Early one December...

December was so full that I have to break it up into 2 posts.
On the first day of December...
Wait, this was actually the last day of November. The details are already fuzzy!
Anyhow, we went sledding as a family!

We haven't been sledding as a family in...ever. At least, not since we had kids. There was always either a napping baby (those twice a day+ naps eat up all the time!) or I was pregnant. When Saturday came snowy and not-too-cold, Tyler made the executive decision that it was time for sledding! As a family! I heartily agreed. 

So we forced everyone to get on whatever snow gear they had and join us on a little hill not too far from our home. And guess what? We all had a blast!

Jack even made himself a snow baby...

which we sacrificed to the sledding gods.

The small hill was perfect for the smaller kiddos and also perfect for the older fuddy duddies who didn't want to sled. Win/win!

Eliza did not care for the sledding part but thoroughly enjoyed the snow. Hooray for forced family fun!
Tyler then took most of the kids to the library and to pick out a Christmas tree.
And then we went caroling with some friends. Phew! What a day!

Our awesome friend, Simon, convinced Tyler to go caroling to the Family Dollar with him after the group dispersed. What a fun way to wrap up the day!

Then Pop came into town for a short weekend. Of course, I have no actual pictures with Pop (I struggle, guys, for real), but he did bring Henry a Pikachu hoodie, which Henry has worn every day since. #winning

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On Sunday we decorated the tree! Tyler went with a tall, windswept beauty that smelled like heaven.

It was pretty pokey, but everyone got in on the action.

It was a great way to spend Sunday afternoon!

On Monday, I came home from the store and found that our tree had re-enacted its felling. Water and ornaments and glass was everywhere. I may have said some words as I struggled to pick the darn thing up and keep it up!

Jack had his Winter Band Concert. It's awesome to hear the progress they made in the two months since their Fall concert.
In really big news, Henry received his Webelos rank in Cub Scouts along with his Arrow of Light!
He worked so hard to reach this goal. He positively loves scouting.

He got his face all painted up (it's what all the Webelos are doing these days)

and did his best Golem impersonation. 

And then he threatened the entire audience with his Arrow of Light. What are you gonna do!?!
A huge thank you to the dedicated leaders who helped him have such an amazing Scouting experience!

December brought our Church Christmas party. Tyler got to read the story of Christ's birth. We all sang carols together. I loved it.

December was also a choice time for Henry to Party with his friends! When our kids turn 11, they get a Harry Potter party. Henry finally finished the last books this summer and fell in love with the magic.

So the boys got wands...

and a Potions class.

They got to make a basic beginners Foaming Brew and a more advanced Felix Felicitous Slime.

They got to have an Herbology class and re-pot Acromantula plants.
There was much running and shouting of Unforgivable Curses (which is why they can't be trusted as true wizards, I guess). They even practiced shooting charms at a dragon (all the pictures for that got burned up by an errant burst of flame).

Henry's cake was a nod to Mr. H. Potter himself.

One of his buddies even sent his package via Owl Post (ok, his mom did. NICE work, mom!).

December called for silly faces while siblings were at school,

especially when silly faces involved mustaches!

Micah climbed faster than a monkey (and certainly faster than a Mommy) at Thanksgiving Point.

Santa came and visited Tyler's work and the kids had their first visit with Santa in over a decade (which means the first visit they have ever had or can even remember for most of them!). He made everyone (except the oldest 3) very nervous, but we were able to get photo evidence that we tried!

Eliza got on the naughty list by drawing on the floor and had to work hard to undo her hard work.

Tyler got to visit with Santa at a different work party and was assured that he really was on the nice list, and that all his wildest dreams would come true.

The kids wrapped up school for the year with Christmas parties and a sing-around. It's a great tradition.

And Amelia was able to have a sewing party with her BFF!
School ended really late this year, but I think that's not a bad thing! We were looking forward to 2 weeks off--not just for the kiddos, but for Tyler, too!

No to the Vember

Phew! November flew by! I think the fall positively races by and then barrels through the end of the year before it comes to a screeching halt after the new year, followed by a slow trudge through the rest of winter. 

But we're talking about November!

First, let's just get this out of the way.

She just has us all wrapped around her finger and we think she's the cutest thing. Eliza is generally so sweet...except if you've been too rough with her. Then she adores you until you set off her 24" perimeter alarm and she screeches loud enough to wake the dead. Or at least the sleeping mom.

In November, we love celebrating Jack's birthday!

Because he's so mature, he chose taste over looks (fresh lemon cake with cheesecake frosting and fresh blackberries). And instead of a birthday party, he chose a video game late night with friends. Sigh. They grow up so fast!

At 15, Jack wants to be a psychologist when he grows up.

He is kind and compassionate. He is really great with little kids and grown ups. 

He loves video games, especially Hollow Knight (last year his favorites were Portal 2 and Undertale).

He enjoys acting and is very dramatic.

Jack enjoys running even when he isn't the fastest kid. He hates competition.

Jack lives for social experiences (just not at church) and talking about his deep thoughts.

Jack is generally humble. 

He is a really fantastic kid.

His favorite animals are foxes. Ok, and unicorns.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Sheridan participated in her first Social Dance competition. She is LOVING social dance.

Her team was thrilled to win Gold and a trophy. She was graceful and radiant. Well done, Sheridan!

November, of course, means BYU football! We had so much fun attending a game with Amelia and Henry. It was cold and the Cougars struggled, but we love game day!

I also bought some pretty beat up bunk beds and refinished them for the middle boys. They love having bookcase headboards and I love a painting project. I also love that they're probably the best at keeping their room clean. Gold star!

Tyler took the kids to meet Brandon Mull at the Provo Library. They had such a great time hearing about his writing process!

He was so great and patient with their questions and they were so patient with waiting to get his autograph! We've loved everything we've read by him--pick up Candyshop Wars or Fablehaven for a fun read.

November also means dealing with all the leaves around our house. Eliza volunteered to help. Can you see what a helper she was for Daddy?

Don't worry, a nice long soak in the leaf bath takes care of any post-raking aches and pains.

Seriously, I cannot get enough of her. 

We headed up to see my cute niece in her school's production of 42nd Street. She learned how to tap for this show and did an amazing job onstage! She absolutely glows on the stage.

At the end of November, we celebrate Henry's birthday! 11 years with this goofy kid (he obviously gets that from his Dad's side, along with his debonair good looks).

Henry still loves Pokemon. This year was a Pikachu cake!

Henry is kind and goofy and pretty set in his opinions.

He loves Pokemon and fantasy and video games.

Henry wants to be an inventor when he grows up (specifically to invent Pokemon).

Henry loves science. His favorite color is yellow. He isn't super-competitive, but loves playing tag.

He loves playing board/card games. Smash Up is his current favorite and his recommendation for you.

Henry works hard. His brain goes 100 miles and hour and sometimes his mouth struggles to get all his huge ideas out. He is a deep thinker. 

He still loves penguins. 

Happy birthday, Henry!

We went up to Sandy and enjoyed Thanksgiving with Tyler's sister and her extended family, but we were so busy having fun that we forgot to take pictures!

The snow that was supposed to come on Thanksgiving waited until Friday. It was the perfect time for kiddos to play in the snow...

and for the first tiny snowman of the season.

Tyler and the 3 oldest wrapped up Thanksgiving break (and November!) with a trip the an escape room. They survived (phew!) and even managed to escape. Great fun!