Arnold Family Christmas Party

After such a mild winter, the snow really hit starting on Christmas.  It was fun to have the White Christmas, but by Monday I was ready for the roads to be clear again.  Instead, this was how we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The first road we tried to take was closed, and there were several accidents on the only other road, so we rolled along slowly.

At least the boys got a nap in!

 When we finally arrived, it was time for hot chocolate and croissants!

 Cameron has a blast playing in the little play area.

 Parker, Tatum (and Paige, who had run off to get more dishes before this picture) set up quite the meal downstairs.  Later I got the honor of "eating" all the food they prepared.

 Present time was a big success!  Kenzie was thrilled to get some spending money from Grandma & Grandpa, and some earrings, lip gloss, and a new bag from Megan.

 The cousins all draw names, and this year Hayden had Parker's name.  He asked what Parker likes, and I told him Parker loves to learn.  He finally picked out this Ripley's Believe it or Not book of facts for Parker.  Parker sat right there in the middle of all the commotion and looked through it.  He has been reading it all week, too!  (And keeps saying, "Mom, is this true?" when he looks at random bizarre facts.) Hayden was pleased he had picked a winner!

Cameron was happy to play with his little trucks (and also a big dump truck, and you can see him holding his new gun in his right hand.  He didn't let go of it the entire night, even while playing with other toys!)

 

I got a kick out of Cameron having fun with his uncles.  They found apps for their phones that made shooting noises, so of course Cameron was very interested!  All in all a fun evening, and thankfully the roads were plowed by the time we headed home!

Toys

 The kids didn't get dressed until late in the afternoon on Christmas, because they were busy playing!  Parker loved this kit that teaches about circuits.  I can't even explain it, but Daddy showed Parker what to do and then he followed the instructions himself. 

 Cameron loved his tools that make noise, and banged that hammer against every surface imaginable!  Parker was very happy to have a jail for the bad guys when he plays with his Batcave.

Kenzie disappeared into her room and we didn't see her for awhile.  She had all of her lego sets put together by the afternoon!  She is great at following those instructions and doesn't need any help.

Cameron didn't need to be told what to do with the punching bag we got for him!  He attacked the moment it was set up!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning!  The huge present in the corner was for McKenzie - she had wanted a bean bag to read in for a long time.  Santa found her a zebra-striped beanbag chair, and she was thrilled!

 

 Cameron loved his toys, but once he saw this spaceship (he yelled, "Open! Open!" until Daddy did) he couldn't be bothered with anything else.  Finally he joined in again until he saw a fire truck from his grandparents.  "Open! Open!"

Parker was so happy to get the globe he'd wanted.  He'd even cleaned off a spot for it on his desk a few days earlier.

Here's Cameron with all his toys.  He has croup, but seemed to be doing better and still had a fun time playing with everything.

 Kenzie had already taken everything to her room by the time I wanted to take a picture.  She was very happy to have lots of Lego Friends sets and other crafty kits as well.

Parker with all his stuff!  Another successful year, as both Kenzie and Parker declared, "This is the best Christmas ever!"

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve!  The kiddos were only kind of excited for a nice dinner...

 ...they wanted to exchange presents!

 Parker got The Lego Movie from Cameron and a world atlas from McKenzie.  He loves to learn and look at maps lately, and he squealed with excitement over the movie!

 Kenzie got a zebra dream lite pillow pet from Cameron and Parker picked out a lego parrot for her.  She had the little perch all put together in no time.

Kenzie picked out a set of zoo animals and blocks for Cameron, and Parker picked out a Mickey Mouse set for the bathtub.  He loved both.  It's always fun for me to watch Kenzie and Parker take the time to pick out something for their siblings.  They always do a great job.

Parker was the one who got the milk and cookies ready for Santa this year.  He even insisted we feed the reindeer.  His note says, "Dear Santa, The carrots are for the reindeer.  I love you.  Love, Parker T. A." (So adorable!) Merry Christmas Eve!

Cookies

 

This year Santa needed gingerbread cookies (according to Parker) and Kenzie wanted to make candy cane-shaped cookies.  It's nice that they're old enough now to enjoy decorating the cookies themselves.  

 

 Our Quality Control department was hard at work!

 Parker did a great job, actually.  His little smiley faces on the bears and gingerbread men were too cute!

 Kenzie had made some fancy trees!

Poor Cam Buddy was feeling sick, so he ate his cookies and then watched The Muppets Christmas Carol from a box.  (He loves boxes!)

Parker & Santa

 At our ward's Christmas breakfast, it was announced that the kids could go see Santa in the Relief Society room.  Kenzie acted very offended by the notion, and huffed about outside the door.  Cameron yelled, "No!!" and wouldn't venture any closer than the doorway.  But Parker was very happy.

I thought this picture was so sweet.  Parker has lots of questions about Santa.  His inquisitive nature and logical mind have a hard time with the magical idea of Santa, so I'm sure his belief will be short-lived.  For now, however, I'm glad to see his excitement.  He asked Santa for a Lego Batman alarm clock and a globe.  (I love that he wants a globe!  It's so Parker!) 

Why My Bed Is Never Made

It's like the neatly arranged pillows taunt him or something.  Cameron has to fling pillows about when I have the bed neatly made.  At least he looks comfy!

Kenzie's Dance Recital

 Yesterday was Kenzie's dance recital.  She's been taking clogging with her friend Brynlee for a few years now.  It's pretty casual, just a half hour every Friday.  Thankfully Kenzie wasn't interested in trying out for the competition teams or anything.

 My kids are all getting so big!  Parker just told me yesterday he has a loose tooth! 

 2 bored brothers + only 1 phone = this!  

