Christmas Eve at the Davis home

Thanks to Dawn and Brent for a nice Christmas Eve and Day. We had your traditional Jesus' birth story read and a talent show.Goofy little kids!

I can't remember what Gideon and Cedric sang, but it was entertaining.

It was a monumental evening with a stirring rendition of "chalking and a hugging" by Scott, Grandad remembering his lines from a Shakespeare play, Brent singing a beautiful Christmas song, Granny and Mom both added a good laugh along with all the grand kids.

Ho Ho Ho

Essentially we celebrated Christmas twice this year. We had a small "Christmas Eve" at our new home and then drove to Oregon for Christmas Day. The kids really got into the spirit this year with some "secret" acts of love and kindness. We love the music, stories and warm fireplace. We let the kids open presents early from Mom and Dad as to not cart them across state. It is amazing that the most excitement this year came from Gideon opening his own Choo Choo underwear and Micah's first boxers(picture will follow). If you didn't know, underwear is in!

Gideon spent the entire night looking at his new underwear.

No more "tighty-whitey's" in the wrestling locker room for weigh-in's! Yeah, he volunteered for this photo...good thing it looks like a swimsuit!

Danielle in The Nutcracker

These cute kids were mesmorized today watching their sister dance in The Nutcracker. For several months, Danielle has been rehearsing for her first ballet performance, The Nutcracker. She was a French Bon Bon. Danielle loves to dance, and often is jumping and spinning everywhere she goes. I think she has found her passion. It is a good thing she has natural grace and strength.
Scott purchased tickets for the entire family to attend. We both have a love for the arts and figured others wouldn't mind, especially if a cute little girl like Danielle was involved. The Eagle Performing Arts Center held all four performances at BSU.
We drove Danielle to the Arts Center, a half an hour away, more times than I would like to remember. She was on the early morning news which required a 4:45 am curtain time. She didn't mind playing hookie that day after 4 hours of dancing.

Granny and Grandad Skidmore loved the professional dancers flown in from Seattle and the amazing set. They were really impressed with the quality of the show.

Grandma Stevens and Greg came despite many hurdles to jump and even brought a dozen white roses. Grandma Stevens makes great effort to support each grandchild.

Danielle's role included dancing under Mother Ginger's massive skirt, doing cartwheels across the stage and other partnered ballet dances. We sure love our little budding ballerina. She is the apple of her father's eye for sure!

Babysitting services

I have an incredible babysitter on my hands...well actually two of them. Look at the fantastic job they did in only an hour and a half.?! We occasionally loan them out if you are looking for creativity and disaster!

These two responsible Tweeners will even put the kids to bed for you, remarkable!

Tweety Bird was a proud peacock having her daddy come to school to make ginger bread houses. Scott said he did not stifle Eliza's creativity energy. I think she had more candy on a single ginger bread house than any we have seen.

Happy Anniversary

Can 14 years be considered Happily Ever After?


How do you know you are on number 10 plus? Your romantic get away includes teaching Gospel Essentials, Primary, large amounts of dishes (Scott made whole wheat spaghetti), unpacking suitcases & Christmas presents and winking at each other across the room over the loud laughter and screaming of children. The only thing we are missing is a trip to the temple, a tradition we have continued every year...hopefully we will sneak away this week.

That's one brave daddy!

Daddy and Eliza hiking in 2006...this picture had been saved in Scott's phone for years. Too funny not to share!

Happy 8th Birthday Isaac!

Tis the season again, the season of choir concerts, company parties, school parties, dance recitals, three breakfasts w/Santa, ward & Relief society parties, school projects before winter break, baking for neighbors, bus drivers, teachers, etc...


