Dressing up!!!!

For our Ward party the Primary children reenacted the Christmas story. They did a great job and they had a lot of fun!

All of the children on stage.

Alysabeth as a VERY cute sheep.

Evan as a shepherd.

Caden, another shepherd.

Madison's Baptism/Birthday!

On Saturday, December 13th my niece Madison celebrated her 8th birthday and was baptized. She was so nervous but she made it through and we're so proud of her!

Jeremy and Madison (she'd been crying because she was nervous/scared).

Our family after Madison's baptism.

A party game--"The Spanking Machine"--Madison's birthday party.

Alysabeth and Madison

Another cake made by my very talented sister Heather--Happy Birthday Madison!

Finally--Thanksgiving Pictures!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving at my parent's home. Our family, my sister and her husband and 3 children and of course my Mom and Dad were there. We have so much to be thankful for this year--it has been a rough year here in California for a lot of people and I feel so blessed to have a roof over our head, food on our table and a steady paycheck. But, I am most grateful to have my family and so many wonderful friends! I'm especially grateful that I got to see all of my cousins, aunts and uncles this year even though it wasn't on the happiest of occasions. Our Nana will be sorely missed but she is SO happy to be back with her one true love, my wonderful Papa! Love to you both!

Brad is the official gravy maker on Thanksgiving day--it was tasty!


Evan and Caden in the playroom--both of them need haircuts!


Alysabeth and Madison with a delicious Pumpkin pie--courtesy of Aunt Heather!


Papa carving one of the juciest birds we've ever had--YUM!


Caden at the dinner table, peaking between the Pilgrims.

Finally--Thanksgiving Pictures!

After a delicous turkey dinner, the kids had a great time decorating Gingerbread houses. We seperated them in to three teams...

Alysabeth and Dawson


Caden and Madison


Evan and Jackson

Longbeach Trip

OK, I went to a Teacher's Conference in Longbeach the weekend before Thanksgiving. It wasn't my idea but we made a short detour the day before and somehow ended up at Disneyland. It was a great 4 days (only one spent at Disneyland).

This is a picture of the group of teachers I went with to the Conference. It was a great experience and I learned a lot from the classes I took.

This is of course the castle at Disneyland all lit up for Christmas--so beautiful! I want to take the kids next year when it is all decorated for the Holidays!

This is "It's a Small World". They have it all lit up and the whole ride is Christmas around the world and the children are singing Christmas songs.

My favorite float in the Holiday Parade--it would be a Gingerbread House!

The first float in the Holiday Parade!

Caden's Fieldtrip!

On Monday, Nov. 17th I went with 80 first graders on their fieldtrip. We walked to the Junior High to see a production of "The Princess and the Pea" and then we went to Lodi Lake for a picnic lunch and a frolic in the park. We had fun but it was a lot of walking and there were quite a few complainers--Caden was one of them. Have to hand it to him though--his Asthma was pretty bad that day.

Always the poser!

After the play the cast signed autographs--being the Chocolate Lover that he is--he had to pose with the M-n-M!

An autograph from the King!

Caden doing the Chicken Dance--he is such a ham!

Who doesn't enjoy a nice roll down the hill?!?!

Sunday, November 16th, the Twins participated in the Benight Piano Studio Fall Recital. They both did so well and we have video of each of them--however, since Brad HAD to sit on the isle, I gave him camera duty (I'm usually in charge of the camera!) and during Alysabeth's piece, he flipped the battery compartment open when he pressed record so we have like 2 seconds of her playing--I will record her here at home so you can hear the whole thing.

Mrs. Mona Benight and her students.