Sledding with Grandma

Grandma is here visiting for the next week!
We all got suited up and ventured out to enjoy the snow in the nearby park.

Cody (yes, that's him in the pink) loved sledding and wandering around on the uneven snow. He even went down the hill on the sled a couple times by himself!

The kids received a toy snow board for Christmas and Ashby surprised us all by figuring it out pretty quickly.

The highlight, of course, was watching Grandma sled down the hill. Go Grandma!

Christmas Mural

This was the Christmas window painting. 

I loved the way it looked at night even better because the lights around the window really made the silhouettes stand out. It was a simple, and nice reminder about the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Eve

We had about 4 hours notice, but it turned out we got to host the Christmas Eve family traditions this year.

It was a copycat cooking day for me:
Zuppa Toscana Soup
Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Cinnabon rolls

In addition to our annual soup fest. I decided to try something new. A Cinnamon Roll Wreath. I was nervous because I have never made cinnamon rolls before - let alone, a wreath! But to me it said Christmas because our neighbor would always make a giant cinnamon roll wreath for our family when I was growing up. It turned out pretty great and I was really happy about that.

 The kids put on the nativity. Ashby was a wiseman and Levi got to be Joseph.

Paige played an angel and wiggled her tooth constantly back stage. 

Everything came together really nicely and it was a lovely Christmas Eve with family.

"All I want for Christmas is my one front tooth!"

Paige got her wish.

She came into our bedroom to wake us up Christmas morning with the big news....she had lost her front tooth!!

Note from Santa

Christmas 2012

Dear Blumer Family,

It is always a privilege for me to come into your home at the end of every year and remember all the things you have experienced since last Christmas as I sneak around quietly leaving presents and surprises. I love the Blumer Family so much!!!

2012 has been a very eventful year, and you all have handled it well. Cody is walking and learning to talk, Levi is in preschool and riding a skuut bike, Ashby is in Kindergarten and learning to play the piano, Paige is in 2nd grade, reading her scriptures and losing more teeth! Wow! Lots of stuff going on!

But there are two big events that stand out for you, aren't there?

1. Granddad (Brian's Dad) got so sick from cancer that he died. His spirit left his body and went to help more of Heavenly Father's children in the Spirit World. I know you miss him very much, and your Grandma misses him very much, but your Granddad still loves you and will help you whenever he is able from the Spirit World. And, best of all, you will get to see him again some day, just like you will get to see Grammy (Tara's mom) and also Jesus and also all of your loved ones! Isn't it wonderful?

2. Paige was baptized this year! Congratulations, Paige! You made the right choice, and you made a very important covenant with Heavenly Father. And remember, the Gift of the Holy Ghost is better than any Christmas present anybody could ever give you - including Santa Claus (that's me)!

Thank you for letting me come into your home every year to tell you how much I love you. Keep up the good work, Blumer Family, and  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love, Santa Claus

Merry Christmas to All

Old Toys

We've been doing an "Activity" Advent calendar this season. 

The kids weren't very thrilled when they saw the activity the other day...

...give old toys away.

It was tricky to convince them that this was a worthwhile activity. 

Eventually they got behind the idea of Santa's elves and went through all the toy drawers and boxes searching for things they could do without and that other kids might enjoy more. 

They came up with a decent sized grocery bag full. I was happy with their change of attitude.

Ashby's Kindergarten Christmas Program

My favorite song was "I want Chocolate in my Stocking for Christmas". I got to wear a Santa hat. My favorite part was Mom taking pictures of me. I smiled at her. I like being on the stage but I was a little scared of all the people watching me (except for Mom).  I saw all of my friends there and some of their moms. I was smiling because I was so excited for Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Ashby the Optimist

Ashby was actually paying attention in church on Sunday.
The speaker said something about how we need to be optimists.
Ashby looked up at me with a big smile and said, "Optimus. He said Optimus - like Optimus Prime."
I got a good chuckle.

Not on Santa's lap

Here's Ashby's conversation with Santa at the ward Christmas party this weekend.

Santa: "So, do you still want that thing you were wishing for?"

Ashby, nodding: "Yes!"

Santa: "Okay."

 [snap picture and he's on his way.]

Later that night Ashby says, "That's weird that I didn't get to tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas."

Yes, Ashby it is a little weird...

Freckle Juice

Here's what Paige has to say about her latest creation...

I got the idea for Cody's blue freckles from Judy Blume's "Freckle Juice". It was kind of a funny book. So I got kind of really wanting to have a brother with freckles. I have freckles so I was really wanting to see what a brother with freckles looks like. So I put blue freckles on my baby brother Cody with a blue marker that you can draw on stuffed doodle animals. I thought it could wash off anyway, because it said it could wash off the other toys. But you cannot put Cody in the washing machine. That would be silly and hurt him! I kind of liked the way Cody looked with blue freckles, instead of brown. And then mommy came to get Cody and she looked at him and then she said, "Why does Cody have blue freckles on him?" And I said, "Ummm...I did that." And then she went to wash it off while I was drawing a picture (it looks realistic) and then she called me and said, "Paige! Its not coming off! Why did you do that?!" 
And now you know the story...

Lights at Temple Square

We made it to Temple Square!

We haven't gone for a couple of years, so I'm glad we made it happen, and I'm glad we didn't wait til the last minute.

