Christmas 2010

We got together at the Wynn's on the 23rd to celebrate Christmas.
Hadley was super excited to get a muff and headpiece that used to be Grandma's.

Christmas Eve w/Aunt Molly

Christmas morning - we let Gentry keep sleeping but she was very excited when she woke up to all the wrapping paper.

Later at Grandma & Grandpa Cooper's

I've been pretty much sick since the 9th of December so I was trying to take a rest and watching SNL with Brig but Gentry found me anyway.

December Haps

My parents came out to watch the kids so I could go to Relief Society. I love the picture I came home to of all of them contentedly (esp Gentry) watching Home Alone.

Lauren had her Nutcracker dance recital that even Daddy got to come seeBy the way - if she looks cold in this . picture it is because she was. It was freeeeezing that day but the girls all insist on wearing dance clothes. I think Lauren was barefoot too. Note: they were told to bring little baby dolls to dance with but Lauren insisted on bringing Hadley's 'White Bear' from when she was a baby. That bear gets a lot of love in this household!

Aunt Molly came out for the day for Christmas shopping and to see Vincent's preschool performance! The girls were excited to wear their holiday dresses that evening and I kept asking/suggesting that Vincent might want to wear something nice too. I gave up eventually though b/c he hates dressing up and he said it wouldn't matter. I admit I was a little nervous that all the kids would be up on stage in their nice clothes and wondering whose parents the boy in the pants and an airplane t-shirt belongs to. What slackers.

Lesson learned. Vincent also made it a point to tell me how it didn't matter what he wore that night.

We also went to a fun cookie-decorating party. Brooke went all out and even put lights up in her garage b/c it was raining that day. Fun fun and I've made her promise that it become an annual tradition.

Creche Festival

It wouldn't be December without a trip to the Creche Festival at church. The girls' favorite stop is the live nativity where they get to dress up. I love how they always seem to capture the reverent spirit of the holiday when they are in costume. Lauren mostly just wanted to hold the baby Jesus.

Afterwards we stopped by the bakery in downtown and discovered we were in time for a holiday parade. Here we are for an impromptu but cold celebration!

Santa's Visit

We had a great time with tons of friends again this year waiting for Santa's sleigh to come visit us. The kids ran and ran and ran on the front lawn while we waited to hear the sirens announcing his arrival. Very exciting! Every child gets to go on the sleigh and get a candy cane.
This little girl was having nothing to do with the man with the beard.

Thanksgiving 2010

We stayed home for Thanksgiving this year as family was all getting together the following day. It was great because Chris was home with us & we decorated for Christmas & put up lights. It was a chilly and windy day.
The two little ones were content to sit on the porch and keep warm.

While Chris was planting some plants, Hadley & Vincent tried helping taking out another tree in the front yard. Can you see Vincent in the tree? They had a great time playing in the huge root ball of this banana palm tree we've tried trimming back before.

The following day we went to Gma & Gpa Tigger's house for fun and games with the much anticipated COUSINS! Grandma had some awesome games planned for us, yummy food, movies, jokes, fire pit, etc. As always, these are the only pictures we took so that is what you get to see.

1. Pumpkin bowling. (followed by pumpkin smashing)

2. Donut on a string. (followed by 'Tear -turkey-shape-from-a-napkin-behind-your-back'. I don't think we'll be playing this one again next year though)

Lauren wondered what the big deal was all about or why everyone thought it was so hard. She just stood there and ate her donut calmly.

After a fun-filled day including a talent-show around the fire-pit everyone was tired but mostly this little one who fell asleep half on half off the couch.

Girls Nite Out

The stars aligned one night & I got to take my two little girls on an impromptu little girls nite out. Vincent & the baby were asleep & Chris came home early so with gift certificate in hand, I took Hadley and Lauren to Mimi's Cafe. I love Lauren's cute little pose. She was ecstatic to be able to come with us.

