Brooke's Photo Shoot - Ten Years Old

We get the kids' pictures taken every year around their birthdays (instead of school pictures). Brooke's birthday was three months ago, and she has reminded me several times that we still haven't done her pictures. Instead of going to the portrait studio and having that hassle, we decided to do some at the beach at the beginning of Christmas break. Our original plan was to go near sunset so the light would be better, but plans are just that - easily made, easily changed to fit everyone else's needs in this case, so we went right smack in the middle of the day.

I think they turned out pretty great considering, and she's happy, so that's all that matters. Not too bad especially having 10 children and a dog to keep track of as well . . .

Hence this picture - she was 'enjoying' a book when Cole came bounding over to her. Funny!

It's Christmas!

It's time for our annual Peppermint Street Caroling party.

We start at our house, sing throughout the neighborhood,

and end at the Hallmark's for treats and catching up with friends and neighbors.

We had quite a good group to spread good holiday cheer.

It's time also for our annual Christmas Pageant.

The kids completely did the costumes and parts all on their own.

Paige was the angel, Christian and Brent shepherds, and Ashlyn a cow (would the boys then be called cowherds?)

The older girls, Madison, Gwen, and Darby were the wise men, and Brooke was Joseph with Kate as Mary, kind of.

Here's the cast and crew! Great show everyone!

Merry Christmas!!

Orange to Purple

This little guy of mine is progressing rather quickly. He loves Tae Kwon Do and attends many times a week - thus ready to be tested already for the next level. He answered the questions properly, did all the techniques and showed his improving skill.

The questions, I might add, are not easy, especially the Excellent student one. This is what he had to memorize:

What is a Poor Student?

A Poor Student is lazy and simply expects results without sweat, Sir!

What is a Good Student?

A Good Student has the desire to learn and to achieve challenging goals, Sir!

What is an Excellent Student?

An Excellent Student not only learns the techniques, but gains knowledge of expressive ability and accepts hard work and sweat, realizing results come from practice, Sir!

What is Home Rule number three? (under 17 years)

Children will be kind to their brothers and sisters, Sir!

He had to round-house kick and break the board (which was TWO boards together) and he did it on the first try.

It's great to see how he is learning, getting stronger and improving his skill. He can now kick over head and has impressive side kick snaps.

Congratulations on your purple belt little man! You rock!

Ducks and Cookie Monsters

Madison's soccer team, the Cookie Monsters, were so totally awesome that they made it to the playoffs. So, soccer season didn't end for us like we thought and the playoff games are held all weekend long, playing three games on Saturday, then single-elimination games on Sunday.

Her coach was dismayed that she wasn't going to be playing on Sunday (it's the CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!), but later apologized to us for being disrespectful.

Well, they won the games on Saturday, so made to the Sunday games and ended up losing the first game 0-1 near the end. I think they are disappointed that Maddy wasn't there, as she was a key defender, but they ended up taking home yet another-much larger-trophy and had a wonderful season.

However, what do you do when you're stuck at the soccer fields all day with three other kids that are not playing? In between games, I took them to the library, which was very close. It wasn't opened yet in the morning, so we went around to the back where there is a large park, creek and duck pond.

And lots of ducks.

I think that means that we are South.

A very nice man gave us three bags of bread for the kids to feed the ducks.

And other little critters who did not want to miss out on anything.

Conejo Creek Park is very fun! And a fun break in between games. Oh, and we checked out a dozen books, read some of them during game #2, then returned between games 2 and 3 for more. These kids can't get enough books.

Now onto basketball.

Ice Ice Baby

It's time for our annual jaunt to the seasonal outdoor skating rink and it felt festively the occasion . . . brrr it was chilly out.

Everyone had improved their skating abilities from last year and we had a great night of FHE fun.

I Saw Santa . . .

Have you been naughty or nice?

Santa knows when you are sleeping and knows when you're awake. (Brooke informed me today that that's a bit creepy).

What are you going to ask Santa for this year?

At the ward party, Ashlyn asked for a make up set,

and Christian asked for police gear.

Very simple.

Very innocent.

From two darling innocent children who are certainly on Santa's nice list this year.