"You Shall Not Pass!!!" ~ Gandalf the Gray

So this morning we woke up to an ice mess covered in snow. 

Of course it had to happen on a day where we were all running somewhere. 

Well, the "Nervous Nelly" in me wanted EVERYONE to stay home. Literally. Everyone. Home. 

Well, Ethan, Ryland and Nate all had things they felt they couldn't get out of. 

So despite me threatening to stand in front of the door, and in my best Gandalf the Gray voice yell, "You Shall Not Pass!", the boys still headed out the door. 

So it was just the girls and I. We spent the day drinking cocoa, eating grilled cheese and cookies, watching Studio C on the laptop, Ally and Evelyn crocheted 

and the girls made this cute girl. Although the snow was terrible for driving it was AWESOME for snowwoman making. They decided to name her White Snow. 

It was a great girls day. FYI: the boys had an equally awesome day and made it to everywhere they needed to be just fine. Phew!!

Wordless Wednesday: Frosty

FHE: Gingerbread Village

Tonight for Family Home Evening we finally got around to making our Gingerbread houses. It got a tiny bit crazy. But a great time (ultimately) was had by all.

Older brother torment. He was giving Ally a heart attack that he might lick her Gingerbread house. 

Someone was a little sad because she couldn't work on her Gingerbread house until she had finished her dinner. At this point she had yet to take a bite. Sigh.

Ethan was traumatized when he stabbed himself with a tooth pick while trying to make a snow man for his house. 

As you can see she finally got her dinner in her belly and was able to make her house. Thank goodness! 

Temple Square

Tonight we braved the cold and the crowds and headed down to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square. It has been at least 5 years since we have gone down to see them. I remember Evelyn was just a baby. Far too long in my opinion.

We had a great time. We all bundled up and when we were cold we hung out inside the visitors centers. 

Nate had a great time especially. He talked with any missionary he could find that he could speak with in Mandarin Chinese. I always love watching him jam with people in Chinese. I especially love seeing the look of surprise when they realize a "tall, white guy with a big nose" (Nate's words, not mine) is speaking to them in Chinese. It is so fun. Every time.

A Miraculous Life

 

I got to spend the afternoon with this wonderful man.

 My Grandpa, Norman Carpenter Sargent. 

He is giving me the honor of recording his life story. 

We recorded for just a couple hours and 

we still have a long way to go. 

According to him he has lived a miraculous life.

After listening to him thus far,

 I would have to say that I agree with him.

 He has had many miracles come to him in his life. 

Many times he should not have made it through

 to live to tell about it. 

I love how when you study peoples lives there are so many lessons to learn and it is obvious to see the Lord's hand in our lives. 

He truly is in the details of our lives. 

I love the perspective genealogy and personal histories give to me. 

I truly cannot wait to hear more about Grandpa's miraculous life. 

Viva La Mexico!!!!

Evelyn had her Celebration of Learning on Mexico tonight.

 It was super fun!! 

What a great party these little First and Second graders put on!

We got to see them perform a Mexican Hat dance and sing some songs from Mexico. 

They made a pinata and were able to do that tonight as well. 

They also made some authentic Mexican food and Mexican Hot Chocolate. 

It was such a fun night and I love how she enjoyed learning about their culture so much!

Evie's cute teacher Miss W. 

She just loves her so much. I swear she is making her a little love 

note every other night. So sweet.

Singing their cute little songs

Preparing to dance. She was just mortified that she had to 

dance with a boy in public and that I was taking pictures as well.

The nerve!! Haha!

What was funny was how mortified they both were of the experience and boy they were not afraid to show it. These photos just kill me. haha!

She just loves this skirt. I am thinking it is going to have to find a way to make it under our Christmas tree. What girl wouldn't want such a twirly dress? 

Her and her good friend Taydree

I was so impressed with how patiently she waited for the pinata to break. She didn't end up with much candy but she sure was a polite little lady during the activity. 

Wordless Wednesday: First Night of Christmas Tree Glow