Christmas Sing In

I love the tradition at the boys' school of a sing in. They do it a day or two before Christmas break. Each grade takes a turn singing a song to the parents. I headed to the school last week and left with the Christmas spirit!

Here is Jaxon with his class getting ready to sing.  Jaxon is on the top row, in the middle, white shirt with a Santa hat on.

They sang Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney Again and Hot Cup of Cocoa.

Post-performance smile.

Oh Joshua.  What would we do without his priceless facial expressions?  Here he is sticking his tongue out at me (second row from the top, white shirt).  I may or may not have been sticking my tongue out at him too.

They sang Haul Out The Holly and Jingle Bell Rock.

Josh's post-performance smile.  I was glad that I could be there to hear the boys sing with their class and grade.  It made me smile.

Chocolates!

One of our favorite family traditions at Christmas time is dipping chocolates with Grandma and Grandpa White.  This year was just as fun and yummy as to be expected.

Grandma White is one serious dipper.  She had Maddie and Savannah helping her out with the marshmallow centers this year.

McKay was the expert chocolate chopper.  He chopped the giant block of chocolate into small pieces so it be put in the oven to be melted.  He said he would love to do this as a real job any day.

Josh and Jaxon were the expert tasters.  They filled their own boxes of chocolates.  Grandma White had also prepared sloppy joes for lunch.  Josh couldn't wait to dig in.

Having fun with Melodie and Jennise, my sister-in-laws.

Jeremy even got in on the dipping action.

McKay couldn't resist licking his fingers.  Tasty stuff!

In the meantime, the younger kids had fun doing who knows what.  Above Josh dressed himself up as a princess.  I don't know his line of thinking there, or here:

A ballerina?  He certainly had fun being silly.

Kayden wanted to get in on the silliness too, but refused to leave the bathroom wearing anything girly.

It was a fun day and we appreciate Grandma White for all the hard work she does so that we can enjoy a great family tradition.

Great Grandma White

Jeremy's Grandma White passed away a few days ago. She was 94 years old and lived a full life.  We were able to attend her funeral yesterday. It was a nice day to remember her and honor her legacy.

We went to go and visit Grandma in the spring.  This is the last picture we have with Grandma as a family.

I know this picture is a little blurry, but I want to include it.  Jeremy's Aunt Carol is in this picture with us.  She is an amazing woman and took such great care of Grandma.  She is a great example of love and sacrifice.  Here is her obituary:

1918 ~ 2012
Midvale, UT-Vida May Fowkes White, age 94, passed away Dec. 5, 2012 with loving family by her side. She was born March 20, 1918 in Evanston, WY to Charles Mortimer Fowkes Sr. and Edith Louise Bell. Vida had the privilege of growing up on a ranch in Almy, WY. She was an outstanding student at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, UT. She earned a scholarship to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the only four year Liberal Arts University for the deaf in the U.S. Vida and Jack were married in the Salt Lake Temple and enjoyed 67 years of marriage. She loved gardening and nurturing her beautiful flowers and house plants. Vida was an excellent cook and will be remembered for her fabulous meals and peanut butter fudge. Her cakes won blue ribbons. She served in numerous callings in the LDS First Ward for the deaf and completed a mission at the Family History Center. Vida loved to cook, read, and make quilts for loved ones. She and Jack enjoyed watching the Jazz games and eating out. Mom is loved dearly and will be missed greatly.
Vida is survived by her children, Carol (John) Mathis, Jack (Jo) White, Sherri (Robert) Berntsen, 10 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Preceded in death by her husband John "Jack" F. White, one great-granddaughter and eight siblings.
Funeral service will be held Monday, Dec. 10 at 11:00am at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 S. Highland Dr., SLC). Viewing from 9:30 to 10:45am on Monday prior to services. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

This is Jeremy's dad, Brady (Jeremy's brother), Weston (another brother), Jeremy, McKay and Jason (another brother).  Jeremy and McKay were able to be pallbearers.

All the pallbearers: Dan (Jeremy's cousin), Brady, Weston, Jeremy, McKay, Jason, Robert (Jeremy's uncle) and Carl (Jeremy's cousin).

