Annie these days

Annie's favorite place in the house is right by the fireplace. I mean, when Jeremy goes to work in the morning that's where he finds her. When he gets home in the evening, there she is. So he's started teasing her that she is going to sleep there and it has now become her "room". She cracks up when you tease her to "Go to her room!" when she's already there, or threaten to lock her in her room. I think she's drawn to the snowmen and the Jingle Bell Rock Santa that live there during the Christmas season, as well as the obvious warmth it offers. I told her today to get outside and get some sun and vitamin D because it was so gorgeous, and she refused because she wanted to stay in her room.

Bonus - A few things Annie has said today:

As I finished making cookies today, I hollered for the kids to come scrape the dough. I had left a generous amount of chocolate chip cookie dough in the bowl. Annie was the first one to me since she was just in her "room" and saw all the goods in the bowl. Hoping to get it all to herself, she started whispering, "Mom, say you're just kidding. Say you're just kidding. Say you're just kidding". Abby made it upstairs and started laughing, "Annie, I heard that!" It was pretty funny. Darn it, she had to share.

Then later as we were frosting sugar cookies - it was a huge baking day - she started to be all philosophical with questions such as, "What would trees be if there wasn't any green?" "I don't know, probably brown I guess." Then she stumped me when she asked, "What would pickles be?" She got me there. I had no idea. Then we went through most colors in the rainbow wondering what would happen to different objects if there was not that color.

I love Annie's developing sense of humor. She can be super grouchy around adults, but man, when she's in her comfort zone she is a total kick in the pants.

The Polar Express

For years, people have been bugging me about taking my kids to the Polar Express. Jeremy has also always wanted to go, but I've always resisted. I mean really, it's a lot of money to spend at the poorest time of the year. But Jeremy won out, reasoning that this would be the last year they probably would all believe in the Jolly Ol' Guy. He got tickets back in Aug or Sept so it was set and this weekend was the big event.

I have to admit, as leery as I was about the PE, I got pretty darn excited as it neared. The kids had no idea we were even planning on going. The night before, we busted out the movie The Polar Express and gave them an early Christmas present of slippers, snow gloves and snow boots (the latter two being necessities up here this time of year- we just wrapped them up and made it seem even awesomer that they were getting a huge early gift). We broke the news and they went bananas - all of them, even Jake who I thought would be too old and cool for something like that. In fact, in hindsight, I would have waited til the day of to tell them, because they all were too giddy to sleep that night.

We took off Friday afternoon and made it to Williams in time to get our tickets, check in to the hotel and then to find a hill to sled. My kids have traditionally hated sledding. They get cold and don't have any fun. But this year was different. I guess they are a year older, they were better prepared for the cold and we had awesome disc sleds. They had a great time.

Abby eating snow

Hannah posing with the dog that hung around us - it was awesome, I wanted to take him home and leave Bodgie in his place

Jake with the pink sled - he's so studly he can pull it off

Jake cruisin'

Jeremy and Annie

Jeremy and Hannah - note the look of terror on Hannah's face

Abby - always havin' fun

Then it was on to dinner at Pizza Hut and then the North Pole.

We boarded the train headed for the NP. We got a humongous cookie and then some delicious hot cocoa. We sang songs, wrote on the steamy windows, listened to the reading of the PE and waited to arrive at the North Pole. The kids were disappointed that they didn't get to get off the train, but that all was forgotten when Santa stepped onto our car with a special bell for each kid. It was wonderful. The snow made it all the better. I can't imagine how lame it would have been if we arrived at the North Pole and it was 50 degrees outside and there was no snow. But alas, the weather cooperated and it was incredible and oh, so white.

And to top it off, we got to stay at a hotel that served a hot continental breakfast, my favorite! (the room - not so great, but the food - yummy!)

Our family waiting to board

Our whole group - the Platt fam plus Chris, Karen and Justus

The adorable Platt children

Hannah and Karrie

The kids' slippers - they all love them so much!

Jeremy, Hannah and Jake

Just waiting for Santa

Justus and Jake

Jeremy, Abby and Annie

Jeremy and Annie - precious

The kids with their bells - the bells made the whole trip worthwhile!

We are now so excited for Christmas over here, but it will be a miracle if the Jingle Bell Rock Santa will last that long before it mysteriously disappears.

