December 2014

Wow - then end of the year.  As usual, can't believe another year has flown by.  December has got to be the longest and busiest month ever.  It hardly seemed like December, or Christmas for that matter, as we have had no snow (until Saturday).

Halle had one last volleyball game.  (At Chase against Northwood)

Serving

Ready for the incoming serve

Ready as always.

I actually see a smile on her face.

My van got hit.  I was parked out on the street at a Young Women's meeting when it happened.  Luckily the guy who hit me came and found me.  If he had not told me I doubt I would even have noticed anything for at least a day or so as it was on the back passenger side.  More than anything I was just mad that I now had one more thing to take care of during December when I was already stressed to the max.  It is now fixed and looking great (and smelling like new paint).  Grateful that this was our first "accident" and that everything worked out okay.

Cracked bumper.

Pushed in side panel.

The Chase Jazz band performed along with the Ferris Jazz Orchestra at First Night in December at River Front Square.  They did a great job.  There is nothing like jazzy Christmas music.

Halle ready with her tenor sax.

Chad with the electric bass.

Both of my Jazz kiddos.

Saxes get a spotlight.

Chase and Ferris together.

Chad finished off his wrestling season with the Spokaloo tournament.  He went into the tournament ranked second.  He got a bye the first round match.  He had a tough second round match and was ahead in points until the third round and then just lost at the end.  It was a disappointing loss as it meant he was kicked down to the losing bracket and could only get to 5th place at most.  He stayed tough and won his next two matches to get 5th place in the tournament.  He has really become a good wrestler this year.

Chad and Northwood opponent in the background.  He just couldn't quite get this guy.

Against Mt. Side.

It is a win for Chad.

Chad gets ready for his last match against fellow Chase wrestler for 5th place.

Chad wins to take 5th place.

90 lb bracket

 The Chase Orchestra and Choir had their concert.

It was a packed commons room - but you can see the basses.

Chad playing "Jingle Basses"

More of the orchestra.

Me at the piano.

The Chase Band had their concert - including Jazz and Wind Ensemble.

Chad is on the left, Halle is behind the piano music.  Chase Jazz performance.

Chad at the bass.

Standing for the end of their performance.  I can finally see Halle.

Getting ready for Wind Ensemble - sucking on their reeds.

End of performance.

The Chad Man.

My musical kiddos.  Just wait until Sean gets in the picture!

Chris had surgery to fix his toes.  He gets to wear a boot for six weeks - and has to have my van as he can't drive his car with a clutch.

The first look at the incision area - a week after surgery.

The big toe and plenty of swelling.

We shared our talents for our family Christmas Eve party.

Sean attempts to solve the Rubik's cube in record time.

Solved!  In 1 minute and 27 seconds.

Halle gets down with some funky sax music.

Justin reads a funny Christmas poem.

Chad and mom play "O Little Town of Bethlehem" together.

Jackson makes a video for Alyssa.

I forgot to take more pictures after that.  Chris presented everyone with a spiritual "gift."  Jeff, Linda, and Alyssa played Christmas Family Feud, and Mike played Christmas trivia.  (And of course mom and dad read the Christmas story and we sang Silent Night.)

Before going to bed, the kids got to open their Christmas Eve present.  This year is was BYU jammies and a BYU ornament for all plus a favorite book.

My BYU triplets.

On Christmas day Santa had delivered some awesome gifts.

Chad finally got an electric bass guitar.

Sean is now our little drummer boy.

Halle finally got her I-pod (hooray for a quiet gift!)

It is not Christmas until we have breakfast lasagna and English Christmas crackers!

Sean got to be first at everything this year.  Opening gifts from Grandma and Bompa.

Sean got an orange shirt, sweat pants, a karaoke machine, and CDs.

Chad showing off his new fancy basketball shoes.

Getting the video game he wanted:  Madden 15.

Halle has a huge stack of boxes to unwrap.

Lots of new clothes for Halle.

Dad gets his usual socks, golf shirt, and golf balls.

The big gift from mom and dad?  The kids got new bath towels and the promise of an updated kid bathroom!

My parents spoiled the kids too!

Sean got an assortment of puzzle cubes and more hexabug stuff.

Halle received a doodle book and an office chair.

Chad got all the necessary equipment needed for his bass guitar - an amp, wires, and strap.  (I didn't get a picture though - you will just have to come and see him jam out with all his cool stuff.)

For New Year's Eve there was a "plot twist" this year.  The kids all got parties and Chris and I just stayed home and watched some TV.  Unfortunately I was too sick and exhausted to host our annual Five Crown's Tournament so I had to cancel our party.  Chad got to attend the youth dance.  Halle and Sean got invited to a friends house to party.

Bye, bye 2014.