Orangey the Goldfish

On January 14, Sammy went with our neighbors, the Pareja's, to a carnival at Polar Ice.  It was centered around an old timers/hall of famers hockey game. When he came home we found out he won a goldfish.

He was playing a game where you toss balls into a cup. 

He ended up winning two goldfish, so he gave one to our neighbor.

Welcome to the family Orangey.

Project Week

At the beginning of the school year as I was looking for the school calendar I noticed that we got three weeks off for winter break.  I was super excited because usually we only get two.  Then a couple of months ago I noticed the week of January 2-5 was designated "Project Week."  I wondered what that was all about but didn't think much of it.

The day before winter break we found out what was expected for Project Week.

Sammy had to research a dolphin, make a poster board, write a report, and give an oral report.

Austin's assignment was to research Attila the Hun, prepare a tri-fold presentation, write a report, give an oral report, and answer questions on Parent Night.

Tommy's assignment was on J.S. Bach.  He had to spend at least 30 hours researching, writing, preparing tri-fold, etc.  He also gave an oral report and answered on Parent Night.

The goal was to become an expert on your particular subject. Personally, I think it was an awesome experience and I think the kids did a great job, but it was very difficult to manage being there for all three of them on Project Week.  Even though they were all supposed to do the bulk of the work on their own, there were countless questions, needs, demands, etc.  Helping all three at the same time was stressful.  Next year I will make them all work on it different weeks.

Another thing I realized is that the kids really didn't get three weeks off (especially Tommy) because he worked all day long, every day that last week to finish is project.  One of the things Tommy did to help fulfil his 30-hour requirement was he learned to play a symplified Bach piece, Minuet in G. 

The final product!

(Why is Tommy standing backwards??? Don't ask!)

There was a Parent Night where the students would answer questions about their project.  All the kids did a great job.  Austin also participated in a parent's night, but for some reason I don't have any pictures. 

Happy New Years!

While the football crew was in El Paso, the rest of us hung out.  Friday night, all the remaining adults (my mom, Annette, Debbie, Jim and I) went to the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  Very good.  Saturday, the girls all went shopping...we all found something we liked.  Success!

Me & my Sis Nette

I LOVE YOU!!!

Around 9p.m. on New Year's eve we did fireworks.  I was hoping the kids would go to sleep early, but it didn't work. 

Sammy, Austin, Sarah

Austin

Sammy

Austin was excited to light some fireworks.

Sarah in one of her new outfits.

These next three pictures I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I just put all three. 

Jim & Austin 

 Austin loves to help his dad.

Jim and Austin with Sarah peeking over their shoulders.

Jim, Austin, Sarah and Sammy.

About 11:30, Jim took my mom and sister Annette to the airport.  Nette was flying back home. At about 11:30, the football crew made it back from El Paso.

New Year's Day

Today was an awesome day.  After church, Debbie planned this awesome meal.  We had a yummy ham, broccoli salad, baked potatoes, and snickers salad.

Later that night we played a game of Guesstures. 

Tommy 

Debbie

I loved having Debbie here.  She ran with me every morning.

Papa

Ashley

Scott - violin?

Stephanie, Ashley, Debbie, and Scott.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!!!

Sun Bowl 2011

Sun Bowl

University of Utah vs. Georia Tech

December 31, 2011

My parents, my sister Annette, my brother Scott and his family (wife Debbie, daughters Ashley & Stephanie) visited for a few days after Christmas.  We had so much fun with them. On Friday (12/30), my dad, Scott, Ashely, Stephanie, and Tommy drove to El Paso, Texas, to watch Utah play in the Sun Bowl.

Tommy, Ashley, and Stephanie

Tommy had so much fun with his cousins.  

Papa & Tommy

Dad - thank you so much for taking Tommy.  He had a great time.  He wants to go to the Utah-ASU game next fall.

Ashley, Stephanie, Tommy with Swoop, the Utah mascot.

Sun Bowl 2011 Final Score: Utah Claims Comeback Victory In Overtime, 30-27

GO UTES!!!!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning

December 25, 2011

Sunday morning Tommy and Austin came in our room at 3:00 a.m. ready to open presents.  We sent them back in bed with strict instructions not to leave their room until after 6.  At 6:05, we could hold Sammy and Sarah back no longer and had to wake up Tommy (apparently he was finally able to sleep).

Sammy 

Austin  

Tommy  

Sarah

Sarah finally got her long awaited Candy Land game.

All the boys got a book safe.

Austin's big gift was a pellet gun.

Sammy was so excited when he unwrapped his iPod.  He didn't think it could get any better until...

....he unwrapped his stuffed animal dolphin.

Tommy wasn't quite sure what this was at first (a powder horn).  Tommy likes to open his big gifts last so it took him awhile to find out he got....

a replica Civil War musket and..

a replica Civil War sword.

Sarah also got a dolphin necklace and a soccer ball for the upcoming soccer season. I can't wait!

Tommy looking Civil War-ish.

Sammy trying out the ipod before church.

Sarah trying to decide which pair of new shoes to wear to church.

Sammy playing with his remote control helicopter.

After opening presents, we went to church, and then rushed to Camp Verde for Christmas lunch with the family.  We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone.  My favorite thing about Christmas is being with family (and of course, eating great food).

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2011

This year for Christmas Eve we decided to drive up to Camp Verde for the annual Soup-n-Supper.  We knew we wouldn't get back until after bedtime, so we let the kids open their Christmas Eve gifts earlier in the day.  On Christmas Eve the kids get to open their gifts from the Hardy side of the family as well as sibling gifts. 

Grandma & Papa Hardy gave each of the kids a DVD.

Sarah got Tangled.

Sammy got Dolphin Tale.

Austin got Kunfu Panda 2.

Tommy got The Home Teachers, but he didn't want to open any of his gifts on Christmas Eve so he would have more Christmas morning, so he opened a movie for all the kids - Cars 2.

Next, the sibling gifts. Each of the kids did special chores to earn $10, then they went to store with me individually so they could pick out a gift.

Austin gave Sarah - The Pet Shop.

Tommy gave Austin - Bey Blades.

Sarah gave Sammy - Bey Blades

Tommy chose not to open his gift from Sammy until Christmas (he got a Diary of the Wimpy Kid book).

Next, we opened gifts from our Hardy cousin gift exchange.   

Tommy, Austin, and Sammy got remote control helicopters from Alexis, Emily, and Hannah.  AWESOME!!

Sarah got a Princess Fishing Game from Abi. The kids LOVED their gifts!

Lastly, Sammy and Sarah got a little extra gift....PJs.  I would have gotten for all the kids, but they NEVER wear them, so I decided to just get PJs for the ones that would actually wear them. Seriously, Tommy and Austin didn't even care but I felt a little bad about it...we'll see what happens next year.  I actually asked both of them a week or so earlier if they would want PJs on Christmas Eve and they said no.  Then I asked if they would be sad if Sammy & Sarah got pjs and they didn't, they said no.

Sammy got some Super Sam jammies.  Sarah got some Hello Kitty jammies.  She didn't like them so I didn't get a picture.  We finally figured out that she didn't like the ribbon on the front so I cut it off and now she loves them.

Jim playing with the remote control helicopter.  It is hard to see the helicopter cause it kind of blends in with the tree.  It is blue.  He has defnitely played with those a lot.  I keep reminding him that they were given to the boys. 

Time for bed...

Craziness...

Our happy family

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!