Performance

December also included a ballet recital for two very cute little ballerinas:

Here they are at the final bow.  It was either the still camera or video camera during their actual performance seeing as though I was simultaneously trying to keep Lexi from getting stuck in the folding chairs of the auditorium.  That just exceeds my multitasking abilities!  So I opted for video.

Don't even begin to think that Santa is too busy in December to miss out on the event of the season!

Way to go ladies, you did awesome!  

Hey Baby Let's Go To VEGAS

The first weekend in December Jacob and I headed down south to Las Vegas for the

National 

Finals 

Rodeo

yeehaw!

We spent three nights getting our cowboy (and cowgirl) on at the rodeo and enjoying hours of shopping and just downright fun.  Bob and Wendy were the ultimate hosts.  The only downside was the time went way too fast.

Let the show begin!

There's just a few horses there:

Can you believe they pack 18,000 people a night in here?  They really keep the cowboy experience alive each night as all 18,000 are herded like cattle to the exits.  I really had to restrain myself from not letting out a loud MOOOOO as we slowly shuffled out.  It's pretty entertaining, though, considering the gargantuan amount of alcohol that is consumed.  But hey, thank goodness the rodeo starts out with an opening prayer!

 

Did you know "selfie" is an actual word?

There is nothing quite like the old stretch-out-your-arm-and-hope-for-the-best pose.

We love you Bob and Wendy!  Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you......

Perhaps one of the highlights of the trip was this baby right here on the right hand side:

THE TUB.  Complete with jets.  And no interruptions by sweet little well-meaning individuals known as my children.

Heaven.

I soaked in this baby each and every morning.  Not sure why they even bother with a shower in there.  Please.

I may or may not have spent my time in the tub singing Christmas songs as the jets bubbled.  Hope the hallways were empty....

A HUGE thank you to Mom and Dad Otte who drove through a horrific storm and brutal cold to come down and take care of the kiddos so we could get away.  We were so grateful to them!  They probably went home tired, but have some fun memories:

What a great guy, huh?

And sorry Mom, dad trumps you on the pics this time.

We were delayed a bit coming home (ah, darn) because the gorge was closed due to a crazy snowstorm.  It was weird coming through St. George- it was COLD and covered in snow.  But, we made it home to happy and healthy kids.  Absence sure makes the heart grow fonder.  :)

Olympians

Now you may not be familiar with this, but there is a very important ritual that follows a baptism.  It is the true test of skill and physical aptitude.  One has to tap into a deep reservoir of spiritual energy to perform this ritual with precision.  Consider yourself part of an elite few who get to witness such an event...

-THE CRUTCH WALK-

Yes, I did hear that very audible gasp.

Behold the Israelsen finest:

First up is Grandpa.  The patriarch of the Israelsen family.  He who all of the tribe of Israel looks up to.  He didn't disappoint with the classic Offset Hip Shuffle:

Dad scored big with a high degree of difficulty using the A-Frame Leg Swing Method:

Next up was Uncle Daniel.  He learned some sweet moves in Paraguay and they were still fresh seeing as though he had only been home a few weeks from his mission.  Here is is demonstrating The South American Alternating Leg Hop.

This is not an event for the faint of heart.  It takes a strong, secure woman to take on the challenge.  Aunt Maria definitely stepped up the game with her Parallel High Seat Maneuver.  As you can see, the crowd looks on in envy.

Uncle Ross, El Guapo, was not about to be outdone by his sister.  Here he is demonstrating his Just-Do-Anything-To-Keep-Your-Long-Legs-Off-The-Ground move.  Long legs:  a handicap to some, but a strength for El Guapo.

Many thanks to Aunt Julie for her donation of the crutches, despite her warranted concern they were going to be rendered unusable.  And well, after her failed attempt at The Offset Hip Shuffle a few months prior, she really needed them.  

Disclaimer:  No children were harmed during the Crutch Walk event.  DO NOT try this at home without professional supervision. 

A Perfect Day

Since Kenna's birthday fell perfectly right after Thanksgiving and we were going to be with all our wonderful family, we were able to have Kenna's baptism the day after her birthday.

