My Pilgrim - Flashback Friday

Best part of preschool is all the accessories he comes home with. Getting him to take a picture with them is always another story :)

Twas the Night Before Christmas - Flashback Friday

Twas the Night Before Christmas and Mom made us take a picture with Santa in front of the tree :)

Oh Christmas Tree

When I was at my mom's house, I found this cute little list of things to do during the Christmas season all typed in the shape of a tree. It's from a Christmas Devotional in 1994 by Howard W. Hunter.

Another Request

I told Jessica that the time for Christmas requests had expired. She started making notes for her birthday list (ie. Pillow Pet, Real Fur Friends). I don't have enough disk space to remember things that are not needed for a few months. But something she said jumped right out.

"For my birthday, I want a sister." Now that is a little more difficult to get I informed her.

Jessica did get an American Girl doll for Christmas. She named her Emily. She had her help unwrap the presents - which was good because they got matching dresses and pajamas.

I suggested that Emily didn't have to be her baby; she could be her sister.

So there you go. I got Jessica a sister for Christmas too :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Letter 2010

I actually did NOT send out a letter this year. I thought you could read our reminiscings right here:

JANUARY

Pinewood Derby

Two basketball teams

Two birthdays - Happy 11 to James & Happy 2 to Jayson

FEBRUARY

Jon & Jennifer see Mary Poppins at Pantages

Jennifer turns 37

Jayson enjoys going to My Gym with Mommy

James tries out for 5th Grade Basketball Team & makes it

MARCH

We visit Wild Animal Park

Jayson & I enjoy going to the park each week with Fern

APRIL

Thomas Family visits

Jessica turns 6

We visit LegoLand

We go to Utah to Attend BYU Ballroom Reunion at BYU

MAY

Jon & Jennifer see Brigadoon

Kids get out of school

Father & Son's Campout

Jessica's big dance recital

JUNE

Swim Lessons

Meet Chrissy & Jody (mission comps) at beach for mini reunion

Jon & I attend OCMCO Amazing Grace Concert at Orange County Performing Arts Center (I then decide that I MUST audition for the choir)

JULY

Summer Utah Trip

Spent 4th of July in Huntington Utah with lots of extended family

Enjoyed Westgate Resort with lots of extended family

Visitor Center Missionary Meet Up at park :)

Boys start summer basketball league on same team

Jon & I celebrate 13 years married!!!

AUGUST

Doheny Beach Camping

Three kids back to school all day - welcome so one-on-one time with Jayson (Wonderful Wednesdays return)

Raingutter Regata

Jon turns 38

SEPTEMBER

Apple picking at Riley's Farm

Audition for OCMCO choir and make it :) - weekly rehearsals begin

Jayson's first visit to Disneyland - just with Mom

Jon injures ankle & has to wear a cast for forever

Jon & Jennifer see Phantom of the Opera at Pantages (get moved to disability seating because of huge cast & crutches)

Jacob starts learning to play trumpet

James plays trombone in Intermediate School Band Concert

OCTOBER

Hyla visits from North Carolina on a surprise weekend getaway

I start Christmas photo shoots

Scout stuff, scout stuff, and more scout stuff

NOVEMBER

Jessica sings with Encore Choir in Founders Day Parade

Cowleys visit for Thanksgiving Weekend

Celena pops in to Thanksgiving Dinner as a surprise guest

DECEMBER

Parents & Brother visit for the weekend (plus one extra day since flight was cancelled)

Centuries of Christmas Concert (so fun)

Finish Photography Shoots for the year

Christmas Band Concert (James)

Encore Choir Recital & visits to retirement communities (Jessica)

Jacob's BIG hair cut - goodbye big curls - hello cheek bones

Our VIDEO Christmas Card

Want to see a flashback of 2010 for the Stock Family in less than 3 minutes? Here's your chance. Merry Christmas!!!

Ten on Tuesday (aka Catch Up Post)

1. Whenever Jayson senses that I'm off to another rehearsal or activity he says, "I'm going to miss you." He kind of picked it up from Jessica who clings to me when it's time to drop her off at school. But I find it quite endearing nonetheless.

2. Jayson has always been better at doing stuff than saying stuff. He usually won't sing or dance; just watches. But this holiday season I have caught him carrying a tune. And if you listen closely you can make out the words, "Jingle bells. Batman smells.. Jingle bells. Batman smells... Hey!"

3. I can see Jacob's cheeks. Jacob told the stylist that she could style it up more like Jayson's. His hair is SO dense. She kept thinning and texturizing. Still he has TONS of hair. Yeah for hair!!!

4. James performed in his band Christmas concert. I was so proud of him. I have enjoyed him coming home and telling me that he's received a new piece or he learned how to play triplets. I love hearing him talk about music instead of telling me of some Pokemon character's evolution.

5. Jessica's current wish: "For Christmas I want an American Girl Doll and to NOT have this cold." I hope she gets both.

6. Finished singing. Sang at the Centuries of Christmas Concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, at the Living Nativity held at a local church, and in the church choir today - including a duet with a friend and a solo for our women's group (Relief Society Class).

7. My boys tried out snow boarding and can't wait to go back in January (when it's not RAINING).

8. I still have traditional Christmas cards to get in the mail. But I also put together a VIDEO Christmas card that will be posted on the blog in a couple days :)

9. The Gift of Love - check. Mr. Kruegger's Christmas - check. Wrap gifts - check. Bake poppyseed bread - not yet.

10. This year I dedicated a little tree to be our music tree. I found ornaments of instruments and notes to decorate it. Jacob started to play the trumpet this year. James has continued playing trombone in his daily band class. Jessica joined Encore Girls Choir. I participated in the Orange County Mormon Choir this season. Just seemed like we needed a tree to represent all our musicality. I also added a watering can ornament to the tree for Jon. We have just started eating fresh broccoli from the winter garden. I also added a toy car and plane to represent Jayson - wish I would have found a little red train.

Tay Da Head Sploding

Last night I taught my kids what happens when you forget to pierce your baked potatoes before cooking. Three of the six exploded all over the oven.

Jayson kept going around the house saying, "Tay Da Head Sploding."

translation: PotatoHead (potatoes) exploding :)

Dear Kmart

I haven't visited your stores in YEARS. Today you completed my shopping list for my little girl. She wants matching outfits for her and her doll. I had a bit of skepticism, but was SO delighted to find beautiful matching holiday dresses for only $15. Since I went through every rack in your What A Doll section, I even scored the very last matching nightgown. Turns out it was marked down to $7.99. What a deal!!!! I'm so glad that I don't need to order a custom outfits from Etsy that won't get here in time. I'm thrilled that I don't need to learn how to sew. I'm so excited to see the pair of them all dolled up.

A million thanks!!!!

Me