It's now officially the Christmas Season

Last night we kicked off the Christmas season with a wonderful FHE. By wonderful, I mean, Jeremy only fell asleep for part of the lesson, Jake and Abby only did a few near summersaults on the floor, Hannah only interepted a couple of times with questions and I only yelled at the family once or twice.

I was in charge of the lesson. I stole a story, The Last Straw, that I had heard in primary the day before and read it to my family. It's a tear-jerker about a family that learns to serve one another to bring the spirit of Christmas into their home. Then I extended the same challenge to our family. We drew names to see who we'd secretly serve this week. I imagined it would be a flawless hit, but we had to re-draw a bunch of times because people would keep drawing their own names, then I heard the moans. My family is apparently also a bit competitive because I heard things like, "I already put 3 pieces of straw in the manger" or "I've done more than you." In the end, the family was okay and we are all working to serve each other without advertising it.

Jake was in charge of the activity, so we decorated the tree. It is always fun and exciting when the kids see old ornaments they made years ago and the quick reminiscence that follows.

(This year was Hannah's year to help Jeremy with the Angel)

We finished the night with Abby's treat - hot chocolate made with milk (not water), with marshmallows and way too many dollops of cool whip and candy canes. Talk about a rich and delicious treat.

As we sat around sipping, I realized how really blessed I am. I have a super cool family that I love with all my heart, a home to shelter us from the worries of the world, the gospel, and especially The Savior. It's moments like that, that I want to bottle up and hang on to forever.

Acronastix

Back in Sept. I signed Abby and Hannah up for a program through the parks and rec dept - Acronastix or Acro as we call it over here. They loved it and kept wanting to be re-signed up each new session. The coach was great, he knew what he was talking about and had a lot of experience, be could get a little cranky sometimes (a lot grouchy yesterday, their last day). Anyway, acro is a cross between gymnastics and acrobatics. The girls learned tumbling, flips, hand stands, head stands, back hand springs, balance, catapulting, stilts, juggling, swings, the big ring that hangs from the ceiling, all the fun stuff. It was like a huge playground for them each day. The cool part was that my girls were the only ones signed up for the past 2 sessions so Cody, the coach would let Jake and Annie participate fully. They all learned new stuff and I think they had a good time.

So here are a ton of pictures from their class -

Hannah, the frog, upside down in the rubber swing thingy

Abby - doesn't she look like a trapeze artist?

Annie loved swinging. I'd push her really high and she'd yell, "Best day ever!" like Rapunzel.

Jake and Hannah trying to balance each other out. This one made Cody really cranky.

Abby with her beautiful form. She was Cody's favorite. He tried all the stuff that freaked me out on her and she nailed it each time.

Jake in the midst of a perfect back flip. He could catch some major air on his flips.

Hannah balancing with Abby in the pipe. This one also made Cody cranky.

Abby practicing the stilts

The pyramid

Jake and Abby doing synchronized handstands

Annie on the tramp doing a flip

Abby upside down in the swing thing

Jake on the ring

Hannah on the ring

Abby's 8

Our Fabulous Abigail on her birthday/baptism day.

Our little peanut turned 8 on Friday, Nov 25th. Living in PV, she was lucky enough to get to be baptized on her birthday. Her baptism was all hers, no other kids in the ward or stake, just Abby. It was a big day, a great day, and a beautiful baptism. Abby had a ton of support. So many family members made the trip up to see her, for which we are so grateful. Thanks to all who came up.

Abby in her gorgeous baptism dress that was made by Grandma Platt. It was much prettier than the boring ol' jumpsuit that was the alternative.

Abby and Jeremy, who baptized her and confirmed. He gave her a beautiful blessing.

Singing happy birthday to Abby. There were so, so, so many people there to support her on her big day. I love big family parties - the chaos, the noise, the laughter, the good times. There's nothing better.

Happy Birthday, Abby.

I'm so proud of your choice to be baptized and confirmed. You have grown up so well and are such a great kid! Thanks for coming to our family and making it lively and fun.

Just Hannah

Sometimes I think Hannah suffers from middle child syndrome. She is often overlooked unless it's because she's done something wrong then she's busted and seems so devastated. Like when she pulled the hook down in the hall that Jeremy had recently hung. It came down with about 6 inches of drywall. She's still paying that one off....