To sum it all up, it was perfect.  We were so so grateful to be able to have all our family there with us to share in this important event.  I think I'll just let all the pictures do the talking on this one.

My favorite favorite picture of the whole day:

This just fills me with true, complete, and absolute joy.  She is blessed to have such a great daddy.  Seeing those two in the water was truly like a little piece of heaven for me.  I wish I could have seen the angels who got to join us for that brief moment.  I have no doubt they were there.

Speaking of joy, I don't think there is a more proud mama than me to have such a darling little group:

Getting ready for the big event:

I have a theory.  When we were up in heaven, Kenna got to look over the entire host of heaven and personally handpick heavens finest.  Then they became her grandparents. She definitely chose the best!

And well, her parents just had to come as part of the package deal:

But then again, I think she also got to handpick 3 of the absolute best siblings!

A perfect day for a perfect new being.  I hope she always remembers the sweet spirit of this amazing day.

Great to be EIGHT!

Thanksgiving was quickly followed up by another very important day:  KENNA'S 8TH BIRTHDAY!

She had been anticipating this special day for a long time, and it didn't disappoint.

-She and Mom went out on a birthday shopping date complete with lunch at....drumroll please....McDonalds.  Despite my best efforts at reiterating that it was her special day and we could go anywhere she wanted.  Anywhere.  Like, Olive Garden.  Needless to say, we had a cheeseburger.  It was so fun to spend the day with my little lady.  And lady she sure is.  Oh my goodness I have no idea where the time has gone.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect baby:

-We went out on a big Otte Family excursion to see Frozen and love, love, loved the movie!

-Grandma made her a cake:

-It was so fun to spend her birthday with all the cousins around to help celebrate.  Spoiled is an appropriate descriptor.

-Here she is with her gift from the Israelsen fam.  It's the softest, most heavenly blanket known to man.  She absolutely LOVES this blanket.  I may or may not be known to steal it on occasion to snuggle up with:

Happy Birthday Kenna D!  We are so proud of the amazing little lady you are becoming and are so grateful to have you as such a great example to all your siblings.  We LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!  Hope you know how loved you are by so many.

Do you realize she will be in Young Women's in just 4 years?  FOUR!  I can't handle this.    

Back in the Saddle

Yay!  I have my computer back!  Now it's all fancy and such and I am a little lost.  I freely admit I am not a techie.  But let's get to what's important:

-Us-

 

Technology is not a strength.  Obviously humility is.


Now where to begin is the question? I guess we'll just have to back up to Thanksgiving.  Ready, set, GO!


Here is a perfect picture to start off a blog lapse.  It's my Dad.   I LOVE my Dad.  He is such a goon.  This is a pic I took on Thanksgiving Day.  He is wearing my Mom's wig:

Lay off the turkey, Dad.

It's just not Thanksgiving without the classic "kid table":

Thanksgiving of course is not complete without a very traditional Thanksgiving day activity.  I bet you're thinking the Thanksgiving day parade?  Nope.  Football?  Wrong again.

It's a special performance by all the girls, of course!

(Perhaps they have some of their Grandpa's crazy genetics.  Just a thought.)

Oh fine, I guess there was some football:

Ahh, another great Thanksgiving goes down in history.

All silliness aside, however, I truly am so very grateful for amazing family.  TWO families;  Otte and Israelsen.  I am so blessed to associate with some very special people. 

Happy New Year!

I suppose you maybe have guessed that updating my blog wasn't a New Year's resolution....

And don't get too excited because this really isn't much of an update. When I think of all I need to update on my head spins.  My computer is currently at the tech doctor getting a little update and all my gazillion pictures are there with it.    

I need to do a blogeroo about:

Thanksgiving- so fun.
Kenna's 8th birthday and baptism up in Logan- perfect.
A trip in Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo- yeehaw!
A bunch of random cuteness from the quad of crazies known as my children- love.
Christmas- ho ho ho.
A new year- I keep writing 2013 on my checks.  That will continue until about mid-Julyish.

So please don't lose faith in me.  I have reeeeeeaaaaallly good intentions......