December

December was a crazy month as usual with all the happenings going on and the excitement leading up to Christmas. 

We spent one Saturday at a Christmas carnival that the college hosted.  The kids had a great time playing all the games and earning tickets to redeem for prizes.

Then they got to have another Santa visit. 

On December 7th, we celebrated Kendalls 13th birthday!  Yes, we now have two teenagers in the house.  And once again I am left baffled as to how it is possible for kids to grow up so fast. 

This year, as an odd-numbered birthday, we just had a family party.  My favorite kind.

I was so proud of this gift.  He had asked for a Doctor Who apron which were not only scarce but also about $60.  So I designed one myself and he was totally thrilled with it.

He loved his light saber and book from Nana.

The favorite though was the new Michael Vey book from Grandpa Potter.  He was just a little excited.

We enjoyed the annual winter band concert again.  This time Taylor wasn't participating so we missed seeing him.  He isn't taking band officially this year and just joins in when he can, but he was so swamped with projects from school that he couldn't work it in.  Kendall played with the middle school band though, and did a great job.

Kendall and the middle school band.  I promis he's in there somewhere.

Lynnsey has been busy all fall with the Chime Club and they've had several performances for different groups, but we hadn't been able to see a performance yet.  Finally they scheduled one at the hospital where they performed first in the lobby for the public and then went upstairs where they performed for the patients.  They did a wonderful job and performed some really difficult pieces.

The Chime Club performing for patients at Oaklawn Hospital

Kaya was so excited to go to a birthday party for her best friend and even more excited when she learned it would be held at a roller skating rink.  She had a ball and only fell down a few times.  And now she's already wanting to go do it again.

Kaya and friends at the skating rink.

The same day that Kaya was at her party, our friends invited our other kids over to make "gingerbread" houses.  They had lots of fun--even Spencer who made one that he of course couldn't eat.

Spencer's gingerbread house.

We got to open some early presents from Grandma Oswald that were actually supposed to be sent last year but weren't ready in time.  Among them was Kaya's quilt that she has been waiting anxiouly for.  It is so cute and cozy and fits on her bed perfectly.

Kaya and her "Grandma Oswald quilt".