Beck Family Christmas Party

On December 23rd, we had our John Beck Family Christmas Party.  It was fun to get together.  This year was particularly hard as it will be the last Christmas with Dad and Mom Beck until they get back from their mission.  It was great to spend so much time with them.  We started out by having the famous slush burgers that Dad Beck is known for making.  Then we had fun watching the kids all perform songs that they had been practicing at home or learned in school.  Everybody did such a great job.  I'd have to say that the Beck's are quite the performers!!!  Camille played the guitar while Bradley sang with her "Feliz Navidad."  She also sang "Mary Did You Know."  Bradley also sang a song called, "We Will We Will Jingle" that he learned in kindergarten going to the tune of "We Will We Will Rock You."  It was so cute.  Carter and Parker learned "Still Still" in English and Spanish in their class at school.  Johnathan and Tanner played their sax and trumpet together for a song and then had Cameron play his bells with them for two other ones.  They all sounded awesome together for so little of practice together.  I love seeing how unafraid my kids are to perform in front of family.  It almost feels like they actually enjoy it, which is always so nice since at home it isn't always that way.

We also opened all of our presents from Grandpa and Grandma Beck.  The kids were definitely spoiled.  All of the kids got kits to help learn something.  Camille got a bracelet kit, Tanner calligraphy kit, Johnathan Origami kit, Carter Yo-Yo kit, Parker Harmonica kit, and Bradley a cooking kit.  They all were so excited.  We also opened the presents to each of the couples that switched and also the cousins exchange.  We got the game Telestrations from Clara and Joe - it is such a fun game - we played it on Christmas Day and had a ball.  Since then it has been a hit at every party or whenever we want to play a game together.  We got a cool clock from Melissa along with a blanket.  We went in as siblings on a gift for John and Sharon.  We got them new outside lights for their house which are dusk to dawn (I would love to have these since I forget to turn on our lights) and also some new chairs for when they have company over.

Spencer had the cutest outfit - Camille wasn't too far behind all of the small babies - she absolutely loves holding them.

 Camille with Joe

 Cameron, Johnathan and Tanner

 Bradley and Camille singing

 Alyssa, Carter, Ashlyn, Parker and Eric

 All of the yummy treats that were brought.

What a scary place for the young kids to sit - Cute Britta makes me laugh as she is already deciding which candy or treat she will have next.

 Grandma Beck helping Tanner with his calligraphy book.

  

 

 

Christmas Break fun

I always look forward to Christmas break where we don't have to worry about waking up at a certain time, homework or really anything that we don't want to do.  Camille and I decided to make cake pops.  I had heard about them, but had never had them until about one week before this time.  I instantly fell in love and so we decided to figure out how to make them for our Beck Christmas Party coming up in a couple of days.  We got the recipe from Kari Brown and had fun making them for the next two days.  Johnathan and Bradley had fun joining in on the help. 

 

 

Byron has been watching "Storage Wars" for quite some time.  He has dreamed about buying a storage unit.  Well, his dream finally came true when he was able to buy 2.  He found a website that has auctions online.  He found 2 that he liked and bought them.  They were up in Salt Lake City in the same storage area.  We went as a family and had fun clearing them out.  There was some fun things along with a ton of junk.  We took 3 loads to the dump.  This load was the last one we took and we tried to cram everything into this trip so we didn't have to go again.  It was really high, but secured down really well.  We had to take a picture.  I am hoping that this is the last ones he buys, but have a feeling that we will be doing this again sometime soon :).

 

 

 

Last week before Christmas break

This cute Bradley is quite the organizer.  Byron had given him a zipped up container that he was so excited to put his stuff inside.  I came into his room to see this cool organization with his things.  He had carefully laid plastic wrap between the different types of things to not get them mixed up.  He was so proud.

Tanner has really gotten into drawing a lot lately.  He loves to get books from the library and then draw them at home.  He also is taking art classes at school that he loves.  I just love walking into his room to see him like this with his headphones on and drawing.  He is usually found in his bedroom with the door shut to get some quite time.  I need to take some pictures of his art projects from school because they are really cool.

Byron was so sweet to take me out to Chili's for my birthday.  It is always so nice to get away with him alone.  We also had fun walking around the new outlets up at Traverse Mountain.  I had received some birthday money and was excited to get new shoes with it. 

