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| Boys on Christmas morning. Foster got an archery set, James got the Thrash and Throw T REX. |
This year winter really felt like winter. Not only was it cold but we had rain every week. So of course we watched lots of Harry Potter and baked plenty of pumpkin muffins! James even finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone all by himself so we promised that when he finishes all of the books, we will take him to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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| Because of all the rain, we saw many rainbows this winter. |
Foster started piano and pottery lessons this winter and is loving it. He had been asking for piano lessons for awhile, which was surprising to me since he's only five, so we signed him up and he's been loving it ever since. James started after-school soccer and loves it. Running and soccer are his two favorite sports and he is determined to play soccer on a team next fall. It's fun to watch the boys find their interests and go after them.
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| Some of the pottery projects Foster completed this year. |
Christmastime
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| As a family project, the boys and I painted this Christmas painting for our mantel. |
We had lots of fun activities planned during the month of December. I was in charge of both their class Holiday parties so I had a lot of planning to do. In addition I felt it was time to sell the rest of my copies of James the Brave. I was able to sell 150 copies in the first two weeks of December. So it was a busy month but a really good month full of great memories.
Class Parties
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For the kindergarten class party the kids decorated gingerbread houses and had a children's book
gift exchange. |
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| Luke, Foster, Hagan, Malia |
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| Foster and Mrs. Greenan |
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| Kindergarten book exchange. Foster is very happy with his gift! |
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For the second grade party, we had a Holiday breakfast with Holiday games
and a marshmallow snowman craft. The kids had a great time. |
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| Max, Hudson, Reed, Brayden, Donovan, James |
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| Trying to unwrap candy with gloves on. |
Family Traditions
This year we added some new family traditions to our ever-growing list. We did the Bethlehem Walk at the Methodist Church of Escondido. It was a tradition we will definitely continue. They recreated the streets of Bethlehem, with merchants, Roman Soldiers and animals. The tour ended at the manger with the Savior's birth. It was impactful and fun for all of us.
We also visited The San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas with Grandma and Grandpa. We had never been to the gardens before and it was beautiful at Christmas. Lights everywhere, a snow hill, horse-drawn carriages, s'mores and SANTA!
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| James asked for an Indominous Rex toy and Foster asked for a nerf gun. |
This year I went with Anne, Tess and Haley to dinner and The Nutcracker. It was our "sister date" and it was a nice girl's night.
We kept some of our favorite Christmas traditions like decorating gingerbread houses, the boys always love decorating the house inside and out, driving around and looking at lights and our favorite; putting straw in the manger each night.
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| Candy Cane Lane |
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| James and Jacob at the Ward Christmas Party |
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| Foster, Arden and Tatum |
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
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| Our favorite little Christmas mouse. |
It rained on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day which is as Christmasy as it gets around here. We went to mom and dad's house for Christmas Eve and Ani's house for Christmas Day. Santa visited and we had a wonderful Christmas breakfast of crepes prepared by Scott. It was the perfect way to celebrate.
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| Christmas Eve |
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| You bring us presents like nerf guns and stuff enjoy the cookies. Love Foster |
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| The boys decorated sugar cookies for Santa. |
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Santa Visited!
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| Grandpa and James matched on Christmas Day. |
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After such a great day, it was time for a Long Winter's Nap!!!
Scott received a nice Christmas present this year. A brand new Tesla that was delivered
to the house just a few days after Christmas.
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Christmas Vacation in Santa Barbara
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Visiting the Children's Museum of Santa Barbara
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After 18 months in Macedonia, Pop-Pop and Grandma Olson returned from their mission. We were excited to drive up to Santa Barbara to see them. We wasted no time catching up and having fun in Santa Barbara. We loved their rental property and the boys spent hours playing soccer in the yard and exploring all the paths that went around the house. It was a great getaway and we are so glad they are back!
