The Christmas of the Matching Jammies!

For me the best part of Christmas this year was our matching Christmas jammies!!! I have a weakness for over the top cuteness. Poor Chris has suffered through a lot of teasing for indulging me in my matching jammies wish. There has been much speculation on exactly how I got Chris to wear these PJ's. Here is the inside scoop on how it all came about! I started my search for jammies at Target where I quickly found these PJ's in all the departments except the mens department. I thought the design was pretty unisex and briefly toyed with the idea of buying Chris a pair from the women's department. Then I came to my senses and decided he would never go for it. I was still pretty excited to have all the kids and I match! I came home bursting to share my find with Chris. After I showed him my mini Christmas miracle he asked where his were. I told him I hadn't got him any because I did not think he would wear them. He then volunteered to wear a pair! He claims that if I had brought him home a pair he would not have worn them. But since I played it so well he felt like a heel for ruining my Christmas fun. Though I think he secretly felt a little left out and wanted to match the rest of the family. Those are women's XXL pajamas he is wearing. What a good sport!

Sleepy little Landon. Santa had Landon's Little People Wheelies Stand 'n Play Ramp Way all set up and ready to go. Landon was so thrilled with it that he would not open anything else for a couple of hours.

Every year Chris complains because our kids don't wake up in the wee hours of the night demanding to open presents. They will sleep till their regular wake up time. Which I love! I would rather they get a full nights sleep and not be crabby halfway through the day. This year Ashlyn was pretty wound up for Christmas and he had hopes that she would be waking us up this year. Didn't happen. Chris and I were up till 1:30 and he was back up at 4:00 disturbing my rest. They finally woke up around 6:30. Chris is the biggest kid in our family in more ways than one!

Whitney got her Hippo PillowPet!!!

Landon was absolutely adorable for Christmas. On Christmas Eve he belly flopped onto this pillow I got for Chris and busted it open for him. How he knew it would be soft is still a mystery to me. It was almost like he knew what it was. (A pillow might seem like a kind of lame gift but this was a special cool zone pillow that is supposed to stay cool. Chris has problems sleeping and loves a cold pillow!)

Mr. Cheesy! I love it cause whenever I pull out the camera lately he starts saying cheese and giving me this big cheesy smile!

Gavin got this super cool RC helicopter.

First thing Landon grabbed his sword and starting beating Gavin about the head. The cats love wrapping paper and are always right in the thick of things on birthdays and Christmas.

Ashlyn had been dying to open this present from Grandpa and Grandma Tobler for about a week prior to Christmas. There were many small tears where I'm pretty sure she was trying to peak. This was the first gift she opened on Christmas morning and she was not disappointed.
Flynn does not like to wear his shirt. He likes to show his muscles.

Chris's favorite part of Christmas - putting the toys together! Actually there weren't too many that need assembling this year. Landon was his super helpful helper.

Whitney spent most of the morning just like this on her new cell phone.

Santa had his work cut out for him this year with Gavin. This game was one of the very few things he asked for.

Landon loved this one as much as I thought he would.

Ashlyn finally got some make up for Christmas. She said, "Now I won't have to use Heather's make up!"

Nativity Play

The Shepherd Girls, left to right: Maddison, Ashlyn and Ella Bella

(Ella Bella is a cute nickname for Ella. Ashlyn thinks it is the most beautiful name and always calls her that though.)

Ashlyn's preschool class did a nativity play on the 21st. It doesn't get much cuter than 3-5 year olds performing the nativity! Ashlyn was given the role of a Shepherd. She was not happy. Naturally she wanted to be Mary because a.) she loves babies and b.) she likes to be the center of attention. She kept complaining and saying she did not want to be a Shepherd she wanted to be Mary!!! The whole family was laughing over this because we all knew we were in trouble! Whitney and Gavin could not wait to go in anticipation of what Ashlyn might do. For awhile she was refusing to even be in the play. She did come around but kept talking to Maddison throughout the play. Ms. Dana kept having to shush her. At one point when they all came together she elbowed Mary/Sidney out of the way and possessively held the manager. All in all I was thankful she was not worse.

