*Preschool "Polar Express" Party

*I got to help in Kay's class the day of their "Polar Express" party where they wore their pajamas, rode the train (holding onto shoulders), & went to see Santa. They received bells, ate cookies & hot chocolate. Kaylea informed me

that "he" was NOT the real Santa because his skin was darker than the real Santa's and she couldn't see his mouth. Can't get anything by this girl!

*The passing of Jason's Dad

~The week before Christmas our brother 'n law Jason Check lost his father "Chuck" to lung disease. Jason has many traits from his father that he attributed to him-including a very soft heart. Our condolences go out to Jason (his step mom Cindy, brother Doug), Tiffany, Emmie & Ava. 

~Tim & I were able to attend the funeral & I was privileged to accompany Emmie, Ava, Sophie & Taylor as they sang "I am a Child of God." It was so sweet and the music brought the spirit so strong into the meeting...so much so that my watery eyes of tears blurred my music. It was endearing to see those who were not members of the church applaud the song as you could see how moved they were by it. 

~We hope that all those who are mourning this loss will be comforted by the Holy Ghost, feel the love of their Father in Heaven & Savior Jesus Christ & that it will develop or strengthen their testimony of the Gospel.

Donny Osmond sings Mary Did you know

What a beautiful song to beautiful pictures. Merry Christmas!

*Happy 12th Bday Taylor!

*Happy Birthday to cousin ~Taylor Simas~ too! She turned 12 today! Yahoo!:) Welcome to "Young Womens"! Taylor is a live spirit always full of energy. She is a helpful older cousin who always looks out for the younger ones.

We love Taylor!

~Happy Birthday!~

*Happy 23rd Tommy!

*Ok it's about time I embarass my little Bro Tommy! Although he's not so little anymore. Today marks his 23rd birthday..hard to believe! But before I begin...anyone know any eligible single ladies...cuz 

he's available!

Tommy is a big mixture of all 3 of my kids...or I guess they of him..whatever. I remember his 1st day of Kindergarten like it was yesterday! He absolutely refused to speak!! Sound familiar? (Refer to Kaylea's 1st day of preschool.) My parents had to bribe him with a toy

 watch to get him to talk to his teacher. He always melted my heart as a little boy. He was so tender.

* I remember one time him & my Dad came home from a father-son campout with our ward. He could have only been 5 or so. Tommy came inside the house with the saddest look on his face. (reminds me of Spencer) I asked him what was wrong and he said 

with tears in his eyes: "I didn't catch a frog like the other boys!"

*He has always been so sweet...but boy howdy don't get him mad! As a little toddler when he would get mad, he would deliberately find a hard floor (ususally kitchen) and go bang his forehead on it! (Totally what Daylan did too!) Tommy would get frustrated easily if he couldn't do something & then there he'd go. My mom and I would often try and catch him before he did it. He does not have that temper anymore though thank goodness! :}

*Well he's all grown up now and I have to say has turned out pretty darn good. Tommy (or is it Tom now?) faithfully served a LDS mission to Salta, Argetina from 2004 to 2006. He served the people day in and day out & grew to love them. He had some baptisms & served in many positions, including as a Branch President!

*Tommy is a great Musician, a wonderful Uncle, a quiet Leader, loyal Friend, protective Brother & obedient Son. The song that reminds me of him is Garth Brooks song where it says: "I do this so, this World will know it will not change Me." The other song is: "I yi yi yi, I yi yi yi Indian Braves are We." -(The song he sang when he was 4. Hehe :)

Tommy you are SO GREAT & we hope you know that!

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY*- We Love You:0

*Happy 1st Birthday cousin Tate!

Happy Birthday to this little cutie-patootie who turns 1 today! This little Christmas baby was the Lundell's Christmas Gift last year. Happy Birthday "Tater-Tot."

~Happy Birthday to my HS friend Becky too! Love ya! She's 1... plus 28!:)

Deck the Halls!

Ok so we did put the tree up a while ago, but here's a few moments with the youngest two decorating the tree! Yup we tell them they can put anything on wherever, so usually we'll have 4 candy canes in a clunk and two ornaments on one branch, but it's just so darn cute. (Then when they're sleeping, I do move them around a bit.) Someday we'll have nice ornaments all perfectly placed; but not now...and you know what? Someday I'm sure I'll be wishing there were two ornaments on one branch.:)

"You better NOT CRY, I'm telling you why..."

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN TO TOWN!!!

*Ok so I'm a mean Mom, but I just LOVE "cryin'-on-Santa's-lap" pictures. -Probably because I have a couple of myself as a child just like this. Everybody needs one ...Right?

*It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Am I seeing things or is it in the 30's outside!! Yikes! I feel like we are back in Flag! -which actually makes it feel more like Christmas time.- So this morning dropping spence off at the bus stop we saw a thick layer of frost on the grass. The kids were playing in it like it was snow! Yesterday Daylan begged me to go on a walk in the midst of a major FOG! The walk only lasted about 3 minutes as we quickly jotted around the culdesac, but I got a couple quick photos.

*Singing "Fabulous"

*Pause my side music to hear:)

This is from a while back:

(Singing "Fabulous"- a song from High School Musical 2)

-Daylan is singing "I need, I need, I need, I need..."

-Kaylea pipes in at the end with "Fabulous..." Day says: "No- I sing it!"

(Don't you love that Dude is still in his pajamas as they are eating lunch.)

*Sunshine Singers*

*Kaylea & Spence as "Sunshine Singers."* 

Spencer had his very 1st solo Friday night as the "Sunshine Singers" performed @ the QC Town Hall. It was such a short little part but he was so adorable. He & the other couple boys sang "I'm gettin' nothin for Christmas." I'll try and see if I can get the video of it on here. Kaylea was just cute as she did all the hand motions so precisely. Not much more could be better than watching your kids learn to love music.

*Girlie Toes

The other day cousin Macey painted Dude's toe nails. At the time he really wanted them done cuz the other girls were doing theirs. Yesterday morning I couldn't resist taking a picture of him & his "girlie toes." He started to get embarrassed, maybe realizing that it was a little bit silly. Don't you love how he's covering up his toes with an angry face.

*Don't Miss This Saturday!!

*Come this Saturday between 12-8 to the Whitewing neighborhood off Higley & Pecos to my sister 'n law's (beautiful) house. She is selling wonderful upscale home decor & fashion accessories for 40% off retail prices. Your Christmas shopping heaven! You won't want to miss it!

*I Love to See the Temple..

~About once a week, my Mom takes the kids for a few hours and spends some quality time with them doing a number of things. They do anything from baking cookies, playing @ McDonalds playground, escapades to the dollar store, seeing the puppies at the mall etc.-You know all the things kids beg to do, but as a Mom you say:"we'll see." Well Grandma Kathy actually does them!
We call it "Grandma Day."
~A few weeks ago my mom took them into the Temple visitors center. They saw the Christus statue and played on the beautiful grounds of the temple. They loved it. She captured this little photo of them with Mesa Temple in the background. They know it is a special place and hopefully someday they will have that desire to "go inside someday."
~This next week we plan to go in the evening and see the gorgeous Christmas Lights on the grounds.

*Spencer's a Green Belt!

Spencer is now officially a GREEN BELT in Karate. His karate instructor teaches them a combination of Jui Jitsu, Kickboxing & Tae Kwon Do. Spence is one belt away from being 1/2 way to a BLACK BELT!!!! We're proud of him to stick with it.

 He's come a long way! "Hi-Ya!"