Monday, December 28, 2009

Memorable Monday
My Sisters

While we were in Benson, my sisters and I spent some quality time together. It's so fun to look back and remember all the good times we had while we were younger while making new memories. We have shared bedrooms and even shared a car. We worked at Bonanza, went to college, and joined Lambda Delt together. We've been there for each other in the good times and bad - more good. I have awesome sisters and I love them both very much. I can't wait until we are all together again.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Benson Trip

The day after Christmas, we headed down to Benson to attend the Baptism of my nephew. It was a great baptism and we spent the rest of the day playing with my sister and her family. Debbie's backyard is a wonderful place to ride quads and our kids took advantage of that. Emily was willing to let me take pictures of her and actually looked at the camera. I took advantage of that and took some cute pics of her. Thanks Emily!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. It's a wonderful season and a great time to remember the life of our Savior and the sacrifice that he made for us.
*We spent Christmas Eve with the Pace family. Grandma served us a yummy dinner while Grandpa started a fire in the backyard. It was really cold that evening and the fire felt so nice. When it got dark, we went downstairs to play a candy bar game and then Grandpa Pace passed out teddy bears. Every grandchild received a teddy bear and a picture with Great-Grandma. We enjoyed spending Christmas Eve with the Pace family.

*We have some great Christmas Eve traditions. After visiting with the Pace family, we came home to open presents from Grandma and Grandpa Pace. The kids opened their Christmas Eve PJ's. After reading the Christmas story, the kids headed off to bed. The kids went to bed early this year - maybe the excitement was to much for them.

*Christmas morning came early and Emily woke everyone up to tell us that Santa came. After opening their presents, Grandma and Grandpa Wall came to visit the kids and see what Santa brought them for Christmas. It has become a wonderful tradition and my kids love it.

*In the afternoon, we headed off to spend the rest of Christmas with the Wall side of the family. Grandma Wall really loves Christmas and spoils her grandchildren. We enjoyed a great lunch and played some games. The cousins played together and had a total blast.

We had a great Christmas!



Girls cousins

Boys around the campfire

My kids in their new PJ's and are ready for bed.

Kids on Christmas morning

Thursday, December 24, 2009

12 Days of Christmas

We were recipients of the 12 days of Christmas this year. Our family really enjoyed the surprises and the thoughtfulness of the family that gave us this wonderful gift. We wish we could thank this sweet family by finding a family next year who would enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas too.
  1. On the 1st Day of Christmas - A Christmas Storybook - Grandpa Pace read this at our Pace Christmas Party
  2. On the 2nd Day of Christmas - A Puzzle & Christmas Music
  3. On the 3rd Day of Christmas - Christmas Orange Story and Oranges
  4. On the 4th Day of Christmas - Popcorn Balls
  5. On the 5th Day of Christmas - An Ornament for the Christmas Tree
  6. On the 6th Day of Christmas - Homemade Fudge
  7. On the 7th Day of Christmas - Muffins - dropped off in the morning
  8. On the 8th Day of Christmas - Activity Book & Crayons
  9. On the 9th Day of Christmas - Homemade Fudge
  10. On the 10th Day of Christmas - Peppermint Bark
  11. On the 11th Day of Christmas - Christmas DVD and Cookie Mix
  12. On the 12th Day of Christmas - Nativity Story & Reindeer Dust

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Pace Christmas Party

Jim and I were in charge of the Pace Family Christmas Party. We decided to have it at Usery Park. We planned to have a BBQ dinner complete with peach cobbler and roast marshmallows. The kids made paper puppets and solved a Christmas song puzzle. The adults sat around the campfire and talked and worked on the same puzzle. It was so nice to be together as a family and listen to Grandpa tell a story. I loved having the party out in the desert and hope everyone else did too. I loved taking pictures and enjoying the chitter-chatter among family members. I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do, because I was in charge and found myself too busy to take pics.

What a great view from Usery Park - looking down into the valley

My kiddos

The girls and I went on a hike before their cousins arrived

Cousins

This was the only picture that I took after dinner - The kids are making puppets and doing puzzles - too busy after that to take pics.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Memorable Monday
Christmas Letter

Every Christmas, I write a letter to reflect on the past year. I need to look back and remember the events that took place that year. So this year, I looked back at 2009 and wrote my Christmas letter.

