Monday, December 29, 2008

Kenyon Looses 2 Teeth!

Kenyon has had his first loose tooth for quite a while now. He wiggles it and plays with it occassionally, but yesterday it finally came out... followed by the one next to it! He pulled them both himself.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Demolition

Every year, the day after Christmas, Karl disposes of what is remaining of our gingerbread house in a very original way. He did this for fun the first year we made a gingerbread house and it has become something of a tradition.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Is Here!

Christmas Eve



We had a wonderful Christmas Eve. We started off the evening by sprinkling "reindeer food" in our yard.
Then it was time for dinner. Cheese balls and crackers, veggies and dip, fruit, and treats. We also had some yummy wassail and to drink.
Then we each opened one gift.


The kids always get a new pair of jammies and a book on Christmas Eve.


Then we opened a new game and played. This year it was "I Spy" card game. The kids loved it.

Finally it was time to decorate our gingerbread house. This is the highlight of the night for the kids. We definately aren't going for looks with our gingerbread house. We just put tons of frosting on it and let the kids do whatever they want. Then they eat it all Christmas day.

After decorating our house Karl reads about the birth of Jesus in the scriptures, we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Then its off to bed. It's a VERY full night, but tons of fun. We love Chistmas!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Monday, December 22, 2008

The First Day of Christmas Vacation...

...and we got hammered with snow. It was actually lots of fun. My kids kept disappearing in the mountains of snow. Mara was having fun until...


Then she was ready to come in. Just to clarify, when I said "somebody" I didn't mean Mara. The boys stayed out for quite a while longer. Oh, how we love playing in the snow.


A Name For Baby

Karl will be thrilled to see this. He has been pushing for this name for several weeks now. I really like it, I was just hesitant to commit myself to it because I could come across another name I like better. For the record, I really like the name Cole, but Karl was never really sold on it, so I have given it up. So, without further adieu, our baby's name will be... Koen Brent (unless I change my mind).

Friday, December 19, 2008

Early Christmas

Over the past few months our camera has been having some problems. They seem to be getting worse and worse, and we've been affraid that it was going to die. What would I do without my camera?! So, Karl recently found a great deal on a new camera. We talked about making that our Christmas present this year, but hadn't decided for sure. Well, today Karl surprised me by showing me our new camera! He ordered it last week, and it arrived today. I'm so excited. It is amazing how technology advances. Our last camera we bought when Kenyon was born. This camera is soooooo much nicer, and we spent way less on it than we did on the first one. Anyway, I've been having a blast today taking pictures and checking out all the great things that this camera does. I'm so happy!!


Thursday, December 18, 2008

School Christmas Sing

Wednesday was the annual Christmas Sing at the kids school. Cruz and Kenyon each sang two songs. We were back pretty far, so the kids are kind of hard to see. The first two videos are of Kenyon. He is on the top row wearing the green lei. (Remember to turn the music off at the bottom before starting the video.)


The next two are of Cruz. He is on the top row in about the center. He is wearing a white shirt and tie. The boy next to him is very animated in his singing.

They both did such a good job. They were so proud of themselves, and I was proud of them, too.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Dr.'s Orders

Some of you already know that I have been having problems with having LOTS of contractions for quite a while now. I have them every single day and they come about 2 minutes apart. They last anywhere from 30 min. to 2 1/2 hrs. Sometimes they are just uncomfortable and sometimes they are extremely hard and painful.

So, the day I have been dreading has come. Yesterday the Dr. put me on "moderate bed rest." What does that mean? Well, the good news is that I don't actually have to stay in bed. I can do things and go out, but I have to take it easy. I can't stay on my feet for too long, I can't be out for too long, and there is a long list of "can't do's." Ugh, right at Christmas. What great timing. This also means more frequent Dr. visits - Yuck! He also gave me some drugs to reduce my contractions. I really am greatful that it is only "moderate" and not "full bed rest." At least I can still get out.

And for those of you wondering... YES! We are still on for Book Club tonight at my house. I need my monthly fix of girl time.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

December Is Not A Good Time To Get Sick


What's been going on at the Schempp house lately? Not much, because everyone is sick with a cold. Mara and I have had it for about 2 weeks now, and can't seem to kick it. A few days ago Kenyon joined us. Somehow, miraculously, Cruz who is always the first one to catch anything at all that is going around, has managed to stay healthy. Karl also remains healthy - thank goodness one parent is. So, what has gone undone while I've been sick?


Christmas cards (if you usually get one, it will probably be a bit late this year - we haven't even taken our pictures yet)


Final Christmas shopping for the kids


All Christmas shopping for Karl


Mara's quilt she is supposed to be getting for Christmas


A princess dress for Mara's Christmas - it's still a pile of fabric


Neighbor gifts - haven't even thought about it

That's just the beginning of the list. How many days til Christmas? Yikes!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Letters to Santa


One of our family traditions at Christmas time is writing letters to Santa. In the evening we all sit down and write our letters to Santa. Then we put each in its own envelope and place them on the Christmas tree. Sometime during the night one of Santa's elves slips into our house and takes the letters from the tree to deliver to Santa. The kids are always so excited the next morning to see that an elf has been to their house and that Santa now has their letter. I just love Christmas and all the family traditions that make it so special. What favorite traditions do you have?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Karl's Blog

It has been brought to my attention that I never mentioned on my blog that Karl started his own blog, "Thoughts from a Thinker." It is listed in my "Friends and Family" on the sidebar, but apparently I overlooked actually posting about it. He's had it for a few months now. I love to give him a hard time about it, because he teased me mercilessly when I started my blog.

His blog is very interesting. He leaves blogging about the family to me, and he focusses on his interests. It's a great blog, so you should check it out, and while you're there you can give him a hard time about joining the blogging world.

Thanksgiving

I'm a little slow getting this post up, but better late than never. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent it with Karl's family at his sister's home in Pleasant Grove. She and her husband did a great job of hosting, so thank you Lisa and David. The kids love to help in the kitchen, so everyone got in on the preparations for our contributions to Thanksgiving dinner.

Mara helping to roll pie crust.


Cruz adding ingredients to the stuffing.

Kenyon stirring the stuffing.

I love that the kids enjoy helping in the kitchen. It is definately more work and time consuming that way, but it is so worth it to spend the time together and allow them the chance to help with the dinner. They feel so proud when they see the finished product of something they helped to make. We had a great Thanksgiving this year and hope you did, too.