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| We were anxious to get back to the Santa Barbara Zoo! |
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| Grandma Olson treated us to a day at the aquarium followed by ice cream on the pier. |
It was so nice to be back with Scott's parents in Santa Barbara. We had really missed them and the place we visit them.
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| Morning walks with great views. |
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Pop-pop reading the boys his favorite children's book "One Fish Two Fish" with a
quilt to match! |
James Turns 8 and is Baptized
We promised James a big birthday party when he turned eight and he really cashed in on that promise. He invited all the boys from his second grade class to celebrate with him at Pump it Up. They had so much fun and honestly were so sweaty and tired by the time the party was over, boys have a lot of energy!!! James felt so special to be surrounded by all of his buddies. The kids had pizza and cake and James got to sit in the inflatable throne that was a very coveted seat. He was showered with gifts from his friends and went home a very happy birthday boy!
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| The Party Goers |
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| So many dog piles on the slide! |
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| James and Seth |
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Present Time!
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We had a family birthday for him the following Sunday and James picked the menu; spaghetti and meatballs, caesar salad and bread. For dessert, what else but chocolate cake for the birthday boy!
Stats on James at 8 years old:
Favorite Friends: Jacob Whitehead, Hudson McEwan, Evan Engel and Donovan Contreras.
Favorite Subject in School: Running Club and P.E.
Favorite Sport: Running, Frisbee, Soccer
Favorite Food: In N Out, Sushi, Spaghetti
Favorite Treat: Chocolate bars with M&M's inside, Swedish Fish, Ice Cream
Favorite Toy: Jurassic World Toys, Trampoline, Transformers, Harry Potter wand
Favorite Movie: Avengers, Jurassic World, Harry Potter
Favorite Place to Go: Target (some things never change)
Favorite Thing to Do: Go the the park and play with dad, playdates with friends, one on one time with mom and dad.
Favorite Restaurants: In n Out, Luna Grill, McDonalds
Favorite Book: Harry Potter series
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Song: Animal Inside by Fear and Wonder
James is kind and considerate. This year he has demonstrated his good character time and time again. Earlier in the year, at Golden Spoon Day, he and his friend were stuck in an elevator. His friend was screaming and crying and both boys were very frightened and even thought they might die. James did not cry but kept very calm. He suggested to his friend that they say a prayer for help. His friend had not said a prayer before so James said the prayer while his friend repeated the words. Soon after their prayer mom heard the elevator alarm and was able to get them out. James showed a calm faithfulness in times of trial that impressed us all.
He also stuck up to one of his friends who was not being kind to a girl at school. He told his friend to leave her alone and did not back down, even when his friend told him to SHUT UP. James made it clear he would not tolerate his friend treating him that way and left. His friend apologized to him the following day. I was proud that James knows how he and others should be treated and will not stand for cruel behavior. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."-Albus Dumbledore
James' Baptism
James was baptized on February 9th at 11:00 a.m.with his best friend Jacob Whitehead. Both of the mother's spoke, Sarah Whitehead spoke on baptism and I spoke on the Holy Ghost. Lizzie, Kate and James Whitehead sang a musical number and we left time for people to write individual notes for each of the boys. James received many sweet messages from family and friends. After his baptism, James told me that he felt very clean and couldn't really remember his mistakes from before. It was a very sweet day for our entire family.
To celebrate, we took the entire family to lunch at CPK. It was a stormy day and we spent the rest of the afternoon with Grandma Olson and Pop-pop then went out for a sushi dinner, James' current favorite meal out.
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| James and Jacob, just before they were baptized. |
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| Chad, Jacob, Scott, James |
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Very proud grandparents.
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| And a very proud family! |
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Other Exciting News
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This winter we found out that we are adding another member to our family. After the shock wore off,
we were very excited. No one was more excited than our boys. They could not believe it. When we found
out it is a boy, we were also very surprised. We were convinced that it was a little girl. So the name game
has begun as we search for the perfect name for our perfect little guy. |
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Ultrasound at 8 weeks old
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| Ultrasound at 18 weeks old (baby saying hi). |
