Sunbeam class 07

Here is a great sampling of our 4 year-old Sunbeam class! I took this today with their badges that read, "I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!" They are a lot of fun. We will miss them when they "move on" the first of the year! Left to right: KJ, Campbell, Ethan, Rebekah, Nicole and Kaitlyn. They are a handful but mostly a lot of fun! We used to have 10 come most every Sunday until they recently split the class to make it more handleable!

Santa at our house!

Santa came to our house!!! We were peacefully standing in our kitchen and heard the front door open. Then we heard a loud "Ho, ho, ho!" Sadie started barking and running all around. It was unexpected chaos and no one knew what to do or where to run.

Then we realized that Santa (our friend, Kevin Layton, who dresses up each year and visits kids in the neighborhood) had come to check in on us! The kids each took a turn sitting on his lap and telling him what was on their list (that he hadn't yet received by his account.) Dawson was good with it and answered all his questions with confidence but didn't recognize that he knew Santa in a previous setting. Campbell was scared stiff because of this Christmas figure bounding into his place of safety. He made a diversion by engaging Santa in examining his stuffed monkey, George. He cracked a smile momentarily when he got a candy cane and quickly jumped off his lap. Hayden didn't scream his high-pitched scream of the 2006 visit, but he did cling to Gary for dear life. He agreed to sit on Kevin, I mean Santa's, lap long enough to get his candy cane. Then it was jump and run back to the safety of dad's embrace. It was a fun evening. It's a lot of fun watching the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of our kids!

Christmas is in the air!

It seems to make it real when the lights are up and tree is out. We have started a little later than I would have liked, but the important thing is it's done! The boys are really fun to watch. They love to help and are actually really really good help! We sit back and let them decorate the tree any way they want to. Dawson especially has enjoyed reminiscing about the ornaments he has made from the last few years. Campbell has taken his place in being daddy's helper. He thoroughly enjoys getting tools out and helping Gary "fix it." Another fun thing we've done is driving around and seeing lights others put up. We've ALL liked that! We took 3 cards from the Salvation Army tree and Dawson and Campbell chose something to fulfill that card for another child. (Of course I had to help Hayden and he wasn't all that interrested!) It took some explaining but they finally understood why we were going to give up these cool things to someone else and they didn't get anything. I finally had to say, "Trust me, YOU are getting something for Christmas, you just don't know what it is." That seemed to be what made it stick. It's fun to see their excitement in doing something for others.

Parent teacher conference

The school had an outbreak of LICE! Now they all have to put their things in these black garbage bags "to keep bug off" as Dawson told me.



We went to Dawson's second annual student-lead parent teacher conference today! I have been amazed at the things these little kids are expected to do at their ages! They are reading and doing math problems that are more advanced than I'd ever challenge a 6 year-old with! Dawson's homeroom teacher's name is Mrs. Fuller. He was very good at being formal and on task for the conference. The student actually takes charge and does things that they are able to perform. Then I do some paperwork to let the teacher know about him and we left. It was a lot of fun and I am so proud of my big first grader! His math teacher, Mrs. Wilkerson told me that he is in the advanced math class and she isn't worried about him and his abilities (you can hear my "buttons pop" now, huh?!) He is, however a social butterfly. She said all she has to do is call his name and he "gets this look on his face" and stops. He IS my child! Easily guilted! Ha ha! I most appreciate that I know how to better help him at home. I'm just glad I don't home school--he'd enter public school in special ed! :)

Dawson & Mrs. Fuller

Dawson & Mrs. Wilkerson

Dawson made this turkey and it's hanging in his classroom! Good job, I'd say! :)

Campbell proudly sported the CUTE outfit grandma Sherri dressed Dawson and him in for the day. (Dawson decided to change his outfit at the last minute---I guess its the age!)

Campbell's Preschool Thanksgiving Party

I was asked to help with Campbell's Preschool Party. I was in charge of the snack and drink. Sounded good, right? Well, you first have to factor in few variables... I work full time and don't spend as much time at home as I wish I could. Also, I like to have a unique presentation whenever I can. And probably the biggest factor... Campbell is very shy and I wanted him to get some attention by having a "cool" treat for the party to help bring him out of his shell in class. I spent the whole day before trying to decide what to do. I looked on the internet during patient checks and charting at work. Then I got the perfect idea. I went to the store and bought the necessary supplies when my shift was over. I couldn't find what I was going to use so I had to improvise. I stayed up until midnight making 33 little turkeys and setting out everything for the next morning. Then we went to class and treat time came. They were a hit! Yay! Campbell loved it, he got some attention, I was recognized for having a unique idea and I was able to be involved in Campbell's class and see the things they do on a daily basis and how he interacts in a classroom setting.

Leo's place

The heavenly destination of my boys is the local playland/restaraunt called Leo's Place. They can eat and then go to the very large play place in a separate large room. There is also and arcade and laser tag area below the main level. It has climbing, sliding, bouncing, and balancing all encompassing fun! Outside this room are tables where moms can talk to other big people and watch through the windows, playing "where's my child now" as they talk. I didn't bring another big person with me today, so I got the priveledge of watching, playing and taking pictures. There were LOTS of kids. Poor Hayden kept getting trampled. Dawson did a great job of being his guardian, it was so cute! Campbell tried too, but he found it easier to tease and bug him instead. Go figure! I can honestly say we all had a great time!

We found the perfect gift for our kids this Christmas. Cheap, fun, many uses, one size fits everyone! A BOX!!! Happy holiday shopping everyone!!

Gingerbread under construction

Aunt Ginger gave us a gingerbread house kit for an early Christmas gift. We put it together for Family night and boy was it fun (and entertaining!) Gary was the engineer and foreman. He assessed the situation and ordered construction. Once framed, the shingles and siding was placed and secured. The finished product was breathtaking! Then came the fun part---eating it! We all loved doing this together. It was a fun activity! Thanks Aunt Ginger! :)

Thanksmas '07

The Williams' celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas in the same week. We all met at Uncle Mike and Aunt Ruth's house for the annual Thanksgiving feast. We did "gobble till we wobbled." We had a great time together and, of course, great food!

A few days later, we all met at Denney's Restaurant in Idaho Falls for lunch. Grandpa Parley gave each family a generous sum from Grandma Williams' estate. The siblings gave Grandma Janet and Grandpa Parley a framed Greg Olson print for their newly remodeled living area. Aunt Ginger and Caitlyn were also with us at both celebrations---it was so great to see them!

We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Munns' and everyone had abandoned ship. We were able to visit with them briefly before going home to get tired, sick kids some meds and shut-eye! We definately consider our families as some of our greatest blessings!

"Festivus"

We had the priveledge of going to Festival of Trees to kick of the holiday season. It was great seeing the trees and having goodies and Santa around to officially get ready for Christmas. I am so excited and hope to try even harder to focus on what really matters for Christmas. Being broke is really a motivator for being humble at this time of year! :) Jamie and her school choir performed a few numbers. It was neat to see her and her group sing. The boys did a scavenger hunt with Grandma Sherri and got treats from the donated goodie tables. Mom had it after about 2.3 minutes and we went home. My favorite part was the upside down trees! What a fun idea!