The Pianist

Wit at her piano recital. This one was posed after it was over because I didn't want to distract her with the flash on my camera.

Wit before her orchestra concert.

From the time Whitney was a baby people would occasionally comment on her long fingers and say she had pianist hands. My Mom really wanted Whitney to have her piano. At the time we were living in Alabama and my parents lived in Nevada so getting it to us was a bit problematic. Chris happened to mention it to someone and they told him the Army would pay to move it. Chris looked into it and found out it was true! Whitney promptly started taking lessons in January of 2007 right around her 8th birthday. She has been playing for almost 4 years now. Her first teacher was Georgette Robinson and she was a very talented teacher. When she was in the 4th grade she played keyboards for her school's 5th grade jazz band. Whitney has been blessed throughout her life to have the best teachers.

Once we moved to Tucson she started taking lessons from a lady in our ward, Sister Hancock. Sheryl has been teaching piano for over 20 years so when she told me Whitney was truly talented and needed a top notch teacher, I took her advice. Her newest teacher (Linda Johnson) recently asked me if there was a lot of musical ability in our family. I laughed in response. I had just always thought that her high IQ coupled with her strong work ethic and competitive spirit had allowed her to excel. I said something along these lines to her teacher. She informed me that Whitney is musically gifted. I have absolutely no knowledge or background in music so sometimes I think I really don't get how talented she is. Though I love having her fill our home with beautiful music!

She also accompanies her school's orchestra. Come to find out this is also pretty impressive. When I went to the music store to get the books she needed the employees were skeptical and then extremely impressed when they heard Whitney was accompanying her school's orchestra. At the concert her orchestra teacher, Mrs. Zurley, thanked Whitney for her help and said it was the first time she'd had a student fill that role.

At her piano recital the students were required to memorize their music. Whitney played "Winter Wonderland" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas". We arrived early so Whitney could do a run through on the church's piano. She made several mistakes and I started to get really nervous for her. I thought the teacher just challenged them to memorize the pieces so I said maybe she should use her music. Then Whitney told me memorization was required not optional. I was then even more nervous for her! Somehow I forgot that Whitney is her father's daughter and unlike myself does best under pressure. She got up there and knocked it out of the park with a flawless performance!!! I had never heard her play them better. I could tell by the look on her face that she was pleased with herself as well.

Her next performance will be this Sunday in our ward's sacrament meeting. Sister Hancock asked her if she would play a Christmas song. I requested her to play my favorite Christmas song, "O Holy Night".

Spelling Bee Dreams Go Up In Flames

Every year since Whitney was in the third grade she has won her class spelling bee. The school bee is between 3rd-6th graders so naturally the older kids have an edge on winning. Each year she has come closer to winning and I really thought this would be her year to win. Nope, she went out on campaign! I was not expecting her to miss that word after last year's campaigning campaign for student body treasurer. She has a tendency to talk too fast and I think that is what happened because she said C-A-M-P-I and she immediately knew she'd messed up. I like how the microphone is way too low. :)

After that she was able to sit back and cheer on her boyfriend Triston. He is the boy seated directly behind her (wearing the black tee and shorts) in the photo. I appreciated the fact that his eyes were always anywhere but on her behind when she was spelling. He ended up taking second place in the bee. It sounds like Whitney and Triston have a lot in common. They are both Mormon, both are oldest kids, both like to draw and they are both brainy. :)

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My birthday fell on a Sunday this year. As soon as we got home from church I was in my jammies just like I am every Sunday. Ashlyn picked out this cute Strawberry Shortcake cake for me. Chris said she spent a long time debating between whether or not the cake should say, "Happy Birthday Heather" or "Happy Birthday Mama". She finally decided on Heather. I ate most of this cake myself. I had a big slice everyday for 4 or 5 days. :) Just getting a head start on my holiday weight gain plan. I received beautiful aquamarine earrings and a matching necklace and was spoiled rotten all day long.

Starry Snow Night

There have been several events around town where they truck in snow for all the desert kids to play in. We went to one at the AFB called Starry Snow Night. They brought in 15 tons of snow. They used bales of hay to make two play areas. One for kids under 8 and one for kids over 8.

