Christmas Parties

Here are a few pictures of the kiddos at our Branch Christmas Party.  In our Branch the children out number the adults, so we quickly visited with Santa and made room for others.

 Someone is starting to look too big, so sad.

His school teacher gave all the kids Santa hats and Jayce loves his.  He had to wear it too the party.

Of course on the day of the school Christmas Parties I had 3 places to be.  I needed to be with Jayce, Grahm and at Tennyson's re-weigh.  Tennyson won and the boys were left on their own.  Fortunately I have a stand in Mom for Grahm.  She took pictures and helps out regularly if I need her to.

Botannical Garden Christmas Light Display

 There were several vans parked in a partial circle.  At first glance I thought it was maybe a little auto show, check out the vans and their cool interiors and then I realized that they were cooking and selling food.

 This is a view of the jungle area.

 The reefs.

In this picture you can see the entire ladder.  Jason is helping to steady Grahm on his climb back to Terra Firma.  Only in Okinawa would they offer you a ladder to climb for a photo op.

It was a beautiful evening.  The kids were too warm for jackets with all their running around.  It was nice to visit with friends and try to get the Christmas feeling.

Tennyson Pictures

 Besides enjoying having a baby in the house this holiday season we have been busy making candy (and eating too much).  I love traditions and making candy is one of ours.  The recipe I use to make Turtles is my Great Grandmothers recipe and they are so yummy!

Officially 3

She is officially 3 Years Old!!

Are these pictures looking familiar.  Well the bike we gave her for her Un-Birthday broke, so we replaced it.

 She was driving around with sugared cranberries in her mouth and I told her she had to chew them up.

 The newest member of her fan club - Lindsay.  She came to help us celebrate and baked the yummy Oreo Cake.

We celebrated with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, pineapple, and salad with olives. 

You love all things pink and princess.  You like to slash bad guys, cast wizarding spells (Harry Potter).  You like to jump on the trampoline with your brothers.  Help Mom or Dad cook.  You love to help - your brothers can't fold clothes as good as you can.  You love everything and everyone.  You love to tell us Thank You and give big hugs.  You are such good help with Tennyson.  You amaze me all the time, I wish you could stay 2 or 3 forever, but am excited to watch you grow.  We Love You.

Worn Out

This is how I am feeling these days.

One day early in November she was feeling very worn out and crashed before we could get things wrapped up and everyone loaded in the car.

A Story I Forgot to Share.

After my Mom and sister returned home Jason was left to take care of all of us as I continued to recover and adjust.  One night he decided to cook bratz and french fries, but he wanted real fresh fries (not the ones you bake in the oven).  So he set about preparing dinner while I nursed and rocked a fussy Tennyson.  Things were going well and it would soon be time to eat.  I happened to be walking by the Kitchen when I noticed flames!!  I had never seen a grease fire or for that matter a kitchen fire.  Jason had fried several batches of fries already, but when he added this batch the extra moisture in the Japanese potatoes caused the grease to bubble up and out.  He grabbed the flour and used it to smother the fire.  It took a lot of flour!

By this time of night Jason was already tired from taking care of everyone.  I felt so bad, it took an hour or more to clean up all the flour that was burnt on to the burner, drip pan and stove. 

I had to share, mostly to keep him humble - he thinks he is a better cook than I am.

****The fire alarm never went off.  We tested it and it works, I guess it needs to have a fire beyond our ability to control before it goes off.****

Stressing

The Christmas rush always makes life more hectic and stressful.  This year we thought we would add a little more stress. 
Last Friday Tennyson had her 2 month well baby visit.  She weighed in at 8 lbs 15 oz.  That is a total of 1 lb 5 oz gain since birth.  That is a little behind schedule.  She is in the whopping 3% for weight.  So the Dr has put us on an increased number of feedings for a week to see if that helps her out.  Now I really feel like all I do is nurse.  My little sister did the same thing and then gained about 3lbs in her second month.  I hope Tennyson does the same thing.
I just hate all the wondering and guessing.

Pictures of Tennyson

Mom - I tried to catch her tongue for you!

She smiles out of the right side of her mouth!

Loving the sister!

One day for nap this is how I got Charlotte to stay.  She had to keep her eyes closed or I would take Tennyson.  She is not asleep, just obedient.

Tennyson's Blessing

We were able to bless our sweet baby girl this Sunday.  The Stinchfields and Lindsay (Jason's tech) joined us for the occasion.  It was wonderful and she looked so beautiful in her dress.  There is something so sweet about a baby in all white.  I loved just looking at her while she slept in my arms.  I missed a lot of the meeting, but I will never have that moment with her again.

The happy family - almost

Deteriorating quickly  - only second picture

 Kicked the ruffians out - Tennyson wants her mom

I Can't Believe I Did ...

Okay - everyone please understand - I had to. 

I bought 2 dresses today!!!

1 for Charlotte and 1 for Tennyson.

I still can not believe I actually bought them.  Especially since I know I could have made them - they are both very simple.  However, new babies tend to rearrange your priorities.  I will post pics when they actually get to wear them.

This is a roller slide at a park near us.  The slide is a series of rollers (thus we call it a roller slide).  When you slide down these slides they generate a lot of heat on your rear end - as my boys and Jason have found.  The Americans bring cardboard to slide on and the Japanese slide on their feet.  We don't like the cardboard and the feet thing is a little hard for little children to master.  So we found that my knee pad for gardening is the best - really increases your speed!!

 Charlotte and Jason caught up with Grahm!

This slide is what we call the drop slide!

 To enter this slide you hang from a bar and then drop!

 A view from the top - it really is a steep drop!

 Me contemplating the necessity of me enjoying this experience.  It took me a little while, but I did finally do it.  I requested Jason not document my stressed face as I slid - so no proof!

 Meanest Dad in the World!

She says it was fun, but like a smart girl would not go again.  (He did drop her twice).

Other playground equipment for climbing!

 Proof I survived the slide and posing in front of what we call an Avatar tree (This picture is for my sister Hannah!).