December...

In December the kids had their school Winter Wonderland Program. (Ally called it the "Alice in Wonderland" program). Jack and Ally's classes sang songs, Jeremy and Gage played in Concert Band. Everyone did a great job and it was fun watching all of the kids.  

It always seems that the two nights they pick for these outdoor performances are the coldest of the month. Most of December was mild with clear blue skies except the week of their program which was cold and even a little snowy. Good thing we bundled up and they had hot chocolate! 

(Ally, Jackson, and Julia waiting to come down stairs)

Of course Christmas was the highlight of the month. Christmas was smaller this year but I think it was better. We had several opportunities to serve others and be selfless and that's what makes it feel more like Christmas. Some of the ideas came from Rich and I but the kids suggested some things we could do to serve others also. 

Gage even got a Red Ryder BB Gun. He was very excited. I think everyone got one thing they really loved...except Ally. She thinks she wasn't very good this last year so Santa didn't bring her what she really wanted. She could never put her finger on what she really wanted so I'm sure Santa gave it his best guess. She had her birthday party a few weeks later and got plenty so Santa's not too worried about it I'm sure.

Janet gave us year passes to Knott's Berry Farm for Christmas (Disneyland is a bit out of our budget this year) so we went New Year's Eve day. The kids had a great time.

Jack, Ally and Julia loved the spinning Mexican Hats.

Julia had to hold her hands up on the Snoopy School Bus that swishes around. 

The girls didn't know what to expect on the hot air balloon ride. 

Everyone had fun. We left semi early since we didn't feel like we had to fill the day because of our passes. On our way home we dropped Jeremy off a a friend's house where he stayed the night. Gage and I went over to the party at church for a bit while Rich and the little ones rested from their long day. Gage and I got home around 9:30pm and Gage was concerned that Jack wouldn't stay up until midnight with him. A few minutes past 12:00 we checked on the boys and it was Gage who was sleeping and Jack was wide awake! 

The kid's school break was 3 weeks long but they were all sick with Scarlet Fever and confined to the house the first 2 weeks. The last week we wanted to do some fun things besides Knott's so Janet and I took all of the kids but Jeremy out the Bear Valley Springs where her sister Sally lives so the kids could see her chickens and ride Abbey, her horse. 

Ally has been on Abbey several times and loves it. She was the first one to take a turn and she got to "drive" Abbey herself and did a great job.

Julia took a turn next. She didn't ride by herself, Sally was leading Abbey. Her little legs barely fit over Abbey's back!

Jackson got to ride and was a little bit nervous about it although when he got off he said that it was "awesome"!

Gage got the hang of how to ride Abbey pretty well.

I even got to ride her. I'd love to learn to really ride a horse but that's on my things to do someday list. We love where Sally lives and would love to move out there someday if it works out. Maybe if we do I can finally learn how to ride! 

Abbey is a sweet horse and was very patient with all of us. She's so good with the kids I never worry about them being on her.

After we left Sally's we stopped at a little food place, I think it's called Frosty King, in Tehachapi to get shakes. They make the best shakes! We always have to get a one for everyone before heading home. 

That pretty much wrapped up our December and Christmas break!

Ally Jane...

Today our little Allyson turns 7 years old. She's been such a blessing to us and a joy in our family. After having three boys in a row I was consigned to expect that I would only have boys. When the ultrasound showed she was a girl I cried...finally my girl!

(Ally age 2)

Ally arrived with some drama and maybe that's why she's such a character now. When she was born on the morning of January 9th, 2003 the cord was wrapped around her neck 4 times and the doctor had to pull her out because she was blue. She's the only one Rich didn't cut the cord for and I didn't get to immediately hold. They rushed her over to check her vitals and help her breath. Poor little thing didn't look like a pretty little girl, more like a boxer after a fight. That night the pediatrician who checked her told me that her collar bone was broken because of the way they had to pull her. I was so sad my little girl had to start out life like that but she's a tough little thing and I guess I'm glad she is.

(Ally and Julia)

She's always held her own with her 3 older brothers and still been a sweet and protective big sister of her little sis.

(playing dead at the Grand Canyon, age 3)

She's quite the comedian in our family and is always the ham and the trouble maker. She's my only child who ever got kicked out of Nursery at church for hitting the other kids. She talks non-stop, is curious about everything, is afraid of nothing except monsters in the dark, she plays mommy to the little kids, has more energy than anyone else, and is very loving and snuggly when she wants to be.

(The self inflicted bob, age 5)

She has cut her own hair a few times and actually did a pretty good job of it so people told her it was cute.

(Ally and Julia @ Knott's Berry Farm)

She loves all of the big rides at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and gets mad when they say she's too little to go on some of them.

(Ally riding Abbey)

She loves to ride Abbey, her Great Aunt Sally's horse. She tells everyone she is the best horse rider in our family. She's confident, sassy, funny, goofy, sweet, and a force to be reckoned with. I adore her and although she's not what I imagined I'd get in a girl I'm so glad I get to be her Mom because she's so much more. I know that as she grows she will be an amazing young woman. Happy Birthday Ally-bug. We love you!