Anyway, I've been trying to give her a little more attention. And this is what I've discovered about Hannah:

1. She likes to talk. There have been times that I've taken her to the store and she doesn't stop talking the whole time, and I'm talking an hour long trip to Wal-mart. She comments on anything she sees in the store, anything on her mind, anything.

2. Hannah likes to ask questions. Movies are her specialty, even movies I haven't seen yet she'll ask questions about 15 seconds into. Last night our family got tickets in the suites to the Sundog's game (semi-pro hockey team in PV). She sat by me and asked questions about the players, the uniforms, the score a hundred times, the rink, the mascot, the zambonis. Hopefully this means she's absorbing the info she's getting and becoming a smartie pants.

3. I've always known she aspires to be famous, but last night at the game it really hit home. I told her if she danced the Chicken Dance or the YMCA she might find herself on the jumbo tron. She was skeptical at first until she asked (see #2), "If I'm on TV does that make me famous?" "Yep," was my answer, "famous here for this moment". That's all it took. She shook her bootie forever trying to get on the big screen. It finally happened at the end of the YMCA when our little suite made it on with Hannah as the only one dancing, and dancing hard I might add.

4. She is not an unhappy child, but she's never been one to smile a lot. She has a great sense of humor and can laugh, tease and have fun, but she doesn't smile a ton. So when I can get her to smile, I know it means something real. It melts my heart because it is so sweet though sometimes a little unnatural.

5. There are a ton of other things I love about Hannah: her love for kids (specifically Hadlie), her ability to memorize movies, her growing sense of fashion, her imagination playing Barbies...

I love you, Hannah. You make our home lively and you are a treat.

Big Weekend

We had a fun filled weekend. I took the girls down to Mesa on Thurs night while Jeremy and Jake stayed in PV for Jake's game on Sat morning.

We got a bunch of stuff done, in no particular order - bought Abby's baptism dress, I went to the temple, the girls got to play with Maddix and Bronson while I hung out with Alex, haircuts, Drew's birthday party, playing at the park, some birthday shopping, a puzzle, some more shopping, cinnamon rolls with my fam - mmm mmm good, a tour of Dyan's new house - beautiful, and the big reason for our trip down, the Goodman reunion. I have to say, I have the coolest family in the world. Maybe it's because I grew up so geographically close to all my cousins, but I get excited to see them and hang with them. They are a good group of people and I'm amazed all the time at how generally normal everyone is, though colorful at the same time.

While I was there, Jeremy and Jake were up in PV. Jake had his last soccer game on Sat. morning and Jeremy has been his coach. Their undefeated season was on the line. Jake has had a stellar season, scoring usually 3 or more goals a game. He gets the game, he has amazing ball control and sense of the game. He explodes and beats everyone around the ball and it is so fun to watch. I was sad I was missing his last game and waited anxiously for the call after it ended. The call came and it was Jake excited. "Mom, we won!" A perfect season. "And I scored 3 goals. And Ryan scored a goal too!" I think he was as excited for Ryan as he was for himself.

I then talked to Jeremy and got the story. After scoring 3 quick goals, Jeremy pulled Jake back on defense. He got the ball and dribbled up the field, burning guys left and right, in typical Jake fashion. He even burned the goalie and got him to commit to himself. Jake had such an easy shot, clear and right there. But he saw Ryan, the kid who's played soccer for several years, never on a winning team, not a really good player, never scoring a goal. Jake passed up an easy, open goal and passed the ball perfectly,to the only place the ball could have been passed for Ryan to score, and Ryan booted it in the goal. Ryan scored the final goal of the season for the undefeated Scorpions, his first and possibly only goal he'll ever score. The crowd went wild, Ryan beamed and turned bright red. At the next break, he and Jake were pulled out of the game so Jeremy could give them both huge hugs. Pure elation by Ryan, Jake, Jeremy, the whole team and the parents.

The Scorpions front row - Brendon, Jake, Jaden, Justin, Shawn Back Row - Coach Gittins, Ryan, Jarred, Josh, Tanner, Geronimo, Riley and Coach Platt

I heard that story and I cried. Jake is such a great kid and crazily competitive. It was such an incredible act of sportsmanship and he was such a team player to give the ball to Ryan. I think I'm more proud of that one play that I unfortunately didn't get to see, than all of his other tons of goals and great plays all season combined.

Jake you're my MVP.

P.S. Jake made the All-Star team and will play on Friday night in the big All-Star game.