Last night the weather was warm (considering its December), and we found a parking spot on the street at the entrance of Temple square, and it wasn't too crowded. It was a really great experience - although a trip with a one-year-old is never really that great.

We watched the nativity and listened to the narration. 

Ashby didn't know why nobody was moving or why there were 4 wise men pictured.

I told the kids to count the lights, but they weren't even interested!

Cody just kept reaching up as high as he could to try to reach the lights.

I feel like Christmas is coming!

Crazy Hair Day

 It was crazy hair day at school today. I'm not very good at doing hair, or very creative. But the kids were happy with the results.

Paige went to school with a ratted up mess of ponytails. I'm not really looking forward to brushing it out later.   

Ashby wanted to look like Grandad. So we shaved the top of his head and left all the sides long. . I couldn't bring myself to actually buzz it to his scalp - this is a #2. I was surprised that Ashby was actually interested in drawing any attention to himself. Its surprising how shy/stage-fright he gets. So hopefully he will enjoy a little showing off today.

Poor Cody!

My toe is sick

Whenever I look at my big toe I think of my older sister on her mission. She served in Japan and struggled with the language for a while, but she needed to go to the doctor because something was wrong with her toe. She didn't know how to describe it, so she told the doctor, "My toe is sick."

My toenail has had a lot of trouble lately. It had a swollen, pussy infection this summer and it hasn't grown out at all for almost a year. Now the base of the nail has completely separated itself from the cuticle and its so yellow and brown and gross looking. [sorry]  Its getting more and more sensitive too. I'm really nervous about my losing my toe nail. I don't know what I'm supposed to do to help my "sick" toe.

Window Painting

I decided to try something new this year...

We don't have a lot of decorations for most holidays, but I do want to feel festive. So I started painting our front window to contribute to the neighborhood decorations.

I'm in no way a professional, and I don't even know the best the kind of paint to use, but I've been happy with the results regardless. Even if its not perfect.

I've had the kids pick out some clip art online and then I free-hand it on the window with a dry erase marker and paint it. 

Nothing fancy, but I love what it brings to the outside decor.

Happy Halloween

This one I used Crayola washable kid paints.

Happy Thanksgiving

I used acrylic paint on this one. The leaves in the window are things we are thankful for. :)

I'm looking forward to the mural for Christmas. I wonder what it will be....


__

Paige the gymnast

Paige chose to take a gymnastics class this Fall. 

She was very enthusiastic about it, of course, but I'm not sure it will be her thing.

She tried (sometimes) and got distracted (lots of times). 

She was actually very focused during the performance night. I think if she were that focused during all the practices she might have learned how to do a cartwheel in time. 

There's lots of room for improvement, but it was fun to see her try something new.

Reptile Preschool

 Highlights from preschool...

Using bubble wrap to paint scales for a snake.

Visiting our neighbor's house and having their son show us his lizards.

Ashby was the only one brave enough to actually hold the bearded dragon.

Watching them eat cockroaches and then having the kids feed them shredded carrots.

Such a cool chameleon! We were hoping to see her super long tongue, but she got stage-fright.

Thanks to Jeremy for answering all the kids' questions and showing off his animals.

Making stained glass sea turtles with tissue paper and contact paper. 

Our BYU football experience this year

We got vouchers a couple months ago for 4 tickets to a BYU football game. We tried to make it to a game earlier in the season, but things just kept not working out. There were lots of different factors that would have ruled out going to the game today - snow storm, 25 degrees, 8:15pm kickoff, tired kids, etc. -  but since it was the last home game of the year we had to just go and not think twice. I ended up taking Paige and Ashby while Brian stayed home with the littler ones that would definitely NOT be able to handle the above factors.

 We had a nice welcome when we got to our seats. 5 inches of snow covering all the benches!

The kids had good attitudes through most of it. Ashby paid close attention to the game and asked lots of questions. Paige spent the time making formations in the snow with her feet or counting patterns on people's blankets in front of us. We left around 10:30 just after half time. The score was 42-7 and we were pretty much frozen. Nevertheless, it was fun to take the kids to a BYU game, sing the fight song, relive the good ol' college days, and enjoy a yummy cougar tail.

GO COUGARS!!

Cody's first hair cut

With sucker in his hand and the use of scissors instead of clippers, it went pretty well.
No more little curls in back though, and no more super whispy stuff flying around on top. 
Our little baby is growing up. :)

Let it Snow!

It was a BIG snow storm!

And it kept coming all day long!

But the kids didn't mind.

Cody looks pretty in pink, right? At least it fit him.

My "car"

For the past 8 months this has been my mode of transportation.
I sure am glad Brian won this bike for me last year. And then we got the trailer in the Spring - so everyone fits great, even if it means I am hauling around over 100 extra pounds.

Really, its been fine since I don't usually have far to go, and with napping kids and no money to spend anyway, we haven't really needed two cars.
The trouble is that it takes up a lot of space in the garage.
And now that the weather looks like this...

We need to figure out another mode of transportation for me. And we need to figure out where to put the bike until next Spring.

Ashby's getting ready for Christmas

Ashby rushed inside from school today and ran over to the computer. He wanted to write an email to Santa Claus. This is what he said,

dear santa
i am sorry for being bad to levi and paige
love ashby

Guess he knows he needs to be getting ready for Christmas.