Our All American Girl . . .

Tyleigh has got an extremely enthusiastic, happy, ambitious, energetic (can you imagine her yet?) first grade teacher this year. She is young and sweet and absolutely adores her students. She has done wonders for Tyleigh's confidence this year! One of her most favorite subjects is music and she loves to share that passion with the kids. She has them sing to just about anyone who will listen on a daily basis, including the office ladies at the school.
Because of her enthusiasm and passion, her first grade class got picked to open a concert at Thanksgiving Point the other night singing the National Anthem. This sweet teacher has worked her tail off to teach the kids the National Anthem, and it's importance, over the past couple of weeks. They got it down . . . perfectly. It was a proud moment for all of us as we watched our little munchkins up on that stage. The video link is posted below. It is definitely worth watching . . . even if it's mostly just about Tyleigh! They were SO. CUTE!

The Bar J Wranglers

This is the group Tyleigh's class was asked to open for . . .I thought the same thing you are probably thinking . . .Old Western Cowboy Music (and nice outfits!)? Rod and I were pretty determined to make a break for it long before the performance. There didn't end up being enough time to leave without making a scene, so we stayed . . . and had the time of our lives! It was one of the most entertaining concerts we have ever been to! Tyleigh loved every minute of it! We're even contemplating going to Jackson Hole just to see them again!

This is Tyleigh's class . . .practicing where to stand on stage.

And during their actual performance . . . the lights were killing them!

Cute friends before the concert!

This is too cute not to watch!

Overheard . . .

Cute little girl: "Mom, you are worse than Hitler!"

Mom: "Really? Well, that's good. That means I'm doing my job."

Cute little girl: "You are so mean!"

Mom: "That's because I practice so much. When you sleep at night, I make a list of all the mean things I can do to you the next day, and then I mark them off one by one."

Cute little girl: "I'll bet you really do! You've done more than 10 today!"

Mom: "That's 'cause I'm amazing."

My ranks are definitely increasing!

A Taste of Our Craziness!

Not that I really expect anyone to care but . . . .

A very small glimpse in our lives the past two months:

*After almost 9 years, Rod started working with a new insurance agency! YAY! It was a much needed change! Change always comes with it's own set of challenges, but I can see such a difference in him already, and I am so grateful for that!

*Carsyn's poor frog FINALLY died after being given a life span quota of approximately 18 months, and then living for three LONG years! We are really missing him if you can't tell!

*After being hired for seasonal help at a cute little craft store (my first time going back to "work" in like 10 years), I had to quit due to the hours just not allowing me to be "mom." It has been bittersweet - which even I am surprised to hear myself say! It was a hard decision to go back to work, but I learned to love it and to love the people I worked for and with! The only downfall was not being able to pick up my girlies from school and being gone every Saturday!

*Camryn decided she wanted to enter the Science Fair, so she and Grandpa looked on the Internet and came up with a great project. "The Steam Engine." She and her friend Serena decided to do it as a team. Grandpa did most of the building, but Camryn knew her stuff when it came to explaining what it did! She and Serena got voted on to go to District in March! Thanks Grandpa for your help, and way to go Camryn!

*Our cute little Tyleigh continues to grow up - against all rules of our house - and has entered the official "first grader" phase. She lost her second top tooth and was thrilled to be in the same ranks as her friends and classmates. Don't you just love their little awkward stages?!

*Even though I don't have any pictures of Carsyn, I'll update on her anyway. She continues to keep me on my toes and fills our house with lots of personality! She is on a quest to do anything she can to get an I-Pod touch . . . and won't stop until she gets one. I am just too mean of a mom to buy her one! :) Poor kid!

*And last, but let's not forget that the month is not over, we have spent the past couple of months working on Teacher Appreciation for the girls' school. It has been a ton of work, but has been a blast! We are so lucky to have such great teachers and staff for our kids!

Thank you to my mom and dad for all of your help, and for donating so much of your time and talents to the week! They made 8 sets of standing hearts for the teachers' lounge, and four sets of conversation hearts! All 12 sets were given out at the end of the week as prizes for the teachers! They also made my dad's delicious pretzels and brought them in for the entire staff one day! They were quite the hit!

I sound like I'm in the Grammy's, but thank you to all the ladies that decorated doors! I have never seen them look better than they did this year! You all did a phenomenal job!

The Doors

A few of the treats and fun things for the week

Now what to do?

I Got Nothin'

I have signed into my blog a kazillion times with the intention of updating it.
We have been so busy we can't even see straight . . . yet, I've got nothing to post.
Go figure!

Christmas Lights

Temple Square

On Christmas Eve, we got brave and rode Trax with our Gram and Papa to
Temple Square to see the lights.
We thought it would be crazy with crowds, but it wasn't bad at all!

Gram and Camryn waiting for the train.

Papa and Carsyn
Rod and Ty

It was Tyleigh's first time on Trax. It didn't take long for her to become a pro!

What a beautiful place to visit this time of year, and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas!

My dad, mom, Carsyn, Tyleigh, Jessica and Camryn

The cold was more than any of us could bear for too long,
so Rod kept us all entertained!

Waiting for the train to go home!
Love them!

Thanks for a fun night Mom and Dad!

Trolley Ride

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is riding the Thanksgiving Point Trolley with our dear friend, Phil. He always sets aside a special time for just our family and another family to have the trolley all to ourselves. It's something we have come to look forward to each December!

This is Phil. He is such an inspiring and kind man!

Serena and Camryn

Cute little faces watching the lights!
Jenna, Carsyn, Miss Kaylee, and Tyleigh

Jessica, Phil, and Judy

Ice sculpture - these things amaze me!

Santa's reindeer, Prancer and her baby, Snowflake.

What a great way to start the Christmas season! Thanks Phil!

Festival of Trees

Festival of Trees . . .