Report cards

Branden and Jace got their report cards last week for the second quarter. I am such a proud mommy! They are both doing exelent! There are comments from both teachers about diffuculty in obeying and keeping mouths shut, but their scores are both really high. In Branden's packet there is a reading fluency sheet that shows they should read 90 words per minute at the end of second grade. Branden's scoring in the 145 correct words per minute range. I am so proud! I love to read, and apparntly it has worn off on someone! Good job boys, I love you!

Confusion

While confusion usually runs rampant in my home, I have discovered that I have also caused confusion amongst those of you who read my blog. I am prepared to clear that up today. I have been informed that nobody can figure out what my ID picture is. Is it really that unclear? I saw that picture and knew that I had to use it, first of all, because it sums up our lives perfectly, secondly because it is so characteristic of the friend who took it! This is a picture which Ashton took of himself when I wasn't looking. He actually took close to 50 pictures! Last year, we got him one of those Fisher Price camera's for Christmas, but apparently mine is still more fun. I deleted most of them, and only kept the ones that made me laugh the hardest. So, without further delay, here are some of his masterpieces for you to enjoy!

Most of his pictures are of the floor, the ceiling, a door knob, a light switch, or even something as beautiful and intriguing as his nostrils! What a goofball!

Sledding

Keira got to go on her first sledding trip a few days ago. What fun! No, she didn't actually go sledding, but she got to watch and that was pretty fun for her. We are super lucky that we have a good sledding spot across the street from our house!

Merry Christmas!

Woo Hoo! Christmas made it! (and so did I!!) We had a pretty good haul over all. It was fairly meager compared to our previous Christmases, But I loved it that way. The boys each got a shirt, new pjs, a basket ball, one special gift, and a game to share. We also got some new leap pad books to share. Branden got a BB gun, Jace got a electronic drum pad, and Ashton got a scooter. And the gift of choice, a Wii.

Keira got a few little toys, she doesn't need too much yet! She got her very first baby doll (thanks aunt Jo!)We had Christmas super early this year so that daddy could go to work at 8:00. After he had left, we had breakfast, got dressed, and headed to Grandma Gail's. We opened gifts there and hopped in their car to head to Salt Lake. We saw Grandma Cookie and Grandpa George, and all of the cousins in the process. It was a fun, but tiring day. I am sooo glad it is over! We went back to Salt Lake to have a party with Grandma Christy and Grandpa Mel on Saturday. This year was kind of a bummer, Grandpa Breithaupt was going to spend Christmas with us, but got sick and passed away the Sunday before christmas. Monday the 29th was a beautiful funeral with some very nice music from Ryan's cousin's. I wanted my kids to attend so that they could see all of the honors given to a veteran of the armed forces. It was neat to see the flag ceremony, the gun salute and the playing of tapps. We are so lucky to have people like Louis Mathias Von Breithaupt who are so willing to serve our country and protect our freedoms.

I am so grateful for the Christmas season, and even more grateful for the end of it! Time to slow down!!

Ryan broke his had a few weeks ago playing basketball, and despite having a cast stinking up the place, it hasn't healed. He was hoping to have it off in time to go to his post training, but instead, it looks like surgery is in his near future. We'll know for sure hopefully tomorrow.