First Timers

First off, we all met up at Cafe Rio (yum!). I was trying to get a pic of Luke in the happiest place on earth (Brit's lap), when Nikki snuck in on it. She tried to show off her back side, but my camera is way too slow. That's okay, I LOVE this cute pic of her in action & Riley's reaction. And Luke's in his own world, bursting with glee cause he's with Brittany. At one point I tried to take him from her and he gave me the hand and told me to go away.
The guys. Good lookin' bunch, eh!!
I just now noticed that Jon is in shorts.

Can't believe Jer's not in shorts come to think of it.

Breezy with the boys.

Tyler and Caleb were being sooo uncooperative!

This is our 4th Christmas here and the first time we've been to see the Temple Lights. Good thing our friends were there to show us the ropes. It was a fun night, but Jake wasn't feeling good and decided not to come. It wasn't the same w/o him. I missed him. When we got home I ran upstairs and jumped on him and gave him an abhorrent amount of hugs and kisses. I think he secretly liked it.

Love 'em!

Luke would let no one push him but Brittany. Just ask Tyler.

Favorite pic of the night.

Elle told Paige, "Luke's my girlfriend!"

(love this pic too!)

This is why my night was so fun and easy!

She got a good work out chasing this monkey, but we had fun talking between the chasing.

And the grand finale of the night...Dylan sticking the light up his nose, which transformed his ordinary nose into a glowing, bright, red one, and Patrick singing, "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer".

It was the funniest thing ever.

Tails and Finns

Luke has been sporting a tail for well, longer than I'd like to say.
Time to go see Jamie.
Whoot whoo! Luke did great during his cut and Jamie...well, she's THE BEST!

Jake's teacher let them dress up as anyone they've learned about this year for their holiday party. Jake picked Huckleberry Finn. He looked awesome thanks to Jamie and her buttonless pants. Yay! The kids were grouped together and had to do skits in the character they chose. Jake's teacher said Jake was really funny in his skit. Apparently Huck Finn went fishing with Tom Sawyer (Noah) and they reeled in Sir Frances Drake (Brittain). The imaginations of 5th graders!

Jake you're awesome!!!

Denise's Surprise Party

Patrick planned a fabulouso surprise b-day party for Denise and Bobbi and I got to help him a little bit. This made for some definite good times:

Learning that there is a big difference between man food and women food.

Tug-o-war with Bobbi to detach the ribs that were frozen solid to each other.

Bobbi turning on the faucet to fill the water bowl and me telling her I can handle that job. Some time later, Bobbi calling to me across the kitchen, You got it, Camie? And me turning to watch the water bowl overflowing with the water that I was in charge of. Water was everywhere, but don't worry, I got it.

The guard commenting to Patrick and Denise, "Oh you're here for the Wood Extravaganza."

Asking Patrick P. to take a group picture of us. Pushed the video button instead and then the battery died. But we got a really nice video out of it.

And finally Maryann telling us how her husband is going to help her nurse when the baby comes and then Patrick going on to demonstrate how that will work.

It was great to hang out with you and so many of your friends!! Such a fun night!

Merry Birthaversary, Denise!!! We love ya!!

Park it

The wise ones wore flip flops and T's.

Those of us foolish enough to wear sweaters were a bit toasty.

Ahhh December!!!

So, I'm sitting here blogging and Luke is next to me, eating his lunch. He's looking at the pics and says, "Carter!" I point to the pic of Luke and say, "Who's that?" He says, " I'm pooping". It was indeed a memorable one. In fact, it was so good that we almost missed lunch because his diaper wasn't the only thing needing to be changed. Luckily, Nikki had some spare shorts in her car. Saved the day!

C'mon Luke, let's get you some new shorts and grab some grub!

Holiday Happenings

The Holiday Piano Recital.

Thanks Denise, for letting my 2 students join your recital!

Even though they have been taking lessons from me for 3 years, this is their first recital.
They both did great!

I guess this was not technically a holiday event, but it was festive and fun nonetheless. Liz served up some delicious mexican food and we played games and had a great time.

Cute Allison and Bree

Luke loves tickling Hailey.

The kids spent most of the night in the backyard doing battles with the very cool pvc pipe weaponry the hosts provided. They finally tired out and came in for some computer time.

Practicing for their wedding photo shoot?

The grand cookie exchange. It was so yummy!! I love how Denise is centered perfectly in front of that wreath. Looks like she's sporting a halo.

And last but certainly not least, Breanna's school chorus program. We didn't get any great pics, but Breanna is front row, far left with her hat off. It was itchy. The show was great. Luke was a pill and I missed most of it but at least I was in good company with Lynnette and Carson.

Ward Christmas Party

While the rest of the good little children were inside singing carols, these rebels were hangin out in the hall. Oops....I promised Jake W. I wouldn't use the word rebel. Adults are so untrustworthy!
Meanwhile, back inside, my handsome wiseman made made a showing.

And where was Luke, you ask? Attached to Brittany, of course!

Ah boogers! Isn't Brittany the cutest?? Brittany promised Luke she'd protect him from having to see Santa Clause (who Luke is terrified of). She snuck him out to the nursery room and they played until Kameron stole him away.

Here's Breanna waiting for her turn to see Santa.

Looks like she's playing some kind of hand holding game with a bunch of boys.

Here is Kameron (who made a beautiful Mary) sneaking Luke into see Santa.

Not looking too happy.

Can Kameron work a miracle?

See, Zoe and Abby love Santa. This is as close as Luke got, even with the lure of candy.

His expression after seeing Santa.

At least 20 feet away from the jolly man, Luke's so happy that he decides to share his candy with Kameron.

Luke squishing Carter. Love these guys!!

Anyone out there still wondering if horizontal stripes are flattering? Luke and Santa have a lot in common. Kameron, ever determined, convinces Luke to go see Santa again.

(The jingle of Carter's bell from Santa helped.)

What did I get myself into?

Holding on for dear life, Luke almost makes it to Santa's lap. Well done, Kameron and Jer.

Luke's eyeing that silver bell and planning his escape.

Symphony

I won the ultimate prize on Friday when I got to chaperon both Jake and Bree's field trip to the symphony. They have never gone on a field trip together. We even got to ride on the same bus!

Jordan kept telling me that the sign said no flash photography was allowed.
I think he was waiting for the ushers to come throw me out. Adults can be so difficult.

I loved sitting by Jake, listening to him hum along to all the Polar Express songs.

Bree and Mrs. Hannah

The best part of the trip: They both wanted to sit by me on the bus ride home!

Made my entire day!