Magical Musical Madness

'Tis the Season

For Christmas Programs

Benson's 2nd Grade Christmas Program

I think he was a snowman

Bradley's Pre-School Program

And a visit with Santa

Blake's 6th Grade Band Program He also played a percussion duet...

His teacher said it was the first time anyone had requested to do a percussion duet

Brayden's 7th Grade Band Program

Let it Snow

Buy them a shovel...

Everyone says they will get tired of shoveling

Hopefully not for a long, long, long time!

We've been laughing all week.

School was closed in Tehachapi, California, where we just moved from for the whole week for snow.

The funny thing is that here in Wyoming, they don't even plow the roads regularly.

They did 5 days ago, and since then we've probably gotten at least 8-10 inches of more snow.

There are drifts up to two feet deep in the middle of the road in places.

And cancel school? Not even thinking about it.

I'm glad, I always thought it was a little crazy to cancel school so quickly.

Basketball

Brayden has never been a huge basketball fan

But move him to a small town,

Give him lots of opportunities to do almost anything he wants

And hey, he's pretty good!

The first game, he made one of two baskets in the game.

He's really good about getting to practice by 5:55am

Unfortunately, someone has to get him to practice

Hint - I wish it was Bryan!

They won this game against Lyman 17-14

Yea Cowboys! He played the next game in Afton, and this is in Cokeville.

He gets a lot of road time, the nearest school is an hour away.

One more home game next week, and we're done.

Way to go Bray!

Journey to Bethlehem

We took a trip through Bethlehem at the church.

We heard from King Herod

(Had to go there first because the boys got a ring pop

- they had scoped out the treats beforehand)

The Shepherds told us their story & sang to us.

(Yea, that Shepherd looks familiar)

Check out the City of Bethlehem in the background

The stars even twinkled - pretty talented Shepherd/trainer!

The Wise Men shared their gifts

Mary and Joseph told of their journey

Bradley made a good cow

The Innkeeper told an awesome story

He was so good!

Bradley was mesmerized by the Angels

(The middle one is his preschool teacher)

Brayden was a Shepherd & Tour Guide And of course, our littlest Shepherd

It was so awesome!

A Good Day

We've been told

that while building a house

any day a contractor shows up is a good day.

FINALLY!

Another good day!

Of course, they waited two great weeks

and came the day it snowed.

Oh well, it's their frozen fingers!

Waiting

Brett got tired of waiting for me

to finish getting ready.

I left him there for his nap, it lasted 1 1/2 hours!

What a sweet thing.

Turkey Day

We visited Grandma Hoggan for Thanksgiving

Never a bad day when it starts with Cinnamon Rolls!

Carving that Turkey

Still Carving

Still Carving

How big is that thing?

It's just a breast?

Wow.

Finally, dinner time

Rod & Lucas

& Wally

Grandma

Getting ready for some pie!

Yummy Day!

Thanks Grandma!

Thanks Giving

Some of the things I'm Thankful for:

1. Brett's baby giggles. His new words, bi (bite), min (vitamin), uh-oh, no (he pulls his whole body away when he tells us no), and his thinking that if he pulls out a box of cereal or a bowl to stand on that somehow he will be able to reach the counter top.

Bradley's words like the corn-u-pokia I was working on for Primary and his purkle-dot tie. His determination - last night he knew I was getting ready to go Visiting Teaching. I told him he couldn't go. He got so mad at me, then disappeared. When I went to get in the car 20 minutes later, he was in his car seat, buckled up, and sound asleep. He was not about to be left behind.

Benson's enthusiasm over finally having his bike, and his wonderful smile that always melts my heart. He makes me laugh (sometimes) that he can be so totally forgetful and messy.

Blake's tender heart and incredible kindness when he is in the mood to take care of Bradley and Brett, and his adorable (yes even for an 11-year old) laugh.

Brayden's desire to be involved and know everyone and his responsible character. When he is willing (he is 13 after all) I can totally depend on him. Finally!

Bryan's ability to be a great example and the way he knows and likes almost everyone, and his way of smoothing over problems and conflicts - it turns out he is slightly less hard-headed than me.

All the boys are such good sports now, when they don't have beds, toys, or any of their stuff, which is now in storage-land somewhere.

2. Parents who watched the boys last week while we were in California

Thanks mom & dad & Cecelia!

3. My down comforter which I retrieved from California

Last night was the first night I wasn't cold!

4. Seat heaters

I thought it was crazy to have seat heaters in the car we bought in May in California.

It's not so crazy in Wyoming!

5. An apartment-home, a soon-to-be-new home, and an old home

We moved into this apartment-house with the intention of buying it, but the old owners tried to sell it to us for less than they owed on it, and they hadn't been making payments. So it is now going into foreclosure. The realtor is letting us live here rent free (there is nowhere to rent in this town - seriously NOwhere). I think he wanted the utilities on and someone to take care of it. He is figuring that the foreclosure will be complete about February. What a coincidence that February is when our new house should be complete.

Our house is going to be wonderful! Just big enough for us to grow into and be comfortable.

We said good-bye to our Tehachapi house last week. It was great, a big family room we added on, a nice kitchen we remodeled, a laundry/craft/mom room with a comfy chair that I loved (my "has anyone seen my glass slipper" room), a huge yard, the very best neighbors (except the loony one), and at the end of a cul-de-sac. We were bursting at the seams, but it was perfect for us while we were there.

6. Freedom to believe how I want and act on those beliefs.

7. Jesus Christ

His church, His gospel, the atonement, and celebrating his Birthday for the next month!

8. Turkey Dinner & Pumpkin Pie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Goodbye Tehachapi

Bryan & I made the trip back to California to move out of our house.

We had a whole bunch of loose ends to tie up

and odd jobs to finish so we could sell the house.

Brett helped.

Bryan tried to mow the lawn

I was in the front yard and heard

BANG

and the lawnmower died

I knew he had Brett with him and ran to see what had happened The engine completely blew out the side of the lawnmower

One less thing to move.

It took us almost a week - and we didn't even have to pack.

It always seems like there is so much more when it is all in boxes.

It was so fun to see all our friends & ward again.

They took excellent care of us, they are the best!

It was hard to leave.

We have so many

great friends,

people from church who were our family and support,

a good home,

and fun memories.

We had a wonderful time while living in Tehachapi.

There is nothing more sad

than an empty house that used to be a home. Especially when we put so much into it,

and into the people in and around it.

(We did leave some of Benson's work there)

We miss it all.

We especially love you Tehachapi people!!!