Ward Christmas Party

Here are the pictures from the Ward Christmas Party, complete with a visit from Santa (by far the kids' favorite part). Benson had enough courage to sit on Santa's lap this year, although he does look quite nervous. He just had to tell him about the skateboard he wants him to bring him. And Jaycie wasn't too sure about it. She was okay for about 15 seconds, and then decided she'd had enough, but of course my camera battery died right as she started to scream, so no famous screaming in Santa's lap pictures for her this year, dang. And I just had to post these following pictures and brag about how good the kids in our ward are. They are so cute with my kids and such great helpers. I thought it was so cute to see Benson holding hands with 2 other boys waiting in line for Santa. I'm sure he was quite nervous (see last year) and having them there helped.

And I just had to comment on how crazy it is to be in Southern CA for Christmas. It's my 3rd Christmas here and I still can't get used to it. When we got to the church Saturday morning for the party there was basketball going on in the cultural hall, so they moved the party outside. We were all sweating and trying to block the sun from our eyes. Then when we went inside for the program the AC was on and it was freezing. Camron said, "This is nuts, when is it colder inside than it is outside at a Christmas party?!?" Only in LA.....

Jaycie's catching on

Jaycie started saying "bye bye" a few months ago, however it only lasted a few days, and then she decided she would rather walk than talk. So she has been somewhat speechless since then (I mean she can repeat "mama", but really never says it on her own).
Last night however, she joined us for family prayer (she's been going to bed earlier lately so this is the first time in a week or two that she has been with us) and quickly remembered how much she hates sitting still. She was squirming and crying in my arms right up until she heard Camron say, "Amen" at which point all crying stopped as she let out a sigh and quickly shouted "AMEN!" and excitedly jumped out of my arms. Oh how quick they learn!

Benson's 3rd Birthday (1 1/2 weeks later)

Benson actually had more of a birth-month celebration than a birth-day celebration this year. It started out with Grandpa and Gramma visiting and Gramma taking them out to play in the rain. They had a blast to say the least, and since it rains about once a year here it was a real treat. He then had cake and icecream and got to open his present: nerf guns! (Jury is still out on who plays with them more, Daddy or Benson :) Then Emily and Matt came to visit and we got to go to a Real Salt Lake Soccer playoff game. The kids loved it and looked adorable in their soccer jerseys from Aunt Emily. And to make it even better, Real won!
Then he had his real birthday party full of cake, presents and fun! He even got to take a friend with him to McDonalds, which he thought was amazing! He loved the car from Papa and Granny and even came in crying a few nights later because he forgot to put it "to sleep" in the box it came in.

I can't believe what a big boy he is! The past 3 years have flown by. He is still my cuddle bug and a great helper with his little sister, Jaycie. We sure love having him in our family!