Christmas Best

This year I had so much fun dressing my family for Christmas. Chad wouldn't get in the picture because we were in a hurry, but he also has a matching tie. I just wanted to make the boys a tie, but I had enough material to make Claire a skirt and then the girls got matching hair things, although Claire couldn't find hers. It was so much fun for me, and so great to hear all the comments at church. I'm not sure I will get Chad to wear matching ties very often unless I get a little more manly looking material.

Ice Cream

After Claire's dance recital we went out for ice cream. Chad gave Ava her first taste, and she was in love. I think Chad was just as dirty as Ava. Claire was so happy to get to have a special night. We can't wait till the next dance recital.

Claire's Dance Recital

December 16th was a big day for our family. It was the last day of school for everyone, the beginning of Christmas Vacation, and of course Claire's dance recital. She was very, very, very excited. The theme for the whole recital was the 70's, and it was great. Her dance teacher just started this year, so this was her first dance recital. There aren't many classes, so she put a short skit in between each dance. Owen was laughing louder than anyone, and he loved the music. Chad said this was the best recital he had ever been to. It was a lot of fun. Claire danced to the song "Dancing Queen." She did great, and of course loved wearing making the best. I was very proud of her, and she is getting much better. She is still taking dance class with her friend Elise, and now Ellie and Maddi our neighbors are dancing a different class. It was fun to see them all do a great job.

Clayson Family Christmas Party

This year our annual family party was hosted by Trevor and Shana. Chad had to work all day, so luckily the kids and I made it there with the help of some family. We decided not to exchange sibling gifts instead we adopted a family from the local shelter. The kids helped pitch in and wrapped all the presents. Hopefully they got something out of it. Then we played games, and had time for us all to perform our skits. I will honestly tell you that Chad and I were not excited about that part. It was a big source of contention at our house, so Chad came up with a short little thing. Everyone did a great job. The kids exchanged books, and then we were visited by Santa. It was a lot of fun, and we can't wait till next year.

Random Cuteness

O Christmas Tree!

The kids could hardly wait to decorate the Christmas Tree this year. They were put off a couple of days because I got sick and then we had to let the tree settle the next day before we could decorate it. They had so much fun and are getting so big. We still had most of the ornaments on the bottom, but they are getting better. Thankfully dad was helpful and lifted them up to the top many times. Ava loved the lights, and Grant finally figured out how much fun it was to decorate the tree.

Oh No, you didn't!

OK, I know I'm a little behind again on blogging, but I did something today that I can't believe I did!! Seriously. I am actually quite proud of myself. So, the kids and I were sitting in the mall parking lot waiting for Chad's bus to come. We try to go for a ride when we have a Saturday with not much else to do (besides clean the house!). I was parked in a spot specified for mothers who are pregnant or with infants. I love those parking spots. It makes me feel like someone actually appreciates that I have my hands full. I won't even park in a spot like that unless I look very pregnant, or have Ava with me. Well, the spot across from me was also marked for the same people, and a few minutes earlier someone had come out and got in their car with a teenager. Seriously!! It just aggravates me, those people can walk a little farther. So next comes a little VW Bug with two teenage girls in it. I watch the driver read the sign, and then they both shrug, and park there anyways. I was mad. These girls don't look pregnant, nor have a little child with them. So as they were getting out, I got out of my car, and asked them if they saw the sign. The driver looks at me like "who cares." So I proceed to tell her that I watched her look at the sign and that she should move her car. I told her it was marked for specific people and unless they had a baby or were pregnant, they should move. Then I asked her if she wanted to drag my 4 kids across the parking lot by herself. She gave me this look of "whatever," got in her car and moved it. I honestly thought I would feel guilty, but I don't. But, I still can't believe that I did that. I think I'm getting old, and today I was that old lady who told someone what to do. Oh well, maybe next time they will think before they try to break the rules.