Christmas party after Christmas

The Judd Christmas party was held a few days after Christmas this year. The cousins exchanged gifts. Kate received a (sixth!) beloved Zhu Zhu pet, Robert a book of colorful Disney bedtimes stories that included a CD on which his cousins recorded reading a few, and James a fun remote control trick car. (Nala, my brother's giant dog, joined James in the picture of him opening his gift.)

James and Kate meet Vera

My sister was in town the week between Christmas and New Year's. That meant that James and Kate got to meet their new cousin, Vera. James couldn't have been sweeter to his new cousin. We spent some time at my mom's most days that week and James was asking to visit Vera as soon as he woke up each morning. One morning, when we pulled into the driveway at my mom's house, James yelled, "Vera, we're here!" and jumped out of the van and ran through my mom's door. Each time he passed by Vera during the time we were there, he'd pause, pat or kiss her head, and then keep going. He held her a bit each day we were there. Robert was equally as sweet and anxious for a turn to hold "New Baby." Kate took a turn or two as well.

Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve at Susan's. The enjoyable evening included the McAdams' traditional casual hamburger dinner, learning some history of and singing Oh Holy Night, a gift card exchange by the adults facilitated by a fun game filled with entertaining questions, and the kids opening their present with new pajamas to change into before heading home to hurry to bed so Santa could come. Oh, and, Santa stopped in for a quick visit with the kids at Grandma's. Robert was just finishing up a trip to the potty when Santa arrived. He raced into the living room without taking the time to put his pants back on. He didn't hesitate a moment before jumping onto Santa's lap, wearing only his shirt. It wasn't until he heard all the laughing that he reached one of his hands down in an attempt to cover his little bum. So cute!

We enjoyed a wonderful, fun Christmas morning. Santa did not disappoint. Robert got his hot dogs, complete with buns and ketchup. Kate got her penguin and Zhu Zhu pet. James got a tent for his bed and a spaceship. They even got a thing or two that wasn't on their lists, but excitedly received.







We ended the day with a nice Christmas dinner at Becki and Adam's house where was also had a gift exchanged. Such a fun day!

Elf on the Shelf

This odd-looking elf appeared in our house last year at Christmastime and came again this year. He finds a new spot to observe the kids' behavior each day and then flies back to the North Pole each night to inform Santa of how nice (or naughty) the kids have been that day. Great concept and a lot of fun last year. This year, however, finding the elf's whereabouts became an early morning obsession for James. Sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. James would wake up, find the elf, then come and tell Ben and I where the elf was. It was like being awakened too early on Christmas morning every day of December! Even James commented that it would be good when Christmas was over so that he could sleep longer. If the elf comes back next year, I think he'll only report back to Santa once a week!

Lights at Temple Square

Last night we met up with Grandma McAdams and some cousins to look around at the lights at Temple Square. It was a fairly pleasant evening -- no rain and mild (for December) temperatures.

Various Christmas activities

We've been enjoying a very busy, event-filled December. (Maybe that's why I haven't gotten around to blogging since November.) Mom came home for a day or so between lots of visits to my out-of-state siblings (she can do that in retirement). She was home long enough for us to visit over dinner and help decorate her tree.

Kate being Kate (or should I say Rudolph).

Our annual visit to the live nativity at the Bonneville Glen near our old house.

Kate with Sheila, one of her favorite school friends, during a field trip to the Hale Center Theater to learn about plays (part of the preparation for putting on their own play - see post below).

The downtown Smiths replaced the traditional Salvation Army bell ringer with this guy and a few of his friends. Kate have all of them a high-five. James was a little more timid, but did get close enough for one quick pose.


We attended a very funny performance of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" this week with my friend, Erin, and her son and James' best friend, Lucas. The two actors had an entire theater full of kids and parents giggling for nearly an hour. We'll be watching for more child-friendly performances by the Salt Lake Acting Company.

Grandpa Judd turns 94!

My dad's dad turned 94 on December 14th. My cousin, Bridgette, hosted a great birthday party to celebrate the occasion. Grandpa was so happy to have so much of the family there to help celebrate and only needed a couple of blows to bring that flame to a halt. Happy 94th, Grandpa!

Robert and Mom meet Vera

Robert and I traveled to Southern California earlier this month (December 11th - 13th) for a short visit to my sister and to meet my new niece. This was a much anticipated trip for Robert. Some one-on-one mommy time, playing with his cousin, Daniel, and his very first airplane ride!

Here's Robert adoring his new little cousin. He enjoyed holding her and talking to her, but only for short periods of time. I had to be ready for the quick hand-off that could come at any moment.

At the airport early on a Saturday. He was one very excited boy. He's wearing his cool Puma sports suit he inherited from the cousin he's headed to visit.

At the airport, waiting to board . . .

The pilot was so nice to let Robert have a seat in the cockpit and pretend to fly.

On our second (and final) evening in Southern California was spent enjoying some Christmas cheer with a train ride and visit to Santa. I could get used to visiting Santa in 75 degree weather. Snow is very overrated.

Robert was super excited to meet Santa and inform him that he'd like hotdogs for Christmas. Daniel was a bit shy and did spend a moment on Santa's lap.
Here's the boys having a good time together and posing for a quick picture.

Kinergarten plays

(December 10th) The kids spent the last week of the kindergarten semester writing and preparing plays. They were divided into small groups and wrote the plays themselves. Then they made their own sets and costumes, and practiced. All of this ownership was key for James who can be little shy when it comes to performing and often declines to participate. Here, however, with the role he played in the script and the costume he came up with, he was more excited than ever to perform for me, Ben and Grandpa Judd. James played the part of the brave knight. He saved the golden dragon and the princess from the mean and terrible knight (who became a friend by the time the play ended).



Kate came up with an excuse to wear her prized penguin costume from Halloween as per contribution to the play she helped write. After hatching from her egg, she quickly made friends with a panda bear (because they are both black and white, of course) and then traveled by plane and wolf for a fun adventure.

Ben's turns 36!

Kate has figured out a way to choose two birthday cakes a year. She convinced Ben that he wanted a penguin cake for his birthday this year. The inspiration for this penguin play land came from the cake she saw at a birthday party she and James attended for one of their kindergarten friends, Drew. She helped me find all the right candies at the store and then helped create and decorate as well. Happy 36th, Ben!

Due to heavy fog that evening, we were lucky enough to have my brother Danny and sister-in-law Ceisha out our home to celebrate as well. They were flying back to Idaho from a job interview in California. Their flight from SLC to Sun Valley was canceled, so they dropped by long enough to sing Happy Birthday before driving the rest of the way home. Too bad we didn't get a picture of them and Grandma McAdams at the party.

1st Annual McAdams Pie Making Contest

It was an off-year for the McAdams Thanksgiving this year, but we still wanted to get together over the holiday weekend. We were together a few weeks back and heard about how Uncle Jeff had been perfecting his apple pie over the past several weeks. It sounded like a challenge to the other chefs in the family and the plan to have a pie making contest began. We gathered this afternoon for the contest. Jeff had two entries, Andy three, Jeremy two and Ben one.
The pie making contest scorecard called for judging on looks, texture, crust, and taste.
Ben and Kate made this one: banana's foster pie. Yum! Kate was extremely please with the process and the final product.
In the midst of the tasting/judging . . .
8 pies. 21 judges. Not a whole lot of pie left over.
The chefs: Andy, Jeff, Jeremy, and Ben - with the winner's trophy - which we will hold until next year's contest.
Kudos to Andy for procuring and modifying the trophy!