Christmas 2010

This December has been packed with fun christmas parties, carolling, and school performances. So, this post is going to be a quick recap of all of the fun activities. For some reason, I can't seem to rearrange how my pictures download to my blog, so it will unfortunately all be out of order.

First off, Jacob had a piano recital at a local strip mall this year. It was so neat to see him get ready for his performance and he did fantastic. He played Joy to the World and if I can get my act together, I will try to post the video of his performance.

We also had our annual ward christmas party. The kids LOVED being with all of their buddies from church, but especially loved it when Santa arrived. Everyone sat on his lap, including Davis, who I was fully expecting to cry his head off. But he actually just sat on his lap happily.

Also, early on in the month, we did our annual christmas carolling with our friends. I absolutely LOVE doing this, albeit it was FREEZING this year. But it's always fun to see the people's expressions on their faces when they saw all of our kids at their door ringing their bells and belting out Jingle Bells.

Also, both Aubrey and Jacob had little singing performances at their schools for the holidays. And Aubrey had her first dance performance this year. She has been taking a ballet/jazz/tap class at a little studio here. And I've been so happy with them because during the holidays, they do several performances, many of which are at places like the boys and girls club and nursing homes. I think it's so neat that the owner of the studio takes the time to go to these places with the kids, and they get more practice performing too! Anyway, I wasn't sure how she was going to do on stage, but she did great! Didn't miss a beat and had a big grin after the performance!

And Dallin had the usual christmas parties for his work this year, which I actually really enjoyed this year.

Last but not least, Christmas Eve. On the 24th, we get together with our neighbors and reenact the nativity. It's nothing elaborate but always fun seeing the kids make their costumes out of old bathrobes and scarves! And it's always great hearing the story of Christ's birth through our own children. Baby Jesus (aka Davis) was not very cooperative this year, as he was battling croup. So, he cried a lot more than we all had hoped!

Afterwards, we got the kids ready for bed, opened up their PJs and slippers, fed them their favorite meal (sausage soup), and then tucked them into bed. The best surprise of christmas eve came courtesy of my awesome brother-in-law and sister-in-law. They know we usually grill up lobster tails on christmas eve. So, for our present this year, they sent us fresh, live, still kicking in the box, JUMBO lobsters from Maine! Yes, you heard that correctly. M-A-I-N-E! Um, that is lobster central, for all you non-east coasters! And they were to DIE for. They seriously were HUGE. Bigger than from my elbow to my fingers. And let's just say, we enjoyed every last bite of them, and we even made lobster bisque the next day. Ahhhh, I will never forget this christmas eve! Seriously, NEVER!! Don't think I've ever had a better christmas gift. So, thank you K&M!!!

Check out the lobsters! With 2 foodies like Dallin and I, these poor little guys didn't stand a chance!

Halloween and Thanksgiving

Man, I'm a slacker. We're rounding christmas and I'm still posting about the fall and Halloween. The year of a new baby in our home is always chaotic. I can barely find time to shower, let alone update my blog. Um... and to add insult to injury, I think I may have deleted my kids halloween pictures this year. Our camera broke and we had to buy a new one, and somewhere in that process, I'm not exactly sure where those pictures went. Anyway, Halloween was fun as usual. Kids had fun trick or treating with some families in our ward on Saturday, since Halloween fell on a sunday.

THANKSGIVING

This Thanksgiving, we spent it at home with the Petersens and Patricia Viga-Llanos from our ward. We had such a great time and I had fun trying out some new recipes, all of which I really liked. It's the first year I brined a turkey and I have to admit, I think it really kept the turkey moist. Anyway, we ate a ton of food, played games, did crafts with the kids and just enjoyed some good company with friends. We have a lot to be grateful and I'm so happy we have this holiday to spend with those we appreciate, whether it be family or friends.

Playing Catch Up

OK, so much has happened in the last few months, but I haven't really had too much spare time to update my blog. So, here's a quick recap!

First of all, in October, we took the kids out of school and headed to Palm Springs! We stayed at an awesome resort that had the most amazing pools I've ever seen. Anyway, we went there with Dallin's brother Reed and his family and had a blast. We spent most of the time going down the pool slides, and playing at the "beach-like" pool, going out to eat yummy food, playing at Legoland, going to the zoo, and just relaxing with family.

