Lily's time to shine

A few weeks ago, Lily had her "Christmas Extravaganza!"
(i just like saying the name of it).
It was basically a "meet-like" performance for the littlest gymnasts.
She was well supported by all her grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins.
We cheered like crazy and Lily loved performing in front of everyone.
She had her tongue in the side of her cheek the whole time, the only sign of shyness she showed.
I think she was trying really hard not to smile too much. haha.
She absolutely loves her gymnastics classes, (and because I know nothing about gymnastics), I think everything she does is astounding, impressive and amazing!
go go go my little girlie!

Merry Christmas

I'm feeling so much peace this evening, and for that I am grateful.
This season is wonderful, and having my little ones around makes it magical.
We've read books, opened the advent boxes, delivered goodies, visited Santa and prepared a manger for the baby Jesus (adding a piece of straw for each kind deed done).
We've listend to our pandora (Classical Christmas) station all month long, and read the accounts of Christs birth in our Bible and Book of Mormon.

And now the children are asleep, Santa's cookies are nibbled, the reindeer devoured the carrots, and the Christmas tree will stay lit all night long.

Sometimes you think it's only kids who stay awake with merriment on Christmas Eve, but as I've discovered, parents do too.

Much love from our home to yours
and
Merry, Merry Christmas

xo
the Painters

View from the Little Pink Camera

December is flying by with all the busyness and merriment that I could possibly hope for. And while I've been away from the computer, I've also neglected my camera. Other than Lily's gymnastics meet, and a photoshoot, my camera's been zipped up inside the bag. LILY TO THE RESCUE! Dave and I were seriously rolling with laughter tonight when we uploaded the 300+ pictures from her pink and trusty little camera sidekick. I can't even begin to describe how perfectly she has captured this Christmas season, and how seriously difficult it was to narrow down her pictures. Oh my gosh, please enjoy.

(by the way, all clipart added by Lily in camera)

Our elf on the shelf (named Essa) is the first thing they search for each morning.

our Christmas tree

best.photo.ever

a pattern emerged...Roman in the car...we've been in the car a lot

Basketball in December...a Sloan institution...

here I am at Kyle's basketball game

"Uuuuunnnnnstopable!"

After Kyle's game, we hit up a burger joint, and Lily had us all pose for a group photo

Kyle fell asleep on our couch one Sunday, and Lily thought he needed her cuddly dragon, (and a reindeer headband)

Good morning sleepy-heads

What she was doing instead of napping...posing babydoll and puppy

I'm in so many pictures!! it's amazing!

cute baby Alexis, while we watch Zachary's basketball practice

the Rapp's in town, and a fun girls night hosted by Lori!

it's my favorite thing...

I'm not sure why, but looking at the Christmas-card-photo-rejects is my favorite thing to do.

It might be because every year I decide last minute, LAST MINUTE that "today's the day!" for pictures.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (37 degrees outside)

1:15 - "Hey Margaret, what are you doing around 3:30 today? Wanna snap a picture for me?"

1:17 - "Hey Babe, what time are you getting home today? ummm, well, think you could reschedule and be home at 2:45?"

...shower....iron...run around like crazy...

2:10 - (Zach home early from school) "Kids, Kids!! No time for playing, it's PICTURE DAY!"

...brush teeth, dress kids, comb hair...

3:00 - in the car...where should we go to take a picture?

...really bad lighting...

...oops...modesty check....

...150 photos and three locations/two photographers later...

It's a wrap.

Time to blow off some steam.

Until next year my loves.

Tomorrow's the day!

Ring pops, Bubbletape, Christmas tree cakes, Juicy Drop-Outs, Kit Kats, Push Pops, peanut butter cups, Kisses, and chocolate santas...it's the stuff (my kids) dreams are made of. Tomorrow kicks off our official count-down, and I am all sorts of excited. I love to hear their squeals when they discover what is hiding in those boxes. Toothbrushes are ready!

a fall full of football

Football at our house is over. (ahhhhhhh)

We've had practice Tuesday and Thursday since August...and games on Saturday.

This league doesn't mess around.

