Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrated Christmas because we are going to Utah on Christmas Day. A couple of days ago we went to see Santa and every kid made sure they told Santa to come on Christmas eve. So last night we got all ready after celebrating Daddy' s birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! We started off by opening our Christmas pj's from grandma cooper ( THANKS GRANDMA!!! )and raced to get them on. Then we read our Christmas story and scripture and went to bed. Luckily we were all very tired from staying up over the past couple nights that everyone went straight to bed. Mommy and daddy told us that we weren't allowed to wake anyone else up until 8:00 A.M. which must have been a magic trick because not one of us woke up until Anna and I woke up at 8:00!! So we got started right away tearing open our gifts. The main highlights were: Isaac got a nano chromatic ipod, Anna and i got two adorable life like dolls and a really cool camera, mikela got a beautiful doll as well and TONS of books and heelies, Kate got her very own D.S. and heelies, Esther got a leapfrog D.S. thing and PLENTY of other toys, zoie got twin life like dolls and a fun play dough set, Clara got lots of bright colored toys, and Missy got a brand new winter coat! After all the presents were opened, we went to the nursing home were we did a Christmas program. It turned out to be really fun! We headed home and started the dinner while dad took the older kids to take presents to a family that would need them. A week or so ago we all went to the store and picked out gifts for each kid in the family we chose to give presents to. We wrapped them another night and today we had the privilege to quietly lay them all out on their doorstep, ring the doorbell, and RUN! We wore Santa hats and crept quietly out, laying the presents nicely on the doorstep. Then we got away and Isaac rang the doorbell. We waited by a nearby car to see the reaction. The dad opened the door and excitedly called for his family, but we hurried and got in the car and drove away, with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts. It was SO MUCH FUN! We were thinking the other day about how elves are always happy, its because they are always making gifts and toys for other people! And they are always getting to serve others. We look forward to another great day tomorrow of seeing lots of family! HURRAY! We love you all!Sorry, we got TONS of pictures but i cant get them on right now so i will post them later. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-Emily

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Just a Quick Brag..I mean BLOG!!

As a Mom I could NOT hold back from bragging, I mean boasting, no.. I mean BLOGGING about Isaac tonight! He performed his first ever solo as part of Curtin Middle School choir tonight. It was exceptional!!! He stood firm and fine, and didn't flinch - even I could not see any nerves before his solo. It was from one of his favorite songs "Grown Up Christmas Wish" - we love the Michael Buble version. What a fun experience for him and we were proud of his contribution to the choir performance this evening. Way to go Isaac! Emily and Anna were our beautiful 7th grade jewels on stage tonight - we LOVED seeing them sing as well! The Williamsport School District music concerts (band, orchestra, and choir) are amazing - we feel grateful for it!

Flashbacks



I can't believe how fast everyone is growing! Look at how little Missy used to be! And look at Esther's hair!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Concerts and Parties...

We can really tell that Christmas is coming because of all the concerts and parties! To start it all off, last Friday night we had our ward christmas party, which was a fun, great night. We had many wonderful talents and people at the party. The next day, Isaac, me and Anna had our piano recital, I think we all did GREAT! We are so thankful for such a great teacher-I think we have all really improved since last year. The same night we went to The Community Arts Center to watch the Annual Nutcracker performance. It was fun to watch because Mikela's friend got the main role as Clara! On Monday night (I think) Anna and I had our orchestra concert. We both LOVE playing the violin-the only reason we hesitate going to Loyalsock School next year is because we will really, really miss being in the Orchestra! It has been so much fun these past one and a half years of Orchestra- our teacher is REALLY GREAT and we have learned so much since the beginning of 6th grade. Mikela, too, will really miss playing in her Orchestra if we go to Loyalsock. Last night Mikela had her school concert. In orchestra, she got picked to play a solo in one of her songs! GOOD JOB MIKELA! Our mom got to play the piano for the chorus, so she had fun getting to be with Mikela at some of her pratices... and tonight we are off to Isaac's band concert, GOOD LUCK ISAAC! Next Tuesday is Isaac, me and Anna's chorus concert- WOW! We are BUSY!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Foster Filly!






Exciting news! We are "fostering" a little filly! It's a long story but the time came for Dippy to be weaned and it didn't go very well. We put her mommy and "aunt sadie" in the big pasture and her in the smaller one, but because horses are herd animals, she needed company and tried to get out. She got very sad and got a "boo-boo" from the fence. After weeks of planning what to do, we finally decided that the best way was to "rent" a filly her age from a rescue farm right down the road (that has lots of foals ready to be sold) so she could have a friend. Now we are fostering a gentle little "Cocoa" (named by grandma because of her rich color and markings). When she arrived she was a little ragged and scared, but after a little grooming and a couple walks with Anna, Emily,Mikela, and Dippy, she has became our friend. Now Cocoa and Dippy INSIST on being together in the same stall, sharing eachothers grain and hay, and being groomed side by side. They are definite best friends, and two little cuties. Little Dippy still nickers when she sees mommy, but loves having her new companion.

-Emily and Anna

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmas Is Coming!





























Since we didn't have school this weekend, we decided to decorate for Christmas! We started it all off by getting our beautiful Christmas tree on Friday Night. Then, with christmas songs playing and cookies baking, we trimmed the tree, decorated the house, put up christmas lights, went christmas shopping, and, to end it all off, we took our christmas picture. All of which will memories that last forever. Here are some pictures we took in the process of all that...MERRY CHRISTMAS!