Our newest talent developments!

A family gift we received for Christmas was a set of Bob Ross DVDs, canvases, paints, and brushes. Keeping in mind that Bob Ross uses oil paints and we decided to use acrylic (because of its easier clean up), then you may enjoy our creations. Only the oldest 5 kids can do it for now but it has been fun. The first time was a little stressful, because it wasn't going as smoothly as Bob showed and the acrylic doesn't blend together as easily as the oil, but we kept at it. I went from one child to the next, giving support and help as needed. Kemiah allowed me to paint for her while the others wanted to do it themselves. It was too much for Marissa so she stopped painting halfway through on the first day. The second day she was more relaxed and finished most of it but it is still not complete (I'll have to add it later). Xiomara also hasn't finished her first one so it will be added later. Ben and Kemiah started out following Bob but then decided to do their own thing. On the second day, I decided I could paint on our Corelle dinner plates and see how it went. I was amazed and really enjoyed it, so much so that I did another plate. Good thing we had leftovers for dinner. Now all I want to do is sit around painting. What a fun activity and talent we are developing!

Kemiah's first one.

Kemiah's second one, mostly done by me because she hated it.

Benjamin's first one, with a lot fewer trees than Bob had in his.

Ben's second one, with a blue sky instead of a pink sky, and a changed foreground again.

 My first plate.

My second plate.

Emily's first one.

I'm sure we'll be doing more and more so it will be fun to see how we progress. Eventually, we may even move on to oil paints, paint thinner and all that jazz, We'll start our own studio and just keep learning and doing and enjoying the ability to create!

Last Games.

The kids soaked up the attention of extra family while they were here. All sorts of games were played and they all had great time.

Chess and Stratego (not pictured)

Regular UNO, 

a bit quieter than our noisy types.

Even if they were doing their own thing, they were still having fun.

It was nice to have visitors and we thank you both for coming out to spend time with us.

First Ever Piano Recital

Our piano teacher decided it was time for a recital. We kept it small and it worked out great. The kids were a little nervous. Ben kept talking about finding ways out of it, not going, or being unconscious so he wouldn't have to do it, but he survived and hopefully won't be so bothered by it. It was great fun to see the kids perform, even if they didn't play the songs perfectly.

Before this, we went to Olive Garden for dinner. It's sort of a tradition when we get together with Kevin's family. It was yummy delicious but we noticed something about their characters and logo...

Here is the variety of cups we have collected from Olive Garden over the years.

This one we have had the longest, and it is tallest.

We like the kids like characters.

When we received these, they told us they were trying to go to a more formal look,

rather than the kid feel so as to step up their status.

This is what we received tonight. 

Crazy characters - adolescent type.

None of my kids like them.

And this is their new logo.

No more grapes - which we never understood anyway.

But what do they do about the signs on the buildings?

Not really earth shattering, but when you only go out once a year this is what greets you - change. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it throws you for a loop. At least the food was still yummy - salad, bread sticks, ravioli, brazed beef, yum!

Variety is the spice of life.

Sunday we played some games.

Twister for some...

U-Build Monopoly for others...

Lots of Twister and it was fun to watch.

Add a little work and we are balanced.

After we got home from Frankenmuth, they got busy and hauled a bunch of wood into the basement. 

We had some working outside...

and some working inside...

and then there were some of us doing other things inside...

Frankenmuth with Memere and Christopher

Memere and Christopher (Kevin's mom and brother) drove out and spend some time with us after Christmas. We made a trip out the Frankenmuth for some walking about and site seeing.

Crossed the covered bridge.

Posed for some pictures.

Ate some sweet crepes.

Next time I'll try the ruben.

Enjoyed smelling candles at the Yankee shop.

Watched fudge being made on a huge marble slab.

Amazing.

She couldn't take the excitement and just passed out.

It was chilly but we handled it okay.

It was a fun outing. We also stopped by Bronner's but I didn't take any pictures there. We walked all through the store, looking at all the different ornaments and trees and decorations. It really is amazing. We stopped off to look at all the nativities that they have - which is a really amazing collection and my favorite part.

Merry Christmas!

This is what the tree and gifts looked like the night before (or the morning of). Not too many, or they were all small. The kids woke up at their normal times, read their scriptures, wrote in their journals, had family prayer and family scripture reading AND watched a general conference talk. That's our normal morning routine. Kevin and I were still sleeping but they went ahead and did it without us. When we did get up, they were ready for presents! We had to wait a little longer because the baby needed a new diaper and a bottle, and we had to get the cameras ready... then we were ready.

Camdilyn will suck her thumb automatically if anyone sticks hair in her ear.

Funny!

Stockings were first.

Everyone got new socks, candy, pencils, erasers, and more candy.

Excited about the big Milky Way bar.

Tryin to eat a Mary Jane while still in the wrapper.

The first present.

She wasn't sure what to do with it.

Magic Tree House books

The oldest six kids received walkie talkies.

They were all very excited about them.

They will be great to use outside come Spring.

Ben caught his next present in the mouth.

Good thing it was only books.

Her own beads to make necklaces and stuff!

Getting to eat a Mary Jane without the wrapper.

She loved it!

Marissa made him a scarf.

Her very own sticker book.

Her very own sticker book.

Books were a theme.

The three oldest received a book by John Bytheway, 

as well as a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys book.

We found some cheap DVDs so all the kids

(except for Camdilyn)

received a new movie.

Just adding to our road trip collection for next summer.

Still loving the Mary Jane!

The last 2 A to Z Mysteries that we needed for our collection.

Big book of different books. They love these.

New tie! He's wanted one for a while so he's excited!

Emily made presents for all her siblings.

They each received a stuffed paper picture of their pet names.

Monkey.

Goose.

Cow. (It's in her hand, you just can't see it.)

Pig.

Cat. (She is really chipmunk 

but Emily was not confident drawing one of those.)

Parrot.

Grandma and Grandpa Nichols brought each child a present.

Most of them were new games to add to our collection.

So fun!

Emily crocheted Camdilyn a hat, without instructions,

and with only a little help from me.

It even has a chin strap and covers the back of her neck.

Regifted dolls and she loves to carry them around.

More games from the Nichols.

She'll stick anything in her ear.

Gpa and Gma Nichols gave Harmonie a new doll, 

which sings "Itsy Bitsy Spider" 

and she sings right along with it.

So cute!

She wasn't really into opening the presents.

Now it is Daddy's turn.

Marissa made him a calendar for 2015.

She drew pictures of Calvin and Hobbes.

I made him a white board.

It will have his name on it for his office.

New work ties.

Heat packs for him and me!

Wait for it.... are you ready?

New flannel, hang-around-the-house, pants

(to replace the torn ones I wouldn't fix).

Another present?

New boots, again.

Family gift.

Canvases, paints, paint brushes, and Bob Ross DVDs.

We are all going to learn to paint!

What fun!

Christmas dinner.

We actually had ham, our very own pig!

Fruit salad, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls.

It was all yummy!

What a wonderful Christmas. We are so blessed and thankful to our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know so much and try to continue to learn and do and be so much more. It is through Jesus that we know what to do and how to live. It is through Jesus that we know where we are going and how to get there. It is through Jesus that we can repent and be better each day. It is through Jesus that we receive comfort, guidance, love, and support. We hope you can find these things, too!