Christmastime

 Our Samuelson Family get together where we made "gingerbread" houses from rice krispie treats. Probably not a good idea because I like eating Rice Krispie Treats. Also, it takes an entire recipe for one house. Super fun to design with, though.

 Instead of a white chocolate nativity, we decided to do a gummy nativity. Watermelon flavored nativity.

 Christmas Muffin delivery.

 Love my cute family.

I got next to no pictures on Christmas, but I guess that is a good thing since I was playing with the kids and helping them to set up their new toys, etc.
We really did have a great day. It was mellow and everyone was happy with the outcome.

Rexburg, July 4th parade

Trapping little bearded men

 The plans.

 The building.

 The construction.

 The posing.

Retrieving the reward!

Lydia designed this years leprechaun trap. I was very impressed with the design and helped construct it (with her instruction). While we were unable to catch the little guy with all of the glitter and coins we placed in the bottom layer of the inescapable trap, the kids were pleased by all of the green goodies he left behind.

All we need is LOVE

 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Valentines Day! I mean, how can you not love a day about love? The kids are still permitting me to send homemade valentines to their classes.
Lydias valentine reads: "I mustache you a question: Will you be my friend?" She wouldn't let me put "Will you be my Valentine?" Zoe also took chocolate mustaches, but didn't put a sign on them.

 Felix had SO much fun passing out his Valentines. He didn't even ask to eat the suckers, he was so excited about giving them to his friends. He also gave them to his bus drivers and helpers and his teachers.

 Liam enjoys doing the same Valentine every year and I am sure there are a few girls who don't mind getting a picture of him (that is his mom talking).

 We made quite a few chocolate mustaches!

As always the grandparents got a reminder...We Love You XOXO!!!!

Christmas post

 We had such a nice Christmas break. To be clear, kind of a rough time for me through Christmas break. Don't know how much detail to include, but I will vaguely say that it is a really dark time mentally. But even though I had to forfeit some expectations I had for Christmas (things I wanted to do, etc.) the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

 Also, it was so nice to have family around. I know some people find that family causes stress and anxiety, but my family is so awesome that they alleviate stress.

 We had Steve and Shawna and my mom and dad to enjoy Christmas morning with us. We had Richard and Laura, Ethan, Gabe, and Logan and Elisabeth later that night.

 It was the first Christmas (probably the first holiday) that Felix was actually able to enjoy. Usually he gets really over stimulated and hates the whole ordeal. He finally "got it" and kept saying "I like Christmas" or "I like my scooter". It was so thrilling to finally have him have a positive experience with a holiday.

 Zoe was so sweet to make Christmas gifts for EVERYONE!

 Over the break we went to the church and used Liam's RC helicopter and the PVC bows and arrows that I made the kids for Christmas.

 My dad brought stuff with which to make terrariums. I have always wanted one and was excited to make it.

 We enjoyed some cousin time!

So, when I say that Christmas break was nice, it reflects the feelings of love and support and peace surrounding our family during that time, not necessarily my mental state. Just so that I am never accused of painting an unrealistically rosy picuture.

Christmas Eve Talent show

 I got a whole bunch of ill-lit, badly-taken pictures for you. But none of them are actually of the performances. Which isn't too bad, since they would've been awful pictures, too. I really try hard to not complain or apologize for the quality of photographs on the blog, since I just need to be grateful that I have a camera and a computer from which to blog. But I couldn't help it on this post.

 Look at all our lovely guests. We had Steve and Shawna, Richard and Laura and family, my mom and dad and sister, Elisabeth over for our Christmas Eve Talent Show (which is actually a Turley tradition).

 Steve and Richard juggled. Liam played the recorder. Liam and Zoe did a choreographed swordfight. Zoe did a hip-hop dance. Lydia showed some pictures she had colored. Ethan showed how he could play a game on Grandma's Ipod. Richard and Elisabeth did a violin/cello duet. Elisabeth and I did a cello/guitar duet while we sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing with Laura.

 Here is the audience, enjoying.

 Steve, Richard, Elisabeth and myself played in a Bluegrass quartet: Wagon Wheel. It was so much fun to play together! 
I did get video of all the talents, just no pictures.

We finished up with the kids opening a gift (Lydia's plates) and then Grandma Sam told the story of John and Marjorie that she use to tell us growing up.
It was a lovely night. I was so happy to have this wonderful family around me.