think I could have taken it. See the video for a few laughs.

NANA & PAPA D.J. Christmas at the Bartschi Bunch (part 1): Christmas Prepartation

 Wednesday (12/22), We made Peppermint Bark Popcorn . It was messy and good.

 D.J. is on Vacation. Getting some good R & R. We did convince him to go on a bike ride this morning. My mom, Cindy, and I went on a run and he rode the bike. After a minor seat adjustment he was ready to go!!!

 We found the Christmas ornaments. Nana needed the sewing machine to help teach Bailey to sew and as I moved it off the top shelf in our closet, there they were. We put our tree up right after Thanksgiving and never found the ornaments (they were somehow left out after last Christmas and were put away later). So Brady, Whitney, and Bailey put them on our tree. Brady of course with Blankey and Binky in hand (he calls it his Lovey blankey since he has gone to preschool)

 Nana teaching Bailey to sew.

 Nana helping Bailey get ready to play at a local nursing home tomorrow. She got a little taste of how lessons go. She wanted to time Bailey because it takes her so long to get ready to play a song (after the 100 comments and physical adjustments) and less time to actually play the song.

 I did convince D.J. to eat a piece of fruit. He was looking for something to eat and there isn't alot of snacky food around. Lots to eat but no junk. That came later...

 Nana helping Garren get ready as well.

 Bennett, Nana, and I spent all day in the kitchen making goodies to take to the neighbors. Bennett made all the cookie dough. He only had to redo one batch. He forgot the eggs and added the chocolate chips before the flour. So he added the flour late and then he put the egg in last. We all laughed about it and the next time it was perfect. We made sugar cookies, chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, and Andie's mint chip cookies.

As we made goodies for our neighbors the 3 younger kids decorated the ginger bread house. We made our own ginger bread. Bennett rolled it out and cut the forms, and cooked them.

 Brady making his Christmas tree with sugar cones, green frosting, red hots, and coconut.

 The final product!!!

 Now time to deliver all the plates (about 25 plates).

 Nana doing dishes after the major baking session. Bryant bought pizza for dinner- no time to cook!!!

Upstairs we are working on a puzzle. We are working on a 1000 piece Christmas puzzle. We started a new tradition last year of completing a new Christmas puzzle each Christmas and then gluing it together.

Ward Christmas Part and Airplanes

Some of the kids at the Ward Christmas Party. It was a Night in Bethlehem. They ate dinner on a blanket. I am sure they must of had to pay taxes as well

Sunday (12/18) the Boys (even Brady thought it was fun) worked on their R/C airplanes.

LIVING MUSEUM

The 3rd grade at Bailey's school had a living museum. They learned about their ancestors and where they came from and then dressed up as one of their ancestors might have dressed. Then they gave a speech at the the living museum at their school library. We walked around and heard from each of the kids. Bailey was a dressed as a pioneer.

Video of her doing her speech:

Christmas Piano Recital

12/10/11
Bennett, Garren, and Bailey joined their old piano teacher for their annual Christmas piano recital. She was very nice to let us join her. Garren will be going back to her in January for lessons. One day last week, he asked if he could have her as his piano teacher instead of me. I agreed. He has alot of natural ability and he is my most determined not to enjoy a lesson with his mom. He has always loved to have her as his teacher. I told Bryant to take it out of my food budget (Just a little more oatmeal for breakfast, and rice & and beans for dinner- worth the sacrifice!!! LOL)

videos:
http://youtu.be/aQpX1aLzX5k

http://youtu.be/hggLL5Q7aWI

 http://youtu.be/9g_-0fvt2VU

http://youtu.be/VTZYpBPCNzE

Whitney's Preschool Christmas Program

Whitney's Preschool had a program on 12/8 at 7:30 pm. She had gotten up at 5:50 am and then had preschool. I tried to get her to take a nap before she went because it was so late. She didn't take one. Well she was so excited but also tired. They were so cute. Links below to videos.

http://youtu.be/m7MHqoycAJk

 http://youtu.be/9YBvJsGrvoc

http://youtu.be/vo9mkQDNqgg

http://youtu.be/sjiPl9EwqPc

http://youtu.be/YtxzAeeT22w

TESTIMONIES

Yesterday at church, Garren was sitting next to me in church. It was fast Sunday, which means that we have a special meeting where we can bear our testimonies.

 He gave me a nudge. He said mom it is your turn. I said I would go if he would go. He turned me down. I bugged him a little more about going and he said that he would go if Bennett went. I asked Bennett if he would go because Garren said he would go if Bennett went. Bennett thought about it and said OK.

He got up to go, I got up to go, and Garren started shaking his head. I was not going to let him get away with it. So I pulled on his hand (we were in the 3rd row). I think he realized he had to go (he started it and he couldn't back out now or his mother may make a scene).

Bryant wasn't there and Bailey couldn't contain Brady and Whitney. Whitney runs up the stand and sits on my lap. Brady is about to follow suit. A nice family in front of us that Brady knows well kept him contained.

All three of us went up and bore our testimonies. What great sons we have. It is great to see their growing testimonies. What a great blessing it is to raise children in with the knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Potato Guns and Painting Shed

 Bryant and the kids spent the weekend painting the shed and working on their potato guns.

 Almost done and ready for use.

 But first we need to stop and get on to the important task of making potato guns.

 Making the guns. If interested in making one....google it. I think there is even

 Shooting the guns.

Even Bailey gets one.