Dress Up

A few months ago I posted a dress up day at school, but I found even more delight when cousins were over and we are still playing dress ups (at 14, 15, 16, and 17 years old). I reasoned that the only reason Meagan really likes going to formal dances is to get new "dress ups" because she know longer fits into the pluthera of dress ups we have under Sydnee's bed

.

The tiara's were presents from Christiana

Rachel - quite the pose

No this isn't a prom dress -- sweet Debbie is haivng us store her wedding dress?!?

Pictures Edwards Family Party

The Three Amigo's Singing Feliz Cumplanos

The Cool BOYS

The sweetness of the Nativity and those who always find new ways to participate

A few thought they were too old to participate in the Nativity


I love when Uncle Arthur plays the harmonica

THE JOY OF SANTA

Our Friends The Byer's who Jeff invited found this a night to REMEMBER

Laughter/Edwards Family Party

Today, I seem to have the giggles -- Throughout the day funny thoughts of things my kids have said or done (and I few I've done) just make me laugh. First, Loryn, she can always make me laugh with her sweet innocence -- or whatever others may call it (blonde moments). If you ever need to laugh text Loryn. She always replies it just never seems to be relevent to what you have text her about -- or maybe it's me i.e. I sent her a text asking if she wanted me to buy some socks that were on sale, she answered back "Yeah" I then sent back a text with a picture of the socks a description asking how many and what colors? She replied "What" Yesterday I sent her a text asking if she needed any product from Debbie she replied "Yeah" I then text her back what and how many she replied "Yeah". Debbie also has a few fun examples, but she always makes me giggle when I get her response. So if you ever need a lighter moment text Loryn.

This morning as I was taking Conner to school we were talking about how it's good to be nice to everyone, even when they don't always do things that make us happy. I said try to think of something else they have done that is good about them and let them know. Conner replied, yeah like my friend did to me. He then proceeded to tell me about a class assignment where they had to write 10 things they were thankful for. His friend said, I'm thankful for Conner because then I know I can be smarter. (that made me giggle). I told Conner yeah things like that find things to say that help others feel good about themselves

We just returned from the annual Edwards Christmas Party, Always a joyous occasion. It was so good to eat, visit, and mingle with family. It was also fun to watch the young kids enjoy each other, play together, sing together, and have fun together. Jeff had invited some friends who are in our ward. They are a couple who converted from Judism a little over two years ago. It was fun to visit with them a little more tonight. I was sitting by the wife during our program. After the second performance she leaned over to me and said "No one is shy in this family" my reply was this is true -- we aren't lacking any confidence here. She then replied that "She'd never forget this party". Then Debbie asked me to take some pictures of she and Bailee while they played the guitar and piano. Just to set the record straight -- her digital view finder didn't work, and like Sheldon said if she would just zoom out then she could see the entire picture --

Again it all just makes me laugh and enjoy this season even more.

Non Traditional Gingerbread

Typically every year the day after Thanksgiving we invite anyone and everyone over to make Gingerbread Houses with us. This year we were in Boise and we know Gingerbread homes do not travel well so decided not to do that in Boise. As we returned and I looked at the calendar I could see that our time was disappearing and we may have to do this a non traditional way this year and only have a small group over. Sydnee expressed the most interest and had the most time so we invited a few of her friends over and had a great GINGERBREAD AFTERNOON. Conner and Sarah joined in and we had a sugar filled afternoon!!!


Conner and Sarah finished quickly



The Decorating

We try to help Conner contain his excitement

FALL LEAVES

A few weeks ago I was on my way home and as I was pulling into our community I saw a friend raking leaves in our front common area. I stopped to see if I could help with her "service" project. She explained that the garderners were coming today and she needed an activity for her son and his friend today so she was going to gather leaves take them home and let them play with them. She just needed to do it before the gardeners took them all. I helped her and a few minutes later Sarah and a friend saw us and came and helped.

As I left I thought what a great idea. That would be a lot of fun. As I left later that day I noticed the gardeners made large piles of the leaves and at the end of their day they gathered them and put them in large cloth containers. I decided I would let do this next week and use the gardeners assistance. So the next week at the right time I took Loryn and some of her friends with several garbage bags and we packed up the leaves. The gardeners thought is was great and asked us to come back again. We then proceeded to have one of the funnest afternoons playing in transplanted leaves. Randy thought we were crazy he asked us to come to his home next year and use his leaves. Since they spent all fall trying to get rid of them. We might just have to do that next year.