McKay placing his pallbearer flower on Grandma's casket with Jeremy and Weston nearby doing the same.

So glad that we all could be together as a family to remember and honor Grandma.  She was a wonderful woman.  I can't wait until I can actually talk with her and have a real conversation.  (She was deaf and it seemed like the only conversations we had were small talk.)

Jeremy's Dad's cousins were there at the funeral.  They still live on the ranch that Grandma White lived on as a little girl.  They are placing this plaque on the corner of the property to mark where the original ranch was.  They are dedicating it around Memorial Day next year.  I am hopeful that we are able to make the trip for the dedication and to see where Grandma's roots are.  I feel like there is such a great legacy that we need to learn about and know.

Josh Is Baptized!

Today Josh was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He has been waiting for this day for a long time!  Josh was the 20th baptism in our ward this year and he patiently waited all year for his big day to come.  However, Josh started out the day a little rough.  He woke up this morning with a temperature of 102.6 and he wasn't quite his jolly ole self all day.

Josh was baptized by his dad.

We are all so proud of Josh.

Almost everyone that was in attendance at Josh's baptism.  A couple of people snuck out before we could get a picture.  So many people love Josh and support him.

After the baptism we had a luncheon at our house.  Grandma and Grandpa Haacke gave Josh a picture of the temple by our house.  (You can tell Josh isn't feeling well in this picture and the ones to follow.)

He received a nice gift from his cousin Tre and a nice letter too.

Grandma White made Josh a Cub Scout quilt and gave him a sock monkey.  Josh loved both and cuddled with them the rest of the day.

It was a really nice day (other than Josh not feeling well) and we loved being surrounded by our family and friends.  We are proud of Josh and his decision to be baptized.

Jaxon's Slice of Heaven

Jaxon loves BYU basketball, especially Tyler Haws.  We went to a Lone Peak High School basketball game tonight as a family and low and behold, Tyler Haws and a few other BYU players showed up.  Jaxon was beside himself and was determined to go meet them.  Jaxon has a lot of confidence and went right up and introduced himself and talked to the players (click on the pictures to get a better look):

Above he is talking to Tyler Haws telling him he is a BIG fan.

Then he gave Tyler a hug.  Jaxon has admired him since before Tyler's mission.  Then Jaxon found out we were distantly related to him (my grandmother being a Haws) and he was smitten.  He loves the LDS Youth video with Tyler in it.  Jaxon looks up to him because of his hard work and the sacrifice he made by going on a mission (not to mention his skills on the basketball court).

Josh then got in on the action by going and meeting Anson Winder and others.  After Josh said "Hi" and exchanged some small talk, Anson asked him if he was going to the BYU vs. Utah game tomorrow night.  Josh shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know." Then he walked away.  Funny kid.

The icing on the cake was when Jaxon met Jackson Emery.  Jackson is one of his past favorites.  (I mean duh--they share the same name even if it is spelled differently.)  Jaxon is so comfortable in his own skin putting his arm on Emery's shoulder while chatting with him.  I love the look on Jaxon's face.  He also met and talked to Brandon Davies.  Jaxon was in heaven.  He couldn't stop talking about his night the whole way home and swore he would never wash his hand after shaking so many BYU basketball players' hands.

Nighttime Laughter

I love when I go to check on my kids at night and get a good laugh. I found this the other night:

Super Riding Hood

Braces No More

 Check out McKay's new smile:

McKay said that getting his braces off was just like Christmas morning: Was excited to get them off, and was excited about the outcome.  I think he is as handsome as ever.

Kayden's Alter Ego

Kayden made this guy at school.  Here is a closer look:

I think it is his inner self coming out.  There are many days when he goes from angry (like above) to this:

He likes to keep me on my toes.

Eight is Great

Josh celebrated his eighth birthday today and he enjoyed every second of it.  He came racing in my room this morning asking if he could open the big red present before everyone left for school and before Dad left for work.  We knew the evening was going to be busy, so he opened both his presents first thing this morning.

I am eight!

Heavy, heavy... (And boy was it heavy!)

Josh has been talking about wanting a Ripstik since he rode his friend's a few months ago.  He hasn't forgotten and every time anyone asked him what he wanted for his birthday he would tell them, "A Ripstik."  He never wavered.

