We've got Christmas PJ's

The Elf made his special delivery today. I don't think the boys were nearly as excited this year, but of course Miss Drama was excited enough for all of them.

Visiting Santa

We made our annual visit to see Santa Claus. The kids have had their lists ready for several weeks but of course they came up with a few things to add at the last minute, including a crayola maker. (Not sure if Santa can deliver that!) Actually, they really haven't asked for a lot. They've requested DS games, a few board games, and the boys want iPods. (Delaney already has a shuffle). It's kind of sad to see them pass on toys, but honestly they've never been "toy" kids and I know several gifts they have asked for in the past lost their appeal soon after Christmas. They are more in to pretend play with each other. In the past hour, they have played magic show, school, and now the boys are playing Star Wars. We certainly don't need anymore light sabers and they are pretty good at improvising and using the toys they already have fit whatever is called for in their imaginary game. Delaney asked Santa for a Lego set and DS game.

Jax requested the Crayola maker for all of them, a Batman DS game, and iPod.

Baylor requested a Ben 10 DS game (this was new to me), and an iPod.

I know I don't have very many years left of the magic of Christmas so I am enjoying every second while it lasts.

Small Taste of Victory

The boys wrestled in their second tournament over the weekend. Baylor won one of his 3 matches. He actually ended up pinning his opponent, but in all fairness his opponent didn't really pose all that of a challenge. It was a bit of a boost for his confidence.

Jax had a pretty good day; he's making progress. He lost his first match, but then went on to win four more before losing.

Jax with his Cousin Colten

Baylor's first win!

Turkey & Traditions

The holiday traditions have begun. Wednesday, the kids and I turned up the Christmas music and decorated for the holidays. They were ever so helpful this year and so appreciative of the task. Baylor said, "Mom, I just love listening to this Christmas music and decorating this tree...I could just cry..." He's notorious recently for putting big sayings or words together, but they don't always come out in context. I of course was thinking, please don't tell your dad, my little sensitive boy. But all kidding aside, all of them were very particular about where they placed the ornaments, working as a team, and proclaiming their love for the tree that they think is "the best in the world." Immediately after our tree trimming, Baylor had to watch "Rudolph" and they are eagerly awaiting all of their other favorite Christmas shows to come on television. I love their holiday spirit.

For Thanksgiving, we made our usual stops, Nana's in the afternoon and Laura's that evening. As usual, the kids had a blast hanging with their cousins. Now, their looking forward to all of our other family holiday traditions.

Dance, Dance, Dance!

In case pictures just aren't enough, we have video!

In the Silver Dollar City performance, you must check out her face about mid-way through as she scrunches her nose. She definately has the theatrical expressions down. She's still working on staying with the group rather than leading!








I'm use to watching her only perform a few times out of the year, but this year has been quite different. At her dance studio, there are fairly large windows where I have peeked in and then we are often invited in to be the audience. Although, she always seems happy to dance, there is definitely a different presence about her when she dances on the "big stage" as she calls it. This last dance is the one she hasn't really had a lot of practice with. She was so giddy with excitement that she forgot some of it at the end. We were super proud of her for doing well, but mostly for putting her heart into everything she does.

Branson

It's not Broadway, but this past weekend, Delaney and her performance group took on Branson. This allowed us the opportunity for a short family getaway. Rick and I have never been huge Branson fans but as always children make life much different, and I for one had a wonderful time. Silver Dollar City is really beautiful decorated for the holidays.

Friday evening, they opened for the Kirby VanBurch Show. Delaney's cousin, Brookelyn dances in the Show Stoppers. My cousin and I spent a lot of summers and vacations hanging out together so it's nice to see our kids have the same opportunity.

The boys couldn't believe their eyes as they watched the magical/illusion show. Nana sprung for the stuffed Tiger and sword after a very hefty sales pitch by the announcer before the show.

Two of Delaney's biggest fans, Nana and Mimi decided to take a mini-vacation and cheer their girl on.
On Saturday, Delaney danced in the park and then we were free to play in Silver Dollar City for the day.
We were next in line to ride the Fire in the Hole, when they shut the ride down due to an injury. We were kind of bummed, but maybe next year. Since we were with other adults, Rick and I even managed to ride some thrilling rides.
Here the boys hang out with their cousin, Braylon before the parade. Braylon is 14 days older, but he has a few inches on them. They weren't quite tall enough to ride some rides that he was which didn't make them very happy. The boys had to spend a lot of time waiting on sister but they really didn't seem to mind. Jax is always one of sister's biggest fans, clapping and shouting for her at the end of a performance.
The girls walked in a lighted parade through Silver Dollar City. Of course, we ended up the opposite side of where Delaney was positioned. As we spotted her, she was ever the professional spreading Christmas cheer to her side of the parade, but then Rick shouted her name, she jumped around almost darting out of line to give us a huge wave. It was pretty funny!

Thanksgiving Program & Feast

The kids had their Thanksgiving Program and Feast today at school. I was kind of bummed that I couldn't make it, but Rick did an excellent job capturing the event on film and video. He even thought to take a picture with Mrs. Fisher. What a good Dad!

Holiday Tour

Promenade Mall's Night of Giving was the first stop on Delaney's holiday dance tour this season.

Delaney and her cousin, Brookelyn pose before the show.

Thanks to all of our family who came to cheer her on.

Mat Time

After just one week of practice, the boys entered their first wrestling tournament. It's pretty safe to say that Rick has been dreaming about this day long before the kids were even born. It's also pretty safe to say, that I don't share his enthusiasm for this sport, but I do love to see ALL my boys happy so I can't help but encourage and cheer them on.

Baylor lost both of his matches. He kept looking at Rick for constant guidance. He was so focused on trying to do exactly what Rick was telling him to do that he didn't really have any drive of his own. He was pretty upset after he lost his second match; he never wanted to wrestle that kid again! This is Jax after the his first match was a forfeit. He was so disappointed that he didn't get to wrestle. Unfortunately, this meant his first live match would be against a kid who took first place in the previous tournament. Jax lost but put up and unbelievable fight. He managed not to get pinned, which was quite an accomplishment in itself, as the Owasso kid had pinned all of his other opponents up to that point. Jax wrestled his second match and easily pinned his opponent, but lost his third match by one point. It was hard to see my little boys lose and their PRIDE wounded, but I did my best to console them.

(pictures are awful!) Lighting was terrible and I just couldn't get a shot quick enough. Hopefully, I won't be complaining anymore about poor picture quality. My wonderful hubby has promised me an early Christmas gift. :)

Roller Skating

And they go tumbling down!!!There we go....that's a little better!Skylar and Delaney making their way around the rink.

It was another big day. The kids attended Emily's 6th birthday party at the BA Roller Rink. This was their first attempt at skating and my first attempt in probably 20+ years. They required quite a bit of assistance with regular roller skates and the 3:2 ratio wasn't working in our favor, as helping two at a time was almost impossible. We finally traded in their skates for a "training" version and they seemed to fair much better. They still took several falls, but soon learned that they would be okay. They had a blast and have already decided that we need to have a family skate night very soon.

Cast Away

The kids finally moved beyond iPhone fishing. Uncle Patrick and Aunt Julie took the kids fishing at a near by pond. The kids had a super time but as expected didn't really have the patience to sit and watch for the fish. They were more into casting. At one point, I think Baylor had a bite, but he wasn't quite quick enough and it got away. Jax wasn't disappointed about not catching a fish, because he caught 10 seaweeds, several small sticks and one very large stick!

Thanks Uncle Patrick and Aunt Julie for taking them fishing and having the patience to let them be 6 year olds. Now, they can finally say they've been fishing.