(Parker was sweet and gave the phone over to Cameron right after this picture, though)

Here is the last part of her dance.  She's second from the end.  I had a hard time making a video since some people decided to try to find a seat right in front of me, but at least I got some of the dance! 

Kyle's Birthday Post

I thought I would continue my tradition of writing five incredibly random memories of my brother each year on his birthday.  (Well, this is only my second time, but you have to start somewhere!)

1. The Boring-er, the Better - When we visited his grave this summer, I didn't leave flowers, but rather a thick book on Abraham Lincoln.  It seemed more fitting.  (Abraham Lincoln was a Republican, after all!) My criteria for picking out books for Kyle was always if it looked too boring for me to read, then he'd probably enjoy it.  I even gave him some of my old college textbooks!

2. Probably Should Have Proofread, Though - Of course, there was a drawback to picking out the boring books.  I didn't bother to read them first, so it was a bit of a gamble as to what they were actually about.  Apparently one time I bought Kyle a book that was not just about ships.  He told my mom all about the orgies on the open seas one chapter described.  She wanted to know what kind of book I had given my little brother.  So lovely!

3. Telling Him I Could See Santa - Boy, I had fun with that.   I must have been 10 at the time, since I distinctly remember standing in Kyle's bedroom, telling him with a straight face that, "Once you turn 10 you can see Santa."  I used those powers to inform him Santa was nearby, so he'd better let me play with his toys.  It worked pretty well, too!

4. Baby Names - When I was pregnant with McKenzie, each week I'd get a random email from Kyle.  At the bottom, he'd always list some new suggestions for baby names.  I wish I could remember some of the best names (mostly names of important generals), but the only names I can remember were Attila, Alaric the Great, and Napoleon.  I guess Attila Arnold does have a ring to it!

5. His First Day of School - I remember lining up after recess, and seeing Kyle crying with Mrs. Ulam, an aide at our school.  She was trying to help him look for someone, which I realized meant they were looking for me.  For a split second, I was worried that I would be teased if I went over to comfort my crying brother, but I'm glad it was only a split second.  I did walk over to give him a hug.  Funny with how much he loved school and learning, he really hated it at first!

And there you have it.  Maybe not a family history gem, but at least a pebble!

Kenzie's Christmas Recorder Concert

This year McKenzie has been learning to play the recorder at school, so today they had a little concert.  It was cute to see.  Cameron pointed and yelled, "Di-dee!" (Kenzie) and then kept asking, "Where Parker go?"  He didn't get why Kenzie would be up there without Parker!

And here's a funny song they sang about wanting chocolate in their stocking.  I don't think I have heard that one before.  It's right up my alley, though, since I usually ask for chocolate in my own stocking!

Ward Christmas Breakfast

Kenzie and Parker practiced for several weeks with a group of kids to sing some songs at our ward's Christmas breakfast on Saturday.  Since poor Daddy had to work until 3am the night before, he was home trying to catch up on sleep.  I made a few videos for him, and this one turned out the best.  (Parker is second from right in the front row - he's hidden at first but eventually moves a bit.  Kenzie is in the back row on the far right). Kids are always cute when they sing!

Sharing Chocolate Milk

On his days off, Daddy and Cameron get to play in the mornings while I run errands and the bigger kiddos are at school.  Cameron loves getting Daddy all to himself, and I'm usually amused with what they've been up to.  The other day Chris sent me this picture of Cameron sharing his chocolate milk with Spike the Dinosaur.  It was too sweet not to post!

Lights at Temple Square

 So far this winter has been very mild, but a cold front is supposed to move in this weekend.  Before the snow hits, tonight was a great night to visit the lights at Temple Square.

 With all the white lights it was very bright in some areas!  Cameron was quite impressed.

 Me with the kiddos by the big tree. 

 Parker was not sure what he thought about the floating lights.  He gave us a stern reminder that water and electricity don't mix.  We had to explain the lights are inside little plastic bubbles, and then he liked them. 

 Taking a break from admiring the fountains to check out a nativity.

With the Salt Lake Temple in the background.  Only two weeks until Christmas!

Gingerbread Houses

 I wondered tonight if Cameron would be interested in decorating little houses.  I thought he would only try to eat the candy.  He did sample plenty, but he loved decorating, too.  (In fact, Kenzie was miffed a few times when she discovered Little Brother had added unwanted candies to her roof.)

 We had some structural difficulties, due to a 2-year-old who pushed down while applying gumdrops, but otherwise it was cute to watch them decorate their little neighborhood.

I thought they were pretty much done at this point, and Kenzie wandered off to take her bath, but Parker sat there intently until he used up every single last piece of candy in the bags.  It was cute to see his excitement.  Only 16 days to go!

Festival of Trees

 Right after school yesterday we headed over to the Festival of Trees in Sandy to see Santa before the lines got too crazy.  Parker was the only one excited this year.  Kenzie said, "Do we have to?  This is getting old," like a true teenager-to-be.  Cameron threw a fit and was a perfect example of the Terrible Twos.  Parker had a happy smile on his face and was scheming to secretly ask Santa for additional presents not covered in his letter he wrote a few months back. 

 Kenzie agreed to humor me by posing in the picture.  Cameron would have none of that, so we didn't even try.

 Then we walked around and checked out the displays.  Parker had a hard time leaving this giant structure.  He loved watching the balls roll around the ramps.

 Cameron was still throwing a fit (he finally was pacified by playing games on my phone), so I didn't get him in any of the pictures.

 A little blurry, but here's Parker with the panda tree.  He loves pandas!

I liked this one - an ice cream cone tree!  Pretty neat.  We're all excited that it's almost Christmas!