I love this time of year. If you have to be busy all the time, why not be celebrating the first snow, the yummy smells, the lights and glitter of ornaments, warm hearts of people you love, concerts and parties and most importantly those tender moments of reflection and kindness with your spouse and children.
I have been sorting and organizing, and in the process I have de-cluttered and sold unnecessary items on Craigslist. I have managed to bring home enough money to pay for a couple of guilty pleasures. The first being an overdue haircut. It wasn't exactly what I had envisioned...the hairdresser told me that with my "maturing" years, crows feet and smile lines were beginning to show, and that I needed a younger look! She talked me into a forehead full of girlish bangs. I then paid for the gym daycare (the hair salon is connected to the gym), and went to get Gideon. When he saw me, I said, in a loud voice, "Hello sweet little Gideon!". He started crying and ran the other way, not recognizing me immediately. Micah asked me why I had a makeover and James just laughed. Hmm that was a hit.
Saturday we did marathon haircuts. Five boys total, with only one noticeable weird shave mark, phew! Isaac celebrated his 8th birthday in style, starting with pancake and egg breakfast. Scott was the mastermind and cook while I cut hair like crazy. Isaac has been anticipating this big day for weeks and we did not want to disappoint.

Scott was the hero of the day. He made breakfast, cleaned up breakfast, drove to Target for last minute party items and drove downtown for Danielle's ballet practice. He took the youngest two kids with him so I could coordinate party games and be the entertainer!

The boys did trivia games, balloon games and old fashioned marbles. I kept trying to get the party kids to play more games but they seemed to just want to exchange their new Pokemon cards and wrestle. The Pokemon party was a big hit.

Don't ask me which Pokemon character this is! I couldn't tell you, but Isaac sure thought it looked cool.

The interesting change this birthday with Isaac was that he didn't ask about or demand any present. We got him the boring stuff, new jeans for school, and a suit for his baptism, but outside of a fun party, he did not receive any toys. I was expecting him to ask for his "real" present, but he never did. He is really growing up and can be a mature and fine son. Scott broke down later and picked up a Pokemon movie just for Isaac! He was on cloud nine.

Isaac is such a cool little boy. He is kind to his younger siblings, really smart, loves to read late at night, plays soccer at every recess, is my talkative visitor, and is and always will be our Christmas miracle in 2001! I haven't forgotten the moment I held this little boy in my arms for the first time.

Often I will get an early morning phone call from my sister-in-law Gina, saying she is on her way into town to spend the day. She always comes with a project in mind to help or a great deal on food she got to share with us or just to see if she can serve in some way. She is pretty incredible. She doesn't let a cute nursing baby or busy toddler slow her down. This week she brought her trailer with a queen size mattress set. She knew we were short a bed for the girls and decided to give us her extra. We spent the day moving furniture and arranging a better set up for my two girls. It was a particularly busy day with school meetings, a wrestling match, Activity Days, babysitting another sister's daughter and two different Scout activities. It was nice to have an extra set of hands. We even had a dinner prepared early in the afternoon. David and Gideon love the company, usually they play great all day. This past week Gideon pulled out the old fangs and took a bite out of crime. He still can get annoyed enough that he will sink those tiny teeth into anything or anyone in his way. Gina and David took in stride and in no time the boys were having a great time again. (Gideon is always sweet to baby Alyson)

I am thankful for an aware and kind sister. She is a perfect example of selflessness!

Thanksgiving with the Skidmores

Thanksgiving Day we started a new tradition. The Stevens Family went on their inaugural Turkey Trot run. We rolled out of bed, some still in jammies, and left on a mile and a half fun run together. James led the way, Micah and Isaac battled out the last stretch with Micah maintaining his older brother edge, Danielle, Thomas, Gideon and I were steady to the finish and Tweety held up the back with Dad. It was a perfect way to start out a day of feast. Dad worked on sleep and projects that afternoon while Micah, Danielle and I rolled out rolls and kept the turkey going.

We joined the Skidmore side at the church for a yummy gathering.

Aunt Qwen came prepared with board games. The men passed the football and shot hoops.

Scott loves the activities more than the food...men to play catch with is right up his alley.

These two cooks were fantastic dessert queens. I loved catching up with my girl cousins, Megs, Erin and Chelsea.

My dad can still join the best of them in any sport. He even participated in the "Men's Open Sprint" across the gym and back. Great entertainment.

Gideon and Tommy slept through a good share of the event, but got right into the swing of things once we got a little food in their tummies. They thought they were so funny hiding in closets and then running out yelling.

Many hands make light work. I think the clean-up committee always has the most fun. We always have good laughter and conversation together as a crazy family.

So much to be thankful for, so often we forget, so glad we have a day to remind us!