Christmas Day

Here is some picture from Christmas Day.  We started out the day at home and then went to Grammy and Papa's for some family time and played lots of games.  We got Disney Bingo and Hullabaloo for Christmas.

Christmas Festivities

Herer are some pictures from our festivities Chritmas Eve.  We all went caroling as a family and then opened one present each.  All the grandkids got matching Christmas jammies!

Mema and the kids made gingerbread cookies for Santa!

Alissa's School Christmas Party

Here are a few pictures from Alissa's school Christmas Party.  It snowed that day so they got to go out and play in the snow.  The top picture is Alissa's very good friend Sky and her Mom.  Alissa wanted to dress up for her special day in the dress her Grandma Debbie gave her in Vegas.

Our Christmas Tree

You can not see the lights very well due to my camera but they are on! The top picture is our Christmas countdown with little ornaments to hang, the kids love this new tradition.  My mom's friend Cindy gave it to us which was so sweet of her because they sure appreciate it.   As, for the Christmas tree I LOVE that the ornaments change places about ten times a day and that even Taft loves to play under the tree.  The kids have even started wrapping pretend presents for each other and then they open them up.  This is also where we play the story of Christ's birth several times a day and use the Christmas Tree Star as the star of Bethlehem.  I am so glad that Christmas is here and that we can celebrate the wonderful season of our Savior's birth.  If you are interested in a great Christmas program check out this website, it is LDS but the teaching are for all Christians alike, http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8450-1-4729-1,00.html.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

It Snowed!

We got about four inches of snow yesterday and the kids all had the opportunity to go out play in the snow.  The sun is out today and it has almost all melted but they sure had a blast.  If they were not getting sick I would have let them play longer.  Taft as you can see does not like to get wet or cold and as the cold started sinking in he was so upset.  I am so glad we had the chance to see snow this year and hopefully it will come again so we can make a snow man with healthy kids.

Alissa's Fall Performance

Alissa had her fall recital on December 3, 2008. We were not able to attend the actual recital on December 3 because of Ryan's work Christmas Party. (Luckily Mema, Papa and Grandma Joyce were there) We ended up going to the dress rehearsal though, and here is their practise performance. In case you can not tell Alissa is the one on the far left. She loves to Dance!

Nutrition

"To a great extent we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohitbitions such as no tea, cofee, or alcohol. What needs additional emphasis are the positive aspects- the need for vegetables, fruits, and grains, particularly wheat.  In most cases , the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state--without over refinement and processing--the healthier we will be.  To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours because we overindulge in junk foods.  I am grateful to know that on the Brigham Young University campus you can get apples from a vending machines, that you have in your student center a fine salad bar, and that you produce an excellent loaf of natural whole-grain bread.  Keep it up and keep progressing in that direction.  We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the "king's meat" --and whose countenances show it (see Daniel 1)

Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p467-77, from "In His Steps," BYU Devotional Speeches of the Year, 1979

Just wanted to share this quote with all of you because it is my motivation right now and very uplifting!

Thanksgiving!

Shayna and Trevor.

Maria, Kouji, Ryan and Grandma Joyce.

Nephi.

Ryan and Kouji.

Staci.

Maria, Kouji and Ryan.

Mema and Grammy.

Taft.

Papa, Alissa and Kenzie.

For Thanksgiving this year we spent the evening with Ryan's family.  They were kind enough to have dinner in the evening so Ryan could attend because he worked all day.  We all even took turns saying what we were thankful for which was very nice!  It was especially fun to have Takeshi and Maria and there two boys come down from Provo too.

Toquerville Turkey Trot!

We had the opportunity to attend the race that Papa/Ryan's Dad has put together the last few years.  We almost missed it but made it just in time to see the runner's come though the finish line.  I was excited for Ryan because he beat his time by over 2 minutes and last year he was actually  training.  This year he had only run once in about 3 months and still managed to beat his time.  I think he his time was a little over 21 minutes!  Dad came in not to far behind at about 25 minutes I think.  It was so fun to get to see this race and I think Ryan hope to be back every year for it!

Jubilee of Trees

On Saturday we decided to take the family to a luncheon at the Jubilee of Trees.  This is a festival that every year is put on to raise money for different charities.  This year they are trying to get Airflight to the local hospital. I was absolutely amazed at all the different trees and even at the gingerbread houses!  We had such a great time and the kids even got to help lead the Christmas train behind Santa Claus where there were hundred of kids involved.  That evening Ryan and I also went back to see The Oddysey dance theater perform It's A Wonderful Life which was absolutely fantastic!  All in all it was a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Family Update

Well all here is the latest on our Spirited Bunch!

Ryan- Ryan is still loving his job and has become so efficient at it.  He loves the people he works with and always comes home with new fun stories to tell. His favorite thing to do at work right now is catch gophers, which is not exactly exciting to hear about, but brings a smile to his face. He had the opportunity to spend time playing video games with his brother Tim last week and that was probably the highlight of the month.  He also made the most amazing soup last week and I think I decided he should start cooking.  Ryan is such a wonderful dad and husband and is working very hard right now to do all that the Lord wants for him.

