Davis Christmas Party

The Christmas party with my family was on the 23rd this year. It was fun having it so close to Christmas. We played a few games that Shannon and I brought. We had a musical chairs style game with presents, and wrapping one handed with a partner. Erin brought the stuff to make candy sleds. We made those sleds like 15 years ago at our party before we all had kids. It was definitely the kids favorite part. Corbin, Kael, Spencer, and Kent all made the winning sled. Van pretty much just did his own thing the whole night until it was time for presents. 

We had our present exchange with cousins. For the second year in a row, I bought a present from some place in China and didn't have it in time. Luckily, this year it only came a day late and Maggie was able to give Abby her present on Christmas day. Grandpa and Grandma gave out all their Christmas gifts too. I love this party every year. It was kind of crazy to not have it at Steph and Joe's (since they sold their house and are renting in Malad) but Erin's house was great too. 

Christmas Dance Show

Maggie's Christmas performance this year was to Elf the Musical. Her team tapped to Just Like Him. Tap is definitely not my favorite, but they did a great job! 

Bird tree

 I actually took pictures this year at the bird tree. I helped Van make his string, but he did a great job of putting the cereal on the needle. Claire did her very own this year. It was short, but she did awesome. I have always thought the bird tree was a fun tradition. We string cereal on a Christmas tree for the birds to eat and bring it to the hooper cemetery where Marianne's dad is buried. He worked at the bird refuge and loved birds. 

Mark read to us from the Liahona about the symbols of Christmas and keeping it focused on our Savior. Then everyone headed to the cemetery to put the tree on Noland's grave.Matt and I drove out separately because he was teaching a temple prep class. So I didn't go to the cemetery, Corbin, Van, and I went straight home. Shelly sent this cute picture.

Thanksgiving

For breakfast on Thanksgiving morning Maggie suggested Dylans. We headed over there and right before we got there I remembered she suggested that last year and they were closed. Sure enough, we passed and it was closed. So, we went to IHOP. Kent woke up with a cough and wanted to just lay on the bench. He wouldn't even eat anything. I didn't know it would turn out to be the flu. Claire had a full adult order of french toast and loved it. My kids are getting big and no one ordered off the kids menu this time. I know it won't last long, because eventually I will have to cook on Thanksgiving morning, but right now I do enjoy this little tradition.

After breakfast we Matt and I took Claire and Van (they were the only ones willing to go) on a little hike at the nature center. They had so much fun climbing rocks.

For Thanksgiving dinner we were at Marianne's this year. This is the only picture I took. 

Sickness

 I feel like we have been sick forever at our house! Van got Hand Foot Mouth disease a few weeks ago, before his birthday. He had a fever one night and wouldn't sleep at all. I finally got him to sleep on the floor with me. The next day he seemed okay. Friday he had terrible sores around his mouth on his bum and a few on his ear. They bothered him a little for a few days, but not a ton. He still has blisters all over his feet and hands, weeks later.

Kent brought Influenza A home from school over Thanksgiving break. He was so sick for over a week, and is still coughing. Claire and Matt caught that too. I am hoping we are about over it and will be healthy for through Christmas.

Van's second birthday

 Van turned two on the 20th! It was a Sunday so we woke up and got ready for church. Claire was dying to give Van his present that she had picked out, but we didn't have time before church. As soon as we got home she gave him the bag with the Chase truck she picked. She was much more excited than he was, but he liked it. Matt and I gave him a Strider bike. It won't get used much until spring, but that's what happens with a November birthday. I think he will love it when he does get to ride it. I am really hoping Claire will learn to ride a bike on it too.

After Van woke up from his nap we went to visit my parents. They gave him a garbage truck that stole the show of the entire birthday! Van is obsessed. He wouldn't put it down to open any other presents, even when we got to Marianne's. We had to bribe him away from it and then he went right back. He definitely loves his garbage truck. It was a little rough at the Jenkins' that night because Quentin is obsessed with garbage trucks and really wanted it, but we made it through, barely. 

I didn't make him a cake or anything. We did sing to him once at my parents, but it was pretty low key. Good thing two year olds don't care. He had a wonderful day!

Hogle Zoo

 Van turns two tomorrow. I had a free pass for each of my kids to get into the zoo, so we went there today. I thought Van would love it, so it was a mini party for his birthday. We had so much fun! All of my kids enjoyed it. Claire was a little scared of a few of the animals if you lifted her up because she felt too close, she mostly liked the pretend animals you climb on. Van loved it all. He pretty much walked the whole thing and wanted to do whatever everyone else was doing. Corbin liked it as much as the littles too. He took photos and videos of all the animals we saw and wants to make a documentary now.

The Major

 The Major, the biggest free flying flag in the United States always hangs from Coldwater Canyon the week of Veterans Day. Every year I think I am going to hike to it, but I have never actually done it. The other day I was driving home from taking Claire to preschool and saw it. I called Shannon and we met at the trailhead ten minutes later. I realized I didn't have a carrier for Van so we took turns carrying him the whole way. He did pretty good. It took just under two hours. I really enjoyed finally seeing it from the trail instead of just looking up at it from the road. Van had fun too. He kept saying "hike flag" for a while after.

I was super glad we hiked it that morning. It ended up being snowy and cold the rest of the time it was up. I wouldn't have been able to do it without getting a babysitter, which means I wouldn't have done it, just like every other year.

Halloween

 There was no school on Halloween this year, which I really liked. We had all day to do whatever and get ready. We went with my parents and Shannon and her boys to a new corn maze in Plain City. If you dressed up it was only $3. So I hurried and came up with a costume for me and Corbin. Claire was a butterfly for her school Halloween party and for the corn maze. She had a lot of options this year. 

The corn maze was super fun because we mostly played in the courtyard. The maze itself had sign pointing the way through it so the kids could trick or treat at each station and make it out quickly. Claire wanted to get lost so she was a little disappointed. The boys and Maggie went through to get lost for a while. 

I took Van and Claire home after the corn maze so Van could nap. My older kids went over to my parents to help pick grapes and put together Halloween bags. While Van was sleeping Claire decided she wanted to be a scarecrow for trick or treating. She looked darling! It was a good choice. 

We went to Marianne's for chili and scones and then I took Maggie and Corbin home to meet up with friends. Matt kept the other three out in Plain City for a while to trick or treat with cousins.

It was a school night so I made Maggie and Corbin be home by 9:30 which was a source of contention, but overall, the night was a success.