December 2011 - Part one

Stuff that happened in December 2011 before winter break: 

Leading up to the holiday season the kids participated in a couple of performances. 

Jack is in advanced Band at school, playing percussion.  I don't think he gets too much

drum kit action, but he is good on all of the other whistles and bells (literally!) that

go along with it.  He played a couple of different parts on many of the performances

during the Band Christmas Concert. 

Keeping the beat during Frosty the Snowman 

"I'm with the band" 

I also videotaped his whole performance, I"ll show it to you when you come visit. 

Pete and Jack 

Jed's class participated in the same third grade holiday program that Henry's class performed last year.  Jed had a speaking part, that of "X Burt Snoop" the on-scene reporter "here with the scoop". It was cute and he was excited and did a great job memorizing his part.

Sitting with his class 

Waiting for his turn 

Okay, he was a bit stressed about the microphone, and for good reason.  He is about a 

head shorter than most of his class, including the three who spoke in the microphone

before him.  He knew it was going to be too tall for him, he had told me about it when

they had practiced.  Sure enough, when he stepped up after his taller classmates,

and looked up and said his part, the whole audience audibly sighed and we could hear

whispers of "oh that is so cute!".  Not exactly the reaction Jed was hoping for but it 

was kind of funny.  Again, I'll show you the video of it when you come over. 

singing with his class after his part is finished 

some of X Burt's biggest fans 

best buddies 

Celebrity sighting - don't know if you have ever seen "Storage Wars" on A&E - Brandi and Jarrod

live in our neighborhood and their child is in Jed's grade.  I took some surreptitious pictures of them at 

the holiday concert.  I'm actually friends with her and have been to their home for birthday parties,

but just took some non intrusive snaps here. 

Did I mention I'm Room Mom for Henry's class?

One day I came in and helped out with a Christmas activity,

making and decorating edible Christmas trees. 

First the kids made their own frosting 

frost the sugar cone Christmas tree,

then add decorations! 

Jed at the school's Holiday Boutique 

One December evening a flash storm passes through our

area, leaving some hail on the ground.  Kind of like snow! 

(doesn't mean Jack has to put on long pants though) 

For Jed's birthday this year he and Henry invited some friends and

we took them to Sky High, our favorite trampoline joint, to celebrate. 

no jumping photos, but here they enjoyed pizza and dippin' dots

before opening the presents

Awesome birthday card with cash and prizes

 from Salt Lake grandpa and grandma 

Our family party for Jed includes Grandma's chocolate cake

with homemade frosting 

and some awesome gifts like these Lego Star Wars pens from the Coes 

Grandma also presents us with a very special gift - at last year's 

Sawdust Festival she had commissioned some of her mother-in-law's

silver spoons to be fashioned into rings for her daughters (+me) 

and granddaughters.  They are now complete and we all have

these beautiful, amazing heirlooms to keep.  I love that mine

perfectly compliments my platinum wedding bands. 

Spoon Rings - thanks Grandma!