Also, I FINALLY got certified in Scuba diving! I've wanted to do it for years, but never had the chance because I always seem to be pregnant! But now, I had some time to do it, so my neighbors and I hired a local PADI diver to help us get certified. We did our test dives in Lake Tahoe, which was REALLY cold, and to be honest, there wasn't much to see at the bottom of tahoe except for really small fish and a bunch of trash. So I am WAY more excited to try out my diving skills when we go to Hawaii this winter! Let's hope I don't see a shark!

Can You Say...

RICE CEREAL?!!

Yep, my Davis has started solids and I am in awe that he is so big already and sad that this time has come already. Let me tell you, this is one GOOD baby. He's a happy-go-lucky kid who sleeps like an angel and has a killer smile to boot. OK, so he likes to be held.... most of the time! :) But he's so cute, I really don't mind much. He's starting to crack up here and there, especially when Dallin plays with him, and he began rolling over from his back to his belly just last week. And his hair! Oh my, what do I say about his hair, except that it is CrAzY!! Seriously, can't do a thing with it, so we just let it be. :)

Jacob LOVES his baby brother. And can't seem to get enough of him.

And here is my Aubrey. I have a soft spot for her, especially now that she has 3 brothers. Poor thing gets picked on constantly, but she knows how to hold her own. She has been a terrific big sister and is very tender and nurturing with Evan. She LOVES to help change diapers, and she's getting pretty good at it, considering she's only 4!

The Reno Hot Air Balloon Races

This year, we arrived at the balloon races a little later than usual, but we were still able to park and hike on over to the balloons. This year, one of the balloon owners was super nice to us and let us get real close to the balloon. We even helped hold it down while they were getting in and out of the balloon before launching off. We all sat down on the grass and pigged out on chocolate doughnuts and hot chocolate while we watched the balloons all around us. We weren't able to go out and eat afterwards this year b/c Jacob had a soccer game immediately following. So, we bolted back to the car and sped off to the game. It was a really fun day!!

First Day of School

Yep, I love the first day of school! Evan was recovering from getting his tonsils removed so he didn't get to go to the first week of school. But now all 3 of them are back in school, and I can now breathe a sigh of relief! :)

Maddie time

So, my little sis came out to visit last month w/ her little daughter, Maddie, who is seriously a ham. My kids loved every minute with her and we miss both of them terribly. Here are some fun pics of the kiddos:

Idaho and the ranch

No time to write... just posting pics of our trip to Idaho and time on the DeMordaunt ranch! Enjoy!!

More Pictures of Davis

I have a few minutes to upload some pictures of Davis when he was born. Most of you have already seen these, but for those of you who haven't, enjoy! :)

I KNEW it was a boy!! (Sorry about my hair!!)

This pretty much sums up Evan's attitude towards baby Davis

Evan FINALLY warming up to Davis at the hospital

Jacob was soooo excited. He could hardly wait to hold him!

Aubrey has been a great big sister too!

Grandmacita came out and helped. What would we have done without her?!!

He's Here!!

Davis Paul DeMordaunt arrived Friday, May 14th at 2 a.m. He weighed 8 lbs, 9 oz and was 21.5 inches long. We've LOVED every second with him. More details to follow once we get some more sleep! :)

Aubrey's First Ski Day

So, Dallin has been chomping at the bit to get Aubrey up on skis since last year. In fact, we bought her her first pair of skis last winter, but haven't had a chance to get her up until just this past weekend. I was a bit curious to see how she would do -- considering she whined all morning as we tried on her boots, helmet and other ski stuff. But Dallin said that when they got to Mt. Rose, she was WAY excited to be there. Dallin put Jacob in a group ski lesson while he went with Aubrey and "taught her the ropes." Our neighbors let us borrow their "harness" and off they went down the slopes together. Her favorite part of the day? Riding the ski lift, of course.

I was fully expecting them to come home right after lunch, assuming Aubrey would be tired and fed up with her first ski lesson. But they actually ended up staying there the whole day b/c they loved it so much!

I am a terrible skier, but am determined to take lots of lessons next year so that I don't get left in the dust once my kids get older. Anyway, I'm elated my kids are learning to ski and let's just say that Dallin is on cloud 9.