Days after Christmas

 The days after Christmas have been fun. I love that there is no schedule and the weather is good. We try to be outside as much as possible.
The day after Christmas we had a few cousins over. Total kids were 12 and they all had a ball. I love that my kids are getting to know their cousins, even their second cousins.
Easton, Keelie, Jay, Wyatt, Hannah, Kate, Jack, Annie, Jacob, Ty, Rowen and Abby

Kaden got a BB gun for Christmas so Ryan took the boys and Kate and Keelie out shooting. The boys all shot their BB guns and even hit the can a few times. They need a lot more practice though to become sharpshooters. Jay, Kaden, Kate, Keelie and Jack

Jay got all of the NFL team helmets. He will line them all up and have a tournament. The teams will "play" each other until there are only two teams left. The winner of that "game" is the Super Bowl Champion. He does this at least once a day and it's usually the Saints or the Redskins who win. Jay also put the helmets on his ears to become a spy. He was happy and I got a good laugh out of it so I didn't stop him.

 

Merry Christmas

 

Christmas 2012 has come and gone and it was a great one. I really do love this time of year and all that it represents. I love being reminded of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all He has done for me and us. I love watching my kids light up when they open presents and see what Santa Claus has brought. I love watching my kids get into the 12 Days of Christmas and making sure they don't get caught and wanting to do it again next year. I love the Sunday before Christmas and hearing our amazing choir sing all the Christmas songs and the great speakers speak about Christ. I really do love everything about this season.

Kate always gets a new dress for Christmas and Easter. The boys just get to wear the same old clothes. Kate loves to pose and the kids love to make funny faces. 

Christmas Eve we went with our friends and rode in the back of a trailer to look at Christmas lights. My favorite are the dancing lights by my parents house. I could watch them all night. We also got a new basketball hoop for the boys for Christmas. The kids spent all day playing ball with the neighbor kids and having a great time. The kids all slept in the same bed for Christmas Eve and enjoyed their new pj's. Jack did end up in Jay's bed for most of the night because he said he was smashed. 

 

Christmas morning the kids slept in until 7:15. I was ready to wake them up. I think I get more excited for Christmas than they do. They were very excited to see what Santa brought and loved opening all the presents. Jack got a mad gear scooter, a bow and arrow, socks, underwear and an ASU sweatshirt. Jay got all the A-Z mystery books, a bow and arrow, socks, underwear and an ASU sweatshirt.  Kate got a desk, jewelry, slippers, movies, and underwear.

Christmas night we went to my parents house and I have great pictures but I can't get them to upload so you can just imagine the chaos and such. The boys got remote control cars and head lights and Kate got a jewelry box and a head light.

We had a great Christmas and I know I am truly blessed.

Ricedorff Christmas

We celebrated the Ricedorff Christmas early. I love celebrating early because it extends Christmas beyond just the one day. We had the kids do the Nativity and I hope that they realize the true meaning of Christmas. This picture of the Nativity cracks me up. I kept asking for a good picture and good smiles and this is what I got. I love that the kids all love to play and laugh and I love that Kate was taking the role of Mary seriously. After the Nativity it was time to open up the presents. Kate had a little meltdown because she wanted to know where the gifts I got her were. She was all ready to open all of the gifts. Jay figured out the order we would be opening up the gifts and he was number five, behind Duke, Callie, Kate, and Tessa. We had a great time at the Ricedorffs and I love Christmas.

 

Kate with her present. She got a Snow White Barbie, a marshmallow gun and magnetic paper dolls, which I love because she has played nonstop with them and has been entertained. Grandma and Grandpa Ricedorff gave her a gift to Girly Girl Glam where Kate will get her nails, toes and hair done. She will have so much fun.

 Jay got Madden 2013. He was clearly very excited. He and Jack have been playing it nonstop. Both Jay and Jack get to go to Bounce U with Grandpa and Grandma Ricedorff. They will have so much fun!!!!

 Jack got a new Ned's Krazy Sub shirt and gift card. I can't wait for him to treat me to Krazy Sub now. He loves eating there.

Jack's piano recital

Jack had his first ever piano recital and he did a really good job. He has improved so much and is learning to really like the piano. I hope he continues to practice and learn. I would love for him to learn to play the hymns. He is growing up so much.

Jack is 10

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Jack had his golden birthday this year. He turned 10 on the 10th. Here are 10 things that I love about my Jack.
1. He is a good worker.
2. He helps me out with Kate and Jay all the time.
3. He has the sweetest heart and wears it on his sleeve.
4. He is a competitor.
5. He likes to play and play hard.
6. He works hard in school.
7. He bears his testimony in church often and it is growing every time.
8. He is the friendliest boy ever. He can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
9. He loves to snuggle.
10. He is very easy going.
His teacher, Mrs. Smith, just called me so I have to update this post. Jack was at school and Mrs. Smith said she had had it with one of the students. She said I didn't know what to do. She said Jack read her mood just right and came up to her and said "I'll help him Mrs. Smith. I've got it from here." Jack's teacher was so impressed that he stepped in and helped her out. I was very impressed with it too. Jack is a great boy and really does try hard to help others.
This year Jack's birthday party was an ASU basketball game. He invited 10 friends over and we took them to the game. They all had so much fun and I think we even converted a few kids to root for the Devils.
I love my Jack and I am very grateful he is my boy. I can't wait to see him grow up. Well I can wait, but I often wonder what he will achieve and become. It will be fun watching.

Jack with all his friends and Sparky at the ASU game and then on his birthday opening presents at a Logan's steakhouse. All he wanted for his birthday was steak.

Kate's Dance Recitial and Jay's Hip Hop Recital

Kate had her dance recital and Jay had his hip hop, can't call it dance, recital. I loved watching them dance and seeing how much they have improved. Jay really enjoyed taking hip hop this year. I am amazed at how strong he has gotten. In our family sit up competitions he beats everyone and can do 23 sit ups in 30 seconds. Once he did 50 sit ups because he could. Kate is getting a lot better and stronger at dance too. She really enjoys dancing and still wants to be a cheerleader when she gets bigger. We had a great time supporting our little dancers.

Jack's Orchestra concert

At the beginning of the school year Jack begged us to let him play the cello in orchestra. I was a little leery. It was one more thing on his already busy plate. But Ryan and I agreed. And Jack has really enjoyed it. I don't think he will continue on after fourth grade but he has learned and improved over the semester. He had his first concert this week and it really wasn't that bad. I would think it would be very hard to be a music teacher in elementary school. You would have so much knowledge yet the kids are not quite getting it. It was fun to watch Jack and I can't wait until the end of the year concert.

Jack's football

 Jack's football season has come and gone. They ended up losing two games in the regular season and second place overall. Jack was devastated when he lost in the championship game. He is a competitor and was not happy about second place. He wanted to win it all. Ryan did a great job coaching the boys and one boy came up to Ryan and said "thanks coach, you were the best coach I ever had." I would agree with that boy. Ryan is a great coach and Jack improved so much this year.