The Popcorn Popper Addict

Allie had a new favorite snack this past month. She made popcorn virtually everyday for 2 weeks. But not the ho-hum microwave popcorn. She thoroughly enjoyed our brand new air popcorn popper that we won in bingo! That's right. The Cruzes provided it as one of the prizes and little did we know when we won it how much joy it would bring into our kids lives. Something about dumping in the kernals and watching them pop into white fluffy deliousness is addicting. And you can add just the amount of butter and salt that you prefer. Allie would make it for an after dinner snack and then pack some in her lunch box for the next day. When her friends would come over she would wow them with her popcorn making skills. Hearing the popper hum reminded me of all those Sundays at moms when popcorn would be our staple.

It's never too late to learn basketball

We finally signed up Tanner, Connor and Sydney in a basketball league. As of last year they could barely dribble, so we weren't so sure how they would do on a team. But there is a very non-competitive church league that they all get to play on the same team and so far have had a lot of fun on. The coaches are so nice and the games are very relaxed. The coaches match up players according to ability and they are only allowed to guard that person. Everyone gets a turn to bring the ball down and feels a part of the team. They are really enjoying learning how to play and they actually practice dribbling and shooting at home. Allie has even had them all outside with cones doing drills (along with push-ups if you are not respectful). We are happy that they are at least learning the game and having fun!

Christmas Traditions that carry on

Thanks to mom and dad instilling the importance of traditions while I was growing up our family continues to enjoy many of the same traditions. Many of them happen during the Christmas season. Some of the traditions we carry on from my childhood: Delivering Christmas goodie plates (sorry no picture, but just imagine a some delicious treats on a plate)

acting out the Nativity on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve pizza dinner

Opening one present on Christmas Eve

All the kids sleeping in the same room Christmas Eve night

Decorating the tree together, everyone placing their own ornaments

David looking like a crazy person shooting airsoft guns in the backyard on Christmas day....Ok, I guess that's not a tradition.

One tradition that we started that our kids love is they draw from a hat one of their siblings names and that person is their secret person for the weeks before Christmas. They are supposed to do little acts of service or be extra kind and they get to buy a present for them too. Then on Christmas morning they give their present to their secret person, revealing their identity.

Good Grades = Melting Pot

This semester's classes were especially challenging for Trey and Allie so we thought we'd help motivate them by telling them if they got straight A's we'd take them to The Melting Pot. Trey ended up with 98 averages in both his AP English and AP Biology classes! Wow. Is it possible for someone to get their smart genes from their uncles? Allie is still waiting on the Honors english and Honors Algebra standardized state-wide tests to be graded to find out her final averages but she assures us they are A's! UPDATE: Allie finally got her final grades and she did indeed pull out straight A's!!! Yeah for Allie!

Anyway, we had such a FUN time with our wonderful teenagers. It was their first time going to this fondue restaurant. Allie said she could just go for dessert next time and be happy. We got the cookies and cream this time...YUM. Trey ate all his dinner and most of hers (b/c she doesn't really eat meat).

I still can't believe that I have a 17 and 14 year old. I'm so happy to see them making good choices and enjoying life so much. We are truly blessed.

A perfect afternoon

Trey was working at the Empty Stocking Fund this morning downtown so we decided to pick him up and take the kids ice skating in Market Square. I wasn't sure who would like this activity when it actually came time to hitting the ice. Happily, everyone loved it! David was the only one who had no interest in skating. So he took pictures instead. The kids liked it so much they asked if it could be a family tradition. I love a happy family day!:) (The best part was there was no fighting the whole day.)

parties and celebrating

Last year when Trey turned 16 I told him that after 13 birthday parties, this was going to be the last real party. It was fine to have a couple of friends spend the night but no more "parties". Anyway this year Allie and a friend Lizzy gave Trey a surprise party! It was Taylor Swift themed, b/c Trey loves her. Allie and her friend Hannah even performed "Thug story" by Taylor Swift and T-Pain. He was genuinely surprised and was so happy to hang out with the church kids all night.

On his real birthday we let Trey choose where we would go out to eat and he chose Lakeside Tavern. It was so fun and festive this time of year. We then had a family celebration at home with cake and presents. He was thrilled and surprised to get the new Droid phone.

Random arm wrestling

Last night we celebrated Trey's and Afton's birthdays- cousin style. So many cousins, so much love. What a fun night!

Warning: A cousin may have been hurt during this dog pile.

SNOW

You really can't have a snowfall in Knoxville and not blog about it, even if you are the last to do so. So here are the kids having fun in the snow. After they played in our backyard David took them over to see Koa and they played in the snow some more before we rushed off the piano recitals, basketball games, and church meetings.