My Sweet Savannah

When I came up from watching a chick flick the other night this is what I found. Savannah put a lot of thought into this surprise.

Needless to say, I stayed up a little later and cried about the movie and about how grateful I am for my great daughter, Savannah.

Alyssa's Emergency Shelter

Alyssa and Drake have been working on building and all nature teepee in the woods. They did a REALLY great job. I think we could stay there if we truely had to.

It's incognito. Can you see it?

Isn't she incredible?

The builders!

It fits four kind of comfortably

Merry Christmas!

Can we go now?

Giant stuffed animals. Yay!

Emma Grace Scored!

Doesn't look like much for Logan. He was too busy playing with his tractors and new bounce house to let me take a picture.

Alyssa got the Electric Guitar & Rug she wanted. Now she can "WAIL"!

Savannah got stuff for girls camp (their going in tents) & a sewing machine

Tractors!? Nope, PJ's.

Logan was so excited when I tossed him a tiny present to open on Christmas eve. "Is it my tractor?", he asked. Nope. Just PJ's. He was still super excited.

Best Christmas Pagent Ever-Dec.

Mary & Joseph with their Donkey

Mary & Joseph love their baby and each other

the shepherds were sore afraid

the angels sang their praises of the newborn king

Teenager?!?!

I don't feel old enough to have a teenage daughter. But she went and did it. She turned 13.

She really is a sweetheart and we love her more every day. Happy Birthday, to my favorite 13 year old girl in the whole wide world.

Savannah, my Christmas angel

Savannah has a heart of gold. For the second year in a row she chose to give her Birthday party gifts to a "Christmas Angel". This year she actually got to shop for two, a little girl and a little boy. All of her friends love it, too. apparently they have been talking about it all year. It's good for these spoiled rotten kids to think about someone who is truely in need. they are pretty cute to take shopping. Some of the things they pick out are hilarious. I have to remind them that the kids are just little and sweats are MUCH prefered over skinny jeans in the under 4 age group.

17 shoppers in all

In the check out lane, playing the "what's your true laugh" game

Sweet Girls

Happy Birthday, Nanners!

In the bag, my last gift of love- Dec.

I haved served in the Young Women organization with the Beehives for the last 2 years. A couple of weeks ago I got released. I told the 2nd counselor in the Bishopbrick that I didn't think it was a good idea. I cried a lot. I let him know how much I love these girls. But, he still thought it was my time to serve with the Sunbeams! (Logan's new primary class). But, I had already started on my Christmas gift for my Beeves so I decided to finish them. It was my last gift of love. And loved them I have. I'm going to miss all of them, but I have truely loved being in Young Womens with Savannah. She is my sunshine.

Coordinating Scripture Bags!

This is the poem that I wrote to go with them:

In the bag

“Mom”, I said, “I’m running late. My shoes I cannot find.

Would you help me look for them? You’re always nice and kind.”

”No sweat, my love, but sweat you did it almost made me gag.”

“Gym was yesterday, you see, Your shoes are IN THE BAG”

“Coach!” I cried. “I’m trying hard. But I’m afraid I need a rest.”

“I’ve practiced hard, I’m playing tough, but I’m afraid I’ll fail this test.”

“Focus, child, you’re looking great. Keep your eye on the finish line flag.”

“Don’t worry my girl your doing fine. This game is IN THE BAG”

“Father” I pleaded, “Are you there? I don’t know what to do.”

“Should I follow the crowd or stand alone? Please send me a little clue.”

“My child, I’m glad you came to me your heart is super sweet.”

“These situations are tough for you, your desires I will meet.”

“Look in the book and read the words of prophets long ago.”

“You may think they don’t understand, but trust me daughter, they know.”

“The book is a map to lead you home. I miss you very much.”

“I love our chats when you say your prayers, but your hand I long to touch.”

“So study the pages. We will help when your life has hit a snag.”

“The answer, my child, to eternal life, is waiting IN THE BAG.”

-Betsy Baugh

Yummy, yummy Christmas Time-Dec.

We dipped pretzels for neighbor gifts. They were yummy and most of them are still sitting in my car. I just ran out of time. So now I can't really give them away. I guess I'll have to eat them myself. Oh, man!

Comin' Up Christmas Time, TaVaci Concert- Dec.

Christmas is a crazy time at everyones house. Ours is crazy times 2. With Christmas comes the TaVaci concert. This year ws one of my favorites. The kids were awesome. They loved the music and they performed like it was the greatest thing ever. After the show was over I remembered why I love being the TaVaci lady. The day before, I was questioning what on earth I was doing. One of the crowds favorite songs was a song my kids didn't even sing! It was a monk song. I had 11 of my Harmonic tunes, dress as monks, come on stage and hold up posters with the words to "We wish You a Merry Christmas". The Mormon Tabernacle Choir accompanied them. Not gonna lie, it was awesome.

Emma Grace and Hayden

My TaVaci Girls (No Savannah this time, it was sad)

Picture for my 2012 Christmas card!

Alyssa's 5th grade Christmas party-Dec

Alyssa's teacher decided that the kids needed to learn how to have manners and be polite. So, for their Christmas party, she made it a formal affair. All of the kids were supposed to dress up for school. Girls were asked to wear dresses. Boys were asked to wear shirts with collars and pants with belts. Alyssa even talked me in to letting her wear her Christmas dress.

Alyssa's 5th grade class

Toilet paper snowman? That's my baby under there.

Alyssa and Mrs. Devlin

My Fancy 5th Grade Girl

Emma Grace's Christmas program-Dec.

Emma Grace loves preschool. Her best little buddy Hayden got really sick right before Christmas and had to go to the hospital for several days. Emma Grace was just worried sick for her. She called her to check on her, she sent her a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal, she made her get well soon cards, and she played "sad" at playtime because Hayden was sad in the hospital.
But, Emma Grace was very happy that Hayden got feeling better just in time for the school Christmas program and the TaVaci concert.
The pre-school Christmas program is so cute. Emma Grace got to wear her fancy new Christmas dress and she was by far the cutest girlie there.
The theme was The Christmas Angel Band. They sang lots of songs about the true meaning of Christmas. My favorite was the ABC's. (sung to the first Noel). They skip the letter L, and then very flustered they sing, "No L, No L, No L, No L." It's so cute.
Emma Grace is a great little performer. She even kept her cool when a little friend on stage PUCKED! Gross. I was glad that the sick baby was on the other side of the stage from mine.

G is for God's Grace.

Hey!

Thank You for Coming!

Emma Grace and Ms. Debbie

My Christmas Gift from Emma Grace. It's a handprint that I'll never erase.

Emma Grace and Ms. Jackie

Gingerbread village- Dec.

I'm not a huge fan of this tradition. I think it's a waste of perfectly yummy candy. And, who likes Gingerbread, anyway? But my kids think it's fun. So, when I found a christmas village for the same price as a gingerbread house, I was sold.

This one is my favorite. She really did do this all by herself.