Party hats

We had New Year's Eve at Kurt and Carlee Simpson's house in Star. We celebrated at 10:30 p.m. and the big kids loved throwing pop-its and jumping on the trampoline and shooting silly string. Thanks!

Girls Party - December 28, 2018

At General Conference in October, President Nelson challenged the girls and women to read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2018. 

I didn't make it through the entire Book of Mormon. I tried to read while feeding Sierra, but kept falling asleep. I did put in CDs and listened to some of the Book of Mormon during the day. 
Meta and I read a child's story book of the Book of Mormon several times and Sierra was nearby and sometimes awake while we read. Though we didn't read the scriptures the entire way through, we made an effort.  Thank you Oma for the kids' book.

Oma turned the scriptures challenge into an opportunity for a celebration. She took 20 of us out to dinner at Smokey Mountain Pizza.

Oma and Aunt Arlie
 Aunt Maria, Hannah, Hallie, Stella and Zoe
 Jessi, Meta and Sierra
 Aunt Carlee, Christy and Rachel
 Aunt Kim, McKayla, Bree and Ellie
 Aunt Kristen, Emma and Aspen

 Then we went to Oma's house to play Book of Mormon jeopardy and a white elephant style gift exchange. All the gifts had a tag related to reading the scriptures.  

It was so fun to see all the cousins interact and to hear Oma's testimony about the Book of Mormon and following the prophet. Thank you Oma!

Christmas Morning at 7:30 am - December 25, 2018

Lincoln woke up at 5 am and came into our room. Sierra also woke up to eat. They both fell back asleep and we got a little bit of a sleep in before all the excitement.

Last minute - December 24, 2018

I made ornaments for each of us this year. Meta and I picked up pinecones on our walk to school on Wednesday. Then I crocheted all the hats and scarves. I assembled the ornaments today (Monday) and we hung them on the tree. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

Santa's been here. Had his cookies and milk. Stuffed stockings, put out presents, fed carrots to the reindeer.

Lincoln told me that Rudolph is not a real reindeer. He's just a story.  But he thinks the rest of the reindeer are enough to get Santa through the night. He's always been aware of "Santa Helpers" at different events. We've told him Santa is too busy to do everything and he needs helpers. Same with the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. 

Searching for snow - December 22, 2018

We had to go looking for some snow to play in before Christmas.  We found it half an hour from home near the ski resort.  Lincoln played outside for over an hour. Mostly digging a "hot tub".  Meta played until she got snow down her jacket and then she was ready to sit in the warm truck.  Sierra got cold taking pictures and wasn't happy until we got her back in the truck and out of her fuzzy bear suit.  We'll try again sometime.  The kids will want to play in the snow again!

Paddle Parade - December 14, 2018

A local watersports shop sponsors a paddle parade each Christmastime. Folks decorate their kayaks / canoes / paddle boards / rafts / etc with lights and Christmas decor. Then, near sunset, they paddle along the Deschutes.  We stood on a bridge called the "flag bridge" - a pedestrian bridge in the Old Mill District lined with flags - and waved at the boats.  At least one Santa Claus waved back. We only stayed about 20 minutes because it was windy and rainy and cold.  Lucky for us, Auntie Beth is game for lots of adventures.

Turkish Soaking Pool - December 12, 2018

Bend has a Soaking Pool at the Old St. Francis School McMenamins Hotel. We spent around an hour in the warm water. Lincoln had his life jacket and Meta brought a floatie penguin. The tile murals and stained glass were neat to look at. The kids loved the lion fountains. Auntie Beth came too.