The beginning of November brought Asher's first try at Junior Jazz basketball. He is a good little player but is not as aggressive as some of the other boys and gets frustrated when they won't pass the basket ball to him. My biggest frustration with the program is the fact that they only practice 15 minutes before the game starts. If by some lucky chance you got a great coach those 15 minutes might actually help you learn the game but if you have Asher's coach, not so much. If you are Asher's coach - you just stand there and watch the boys wrestle over the ball. We do the best we can to cheer him on but this program has Asher thinking that basketball isn't his sport when I think in reality he would do really great at it if he had a better coach. I just with there was some other option for basketball like there is for soccer.
JJ decided that for his birthday he wanted to see the new movie Wreck-it Ralph 3D. He chose 4 good friends to come: Oakley, Kynlee, Thomas and Josh. It was a super cute movie and we had a great time!
Another exciting thing that happened was Asher's first lost tooth which he lost while eating a banana and then promptly swallowed it. The tooth fairy still gave him some money as well as a little tiny note folded into a itty bitty paper airplane. The note explained that there is a special retrieval team for teeth that have been swallowed called the Poop Squad. It thanked him for doing such a good job at keeping his teeth clean.
November also brought the advent of BYU basketball games again!
Just for fun we had a "late-over" night for the kids and some of their friends. They watched a movie and ate pizza.
Rehearsals started for The Best Christmas Pagent Ever at the Lehi Arts Council. Hannah and Lance both have small roles in this fun family play. This isn't a workshop like the kids normally are in, but a regular play with adults and kids in it. I loved the book as a kid and saw the play last year. It is a great way to kick of the holiday season and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Have we mentioned that we have a VERY patient cat?
Asher was thrilled to get a first place in photography for the Reflections program. He took a cute photo of Gizmo (the dog we had for a little while). He did such a great job so I was really glad his got picked. He has showed off his trophy to everyone who has come to the door!
JJ is a part of the Student Council this year and got to participate in a skit for the Reflections assembly.
Another BYU basketball game!
These next picture are from a Thanksgiving day hike that some of the family went on up at Charlie's house. We really appreciated Charlie and Mary Ellen inviting us and Lance's parents to take part in their Thanksgiving celebration. The food was delish and the company great but I know I wasn't the only one who really was missing my mom. Thanksgiving was a day she really loved and was a big part of. The kids adore spending time with their cousins and have fully adopted in our newest addition, Mary's hubby Wes, into the love! We didn't stay too long after eating because I had woken up that morning with a stiff neck and it progressively got worse as the day wore on. By the time we left it was so sore that I couldn't turn my head and I cried all the way home. Normally Lance can massage the kinks out of my neck and he tried his best but he couldn't find the knot because my neck was so stiff. Thankfully it was feeling much better the next day. 
Apparently Lehi has a Christmas parade! Who knew? Not us, until this year when the cast of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever was asked to be in it. It was a super warm evening so it was great fun to hang out in the city center and watch the very short parade.
In addition to doing practices for TBCPE Hannah and JJ were doing preformances of Into the Woods. This was a very ambitious play to do for a workshop for kids ages 8-18. There is some very difficult songs to sing but the kids did amazingly well. Hannah was not thrilled about being cast as Milky White but had a good attitude and did her best and never once complained. JJ was amazing as Cinderella's Prince but complained A LOT about having to go to practices. Therefore we did not let him try out for TBCPE. Our rule is if you complain then the opportunity gets taken away (at least for a while).
On one of many strangely warm days this month Asher and I walked to the park for a little fresh air and sunshine. I LOVE spending time with this boy. He is one of my best friends!
As I mentioned before our evenings have been crazy busy this month so my birthday celebration was spread out over several days. This picture is from dinner out with Jake and Carolyn at Sizzler. We also went to Red Lobster as a family which was fun because we hadn't been there in years. It's the big 40 this year but I honestly don't feel much different then I did in high school and college. Still a insecure about a lot of things, still trying to fit in with my peers, still wondering what next in store for me. One thing that is different is that this next year won't have my mom there with me to be my best friend and share in the highs and lows. Glad I have my kids, husband and a few really close friends to share it with. I have to give a shout out to my good friend Leslie who lost her dad this month. My heart is with her for many reasons but also because I know this holiday season will never be the same for her just like it isn't for me or anyone who has lost someone they dearly love.
Is it weird that I love my friend Missy's kids like my own? Well even if it is I don't care. The Zellers are family to us. This pic is of Hannah and JJ lovin' on baby Libby. Asher still won't hold or really touch her but he is interested to watch her smile and coo.
Have I mentioned what an awesome Dad Lance is? Well he is. He wrestles with the kids for hours on end. I am glad that he can do that because I hate wrestling. The kids really seem to need it to know he cares about them. They pretty much attack him the moment he gets home and he wrestles with them even when he is really tired or even not feeling well.
I hope the holiday season finds your family full of peace, love and joy!
Posts
