Getting Ready for Christmas

We got home the day after Thanksgiving and Bria begged to put up the tree. What could I do? Travis dragged it in from the shed and the kids and I put up the decorations.

Our ward Christmas party was Dec. 1st. The primary children were asked to come as an angel, a shepherd or an animal. Bria was a kitty, and the boys were shepherds. There were only 3 animals and about 15 angels. 

Spencer asked Santa for legos of course. Luke asked for a basketball.

Drew also asked for legos.

Bria asked for a rocking and a real kitty.

The Christmas party was very nice and the kids had a fun time.   

Why is the Sky Blue (by Drew)

Why is the sky blue?

It is blue because 
years go and go by. 
The years make eagles 
and the eagles soar 
to make colors.

Mystery History

Spencer's class had a fun research project called Mystery History. Each student chose a person to do a report on. They kept their person a secret. On the Monday before Halloween they got to go to school dressed as the person they chose. They gave clues to the class to see if the class could guess who they were suppose to be. Here are Spencer's clues. Can you guess without peeking at his report below?

-I can speak 6 languages.
-I love books! I sometimes studied for 15 hours a day.
-I was once nearly captured by British soldiers.
-I wrote the Declaration of Independence when I was 33.
-I was the 3rd president of the United States.

 Here is Spencer's written report.

Mystery History

Important Characteristics

            Hi, this is Thomas Jefferson. I was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia. I am the third of 6 sisters and 3 brothers. My family was very wealthy. My mother is from a wealthy family from Scotland. I love to read and learn. I learned how to read and write when I was five. My father died when I was about 14, but my mother made sure I had a very good education. I went to collage when I was 17 and graduated with highest honors. I love nature. I am a good artist and musician. Reading is my favorite pass time. I can speak six languages. I was the third president and the second vice president under John Adams. We had very different views of the government ways. I died at my home on July 4, 1826 in Monticello Virginia, 5 hours before John Adams. I was 82 years old.

                                                                                               

Important Contributions

I wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, I was the first secretary of state, and I was also America's second vice-president under John Adams. We had very different views of what government should do. I was the third president of the United States of America. I purchased the Louisiana Territory. I co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party with James Madison. I started the Lewis and Clark expedition. I love mostly every subject and gave hundreds of books to James Madison so he could do research and learn how to make a good government.  

Effects on Society

I believed that people have natural rights. Government should protect your natural rights. We should chose for ourselves, and the government shouldn’t chose for you in most things. Even my opponents were inspired by some of my ideas. People that believed my theories were called Jeffersonian-Republicans.

           

            Our world is a better place because I read about governments that worked and didn’t work so I could help make a better government. I like to say, “Ideas are the most powerful tool people can use.”

Daddy Adventures

My kids each get to go on at least one Daddy adventure every month. Think date. Dad takes them out for ice cream, to the park, shopping, or whatever they decide to do.

Bria just got to go on an extended adventure. Travis took her to Gallop, NM to show his latest movie, "More Than Frybread." Bria loved spending the weekend with Dad making new friends, eating TONS of popcorn, and riding in the van.

I love that Travis makes spending individual time with each child a priority. Relationships are strengthened and memories are made.

Now when do I get to go on one?

How Good Do You Want To Be?

Spencer is playing basketball this season. As he walked out to the car after his first practice Travis asked him,

"How good do you want to be? You tell me how good you want to be and I'll do my best to help you get there."

Spencer thought for a minute then responded, "I just want to be a novice."

How's that for honesty? Later Spencer told us he was just kidding but we still think it's a great story! Meanwhile, Travis is thinking, "What's a novice?"

Awesome Art

Spencer made samples of what cave art may have been like.

Moose

Antelope

New Years Eve 2011

Our New Years celebration was really wacky and wild. 

First we rode/walked/roller bladed to the park.

Then Travis and I roller bladed around in circles on the basketball court. 

Luke rode for a few minutes then he was off to play.

The boys built a great sand village.

Spencer was the main architect. 

Bria loved running, sliding and swinging. 

She still giggles on the swing just like she did as a baby.

 

Then it was home for a bath. Dad was in charge and things got a little out of hand. 

The kids can't wait for Dad to give them a bath again!

Next we made some noise. It was only about 7:00, 

but in my opinion that was the perfect time to get all the screaming out.

Drew won the loudest "Happy New Year" yell. 

He also broke my wooden spoon.

Then it was game time. We played skippity and blockus.

We had a great time, and we still got the kids to bed close to the usual time.

As Bria would say, "That's AWESOME!"