Oh Dear... she's 12!!

Yes this cute faced, curly haired girl is totally growing up.  I thought I officially told her that was not allowed!  And yet, I have loved all of our adventures with her... even her pre-teen feistiness ;)  We love this girl so much.  Heavenly father knew what he was doing when he sent her first to us.

On her birthday we gave her our traditional money-filled pancakes.

AND.... a surprise birthday party!  I started a new thing a couple years ago that I would only throw and friend bday party every other year.  So when it came time to plan what to do... we were at odds.  She told me just to just plan it on my own and surprise her.  LIGHTBULB!  Even thought that wasn't what she meant, I took it to a different level.  Jeremy came home from work to take Cami out on a daddy daughter birthday lunch.  And during that time, a few of her friends came over to decorate the house.  She had NO idea it was coming and the instant she came through the door she was attacked by her friends and screams of 'Happy Birthday!'  She went red and I loved it ;).  Even caught it on video.  

We played games like photo freeze... each taking a turn to add to the previous poser which in turn makes a fun snap shot

Then we made t-shirt scarves

I made them pose with all their scarves on :)  Some of them did such a good job with the craft! 

Then had chocolate cookie dough ice cream cake... her favorite.

This snow loving, not so little any more, girl melts my heart. I have always loved her energetic spirit, wishing I could have an inkling of hers and trying to keep up with her dreams and aspirations at the same time!  She amazes me, and we love her so much for it.  

Also, one of her birthday wishes was to go to the temple before the year was over.  There was a small door for that to happen, so my mom got on the ball and scheduled a date.  Sadly, their flight got cancelled and grandma and grandpa weren't able to make it.  BUT, lots of extended family came to support and be a part of it.  Hayley, Zack, Kori, Tate, Tyler, Crystal, Dan, Jess.  And I don't know those who we did the work for, many of them family names, were there also.  What a special day

We love you Cami XOXO

Twas the Night before Christmas...

This Christmas my parents went to spend the holiday with my brother Jacob and his family in Missouri.  So my sister in law Kori put together Christmas Eve for the family in town, and I think it was one of our favorites.  I had seen it done, but we had never done it (only read the story), but the kids acted out the story of Jesus birth.  It was so sweet and touching.  We sang Christmas hymns of our Savior and his humble yet glorious birth.  All the kids were so good, even our baby Jesus, Kurtis!  He didn't even make a peep, just sat there in his 'manger' content and the commotion around him.

Tate, our niece, is such a talented young lady and she played the a Christmas piece for us too.

Cousins are seriously the best XOXO

Kori did such a wonderful job for our Christmas eve.  And I love this pic of these two (Carson photo bombing in the back ;)... But one thing I have always appreciated about Kori is that she has given Alex extra love and attention that I think he has needed.  He has always loved and appreciated his Aunt Kori.

The 3 babies of the Christmas eve clan

Audrey loves babies, so when she first saw Kurtis again, she instantly was fascinated with her cousin :)

Then Christmas came.  All the hustle and bustle got unwrapped in gifts and memories.  Some of the favorite gifts the kids got this year were:

Audrey's slide... she's in heaven and loves her new indoor playground

Craig loves his trains

Carson loved his 3D minion puzzle

Alex LOVED his Yugi-oh cards!

Cami was super excited about her detailed coloring book and new pencils

I think mine this year was a box my mom and dad gave me.  It was filled with pictures of all her children and their spouses, ranging from baby all the way up through high school.  And many other treasure she has kept throughout the years for her children.  I cried as I read some of the letters she had saved from my brother Jacob that he had written to me while he was in college and on a mission.  And I smiled at all the fun pictures.  I loved this one too, because it is completely symbolic.  Jeremy has always appreciated the love he has received from the King family throughout the year.  They treated him as one of his own.  Little did they know, that I too would be apart of it! Those picture posts back from when TyLeen and I were good friends and always hanging out.  Family Ties... little did they know. ;)  I'm glad my mom kept this one.

Oh and this pic... haha.... proof that I loved finally having a sister!

Jeremy's of course was the new culinary items we now have!  He has such a knack for cooking, (I'm trying to learn from him ;), so I'm excited to see what he cooks up!!

A Merry Christmas to all!

Recitals, Crafts, Cookies, Activity Days, Friends and Family

So this year Cami chose to take band and decided to learn the clarinet.  Both Jeremy and I enjoy listening to her practice and play.  It's funny as I think back on it, because the very first day she brought home her instrument we couldn't blow one single peep out of it!  And now, she is reading music, playing precisely, and making up her own songs.  I LOVE to see the progress.  Their band put on a winter concert with the 7th and 8th graders also.  Her very first recital... 

She was so nervous, yet was spectacular :)

She and Alex also are in a Community choir and had been practicing for weeks!  The program is short but it totally melts my heart.  I love music, especially when children sing.  But I think my favorite part about it this time was that Alex and another girl a solo/duet parts in one of the songs.  I was so proud of him, because on their very last part he had to harmonize with the girl and he hit it spot on!  He really does have such a lovely voice.  So many parents complimented him on his part and were impressed.  I even catch him now trying to follow along with the alto part in our sacrament songs and church.  It makes my heart smile.  Reminded me of when I used to do the same thing with her at church.  Follow her lead and her notes.  I have to share a story though.  A couple years back I was asked if I would sing in Sacrament mtg one time.  I said yes, but asked Cami and Alex if they would join me.  We sang 'A Child's Prayer'.  I remember Alex getting a case of the hiccups because he was getting so nervous to sing in front of everyone, haha.  I eased him and reminded him we were singing together.  The piece turned out lovely.  But I hope Alex will always sing.  All of my children even.  It is a gift he has and I hope he will cultivate it.

For some gifts this year I did some homemade crafts. 

This one was for my dad.  He is an AVID skier!  No joke.  There was one year he made a goal to go water skiing every single month.  And he did!!  Those winter months required a dry suit, but he did it!  So, when I saw this quote, I had to make him a shirt from it.

'To Ski or Not to Ski.... What a Stupid Question' ;)

And I made this Nebraska string art project for a couple of my brothers and their families, because they are loyal Nebraska Cornhusker fans!  No matter their seasonal outcome :)  Plus they attended the University for a time.  Jacob and Zack

This Christmas we also made goodies to hand out with homemade Christmas cards.  Cami invited a friend over to make the cards and cookies.  They did such a good job!  So creative :)

And then a bittersweet day... Cami's last activity days.  Of course she requested to do homemade gingerbread houses, so we made it happen.  She will be 12 in just a couple of weeks and then out of Primary and off to Young Womens!!

Audrey was all about the candy, of course ;)

This Christmas we got to take care of someone else's present... a leopard gecko!  The kids loved feeding it and watching it scarf the crickets and meal worms.  I'm kicking myself for not getting a better shot, because Steve was in town too!!  He always comes around Christmas time to bring presents and hang with the family.  The kids look forward to it every year :)

Once school was out and the kids were officially on winter break, we played to our little hearts content.

Puzzles

Bike riding

Chores.  (Oh they love it and they know it ;)

Christmas here we come!

Family Pics 2015

It's not that easy to find the time or means to get some good quality family pictures, BUT is very much worth the effort when you do!  Families grow so fast.  They also come and go before you know it!  So capturing the moments, the milestones, the events... matter.  So with the help of my phone and a friend with a half decent camera and a moment of her time, we were able to actually get some this year.

I love these crazies of mine (XOXOXO)