Byron invited the family over to our house on Dec. 15th for a breakfast party for me.  He was so cute as he made breakfast sandwiches for everybody that came.  He took his role very seriously as he had each of the kids helping him with this process.  Then he put them into the oven on warm covered in aluminum foil until they were eaten.  We had such wonderful family come on a snowy Saturday morning.  I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people surrounding me.  The kids all had fun going outside and playing in the snow.  Cooper and Tanner made quite a huge snowman that had celery for his arms and a banana for his mouth. 

 Carter and Ashlyn making a snowman.

 After the party some of the kids went over to the park to enjoy sledding.  Johnathan, Bradley and Tanner had a great time.

 My silly boy - we bought gift cards for each of our tenants from Panda Express and with each one we were able to get a free 2 entrée meal.  Each of us were able to enjoy eating them for lunch and boy were they a hit. 

This is a really cute project that Carter and Parker did in their class.  I love seeing what fun projects the teachers have going.  I especially loved the cards that were attached to each of the elves.  Carter's says, "I need... help not to fight.  I want a ipod touch.  I will give...a pack of gum, and an art project to my brother Johnathan.  Thank you, Carter P.S.  It would be also nice if...my family wasn't sick any more."

Parker's said, "is something I can drive on like a motorcycle.  I need nothing.  I am giving a painted bobble head kit, so you paint the bobble head and it's clay that is all ready formed and it comes with two bobble heads and I bought it with my own money.  Thank you Santa."

My kids heading out the door on the last day before Christmas Break.  Carter and Parker had a gift exchange in class that they were excited about.  They also each had a loaf of banana bread for their teacher. 

 Parker - red, Carter- blue

I had the fun opportunity to go to Bradley's class party that was a Polar Bear Express one.  All of the kids were able to wear pajamas.  When I got there the kids were all getting hot chocolate and a donut.  I think Bradley was so excited I was in his class.  I love seeing my children in that environment. 

 Mrs. Narvaez went around and punched each kid's ticket.

Bradley getting ready to play the game I was over of Pictionary.  The kids were able to draw on the smart board which was extra exciting for them.  Here is Peyton Hall, Jaynee Smith, Timothy (Bradley's good friend from class), Bradley and Brooke Rindlisbacher.  Everybody at Bradley's table is from our ward except for Timothy.  What a fun group of kids!

Jared and Danielle - We had the fun privilege of having Jared's family come visit one afternoon while they were up in Utah.  It was so fun to see them and their children.  Jared's kids aren't used to snow living in California.  It was one of the first snowfalls we had received so both my kids and their kids were pretty excited.  They had fun throwing snowballs and being outside.  Poor Jade was getting chased with snowballs but I think she was able to hold her own pretty good.

 Tanner and Johnathan having fun.

 Tavis, Carter and Jade

Cute Blake with his balls.

Nu Skin Company party - Forgotten Carols -Dec. 10, 2012- I have never attended a Nu Skin Company party that invited the whole family to attend.  This year was so fun to be able to include our children.  We also were able to get extra tickets and invited Dad and Mom Beck to come with us.  They had never seen "The Forgotten Carols" so it was extra cool taking them.  As we entered, each person was given a box of food that we were able to eat while sitting down in our chairs.  The kids thought this was extra cool.  Then "The Forgotten Carols" was amazing!  Michael McClain did a fantastic job!  I was so impressed.  Byron and I saw it around 10 years ago, but it was so awesome to see again.  The kids all loved it.  The musical was phenomenal! 

 Johnathan, Parker, Bradley, Camille, Carter and Tanner

Christmas Band Concert - Tanner and Johnathan had their Christmas Concert on Dec. 11.  It was fun to see Johnathan in his first band concert.  They actually did a great job for being a beginning band.  I had a hard time getting a good picture of Johnathan while playing since he was in the middle of the crowd towards the back.  Tanner was on the end so he was really easy to see.  His band did a wonderful job also.  It is amazing what a year can do for these kids. 

 Johnathan walking in - 2nd from left.

 Tanner with Austin Hinckley

What great boys I have!!!  They are such great friends and really get a long so well - They are lucky to have each other.