December

As always, the first major event of December is the celebration of Kendall's birthday. This year was a big one for him--birthday number 12! He has been so excited to be twelve so that he can finally do the stuff that his older brother has been doing. The biggest for him is getting the Aaronic Priesthood at church and being able to pass the sacrament each week. He's also counting down to his first trip to the temple with the other youth. And he's loving being able to go to the youth activities now too.

His birthday actually fell on a Wednesday which is when the youth activities are held so he was able to go to his first combined young men/young women activity but insisted he still wanted to have his party that night after we came home. So it was late and a bit rushed but he was pretty excited about it. (Later he had a low-key friend party where he invited a few friends over to play games, but I didn't take a single picture that night.)

Kaya was so excited to give Kendall a present, so I had taken her to the store where she spent her few coins on a package of Skittle's. Kendall gave her a great reaction and she was positive that she had given him the best gift of the evening. He is just the best big brother ever. Among his other gifts was a scooter. He's asked for one for several years but not this year. And of course, this year I found a killer deal on one when we went Black Friday shopping in New Jersey. So I bought it for him and just hoped he still wanted it. He did. He had his best friend come over after school the next day with his scooter and they had a great time playing up and down the street. I think he's looking forward to spring so he can use it again.

We also went to the Christmas band concert. And this year we were able to see both Taylor and Kendall perform. It is always amazing to me to see how quickly the beginning band learns to play. They did a great job playing several simple arrangements after only learning for 3 months. It'll be fun to see them in the spring where they always sound really fantastic. (We love our band teacher here. He is just so amazing and talented and all the kids try so hard to learn the music just so they can please their teacher.)

And the high school band was absolutely fantastic as usual. It never ceases to amaze me professional sound that comes from such a small high school band. Our favorite was the African Bell Carol, which just blew everyone away.

Also this year, the 2nd-6th grade elementary school music teachers decided to put on a little Christmas concert as well. Each of the grade level's performed a few songs. Lynnsey's 3rd grade did a really cute rendition of Frosty the Snowman. Kendall and the rest of the beginning band played again too. And then the entire school sang a few songs. (Lynnsey is the second row up near the end on the left, if you're looking for her in the photo).

(And Kendall is nearly hidden on the second row down also near the left standing next to the super tall blond kid).

The kids could hardly wait till Christmas this year and I could hardly believe how fast it came! We had a wonderful day with our family. Santa brought everything that the kids were hoping for.

Taylor and Kendall, the "Whovian's", each got a Sonic Screwdriver from the Doctor Who TV series and bow ties.

Lynnsey got her second American Girl doll Josefina that she has been pining for ever since our trip to American Girl Place in Chicago last summer.

Spencer got his Leapster at long last (and an Angry Bird's watch which he might actually like more than the Leapster:)

Kaya also received a Leapster and has been having a ball with her very own so that she doesn't have to take Lynnsey's anymore.We had our traditional omelet breakfast and then went to church which was really nice. Kalen, Kendall and Lynnsey sang with the choir and the Primary kids also sang a song.

After church, we continued with the gifts. It was really fun to see the kids reactions. I especially liked watching the reactions of the kids who were watching someone else open a gift. We always take turns opening them so everyone has to watch everyone else open their gifts. I think the kids were almost as excited over their siblings gifts as they were about their own.

Cody and Melissa had our names this year in the family name draw and they gave us a TON of games. We had so much fun playing them all over the rest of the break.

Kaya loved her new pink piggy Pillow Pet from Nana and Grandpa Potter.

And Nana and Grandpa scored again with Taylor's Doctor Who Chess Set.

One of Spencer's favorites was a plush Angry Bird toy from Taylor who had drawn his name in the sibling name draw.

Kaya was so excited to finally be able to spill the beans to Lynnsey about the Squinkies she had bought for her in the name draw.

And we decided to try again with Toy Story 3 for Spencer. (The one he got last year bit the dust only 3 days after Christmas when Kaya managed to break it right in half.)

We also received some wonderful checks in the mail courtesy of Kalen's parents that were/will be such a blessing. (I'll have to write about Lynnsey's million dollar mouth soon.) Of course, we plan to use a portion of them for a fun family gift or activity too, but most of it went for Lynnsey's teeth.

We ended up 2011 by spending the evening at home. We had been invited to a party at the home of some friends of ours, but it's been awhile since we were able to stay in with just our family, put on our p.j.'s and eat munchies while playing all our new games. We rang in the new year with Kalen's concoction of 7-up and cranberry pomegranite juice that we call Celestial Soda Pop in fancy glasses. ALL of the kids stayed up till midnight even though we had church bright and early the next morning.

It was a fun way to end a good year that was a bit challeging. I'm not too sorry to see that one end and I'm hoping this new one will be a little less eventful as far as trials are concerned. Although, judging by the way we are starting out, 2011 may have been just warming us up. More to come... :-)