Major Catch-up

My-oh-my, how time flies! When I look back at the last time I updated our blog, I'm amazed that it is now Dec. 28. Here comes 2009. I just need to get all the past months activities off my chest and on to the blog so I won't feel guilty not showcasing all the kids wonderful talent! (Watch out...Mom's bragging!)

I think this picture of Brynn sums up December for us. We try focus time on both aspects of the Christmas season. Through the Christmas traditions we focus of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We sing songs that help us remember the birth of Christ. They also bring the Spirit of Jesus into our home. Brynn's Santa hat is the fun part of Christmas. Everyone loves to get gifts and we have tried to show how being the Giver is also special and fun!

The first concert of the Christmas season was Addi's band concert! Somehow these sneak up on us and it seems like we are going to a band concert every month! Don't get me wrong, We LOVE them, but with Addi playing percussion, we feel like we are there for someone else's kid. Hence no picture of Addi in her fine band concert attire. Next time you won't escape the camera Addi!

Next on our calendar, we attended was the Monterey Ward "Country Christmas" party. A great time is had by all at our ward parties. We have a fun ward and so our family looks forward to the parties. Brynn and 4 other girls, who go to the same dance class, participated in the program. By themselves, they came up with a dance routine for 2 songs! They looked very professional in their costumes and with the quality of their dance. Santa and "Buddy the Elf" showed up at the end and made a lot of kids HAPPY! Next in the Holiday merrimaking was the SSE Chorus Concert! Brynn and Leia have to be at school by 7:30 am every Tuesday and Thursday to be in chorus. They have really loved being apart of this group and their concerts are special to attend. This year we went around the world seeing how other cultures celebrate Christmas. My favorite was "Do ya Wanna, Pinata!" What Davis considers part of the Holiday season is the start of church ball. What kind of sport you ask? Anything with a ball is ok with Davis, but the first tournament this year was a day of softball, double elimination bracket. They played 6 games and came out the Champs! It was a long day at the ball park but totally worth it to see them win!

One fine Monday Eve, we went caroling with some neighbors! It happened to be slightly soggy outside with what Davis calls Arizona snow--Rain! Being a little chillier made it seem more of an adventure. We were all sitting on a trailer on haybales while Caleb sat in his preferred seat, the Driver's seat! It was fun trying to sing loud, stay warm, keep children from falling off , debating the words to songs and keeping the different sides of the trailer on the same song! Fun and memorable times!

To cap off the Holiday season activities, we traveled to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights. We were lucky to also see members of our ward participating in the nightly program (that's why we are sitting) It is fun to try to figure out what lights are new that year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS from THE HEAP FAMILY