It's a Jolly Holiday- lovin' the break!

Wow- I really feel like I've been in hibernation! The last few months of work and lessons started taking over my life. . . thankfully Ariana stepped up to the "blogging plate" and was able to keep track of the major events that were happening. I can honestly say this has been the most fulfilling and busiest job I've ever had. It seems like almost every other weekend I'm taking students to an audition or a day camp or leadership event. Poor Ari is often left alone to fend for herself and the boys. . . so I try to make the times I am there with them extra special. I can always improve in that regard.

It felt like those last couple of weeks of school before the break were never going to be over. In a matter of 2 weeks I had a Middle School Christmas concert, a voice/piano recital for my piano students, 2 nights of vocal juries over at the college, a HS Christmas Concert and a HS Christmas Dinner Fundraiser. . .along with a couple of private parties the mixed quartets were invited to come and perform at. It was insanity and we were exhausted! I know that Ariana was sure excited to have a husband back in her life. . .she was so patient to put up with the craziness of the season.

Here's a couple of pics from my voice/piano recital.



Like she mentioned earlier, Kodee is hilarious and loves cupboards and small spaces he can try and fit himself into.



Kodee also loves to get into the trash and eat whatever he finds. We definitely have to watch this one!





Jaxon's major trial in life lately is the Moster Kodee. It seems like he is always following behind him and ready to destroy whatever Jax had been working on. Jax especially loves building choo choos out of anything- but especially legos. He's really amazing at how he can make those choo choos and VERY particular about them. Sometimes it's frustrating playing with him because he will let you know if you're doing it wrong and it HAS to be his way. Here's a coupld of pics of how Jax is so territorial over his creations.



Both boys' favorite snack of the moment is Trisket Crackers- both cracked pepper flavor and rosemary and olive oil. Kind of weird huh? They act like they're cookies or something. In fact, Jaxon sometimes calls them cookies.

Whenever Jaxon pleas to stay up later he always says "one two minutes" and that means "can I watch tv for a few minutes?" It's so cute, and every time he does it, it makes us smile and how can we refuse?

We're currently in the stages of potty training and that's just not going very well. It seems that he's lost all interest and could care less if the cars on his pull ups disappear when he wets in them. We got him a pair of his first "big boy briefs" but have yet to try them on him yet till he shows a little more interest in the potty. We can't believe he'll be starting sunbeams this next sunday! This is a HUGE deal!:)




One night we decided to have a sleepover in the living room and Jaxon was loving it the next day. We left the matress out for him to play on. These are our creative ways to have fun for free. . .no reason to go out to a hotel. Just move your bed into another room.

We were able to finally get our prints back from Amber Halversen's awesome photo shop and were able to decorate our house with them. We're so lucky to have such awesome pictures to remind us of these special times!








Ari and I have been cross stitching up a storm. Kodee got one from Ari for Christmas and Jaxon got Choo Choo cross stitches from each of us for Christmas. He seemed really excited about them, they'll make his room cute! Here's also another crss-stitch I got done right before Christmas.







We had a lot of fun decorating our house this year. The boys loved to help too. Jaxon loved to put all the ornaments on one branch. We love adding the christmas cheer to our decorum.













Christmas was a blast this year. We had it at mom and dad's in Thatcher and Kelly, Joanna, mom and dad, and Grandma along with us all celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. Jim and Richard came down later on Christmas Day and we were able to play fun games with them and enjoy their company. It was sort of like a mini reunion- but don't worry Nancy and Jill you were sorely missed. We played a lot of "Ticket to Ride" and Wii's "NEW Super Mario Bros." I was pretty much in heaven with that one! It's fun to become a kid again every once in a while.

Christmas Eve we came home and there was a nice package on our doorstep with homemade caramels and presents for each of us! How exciting and thank you so much to our Secret Santa. . .you really made our Christmas! Kodee especially loved his popper ball toy that Secret Santa gave him.


As you can see from the video Jaxon got a Polar Express Choo Choo Train. Santa really went all out for him this year. Santa brought Kodee a brand new big boy car seat so that he can face the front- he's loving it and waves at everything out the window. Ari got a Snuggie from the jolly fat man:) She should be the model on the box for those cheesey infommercials.
We have to say though- it is AWESOME having a Snuggie in our house. Santa brought me some organizing boxes for all of our junk, so we can declutter our lives:) Ari's mom spoiled us with some awesome homemade gifts- wall hangings, quiet books for church- basically everyone was so jealous of our crafty mother! It was a great day.
We were able to see Avatar and The Princess and the Frog over the break. We loved both of them. I especially thought Avatar was amazing- but definitely for adults and older kids, I was just enraptured by the story. We're so happy Disney has gone back to 2-D for The Princess and the Frog and hope they keep that up. The music was great in it too and I can't wait to have some of my choirs do the songs!

We were also able to paint our bedroom dresser, Jaxon's shelf and changing table/dresser. We've seriously got a lot done so far- but still so much more to do this break! Hope you're all enjoying this time at home as well! Enjoy our video of the wonderful holiday!