Christmas Talent Show- Ward Party

O.K. so this year the primary were asked to sign up for a part in the Christmas talent show. My kids were so excited...especially LACEY shocking I know.(hehe) She had a new plan every day and everyday it got grander and grander. One night at dinner we were discussing her newest additions to her performance plan which was a song she had made up. When Kasen interrupted, asking if he could be in it. He also asked if they could please sing ..."you know Mom that song about Santa coming to town."

Lacey loved the idea and they both began their pleading..."can we Mom can we PLEEEEEEASE."

I said yes hoping that during the week they might just forget about the whole thing and we could just go and watch others perform their practiced polished talents. After a few days I really thought it was all over. However that night Lacey received a phone call reminding her of her part in the program. At this point I decided we had better get a plan so we downloaded a jazzy version of santa clause coming to town and played it over and over while Lacey and I choreographed some simple actions and dance steps. Anyone who knows my kids knows that my ideas are never good enough for them. Kasen came up with the idea that he wanted to dress up and be Santa in the song. It was a rather cute part and made the whole thing come together......"comic relief"became our true talent and we went all out by including Jaxon as a reindeer in footy pajamas. A few more days passed and we practiced a few more times. They were so hilarious and rather good too.

The day of the ward party I managed to piece together a Santa costume for Kasen complete with "bowl full of jelly"(Lacey's doll pillow) Troy arrived home in time to help us all load up and off we went...

There were lots of musical numbers on various instruments and some vocals as well.

These are my adorable nieces singing "The littlest Tree in the Forest"

Baylee sang so sweetly and new all the actions.

Kambria sang her heart out with her mouth practically touching the mic.

Her hip keeping rhythm while while she sang.

Lydia stood fight in the middle and grinned at everyone until the chorus when she would chime in with her tiny little voice and precise pronunciation.

The audience adored them and so did we!

throughout the show Kasen kept begging me to put on his Santa suit. Its a surprise I kept saying and told him he had to wait till right before.(I figured the element of surprise was the one thing we had going for us.) But when the time came I found Kasen already dressed and waiting anxiously for his turn. I helped Lacey change into her pajamas and we started the music...

Here's how it started with Lacey and Jax sleeping then bells then waking up and starting to sing and Dance

Then Santa arrives making his big entrance at"Santa Clause is coming to town..."

This picture tells the whole story....

Kasen completely CHICKENED OUT! he had stage fright and could not go on...I was sitting in the audience taking pics when I realized he was not joining on his cue...Lacey started to worry so I ran back stage to save Lacey from being totaly embarrassed. At this point I really did ask myself how in the world I got dragged into this...I carried Kasen on stage...The crowd roared with laughter and cheers...after all they just wanted to see him in his costume....Lacey kept going and never missed a beat...although she did change the direction for her motions to accommodate kasens position and Jaxon just sat there....I was not thrilled about being up there....O.k. I was seriously embarrassed LOVE was the only motivator...Lacey finished beautifully and the song was over... 

At this point the applause begins and Jaxon realizes he missed his part...so he refuses to exit the stage. I am carrying the pillow and am wearing 3 inch heels...remember Jaxon ways a ton and so I reach down to pick him up and quicly realize I am going to fall over If I pick him up....Not and addition I was willing to add to the experience. so I threw the pillow aside and proceeded to drag him by his feet off stage.Which created another stream of laughter from the audience.

So there you have it folks...Our Talent...Improv COMIC RELIEF...to music!

wait is that a talent or just a big mistake?

It was by far the most complicated and unpredictable act of the evening!

(The worst part for me was that they were so cute all those times we practiced at home. I mean Kasen even belted out his HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS at the end so good. And Troy never even got to see it not once! He claims the two best parts were watching me run to back stage in heels and then watching me drag Jaxon off stage....He laughed and laughed....I asked him why he didn't come to my rescue and he said he had to stay and video it all...what a stinker)

Troy insists that I post the video...I'll try...to my own demise.

The Polar Express-the ultimate train ride!

Years ago I took Rustin & Lacey on the POLAR EXPRESS. This Year I took Troy, Kasen, Jaxon & Canyon. We had a great time. Jaxon Is really into trains right now and Kasen is at the perfect age to enjoy the magic of Christmas. 

We Left for the North Pole that afternoon, stopped in flagstaff for a few errands, had dinner, Got on the train at 6:30 and were back home in bed by 10:30......WOW! what a ride.

All the first time train riders.

The station master announced the arrival of the Polar Express and we all ran over to watch it coming down the tracks. The anticipation was a thrill.