(for the record, I wanted to sign Zach up for the YMCA version of flag football...it's a little (ok, a lot) less intense, but I let his father make the final decision :)

I'll admit, he made a good choice.

David was probably more concerned with the actual teaching of football skills...but I was most encouraged by the details. I loved that they called each boys name as they ran onto the field at the beginning of games, I loved homecoming festivities complete with parade down to our home field!

David also played in a competitive flag league this fall.

The best part was hearing Zach shout strategy from the sidelines. ha!

(Zachary's Kindergarten School Picture)

On Friday Zach was excited to tell me about his day at school.

He said the principal announced his name over the intercom and he got to pick a dog tag from the office. He showed me the dog tag and was beaming ear to ear.

I read the engraving on one side of the tag, "caught being good"

I told him, "it says you were caught being good Zachary! That's so great honey, what was it that you did to be picked for this award?"

And continuing with his biggest smile ever he said,

"I have no idea."

Where credit is due

Last week David spent an entire day painting furniture for me.

We're swapping rooms around here.

It's a lot of work to decorate on a shoestring budget,

but David is always willing to make my dreams come true :)

Oh, and it was also deer hunting weekend.

So he was just scoring some extra points

and ensuring I had nothing to whine about while he was gone.

(It worked.)

I've started to assemble the rooms,

and there is a lot left to do.

But boy oh boy, it's my favorite thing..."setting up".

Just ask my mom, who swears I never never actually played house as a little girl.

She says I spent the whole time setting up my kitchen.

I annoyed more than one playmate, and some sisters too I'm sure.

**Lily's beautiful bed is an antique from craigslist,

and the detail shot is her polka-dot duvet cover and fabric for a pillow...

(that has yet to be made).**

Time...

It's been a year since I took these photographs (link to old photos).

So it was time, it seems, for an update.

Tonight, I just want to share a small sentiment that has been marinating in my mind all day. It's a mash-up of two different experiences. Today I thought about how much better I am feeling, (and how long I was sick) and began to make a list of all the things I've been wanting to tackle, that have been on hold for a week +. And then this afternoon I prepared food for dear friends who are in the process of saying goodbye to their father.

It's not that the two are related, because one is supremely more significant than the other, but it was the combination of processes that impressed my soul.

Tonight I am full of gratitude for my blessings.

for eternal marriage

for my beautiful babies

for each and every day i have on this earth

...to learn, to grow, to serve.

I hope to fill the frames with those sweet faces for many many years to come.

But I also understand that there are no guarantees.

Life is beautiful, and sometimes I'm reminded, fragile.

It's a spectacular thing to remember.

Because it elevates each simple and small moment.

Life.

moment.

Crawling out of bed.

It is not an exaggeration to say that I spent the majority of last week in bed.

yuck.

The first week of November...gonzo.

And so, this is from the last bit of October.

We celebrated my grandfather's birthday in St. Louis.

(and below...the hotel. Arguably the kids FAVORITE part.)

Two blankets and one thumb.

And then, there was that sunny Friday in October when we snuck off to the zoo.

Roman was fascinated. He really really loved it all.

And we saw the new Polar Bear Plunge exhibit.

I think it was everyone's favorite.

Oh, the energy I had.

I am trying to get it back.

Halloween

I love this photograph.

I feel like it says so much about my kids ages (and maybe a touch of personality too).

This was taken at our ward party last weekend, about 2 minutes into the donut game.

The game where you can't use your hands to eat the donut on a string.

Zach stands there, no bite thus far, but patiently going at it.

And Lily, well, she doesn't suffer fools gladly.

She's taken matters into her own hands, literally.

Zachary's kindergarten Halloween party was last Wednesday, and I was in charge of the craft.

We made these little owl cookie pops. Fun and cute. (made from a moon pie!)

We spent the weekend in St. Louis for my grandfather's 80th birthday party.

It was a wonderful time.

I got back this afternoon and was feeling horrible.

So sick, I slept for 6 hours.

And now here it is Halloween night.

I'm afraid I won't get a decent picture of their costumes this year,

(maybe I can convince them to dress up tomorrow?)

and tomorrow is November 1st.

I can think of two radio stations that will be playing Christmas music.

This time of year goes so quickly, and I do love it.