Tiny Dancer

Sable has been taking dance class at the same school Capri used to go to, Diane's School of Dance. She's been quite adorable and brings me close to tears OFTEN as I think about things like how Capri used to fit into the black leotard Sable now wears.

Today was her Christmas Dance Performance and she was gorgeous. She did such a great job, stinking her tongue out while she danced nearly the whole time. Ya know, cause sticking your tongue out seriously helps with balance.

Slice of Life: First Snow

It's suddenly FREEZING here. I guess that means it's time to high tail it to the desert (which we will be doing on Wednesday).

But for now, a little sledding is in order.

This is the littles first time sledding. Mainly because this is the first time we've actually owned a sled and snowsuits. I think when we're back from California we'll need to buy a couple more sleds and head to the bigger hills at Mar-Mar's house!

Santa

Capri and Rome skipped school so we could pay a visit to the big man all together. Oz felt right at home, I think he would have hung out with Santa all day. Made sense, he looks a lot like him with his ever present rosy nose and cheeks, large rotund belly and head. Plus, when you poke him - he chuckles.

Boys

Happiness

Happiness is like a crystal,
Fair and exquisite and clear,
Broken in a million pieces,
Shattered, scattered far and near.
Now and then along life's pathway,
Lo! some shining fragments fall;
But there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beauty,
Or an honest share of wealth,
While another just beside you
Gathers honor, love or health.
Vain to choose or grasp unduly,
Broken is the perfect ball;
And there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on they journey
Treasure every fragment clear,
Fit them as they may together,
Imaging the shattered sphere,
Learning ever to be thankful,
Though their share of it is small;
For it has so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

-Priscilla Leonard

Eye of the Tiger

Thanks Uncle Josh!

Jeff Jackson Tribute

Jason Eddy, this one's for you.




PS - we know this makes little sense to anybody other than Jason, but Rome is pretty hilarious nonetheless.

Thanksgiving 2010

We went to Silver Dollar City for Thanksgiving again this year. It's become something we look forward to for months.

This time we went the day before Thanksgiving, stayed Thanksgiving day and drove home late that night.

We stopped to visit Granddad Berbert for a bit on the way there. He was of course wonderfully cheery and even had presents for the kids.





The weather the day before Thanksgiving was amazing. We didn't have to wear jackets at all, even that night. It was one of the more beautiful days I can remember, and SDC was not crowded at all - meaning no lines.



Once Oz is able to stand by Sable this picture will be complete. They'll all be taller then though and that will make me sad. But oh how lovely and wonderful they are all growing to be.




I must have told a lie cause my nose seems to have grown like Pinocchio's in this picture.









For a late lunch that day we ate in an outdoor, but covered, food area. Our table was right next to a Christmas tree, music played and there was a wonderful breeze. Jeff and I shared sandwiches and ate soup. It was one of those times that we don't have a picture of, but we'll never forget. A certain type of magic was there, as what is more than likely our whole family ate. For whatever reason, it brought an immense amount of happiness to both me and Jeff.
Later, we saw the Saloon Show, rode rides and even wrote letters to Santa.


On Thanksgiving day - we feasted. All you can eat without the preparation and clean-up. Now THAT'S something to be thankful for.



I told the kids that at Thanksgiving dinner we'd all say what we were thankful for. They all gave it a lot of advance thought, especially Rome. He had a list of things, some were ones that both Jeff and I were impressed to hear. One stuck out to me, he said he was thankful for his room. That gave me such a good feeling, to know that he had a place of his own he loved.








Oz's first Thanksgiving mashed potatoes. He wasn't a huge fan. . .yet. The way this kid eats, he'll be packing them away very soon. I've got it in my head that he'll be the tallest member of our family. The tallest and the biggest.





The weather decided that Thanksgiving Day is a day for freezing rain, snow and temperatures to match. But we had all the cold weather gear we needed and planned on spending most of the day inside anyway. We got to see the Living Nativity show and our VERY favorite Silver Dollar City show of all - A Christmas Carol. They do SUCH a wonderful production. Even Oz loved it, he watched about half before falling asleep again.

We drove home late Thanksgiving night. I couldn't help but think about all I have. It's a LOT. I've always been so blessed in my life. I've never wanted, never hungered, never been hurt or alone. I don't know exactly why I've been so blessed, but I have to assume that it's so that I can offer service and help to others. So far in my life I don't feel like I've been able to do that very much. But I know I can and try hard to serve my family, my husband, my children. I thank the Lord for that opportunity.



Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family, we love you more than we can say.