2009 was a great year for the Paces. We didn't go on a major trip out of state, but found that Arizona can be a great place to vacation too. We've had a lot of great adventures this year which the family loved. We went on the rim several times to camp and even braved the Arizona State Fair. We love spending time together as a family.

Jim had a great year in 2009. He finished his MSIM program at ASU and graduated with his Master's Degree in May. Now that school is out of the way, Jim really enjoys spending his evening at home with his family and dancing with his girls. He has recently been called to serve as the first counselor in the Elder's Quorum.

Tami is busier than ever raising her four kids. She does find a few hours to herself and enjoys the peace. She loves to read, attend the theatre, and take pictures. She is currently serving as the Relief Society secretary in the ward and often volunteers at the kid's elementary school.

Josh is in 7th grade and started junior high school. He is 13 years old and is almost as tall as his mom. Josh enjoys playing the clarinet in band and has recently joined the Chess Club this year. He participated in two chess tournaments and did very well. Josh just earned his Life in scouts and is fulfilling his Priesthood duties. Josh is a great example to his siblings.

Dani is 11 and is in 6th grade. Dani is playing the drums in band and taking piano lessons. She continues to take tap classes as well. Dani really enjoys school and participates in a lot of fun programs. She is doing Battle of the Books again and always reads at night. She is in the Hope Club and is planning a trip to San Diego in January. Dani is a social gal who loves to chat with her friends.

Angela is 9 yrs old and in 4th grade. She switched to our home school this year and is adjusting well. She loves walking to school with her sister and seeing her friends at school. She is doing well at school and has graduated from OT (Occupational Therapy - working on fine motor skills). She is taking a music class and is learning to play the piano this year. Angela has such a big heart.

Emily turned 5 years old and started preschool this year. She talks so much more at home since she started school and has made some cute friends. She has learned to write her name and is so proud of it. She is taking a music class and is learning about music through singing and playing. Emily lights up every room that she enters and is loved by all.


We hope that you have a Merry Christmas this year!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas Sunday

I especially love the Sunday before Christmas. I love hearing the music, talks, and feeling the Christmas spirit. Of course, I need pictures of my kids in best Sunday clothes - a tradition for me. My younger girls will still wear cute Christmas dresses that I pick out. I hope to enjoy that tradition a few more years before they outgrow it. Dani was borrowing her cousin's glasses and enjoyed having them in our traditional photo shoot.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Concerts & Recitals

One great thing that I love about the Christmas season is the Christmas music. My kids were involved in many concerts and recitals this month.
  1. Both Josh and Dani had a band concert this month and they both took place on the same day. The concerts were at different time which made it possible to attend them both. I would have been sad to miss one concert. I loved hearing the music and seeing my kids involved in music.


  2. Dani attended a piano party where she played a couple of pieces for a small audience. It was a small recital without much fuss. I attended the recital and enjoyed it very much.
  3. Dani went to a John Schmidt concert and is still talking about the performance. She bought the CD and we all listen to it often. Her piano teacher informed us that he will attend the Cavalcade this year - so excited.
  4. Angela and Emily finished a semester of their music class and are ready to take on the next semester. Angela learned chords and can play a few Christmas songs. She really worked hard this semester in her music class and it shows. This was Emily's first music class and she loves it. This music program teaches them music skills through music and dance - so fun.
  5. Dani also had a dance recital this month. I love to watch her tap dance and am so proud of her. She wanted to try jazz, but decided that tap dancing is for her.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Memorable Monday
Baptism with Cousin

On Saturday, I attended a baptism where two cousins were being baptized on the same day. It was a special baptism and very personal to the both of them and their family.


This reminds me of a time when Josh and Brittany were baptized. Josh and Brittany were born a week apart, so it made sense that they share the same baptismal date. On Aug. 31, Britt's birthday, Josh and Brittany were baptized. I remember preparing Josh for this special day and making sure that Josh understood about baptismal covenants. As I walked to the font and turned the corner and saw Jim getting ready to baptized Josh, I wondered if I had prepared Josh enough. I've realized that we are still learning about baptism as adults and the covenants we made when we are baptized. The baptism was very special to me and I enjoyed the sweet spirit that was present. Josh sat so still and listened to the words being said. It was neat to have Jim baptize and confirm Josh and to teach Josh about the priesthood.
This was the picture we used for the cover of their baptismal program.

Josh and Britt after their baptism