Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas Vacation

Oma brought a gingerbread house to build with the boys while she was here.
Kyler got a turn to help stir...
...then Jaden got a turn.
 This was something that took a lot of patience.
After putting all the sides of the house up, it needed to harden.
 Perfect opportunity for Donkey Kong Country Returns! :)
 Then it was time for the roof!
 Then more time waiting.  Kyler was getting creative with his new building pieces.
 Finally it was time to start decorating it!
 Beckam and I played in the toy room.  He was smiling so cute, but of course I didn't get it! :) So I asked him to lay down and smile for me again...
 ...guess that's it!

 Jaden was so proud of the roof!
 They each got to decorate a little gingerbread man too!
Or a gingerbread girl.  That's what Kyler decided his should be.
 Grampa enjoyed throwing balls to Beckam.  His coordination with the bat is pretty good and he hits them much of the time now.

 One of the days we went to the Children's museum.  Same as last time, we could have spent the entire day there!  They love it all.  There was a new fitness area by the rock wall that the boys enjoyed.
Beckam was brave enough to try out the bridge this time.
Thanks to grampa's support!


Silly pictures with the gingerbread house finally done!



And now, time to break it! Yes, she used a hammer!  Kyler was nervous about how loud that was going to be. :)
That frosting really did harden like cement!  It was hard to break the roof!
They were so excited to finally eat some of their hard work! (even though at the first thought of breaking the house Jaden stated "NO! You don't eat a project!")
The boys also spent time doing some stencil and mosaic stuff they got from Santa.

During all of this indoor playtime, Grampa had been out in the garage (since it was raining most of the time) building an awesome soccer goal for the boys!  The net is tight so that the ball bounces back and they don't have to go get their ball after they make a goal!  Brilliant! They love it grampa!



Jaden's ball is a bit of a blur here...can you see it?  Not the green ball in the background, but the one even with the rocks!  I love how scared Kyler looks, face, body and all! :)

I wish they could have had more time to play with it outside, but I guess that we are hitting the rainy season here.  In another month it'll heat back up and will be used daily I'm sure!  They've already had friends over to play with it as well.  Having Brian and Shenna here sure was fun.  Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!  Apparently the flash was just too bright! :)


Beckam went straight for the candy!



Thanks to grandparents and aunts and uncles, these boys get spoiled!
 Jaden was so excited to get a street soccer ball.
 Kyler was beyond excited to have him OWN soccer ball!

 Beckam LOVED the puppy Kyler got him!




 Christian is happy to finally have something to store his olive oil in!  Thanks Eric and Nat!
The excitement came with each new gift.  Something about tearing open some wrapping to reveal something new, that makes you go...ohhhh....
 ...yay!!!!
 ..."now I have a collection."


But honestly I think they were most excited about these bow and arrows Beckam got them from the dollar store! :)
 They were so nice to share with Beck!
 More Trio blocks!  Thanks Gma & Gpa!
 Kyler went straight to work with his art easel!

The missionaries came over to do their calls home in the afternoon and that was fun having them here.  One just talked on the phone and one Skyped with all his family.  During Beckam's nap we put together his new bookcase.
When he woke up he was so excited to put his books in it.

 Kyler loves his new K'NEX! Thanks Oma and Grampa!
 He's so artistic!
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 And another fun surprise showed up for dinner!!!  It was Oma and Grampa!  Merry Christmas indeed!  We had our favorite salmon dinner!
 With some "raw cheesecake" for dessert. (Made from nuts and dates for the crust, cashews, honey, lemon and butter for the filling and dates with fruit pureed for the topping!)
 YES!!! It was AMAZING!!!
 Jaden was being so cute showing Beckam how to shoot the guns, then they would go to the wall and knock the darts down.  He is such a great older brother!
 Jaden and Kyler enjoyed the new trio block set after Beckam went to bed.  I think it was the first time they got to try it.  Beckam LOVES it!
Such a fantastic day.  I got each of us notebooks (gratitude journals) that we now write in each night as part of our family bedtime routine.  I love this so much and am please with how the kids have seemed to enjoy it as well.  We have so much to be thankful for!  I hope they will always be grateful!
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