King of the middle school drama club!

 The show started off with a song much like "come let me entertain you" and promised us magic and amusement! That's Seth, the short one up front!

Then we were treated to a few numbers from various famous musical theater productions. Also a skit in which Seth played the son of Rumpelstiltskin.

But my favorite was his role in "I just cant wait to be king" from the Lion King.

He did great! I am looking forward to more years of great theater from him.
 (I love how I've rubbed off on my little theater geeks!)

Nelly the Christmas tree

Tori names everything from our GPS to our Thanksgiving turkey. (kinda hard to eat something with a name). Not me. I am not into naming things, Some poeple like to name their car and bike, the way I look at it, My kids are lucky they have names. I out did myself when I gave them a first and a middle. (although admittedly I copied each of their second names from someone else!)

 

 

However, I felt a real connection to this tree. It was so soft and smelled so good. It was such a good price and fit right inside our van without much issue. I even hugged it when I got it home and I have never been known to be a tree hugger either! I named it "Nelly"

 This tree has unique...lets, say.....properties! When we stood it up, we realised one branch grew straight up and then out . I offered to trim in but the kids refused and probably still under the power of the tree, I agreed as to not "Hurt" my new friend Nelly.

Seth took it on himself to dress Nelly's odd branch with as many ornaments as possible. But Nelly's oddities do not stop there...She spits ornaments. No joke. We were sitting there digging through our ornaments and ones we already hung would come flying off! It never fails if I am out of the house for a bit and come home. I find more ornaments on the ground, and not always right next to the tree.

Tori declared herself "Tree Master" since Logan was gone and hung the star. Nelly would have none of that. The star slid down just enough so that her tallest branch was just a bit taller than the star.

Don't believe me? Come on over. Check it out!
I took many more pictures of our Tree decorating, but most of them were blurry. I don't think I took them on Nelly's good side. These were the only ones that came out well.

Something new

 They weren't sure they would like it, but everyone of them asked if they could come back again! Learning something new is fun! Now I have a house fulll of would be potters. There is nothing better than seeing the mini's expanding thier abilities, knowledge and experiences. Love these guys!

Where the sidewalk ended

In this part of Arizona , December is the time of year all the nieghbors are out walking, biking  and enjoying the outdoors. I decided I was going to walk to the new Temple to get my picture update for the blog. It was low 70's when I started and I had on a sweater. I know it only takes about  8 minutes to drive from my house to the Temple and I know the driving directions, so I set off.

As I started off the weather was beautiful and the tree lined sidewalks were comfortable and an easy walk. I walked past a golf course with a beautiful pond, and meet others with a nod of the head and a quiet "goodmorning".

Before long I realized the smooth sailing was coming to an end. The sun came out and I had to take off my sweater. I looked down and all of a sudden the sidewalk and ended right in front of me. I trudged through the dry dessert plants and rocky almost non existant path.

I wasnt sure how long this makeshift narrow clearing would last and when I would be on my own to figure the way to go. I knew walking closer to the road with the cars wizing by would not be a good choice.

I could see others walking off in the distance. They were so far away they looked minature and I wasnt sure if they had been on the path I was on, or if I walked on this path if it would take me to a switch back and change the direction I was going.

I just kept heading in the direction I knew the Temple was in and hoped I'd make it.

The path I followed was just a small clearing made by others who had gone before me. It was not an official path. I found that sometimes it was flat and fairly clear and I felt like I could walk on forever. I hardly noticed the time pass. The path would drop off, fill up with rocks and become more difficult.

It was about 1 hour into the hike (that I thought was going to be a walk) when I saw the spires of the Temple and thought to my self...."There I see it, that counts! I don't have to go all the way, this is close enough"

All the paralells of lifes journey strike me and I am more determined to get all the way there.

 

It was hard, and it got harder the more tiered I got, but I pressed on.

 

 

 

 

 

I enjoyed a few minutes in the parking lot and rested. Then I walked (Hiked) home. It was a 3 hour outing all in all, but it was a great spiritual journey and a wonderful reminder of my purpose on this earth!

Get Smart!

 Another great performance from Mt . Ridge Theater Department.

 Secret agents and mad scientist!

 What was so great about seeing Tori in this play was that she was all over it! She was responsible for the costume design for the entire play and did an amazing job with authentic period costumes!

 It was such a fun show and they did such a good job!

Bravo, Bravo!

Happy Halloween!

 It may be 90 degrees outsidebut it's Halloween!

 Meet Link from the legend of Zelda (video game)

 And  this little Japanese Princess.

 The Ice Queen cometh!

 Tori was a little rag doll and Luci came to trick or treat as Aurora!

 After the kids had traded and sorted there candy, a small pile of candy got left in the middle of the living room floor for who knows what purpose. I dont think they cared. They just didnt want it.

Tori turns 16

Tori's 16th birthday party was dinner party themed, and semi- formal. It started out with some fancy invitations that Tori made fancier with a wax seal.

Then the back yard was sprinkled with Christmas lights and white paper lanterns. A super long dinner table with 27 seats and a bunch of nicely dressed teenagers.

 

 

The table was set with a center piece that glowed like the lights in the trees, and each guest was given a menu and on the back was a list of games they would play in between courses.

 

 

 

Appetisers were served by these cute little butlers we picked up, and and our bar was full of fancy Moctails being mixed by the Uncle and Aunt duo!

 

 

 

 

 

They all had a good time and enjoyed the dinner and games. There was even some impromtu dancing at the end.

Tori recieved both interesting and cute gifts, to include a new Ipod touch from Mom and Dad!

The menu:

Appetisers: Brucceta, Faccacia, and some fancy drinks

Soup: Pasta Faggoli (no picture- sorry)
Salad: Caprece

Main course:
Baked Rigatoni, Chicken parmesan

Dessert: Cone-oli

Happy 16th Tori! We love you!

(You all will have to wait for the report on her first date, she is waiting for her Dad to come home to take her on her first date!)