Josh also got a set of Harry Potter Legos.  He wants to complete his Lego Harry Potter collection.  (Can you tell it was a little excited this morning?  Look at that face!)

Josh got ready for school super quick (minus combing his hair) so he could go outside and ride his Ripstik.  I was surprised to see how good he already was at riding it.

Look at him go!

Jaxon took a turn, but hasn't had as much experience on a Ripstik as Josh had.  He was a little wobbly.

After the craziness this evening brought with basketball, we sang Happy Birthday and had some cake.  It was a great and fun day!

Grandma and Grandpa Haacke gave Josh scriptures for his birthday.  (We celebrated November birthdays early because Grandma and Grandpa headed out of town for most of November to visit family.)  Josh loves his scriptures.  He even started reading them shortly after he received them.  He now looks forward to family scripture study each night just so he can use his new scriptures.


Eight Things We Love About Josh:

1. Josh is so animated.  We have so many pictures of him making some of the most animated faces.  His personality makes us happy.
2. Josh LOVES basketball.  He will watch Jimmer You Tube instructional videos and then go outside to the basketball court and practice what he learned.
3. Josh loves playing with his friends.  It isn't long that he is home from school before a friend is knocking on the door.
4. He is very thoughtful and kind.  He is always leaving me notes or pictures to brighten my day.
5. Josh loves to surprise me by emptying the dishwasher and then loading it with the dirty dishes in the sink.  He waits for me to discover his service and when I do, he can't hide his smile.
6. He loves school and does very well.  His teacher sings his praises every time I see her.
7. He gives great hugs.  One hug from him and your troubles melt away.
8. His prayers are so sincere.  If you are in need of some extra blessings, ask Josh to put you on his prayer list.  Every time he prays for me, I feel very humbled.

We love you Josh!  How blessed we are to have you for a boy.  You are so sweet and such a joy.  Thank you for always being so obedient and kind to others.  I am lucky to be your mom.  Happy Birthday!

Five!

My baby had his birthday today.  (He insists that he isn't my baby.  But I say otherwise.)  He turned five.  Five seems old.  I can't believe how much he has grown up.  Here are some birthday highlights:

 First thing this morning we let him open one present.  Bedhead and all.  He was so excited.

He got a Captain American action figure that is riding a motorcycle.  He thought that was pretty cool.  He liked opening his present and playing with it all day.

All day long Kayden tried to negotiate opening the rest of his presents before his dad and brothers got home.  (It must have been pure torture for the kid not being able to open his presents all day.)  Finally I told him that one of his presents (the one he wanted to open) was underwear.  Suddenly the negotiations stopped.  He asked about his other present and if he could open that one.  I told him it was Rainbow Brite.  He paused for a minute and then burst into tears.  He cried, "But I don't want underwear and Rainbow Brite for my birthday!"  So I told him he would just have to wait until his dad and brothers got home then.

 After much waiting, everyone was home.  He immediately ran to the fireplace where his presents were for the ceremoniously bump on the head so he could finally open his presents.

 It took him a bit to think of a wish to give us.  He came up with: 1- I wish you to all go on a mission. 2- I wish you all to go on another mission.  (I convinced him to change mission to vacation.)  3- I wish everything wasn't real.  (Whatever that means.)

 He received a couple of Lego Ninjago sets.  He loves the sets--especially the Lego Ninja dudes.

 Here he is happy that his presents weren't underwear and Rainbow Brite.  He was excited to start putting Legos together.

After going out to dinner as a family, we came home and had some ice cream cake and sang Happy Birthday to him.  It was a fun day.

Five Things That We Love About Kayden:

1. He loves to draw pictures and give them to us.  He often tapes them to our wall for a surprise.
2. He has a contagious giggle.  I love that sound.
3. He loves to dress up and use his imagination.  His friends love to dress up with him.
4. He often surprises us with his precocious knowledge.  What comes out of his mouth makes me smile.
5. He loves playing with his friends.  He often rides his scooter (wearing one sock--go figure) to the neighbors to collect his friends and bring them back to play with him.  He loves his friends!

Happy Birthday Kayden!  We love you and have learned so much from you.  Thank you for being my little boy.