Christmas 2013

Christmas is such a sweet time of year. We had a great time acting out the Nativity, singing around the piano (with a picture to prove it!), and cuddling together with our kids. When we got back to our house from a lovely Olive Garden candle lit dinner, we got snacks ready for Santa and the reindeer, then cuddled up to read some Christmas books together. We finally put our kids to bed. The next day, we woke up to Christmas magic. We do a little devotional about the reason for Christmas first thing in the morning. I love hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Christmas songs as we line up, youngest to oldest, and make our way down the stairs for Christmas morning. It was magical when I was growing up, and it's magical still. The kids gasps of delight are worth it! We had a great time, relaxing, building legos, and hanging out in our pajamas all day long. 

Later in the week, we had a Seaman family variety show. We had a lovely and lengthy rendition of the entire movie Frozen. That was something else. And the kids put it together all on their own. 

New Year's Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Crane's, partying it up with cousins. What a fun time full of late nights, too much food, and laughter. 

Dance Recital and Brookie's Christmas Program

We joined Miss Jesica's (Barker) dance studio this semester. The girls were thrilled... at first. Then they were more whiny and clingy until I had to wait in the car instead of in the studio during dance. Once I was not physically there, they did fine. The dance was to "Little Saint Nick" and was the most adorable thing I have ever seen (no, I'm not biased! It truly was.). 

Afterwords, they flitted around on the stage in hog heaven. Brookie (who was miss independent during the recital) decided to take a break from dance in January. Alisa signed up for pre-pointe with Ashlyn. Livin' the dream...

Brookie is the far left in the picture. Alisa is the fourth from the left.

Cousins! Ashlyn did a tumbling class this year and her routine was more showing off their tricks and fewer dance steps. It was impressive.

Brookie goes to Flagstaff Christian Preschool, which is held at the Flagstaff Gymnastics Center. She goes Monday-Wednesday. Every day she goes they do a one hour tumble bear gymnastics class. She has gotten a lot stronger and it has been great for that hurt armpit. She loves it. She goes with Treston and Luke (and Aiden... all from Joy School last year). They put on a very Christian nativity. She was darling in her angel costume but I didn't get a picture of her alone. I'll have to ask mom for one.

Winter 2013

After Thanksgiving, and during, too, we got some snow! 

Not sure what this picture is, but I love my Alisa-bis.

 Treston and Brookie playing in the fresh snow outside.

 We went to the Lollipop Concert (they do the 2nd act of the Nutcracker). It was just the right amount of sitting still. Alisa ate it up. We knew some of the kids in the performance from school. 

 The snowplow piles up snow in the middle of the culdesac. The kids love it! It becomes a sledding hill and a snow fort.

 For FHE, we made lemon ice cream, but it didn't freeze. So instead we poured it over fresh snow and it was perfect! 

 Brookie and I built snowmen one day--with a bucket! Forget rolling balls, which never works for me anyway. We had a great time!

 Jake and Alisa knocked down icicles. They tried to save them in the freezer by wrapping them in towels. It worked, but after a few weeks I wanted my towels and freezer space back so I tossed them. 

 The girls were in the cutest dance class with Miss Jesica (Barker). They performed "Merry Christmas  St. Nick" and it was possibly the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Here they are getting pampered and prepped before hand--drying their nails!

 All ready for pictures the day before.

Thanksgiving Crane Cousin Fun 2013

Jared and Amanda, Lisa and Jesus, and Shell and Darin came first. We took the crew ice skating... except Michelle and Darin. I think Lily threw a fit in the car and either fell asleep or Rowan fell asleep. In any case, they turned back around.

 Jake had a pajama/reading day at school and came in pi's... totally unfazed.

 Brookie did so much better this year! She could do the walker all by herself and saved my poor back! 

 Can't you tell we're sisters?! Ha! We look nothing alike. Scott and I really enjoyed our time with Li and Jesus. It was so much fun to play cards and visit with them!

 Addie lasted only a short time, so they took turns sitting out with her. Little cutie!

So, this year's game of choice: Telestrations! 

This is pretty much all of dad's drawings. We thought they were hilarious! I think this was "nail salon" or something. Freaky.

 The best is reading through at the end and seeing everyone's interpretation. Ha!

Ice skating round 2 with the Scott Family!

 Poor Ethan was so frustrated, but I don't think he'd skated in a year, and Jake had a few days earlier. It ended up being a little bit of a counseling session for Jacqui and Jeff! Tears were shed, but in the end I think he had fun!

 Afterwords, Alisa and Eliza had a photo shoot with their beanie babies. I had about 20 pictures of this: 

We were so happy everyone could come to Flaggie for Thanksgiving. We played and played. The best was Jesus recruiting for cards, walking around the house asking who wanted to be dealt in! It was a blast! I love my siblings so much. It is a rare treat to be all together. It is chaos, and we love it!