Mostly Gym Class

Here are some pictures before Christmas. Kevin's work has a Christmas party each year for the families. They go all out, as you can see with horse and pony rides. Jane chose the horse over the pony and did a great job. A couple months ago we went to the circus and she chose the elephant ride over the pony ride too. I guess she feels safer on bigger animals. I'm just grateful we didn't stand in line to find out she wouldn't even get on it. She is so big. Alice was not as brave, so I rode with her.

Alice and I got the horse who wanted to eat the grass

For the last 3 months (after visiting my sister, Beth), we decided to put the girls in a gym class. I had heard good things about Tumbleweeds, so that's what we went with. Jane, once again did great. She even had to wear her hair in a ponytail and never gave me any hassles (as I've mentioned in previous posts). They both loved gym class. They only let you bring a camera on the last day, so here are our pictures.

Alice loves to hang from the bars (I followed Alice around, while my mom took pictures of Jane in her class)

The gym (They use it for older kid's gymnastics too)

They decorated for Christmas and set up some rolling hills and even a sledding hill. These were the hills to climb over. Jane smiling.

Alice's favorites were the balance beam and the hanging bar. She's a good little balancer. She likes to shimy to the edge of the couch arm too at home and get help jumping off. We've had a few crashes, but not too bad. Jane does the same thing and then jumps off. Alice one day will learn to jump.

Alice hanging

Jane following her class to the next event. All the little girls were too cute.

Jane and her teacher at the top of the "roof" to jump down the chimney (barrel)

At the end of each 45 minute class the girls got stamps on their feet and hands. Alice waiting patiently for the stamps.

Jane waiting for her turn with her class. Sadly we chose not to continue gym class next year, but have decided to try dance lessons. Jane is very excited, but I think she'll miss all the tumbling just a little bit too.

Jane and Alice watching the choo-choo train going round and round the Christmas tree

Alice laying on her tummy to get a closer look

Jane and Alice having fun in the buckets

What cute girls!

Ahh, the Christmas season!

We love Christmas! Jane's favorite song is Jingle Bells, which she sings all year round. We sing it every Monday night for Family Home Evening too. She and Alice have been excited about all the lights, music, and hopes of new toys. In fact, the only song Alice would let me sing tonight as I put her to bed was "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" I need to brush up on the lyrics.

Our prelit tree is beautiful even without the ornaments. It took us about a week to decorate the whole thing. We are just running around every weekend.

Kevin and Alice enjoying the tree

The first Friday in December was temple day. It was our turn to watch the kids. It was a cold and rainy day, so we went to the library with the 4 kids. It's in a cute part of Orlando that's set up like a quaint little village. They have a great bakery across the street too. Here's Alice on the front porch of the library.

Drew and Sami on the porch too. Sami and Jane love playing together, so they had fun. And Drew is our new best friend because we took such great care of him! After the library we headed to Epcot and had a great time despite the rain and chill in the air, but I will post those pictures at a later date.

On Saturday morning the girls were invited to a friend's birthday party. I had the opportunity to play my French horn in a Cantata this year and the dress rehearsal was the same morning, so Kevin took the girls to the party. They had a great time.

Alice after sampling the cake. Yummy frosting!

From the party Kevin met me at the church and we dropped the girls off with Grandma while we went to a leadership training. Then we went to a ladies' house for dinner whom the ward helped fix her roof during the day of service and then we went to the Palm Bay Christmas parade. It was a very busy day.

Enjoying the parade, although we were a little cold

Kevin, Alice, and the Bear with their Santa and elf hats on. (I love how even when Kevin is taking the picture it looks like it caught him off guard!!!)

Reading bedtime stories. I love it!!!!

Alice for some reason wanted to wear my socks, so I put them on her and they were thigh highs. She was so cute though. She loves to jump too and is getting better at it! Pure joy!

Catch up!

One afternoon I was watching my friend, Sarah's kids, and Alice wanted to put on her giraffe costume (thanks Kim). She looks adorable in it. Well, Sarah has a little boy, Luke who is the same size and he wore the panda costume. Jane had on her princess dress so she joined in the picture. They were too cute.

Alice, Jane, and Luke

Alice on another day pretending to be the giraffe. She and Jane have fun playing. Jane is the mommy and Alice is her dog. Alice goes around crawling and barking. It's pretty cute to watch.

Trying to get out of the hot costume

Thanksgiving Day and the Turkey Trot

As has become our tradition, each year we participate in the turkey trot 5k/10k run/walk. Kim decided to run this year, so Mom and I walked with the youngest kids in strollers. We walked at a very slow pace, but enjoyed it even with the slight misty rain. It gears us up for a day of eating and football watching. We are so very thankful for the bodies we have been given which allow us to do these things.

Jane and Alice before the race

Cute little Alice

Mikayla out of the stroller and running to the finish line

Kim and Mike went back to help Mom with the kids. Her stroller pulled to the left pretty bad. But they had fun. Ben crossing the finish line. (with Mike's help)

Mom finishing the race (the runners in the background ran the 10k. We walked the 5k).

Kevin finishing a tough 10k with the help of Jane and Alice. (He was sick for half of October and all of November and is just, in the last week, feeling much better. A little bronchitis and pan sinusitis knocked him out for a long time. So he hadn't run in a long time and his lungs were still recovering.) But he finished!!!! Although, I remember now that he was just supposed to walk with the girls and I, but took off running and ran the whole thing. Crazy!

Mikayla, Jane, and Alice playing in the trees after the Turkey Trot.

Pretty girls!