Programs, Programs and more programs!!

We got to go to lots of Christmas programs this year. Kids sure make life busy, but super fun! Our first concert was Hailey's 6th grade orchestra concert. She plays the piano and I'm so glad she does. It's going to help her a lot....even if she doesn't believe me! The next day was Syd's band concert. She is playing the clarinet and really likes it. 5th grade band concerts can be a little noisey but it was still fun to see her sittting up there with her class.

Next, Hailey had a dance recital. She loves dance and gets better every year. I didn't get a good picture of her dancing but it was a super cute dance and her and her cousin Olivia were cute partners.

Then Danny had his Kindergarten program. This may have been my favorite program of all. I just love his age, especially this time of year. All the kids were so cute and excited! Danny and his cousing Phoebe look like they could be twins!

Last was Jonah's dance program. I didn't get a great picture of him either, but he has some pretty good moves. He even had a speaking part totally memorized that I didn't even know he was doing! He did great. It was a fun, busy week of programs!

Church Family Christmas

This year we had our Church Christmas party the day after Thanksgiving at the tumbling building. The kids had a great time running and flipping around and Russ and LeAnn fixed a yummy dinner. I love spending time with my family!

On Christmas Eve we always have a prime rib dinner, orange rolls, potatoes and grandma's famous ribbon jello. We had our traditional nativity play. Grandma made a new rule, if you're 20 or older you don't have to be in the play. Brayden was pretty excited about that...Ty, not so much. But the big boys are good sports and do it anyway. This year Taya was Mary and Jonah was Joseph. So cute

After a few of the kids did a little talent show the kids talked my mom into pulling out her accordian. I have no idea how she plays that thing, but she still can.

Jonah gets baptized

Jonah has been so excited to get baptized. He couldn't wait to wear a suit, it's all he wanted and he looked pretty handsome and grown up wearing it! His dad baptized him and Grandpa Gary confirmed him. It was a special day. We were so lucky to have so many family members there to support Jonah. Congratulations buddy! I'm so proud of you!

Grandma Judi made Jonah this candy grahm. I wish the picture was better so you could read it. This is what it says:

To our precious "sweettart" Jonah. U R A "Big Hunk" of a "Bliss" Today is better than a "100 Grand" "Payday"because of your Baptism and Confirmation. The Holy Ghost descending like a "Dove" is "mint" to guide you on the "Rocky Road" of life. "Twix" the ups and downs that may come your way use him "Good & Plenty" He will a "lifesaver" to you "Now & Later" "mounds" of "hugs" and "kisses" Love Grandma "Bliss" and Grandpa "Bliss"

(it's pretty great when there is chocolate with your name on it!)

Happy Birthday Jonah

I can't believe my little guy turned 8 today! Jonah had a fun day playing with cousins. He spent the morning at the cabin with Grandpa, Uncle Bryce and Mason shooting clay pigeons and playing in the snow. Then it was party time. We just had some family come over for cake and ice cream and it was lots of fun. Jonah has some great cousins and loves spending time with them. Jonah has liked the Colt's ever since Grandma and Grandpa went on their mission to Indianapolis. Austin Collie was in my parents ward so he then became Jonah's favorite player. I've never been real great in the cake department but I really wanted to try to make fondant. I figured I could pull off a white cake with a blue horseshoe. I thought it turned out pretty great. (Thanks to Ann and Margo and their help) He liked it too. Happy birthday big guy!

A few things about Jonah:

He is REALLY smart. Not sure where he gets it from but he is super smart. He does great in school, is an awesome reader, and is always asking me questions that let me know his brain is working overtime. During his baptism interview the bishop even told him the Lord has blessed him with a great mind.

He is a good friend and loves to play with friends. He is lucky to have lots of good little buddies this age.

He really likes sports and his hoping to grow sometime soon and be able to play sports. He especially loves watching his cousins play.

Halloween

I got the flu super bad this year for halloween. So even though I dressed up my kids 5 times, I hardly got any pictures at all. We had a fun halloween party with some friends, then Justin took the kids trick-or-treating while I stayed home in bed. I was so so glad he did that! The kids also had a piano recital they got to dress up for so we definitely got our moneys worth out of our costumes this year! Hopefully next year will be better.

Bliss Family=Spontaneous

Who decides to go to Disneyland and leaves 2 hours later? WE DO! Wow! After some ultra quick planning and packing we were on the road. We drove all the way to Anaheim in one day, spent two days in Disneyland, then drove home. It was a super quick trip but tons of fun! We packed in as much as we possibly could in two days and still didn't see everything!


Syd me and Hailey waiting for the Aladin show to start.

Danny knows how to wait in line.

Bumper cars in Bug's Life

Syd in the bumper cars

Waiting in the LONGEST line. The new Toy Story 3 Ride.

Totally worth the wait!

At our hotel

The kids were afraid we wouldn't have time to swim so we took a little break from Disneyland and went back to the hotel to swim for a while. It had this fun little waterslide and the kids loved it!

If you know Danny, you know he has quite an infatuation with Star Wars. Last time we were in Disneyland Jonah got picked in the Jedi training show. I knew if Danny didn't get picked this time he would be crushed. So we got to the show nice and early to get a front row seat. He even wore his Star Wars shirt in hopes of getting picked. Well, it must have worked. He got picked and it was probably the best thing that has ever happened to him!

Working his Jedi skills. He takes this very serious!

Riding the Matterhorne Bobsleds

The Haunted Mansion

I skipped out on the tea cups but the kids loved it.

On our last night we went to the midevil times dinner and show. It was really fun and the kids loved it. Especially this kid!

Now we are home and it almost feels like we never left! It was a great time though and we can't wait to go back again someday!

Fall

Delta had a fun little fall festival last weekend. The weather has still been so nice so I thought I'd venture out with 5 kids (I never do this) and go have some fun. The kids loved painting pumpkins and doing all the little games. Hailey was with us too, but she's 12 now so she is WAY too cool to hang out with the family. So she had fun running around with her friends. I love fall!