Ashlyn was so excited as she has never experienced snow before. She kept talking about how she was going to make snow angels. The above photo is her initial reaction. She said, "It's COLD"! There were a ton of kids and between the fact that it was melting and kids were tramping all over it quickly turned into a hard mound of snow. Ashlyn kept trying to eat the snow. Yuck!!! Landon did not want anything to do with the snow.

Notice the palm trees in the background? Snow and palm trees? They just don't belong together! Gavin misses playing in the snow so he was pumped! He did not appreciate the no throwing of snow rule. He got in trouble a couple of times for throwing it anyways. I felt bad for the lady that had to try and keep the kids from throwing it!

Landon's Stats

Landon had a well baby check up yesterday. Here are his current stats:

Weight: 27 lbs. 8 oz. 50-75%

Height: 35 inches 97%

Head: 52 cm off the charts

One of Landon's quirks is that he HATES to be touched by strangers. If he initiates contact that is fine, though it doesn't happen often. This quirk always makes doctors visits fun! The doctor commented on how strong he is. :) My arms are the strongest they have ever been thanks to him.

He recently learned a valuable lesson. Wait for the garage door to finish opening before charging full speed ahead. He clocked himself once and now runs out full blast, stops half way and watches the door until it is all the way open, before proceeding. Falling off the table must not be too bad for him cause he still gets on it daily despite repeated falls.

We also discovered a little miracle of a machine while we were in Vegas for Thanksgiving. My sister had a soothing sounds/white noise machine. We used it for him while he napped to block out the noise of the other kids. And it worked wonders!!! I immediately ran out a bought one for him. Best 20 dollars I have spent in some time! It has made nap time a breeze. Gavin loves it too. He has told me several times when he wakes up in the morning how well he slept. Now Whitney and Chris are both saying they need one.

Santa's Surprise Visit

Saturday Santa made a surprise visit to our ward's Christmas party. Here is Landon looking a little unsure about old Santa Claus.

And this is him when placed on Santa's lap. Chris and I are cruel parents because we find this reaction more funny than sad.

Ashlyn was delighted to visit with Santa. She got right down to business. She is rubbing her hands together in anticipation of all those gifts.

Chris is extra cruel because he forced Gavin and Whitney to sit on Santa's knee by telling them kids who don't visit with Santa do not get any presents for Christmas. Santa was on the short side so Gavin looks extra big on his knee.

Whitney was bright red with embarrassment and couldn't stop giggling.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

The little kids table. I think Ashlyn, Zoee, Rocky and Zaylee ate a whole loaf of bread dabbed in olive oil and herbs all by themselves.

This year's Thanksgiving was very special for me. I had not shared a Thanksgiving meal with my parents of siblings since 1995. We traveled to Las Vegas where my siblings shared their homes with all six of us Weavers. It was a bit of tight squeeze but totally worth it! I had never traveled over Thanksgiving weekend before. I now know for myself that it is indeed the busiest travel days of the year! Every time we stopped at a gas station to use the bathroom we had to wait in a long line. We were all excited to use the newly opened Hoover Dam Bypass but you can't even tell you are on a bridge or see anything. Gavin, in particular, was very disappointed. It did shave a good half hour off our trip though which was a major plus!

Chris was contending for the Best Husband of the Year while we were in Vegas. He thought to take this photo for me all by himself. Watched all 8 kids so the sisters could go out to lunch. And did a large portion of the cooking.

Me with Zoee and Ashlyn at the park.

All the cousins. Heidi, Chris and I took all 8 kiddos to see Tangled. It was a cute movie!

Hollee and Chris putting their culinary skills to work. Hollee makes the best pie crusts and baked up 12 pies!

Chris had the great idea to let the kids decorate our plastic tablecloths. They love doing it too!

The cousins did a early Christmas gift exchange. Rocky got this Hot Wheels toy and Landon wanted it! I think Santa will be bringing him one of his own come Christmas. :)

Landon was working on another ear infection and all he ate/drank was some of Chris's sludge (punch). All the kids were high on sugar after drinking many cupfuls.

Chris and Carlos showing off.

Ashlyn, Zaylee and Whitney working their top model poses.