Avery's December Field Trip - Christmas Caroling

I love that Avery's preschool does monthly field trips.

Last month, they went Christmas caroling to the Beehive House.

It's a retirement home near us.

We actually went trick-or-treating there this past Halloween.

Avery's teacher does such a good job with the kids. She's amazing.

And I love all the songs and actions she taught them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm so excited that I am now able to share videos!



Lexi's Christmas Concert

The week before Christmas, Lexi participated in the orchestra and band
Christmas concert at her school.
She had been sick all week and was tired but she went and did great.

Sean and I had decided that after the concert we were going to stop orchestra.
It was a hard decision to make.
It was just too much for Lexi and for our family.
It was hard to get all the kids up early to get Lexi to orchestra.
And it was difficult to find time to practice at night.
And Lexi was one of the youngest in the orchestra and was having a hard time keeping up.
She really needed a private tutor.
We've decided that in a few years, we'll try piano.
For now, just going to school all day, learning Spanish and going to dance and homework is enough.

Before the concert started the kids were tuning their instruments and warming up.

But Lexi just smiled at us from the stage.

 



Her Lexi is with her orchestra teacher.

UPDATE: Here are the videos I took at the concert...



Our Dads

 Sean and I are both blessing with amazing dads.

We really do have some great men in our lives.

...

My dad, Donn, is the most compassionate and caring man I know.

He treats my mother like a queen and no one could ever doubt that he loves his children.

Or that he adores his grandchildren.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my dad.

These first two are obviously at my wedding.

I just remember my dad looking so happy the day Sean and I got married.

I knew that he loved me and was happy with the decisions I was making.

Here he is making necklaces with Lexi.

This is so my dad.

He absolutely loves my children, they have him wrapped around their little fingers.

He just loves being with them and watching them play.

This was when we were vacationing in Midway, Utah in June 2011.

Lexi was almost three.

Here's my dad with Avery.

I love this picture.

This was taken in March 2012, just before Avery turned two.

The girls and I went to Washington for three weeks.

Lexi and Avery couldn't get enough of their grandparents love and attention.

 And here's my dad with Eli the first time he saw him in January of this year.

He was so excited to meet his grandson.

It was so sweet.

Donn didn't become my dad through birth.

He became my dad through choice.

Not only did he choose my mom but he chose my brother and I.

The song, He Didn't Have to Be by Brad Paisley always reminds me of him.

 My father-in-law, Garth, is one of most laid back people I've ever met.

He never gets upset.

And he's always been so welcoming to me.

Garth always has put his family first.

I know that his greatest joy comes from his family.

First our two pictures I found of Sean with his dad when Sean was a baby.

 Garth is a fun grandpa.

He loves seeing his grandkids.

He lights up and gets excited when he's with them.

First is a picture of him with Lexi the month Lexi turned one.

And here's him with Eli in March.

This was August 2010 back when there were only 6 grandkids (now there are 9).