Staci-  Well, I am finally getting the hang of this whole mothering thing.  I have always wished I could get it all done at the same time, The happy kids, bills paid, clean house, spiritually fed, healthy, active lifestyle and low stress family.  I can finally say that it is starting to come, and although it takes a lot of effort, I see the happy eyes of my husband and children and feel how worthwhile I am to them. I love being able to be "just a wife and a mother" and am finally starting to feel the magnificence of this amazing calling God has bestowed upon me.  I feel his love by the gift he has given me to have a family.  I want to succeed and make him proud and I am only hope that I can.  As for my major struggle in life it is still my weight and I am continually working on it but hope to someday be where I want to be with that subject. I am finding as the kids are getting older I sometimes can squeeze in about 20 minutes of free time which feels wonderful and I have been able to take this time to remember the things I used to do before having children like dancing or even playing the piano and singing.  Most of the things the kids love too which works out great if I want to continue when the come in from playing.  I am particularly feeling humbled right now and ready to more fully live as the Lord wants me too.  I am so thankful for the gospel and it adds to my life.  Obviously there are still times where things are rough but it is then that I am trying to learn to count my blessings and be thankful for all I have!

Alissa- Alissa is turning into a little mother.  She loves to be in charge and take care of things and has even changed a few diapers.  She loves to be a helper and is so great at nurturing when it is her decision.  She definitely has a strong spirit and knows what she wants.  She also is starting to recognize the importance of having calm moments where she can just relax and think which is wonderful for her.  Her skin is improving daily and with good sleep she is getting healthier.  She still loves Kindergarten and even thanks Heavenly Father almost daily for getting to go!  She is very smart and is now starting to read books that are sent home with her.  Alissa is also enjoying piano.  She loves to sit at the piano everyday and try to play new songs or practise notes. She has stopped gymnastics and has start taking dance. She has her first recital on December 3 on the local high school stage which should be fun! I still can not believe how fast five years has gone by!

Kenzie-  Kenzie is still such a sweet little boy.  He is so amazingly sweet and love to obey.  He has such a tender heart and that is so fun to watch develop in him.  He is such a funny silly little guy and loves to be goofy any chance he gets.  He literally has not sense of boundaries and has no problems talking nose to nose.  He loves to give bear hugs and has even concluded that they should put  you to sleep, only to be followed by Zerbits(I think that is what they call it)  He is finally potty trained which was way to easy and I am thankful for that.  Kenzie is still in preschool and loves the opportunity to go and make friends on his own.  He is also growing up so fast and getting so tall.  He loves to wrestle with daddy and Taft if Taft will let him.  

Taft(aka Chubbs)- Taft is absolutely hilarious.  He is soo funny in that he literally whines about half of his days.  In fact tonight he got mad at me at dinner and tried to push me off my seat slowly by pushing his bum up against me until I would hopefully fall off.  He loves to pout if he doesn't get his way too which is so fun to watch.  He LOVES his big sister and his daddy so much. He also loves to give forehead kisses in which your foreheads meet and he still makes a smooching noise with his lips.   Taft has already made me feel like my baby is no longer a baby.  He communicates very well and can say a lot of words.  He loves to climb and has to do everything himself.  He has even starting telling me when he need his diaper changed and which type of drink he would like.  He is really growing up fast and I kind of wish it would stop!

Flake Family Fire Fund

I just wanted to let everyone know that my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Dori's home was burned to the ground this past weekend in the Yorba Linda, California fire.  They did not have time to get any of their belongings out, and have lost everything they had.  If you personally know this family then you would know that they devote most of their lives to serving others and are amazing people.  In fact, this event happened on Saturday and my Uncle (without even having his own church clothes got up Sunday morning at 6 am to attend his meetings as a bishop for the LDS church.  After this they went to all the rest of their meetings for the day.  To this, I say what a truly amazing family to be able to just step right back in and serve.  There is a blog being dedicated to helping their family and we would really appreciate any help and prayers that you can offer.  There has even been a fund set up at any Wells Fargo Bank called The Flake Family Fire Fund.  Here is the link so please give your support  http://www.flakefamilyfire.blogspot.com/   I know that for many this may be a hard time to give but imagine what it would be like to lose everything but the clothes on your back. Thank You.   -Staci

Alissa's 5th Birthday Party

Alissa and her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kayla! We were so lucky to have her at the birthday party!

Here are some of the kids swimming at the Community Center!

Here are most of the kids who attended.  About half were from school and then half from church.  Let's see from the front and then left to right, Taft, Braxton(cousin), Jace, Alissa, Kenzie, Jacie, Katina, Gage, Dani's sister, Dani, Jenna and Melissa.  Alissa wanted to make sure that you all knew everyone names.

Here we are playing Hawaiian Bingo!

Alissa blowing out her candles!

Nothing else would do but this cake!

We had the food catered from Alissa's favorite Hawaiian restaurant Parrothead!

I absolutely loved this picture of Taft and Ryan playing in the fountains.  Taft did not ever want to get out, even once everyone had changed several hours later, he was still trying to get in the pool!