(As you can see on these boys faces)

WE followed the long row of cars till we found ours.

Then we waited to board and so to not be bored we took pictures by the lights.

and climbed on whatever was around.

and tried to stay warm

Finally the moment arrived and the boys were greeted by very friendly helpers who punched their tickets and welcomed them aboard!

Hooray!

We all piled in. Our seats faced each other so Canyon enjoyed jumping from lap to lap.

Natalie and Dave and Chelsey and the little girls rode in the seats behind us.

It was fun to meet up with them and experience it all together.

We had a great ride to the North Pole. We ate chocolate chip cookies and drank hot cocoa and even got a special gift from Santa himself!(a magical reindeer bell that only those who believe in Santa can hear) On the way home we sang carols and listened to a story. 

One of the biggest highlights was when the boys and got to use the train bathroom....talk about tiny...but we all crammed in the boys were thrilled to use a miniature toilet and sink on a moving train!

It was quite hilarious, the things they get excited about. Never a dull moment with these two.

They talked about the train all week and I must have the read the Polar Express book at least 3 times the next day for them. Luckily, their show and tell day was that week also and they re-lived the whole adventure again with a few extra embellishments while telling it to their class.

Thanksgiving SNOW!

We got the pleasure off having the Stirlands come down for Thanksgiving and stay with us. On Thanksgiving morning we woke up to snow. It was such a surprise.

(canyon- bare feet-heehee)

I made them brave the cold long enough for a picture. Only the little crazy ones stayed out and filled the yard with tracks!

I didn't get any pictures of Thanksgiving because I was too busy COOKING, EATING & PLAYING.

Mom and Dad Merrill and Tracy came up too and we had a grand feast at Lori & Delvs. We had such a great time hanging around together. We skyped Karene.  Aunt Joy taught Lacey the blanket stitch. The boys went coyote calling. The women tried out a new game. We went to see movies and shopped a little. We even got a visit from Aunt Judy. Everyone feasted on pie all weekend and all in all it was Good it would have been GREAT if Lori and the Boys could have come we missed you. They were having thanksgiving while elk hunting I heard that Lori was making Thanksgiving dinner in a Dutch oven. Wow she is amazing, that is Lori for you she would do anything for her family.

 (A special thanks to Lori and Mom who I'm sure had the most clean up jobs.)

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we drove up near Big Lake to cut Christmas trees.

Hot cocoa.....mmmmmmm.....good.

Kasen came prepared

Snow cone

Snow hat-shows off the cheeks don't you think?

Troy found us the perfect little Christmas tree this year.

The best part was that after we got home and got the tree out. Before I could even finish unloading the car the kids had gotten into the attic storage and drug out all the large Christmas bins full of decorations. 

So we DECORATED it!

They had more fun this year than ever. It must be their ages. I was so tired but I had fun too.

They were so pleased with themselves when it was all done.

(The part I left out was that Troy & Rustin were still up elk hunting so it was just me and the other kids at home. I managed to find the tree stand, hall the tree in, and make it stand, at least until we got it decorated.  The next morning it fell over. Fortunately I fixed it and Troy was never the wiser. I think I actually giggled out loud at myself)

Kasen's 5th Birthday!

Oh My! What a cutie you are Kasen. This here is the birthday boy. His biggest dream right now is to be a Super Hero or a Cowboy. So we planned a special Cowboy breakfast to celebrate em Turning 5!  We made up all the fixins and invited all his family to come. He really enjoyed himself.

We sure appreciate ya all comin out and supportin the shin dig on a Sunday morn.

He was late for his own party cuz he spent quite a while gettin his "cowboy" clothes on.

Dad got his very own BB gun!

Making a wish.

It was so fun watchin Kasen play with his Birthday presents all morning before church.

Binoculars and Whoopie cushion from Delv & Yiyo and Brenna

His very own WOODY! I think Woody has been just about everywhere with us over the last month.

A cool Bow and Arrow from Nat & Dave and the girls.

and yes all his dreams came true...he even got to be SUPERMAN!

That night I heard some noise in the kitchen and went out to see this.

Super man in my kitchen mixing potions....very serious work indeed.

He sleeps in the superman suit every chance he gets until mom insists we wash it

KASEN- we love you sooooo much! You add so much to our family. You are a hard worker. You come up with great ideas. You are tuff and don't mind a challenge. You are a good brother. We love your laugh and your smile. You Think you can do anything and so you probably grow and do just that. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Enjoy being 5.