So many activities!

In the countdown to Christmas, everything just starts to crunch together.


Tuesday, Dec. 17, Dan flew into town to spend the holidays with us!  It's been SO fun to have him around for all the Christmas activities, and he's been a terrific uncle attending so many of the kids' Christmas school activities during the day while Brent and I had to be to work.

Wednesday, Dec. 18, was Kamryn's Christmas Dance program and it was later so we all got to attend this fun evening.

(Kamryn's are the bare toes)

Hugs for Uncle Dan

Bill and Ashlyn

Kamryn's Dance Instructor

Twinsies

Watching the performance.  We loved having Leo and Edna come, and Kamryn's other grandparents Arlo and Sandy were there, too, which made for an extra special evening all around.

Doughnut Bliss for Ashlyn after the show.

This Grandma has to brag a teenie bit - please, forgive me - but we were impressed with how talented Kamryn is with the dance - not a bit shy, she has a great sense of rhythm and remembered the dance so well.  It was fun to watch her in this early role of being an entertainer.

Thursday, the 19th, Dan took Brent and I to dinner at Olive Garden.  We always enjoy one-on-one time with our kids, and Thursday was definitely no exception.  It was a little bit of slow down, be still time in the midst of all the rush.

Saturday, the 21st was a huge crunch day and I didn't get photos of the family parts of the day because I was, I guess, just too busy being with the family.

But it was a fun day - beginning with Jack's basketball game.  This was the first one we've made it to in this year's season and once again loved watching Jack play ball.  He's an all out sport and worked so hard.

Jack appears to be a "0" this year.  But he's still 100% into the game!

 

Dan showed up in the middle of the game.  It wasn't until I got home and went through the photos that I realized he is in this one.  Hahaha!

Family Christmas Brunch was in order between Jack and Maddy's basketball games.  Mike and Makinzee hosted it at their home.  I brought the camera but took over waffle duty and ended up missing photos, which nobody but ME is complaining about.   But it was a great breakfast with a wonderful waffle recipe Stephanie brought with her buttermilk syrup (Best Bites) and to die for Decadent French Toast Brent made with its blueberry topping.  Definitely sugar overload, however.  I think next year we'd better bring back the eggs with it.

After the Brunch, Brent, Dan, and I went with Mike and Makinzee's to Maddy's Basketball Game. Makinzee is her coach.  It was fun to watch, and I actually got a photo of the ball she made a basket with.   (Missed it going through the basket, though.  Sorry).   Maddy, too, is an aggressive hard working player.

Maddy gets ready to shoot

She had to jump high to make it over the tall girl guarding her.  But she succeeded!

Up it went!  And then down it came right through the hoop!

Grin of Success!!!

Being on a Team means Being Coached

Lexi went out onto the court every chance she got during time outs/half times, etc.  Jack did, too (rear left).  I see more basketball players in the future of this family.

Lilly, Mike and Dan

Good game, ladies!

After the games, we returned to Lehi where the entire local family and some guests attended Disney's new movie FROZEN.

 Dan bought the tickets - all 24 of them!  We took up an entire row and everyone loved the movie!  After we went to Bill and Stephanie's and ordered in some pizza and had a good time just chilling and enjoying being together as family. 

FAMILY is so important year round, but seems to be especially important at Christmastime.  We missed Sean's family, but they didn't miss the movie, at least, attending it over Thanksgiving weekend back in Baltimore.