Christmas is coming!!!

We did a little photo shoot the other day for Lexie's 2 yr

Just for fun we threw in the trees

I love them!

ENGLAND

December 15
Noah...a second grader...had to do an ORAL REPORT. I wasn't overly excited about this. These kids are only 7 & 8 years old! Which means, the parents get to help...a lot. They had to do their report on a country, and when we went in for SEP's we chose which one. I chose England because Colby's mom was born there, and I knew we could get a lot of information from her. Which would be different than the internet, or the library.
We sat down one night and wrote down questions to ask her, then called her on the phone and 'interviewed' her. It was fun to watch Noah's face after he would ask her a question, hearing her answer. He couldn't believe some of the things she told him.
They had to have a visual aid, and we were able to use grandma Janet. [So glad we didn't have to make a poster]

Noah read his report to the class then Janet got to show and tell some things. The kids were really good, and acted like they were listening really well.

[I only got one picture...as soon as I took this, the whole class looked at me]

As part of the report, they had to tell how that country celebrates Christmas. We always have an English dinner and play English games on Christmas night at the Labrum's so we thought it would be fun for the kids to do the same.

We got some bon bons, and had them get into a circle and pull.

I think they had a good time learning about England.

They loved the prizes they got in their bon bons.

2nd grade Christmas

A couple weeks ago, the 2nd graders did a little Christmas concert for their parents. They had gone earlier that day on a field trip to a care center, and a bank to sing Christmas Carols.
I don't have the video up, and my pictures are horrible quality, but I'm still posting.
I love all the things that go on this time of year.
Kinda makes me crazy, but it helps get us and keep us in the spirit!

They split up the kids into certain groups for different songs. One of the songs was very cute!

It was like a round.

The boys part:

'My suit is red!

I drive a funny sled!

Yo!!'

So much fun!

Million Dollar Man!

At the Jimmy John's Convention, every other year, they give an award to each store that sells a million dollars for that year. This year there isn't a convention, and dang it...

Colby's store did A MILLION DOLLARS!!!

That's huge for a sandwich store.

So since there's no convention for the owner's to win a Rolex watch...

the owners rewarded Colby.

With this...

Brand New Polaris Razor

I'm not gonna lie...

It's pretty sweet.

Now the whole family can ride together...

aaahhh.

Good Job Colb!! We're proud of you!!!



Carter Party

December 18

This year the party was a little different. Not in a bad way, just different.

Normally we have it at the elementary school. This year it was at the church.
Normally Santa comes at the very end. This year he came at the very first.
Normally there's a lot of people. This year we were missing a lot.

Nevertheless, it was a fun party. Food, games, and chatting.

After Santa, we ate. Isn't it funny how at every gathering there's food? It is the best part...I know. Cutler got a hold of my camera and took some pictures of the scrumptious stuff.

We were asked to bring our wiggle cars so they could do races. We did, but ours are pretty 'used' and they totally scratched the floor up. We didn't notice until about 20 or 30 minutes later, so there was a little damage. The kids weren't happy when we told them they had to be done.

And this game was funny. I don't know what it's called but, the blindfolded person had to touch another person with the wooden spoons and try to figure out who it was. Sounds weird, but it was so funny to watch. They played the trick on grandpa first, then the kids all wanted to try.

Then it was time to head home. We just go up and back so all the kids change into jammies and we hope they sleep on the way home. I don't remember if that happened or not. But all the little girls said goodbye and we were on our way.



One Sunday morning...

I'm not gonna lie...
we played hookie from church.
And did this instead...

It was a nice break
We were dressed for church
Does that count?
I can't complain about the actual photo session.
About 45 minutes, and over a hundred to choose from
And not much complaining from the kids
or the husband.
Thank you Sherie!!

Classic Santa picture

It never fails...

It seems there is always one screaming child.

I think it makes the picture cuter.

The boys asked for a trampoline.

Together.

They figure if they both ask for it, and nothing else, their chances are pretty good.

They seem a little too young to be figuring that out.

Lexie wants a kitchen.

Dicken's Festival

December 1 - 4
What a week! We had so much fun going every night and watching Noah. But by the end of the week, we were ready for a good home cooked meal, and to stay home. He did two plays each night, 1 Oliver - where he played an orphan; and 1 Scrooge - as Tiny Tim. And on Saturday there was a matinee, so 4 total performances that day.

the video took way too long to upload...then there was an error.

He had quite the fan club every night! 

Surprisingly enough, Cutler and Lexie sat and watched every single show.

Oliver: as an orphan

Scrooge: as Tiny Tim

Thanksgiving

November 25

Let me just start by saying this... I love that we have so much family, and that we live close to most of them...Until the holidays come around. That being said...this year is our year to have Thanksgiving with my family, and with Colby's family. I was very THANKFUL this year that we had an early Thanksgiving with my family so that we could enjoy our day without running around from one place to the next.

We started the day with breakfast at the Danjanovich's. Super yummy hootinannie's(???), eggs, biscuits N gravy...the works. After breakfast the boys broke the wishbone (from a turkey a few weeks before)

Then we met up with all the Labrum's for Thanksgiving Dinner. Lots of yummy food. Laughs. And good times. I was sad my parents weren't here for the actual day, but so glad we didn't have to split the actual Thanksgiving part up.
This year we are thankful for:
Our family...big & small
Our health
A good job to help take care of us
A home to stay warm and be protected
A free country to do the things we want
The gospel

Teddy Bear Picnic

November 20
Cutler, Lexie, and I joined Hallie, Blake, Mel, and gramma Sherie this year to celebrate Birthday Style at the Teddy Bear picnic. We've never gone before. It was fun. Very much for the little ones. Cutler loved it. You never can tell with Lexie.

she was totally intrigued with his hat. funny girl.

Cutler loved this dang monkey and just had to have his picture with him.