Uncle Brig

Uncle Brig does lots of things to get entire posts devoted to him. See http://justjohnsons.blogspot.com/2010/09/uncle-brig-friend-to-us-all.htmland and justjohnsons.blogspot.com/2008/06/brigs-sweet-skills.html for some of those good times. But when he isn't skiing on our grass or giving my son a mohawk he is making them giggle. Look-alikes?

Cousins

We were so lucky to have A.Sharon and our cousins come down for Veteran's day weekend. 

We met in Claremont for the annual Pilgrim Place festival. We waited all day to ride on the Mayflower float but decided against the wait and used our tickets for sno cones, popcorn and cotton candy. Here are the cousins standing on the porch of none other than the 'Hadley House'.
Can you tell that this 14 month old girl was in heaven? She has the best cousins who take such good care of her. Ethan was kind enough to basically shadow her the entire day and kept her very happy considering she refused to sit in her stroller.

In the afternoon we all met at a nearby park and had lunch and played on the playground with Grandma and Grandpa too. Such a fun day!

Halloween 2010

A candy striper, a baseball player, Tinkerbell and a cheerleader.

Vincent - Halloween Party

Vincent dressed as (surprise surprise) a baseball player for Halloween!

He was very excited for the black paint under his eyes to complete his look. Unfortunately, the sun decided to come out today with a vengeance and ironically he kept wiping it and wanted me to wash it off as soon as possible. Here are Vincent and Lauren waiting to parade with his preschool class. Vincent dutifully held her hand the entire parade.
Lauren was in heaven getting to join the party and act like a preschooler.

While this little one entertained herself with the classroom toys.

Gentry - Videos

Lor Lor, Lo Lo, Lulu, Lauren

Arizona Cousins

Aunt Jodi came and visited with Abby, Kyle and Ryan. A couple weeks ago. It was fun for the cousins to play together.

Lauren was stuck to Ryan like glue.

Unfortunately the rain changed our plans for Knotts Berry Farm but we got to celebrate Ryan's 12th birthday.

It was some wild and crazy party - if you can't tell by this picture. Gentry was the last one to stop dancing on the table.

Gentry's Second Amendment Campaign

The Right to (bare it all) Bear Arms

Author's Tea - Where's The Beef?

Hadley's writing prompt earned her the opportunity to attend Author's Tea this month. She was very excited to attend this program where she got to have tea (apple juice) with the principal and read her prompt out loud. The stories were all published in a book to take home as well.

We are so proud of our little writer!
Bet you're dying to read what she wrote. I'll have you know, hers was the only one that prompted a little laughter from the audience.

Translation: My favorite meal is steak. It tastes like pork. It smells like pigs. I like it because it is made from my favorite animal. Pigs.

General Conference Weekend

General Conference weekend Chris had to work both days but I did manage to convince him to come with me and the kids to Tustin's Tiller Day parade in the morning. When we got out of the car big drops of rain started to fall but they stopped as soon as they started.

Chris with two of his loves: Gentry and Wienerschnitzel.
For their first parade I think the kids enjoyed it. It was small and very low-key. I kept wondering where the clowns tossing candy were? Maybe they don't do that anymore. I think I was more bummed than the kids.

After the parade I was off with the kids to my in-laws to spend time with Grandma & Grandpa & of course the cousins.

During the priesthood session Grandma ran in the sprinklers with the grand kids! How awesome is she?

While this little girl kinda sorta maybe started warming up to cousin Annie.

Ahhhh - cousins and a movie while Sharon & I awaited the arrival of our Chinese food (our new Gen Conf. tradition).

Lauren cannot get enough of Wyatt!

There was even a little time for playing Indians and pirates?

Shoes

If you know Lauren, you know one thing about her - she loves shoes. As a baby she loved sucking on the bottom of a particular pair of her brother's shoes. When she learned to crawl, if we couldn't find her, we'd look in the mudroom by the pile of shoes and there she'd be, sucking on the shoes. She especially likes flip flops (pronounced 'yip yops').

One not so fun experience with her is shopping for shoes. Make that shopping for shoes for her siblings. When you go in the store Lauren has an inherent need to try on as many shoes as possible.