Eight.Ten Years

 8.10 Years

• It has been a crazy, fun holiday month. We have tried to do Christmas activities as a family. We actually made sugar cookies and I have you girls decorate them. We went to Storybook Lane in Albany. You went last year on a field trip but it was the first time for the rest of us. We couldn't decide if it was creepy or cute. You walk around the county fair barns to look at all the Christmas displays. The first was toys and dolls. Those were definitely creepy. We were joking that those dolls were what nightmares were made of. Then, we got to the movie section, and that was fun. 
• Our ward did their Christmas dinner and the primary put on the Nativity story. You were a sheep. We had to come up with the costume, so we took your white hoodie and flipped it inside out, threw on the white base layers, had you wear dad's black socks and my black gloves, and to top it off, you made ears (may have looked more like bunny ears), but it was cute. You were the "lead" sheep since the rest of the sheep were 3-4 year olds. 
• We had Red Ribbon Dinner with Grandma and Papa Price. I got you, Maggie and me matching off brand Ugg slippers. I didn't know the sizing, but it ended up that they even smaller than I thought, so you ended up with size 9, the one I go for myself. So now just you and Maggie match. 
• When your dad was working one Friday night, we headed out and 'knocked and run" some treats to friends. When we were headed out to the Epperson's, there was a road close sign right by there house. You kids were sort of freaking out because I went around it. Well, the road looked great right until their house. The creek had flooded the road. We stood there for a bit to debate if we should cross. We decided to go for it. Afterwards, you were so nervous that you wanted me to promise to never cross a river again. 
• We tried to go ice skating with Piper's family one weekend. I looked up all the different places McMinnville had the best prices. It was going to be really cool because the ice rink was in the museum (don't know how that was going to work with the temperatures). Well, it turned out to be "gliding" not ice skating. The floor was a wax that you "glided" over. It was not nearly as cool, but everyone was a good spot about it. 
• I painted your room! It is purple! And you loved it!
• Christmas break has bee great. On Monday, we got together with the Leders and Springers and played floor hockey at the school and then the Leders came over for hot cocoa. On Tuesday, We met the Smith's at the pool and then you had a sleep over that night at their house. Wednesday was Christmas Eve and Dad had to work that morning, so after lunch I took you all to see Zootopia 2. It was fun to go to the movies with you all. Christmas Eve was special. We had our candle light dinner of "Jesus" food, which this year was lobster ravioli. After dinner, we watched to the neighborhood behind the school to see the lights. We came home to put on our family Nativity play, searched for the star, opened up pjs (you got a kitty set), and watch the Christ Child movie. All of you kids slept in your room with the kid tree. 
• Christmas morning, I was surprised that you were already awake by 7am. You all ran down for your stockings. Santa brought you a purple galaxy blanket hoodie, a Harry Potter map, a water bottle, some art supplies, a mini spa kit, and some treats. You loved all of it. Maggie gave you an umbrella, Sam gave you a Wings of Fire book, and Millie gave you a squish mallow. You were so happy about them all. Dad and I gave you some Wings of Fire Books, flare jeans with a soft purple sweater, and a China doll. Yup, a China doll. You opened it and didn't know how to react. Dad and talked it up saying that I had one, and your grandma and great grandma would collect them. You said thank you and started laughing. I could not hold it together. Finally dad told you to go get the eggnog from the outside frig and there was a bike for you. You were really happy to get a big bike. After opening presents, we went to have brunch at the Prices and then just chilled the rest of the day. We had Chinese food for dinner (a big hit). 
• We got to spend the last week of Christmas break in Utah. Highlights for you was having a sleepover at Bonnie's house (first time by yourself), staying up until midnight on New Years Eve, swimming at Crystal Hot Springs, hiking in the snow (and eating a lot of it), and playing a ton of switch with cousins and siblings. A cousin gave you a bracelet kit, Grandma gave you crochet kit and money (which you bought a Harry Potter doll set and outfit the next day at Walmart). 
• We are back in Oregon and back to school, which we are all thankful for.