TaVaCi Concert-- "Snow Biz"--

Kenzie(girl on the right)wearing her "Jazzy sunglasses" singing Santa Claus is coming to Town"
Sammy sporting hers as well!
Kenzie---Love this picture!

Karissa, in her specialty number singing "NO-L, NO-L"

Cameron, telling jokes! So Funny!

Diann, Karissa, Me, Sam, Kenz, and Whit---the women of TaVaCi . . .

Festive-in Red and Green --the High Heels were a terrible idea, they are only 1/2 hour shoes, after that I seriously start questioning why I am still walking?

Me, Sam and Kenz before the Concert!

Sisters!--Big Hair, Big Make-up--Did I grow-up in the 80's or what?

Love Ya Sis!

For those of you who don't know. . . TaVaCi is a children's performing arts group. We do singing and choreography along with a little drama and speaking parts. I teach the little kids classes ages 3-7 and Diann teaches the older kids up to age 13. For those of you who know me, I know you are thinking, Christina teaching singing? But yes, I can carry a tune (if the bucket is big enough) but what I lack in serious music ability I make up for in enthusiasm, dancing ability, and of course DRAMA. Plus small children love you no matter how well you can (or can't) sing. I enjoy TaVaCi as a fun creative outlet. I honestly love to sing. This is a great way for me to do so and give all the credit and stage time to the darling children who deserve it! This year our concert was at the Madison High School Auditorium (can we say it seriously needs a face lift, when did it get so trashed? I guess, it has been 10 years since I was in there, but still . . . .) We really liked having it there. All the parents could see better and we didn't have to do many decorations, so that was nice! This was our best concert (my personal opinion). I felt that my kids were especially well prepared and that they sang with lots of personality and spunk! I heard lots of parents laughing when we were being funny, and lots of "Oh's and Ah's" and vigorous clapping! I was really proud of the kids! They did a fantastic job! I had fun seeing them up on stage! All in all a very rewarding experience.

Winter Sunrise

Sunrise out our kitchen window, that glowing building is the Rexburg Temple!
Same morning--of the Teton Mountains

We have had some really beautiful mornings lately and Scott is into taking pictures of them. The pictures don't really look as good as the real thing, but you get the idea. There have also been some really great sunsets too! We really love living here!

Toasted Whitney!

It is winter time and it is cold outside, so our house if often kind-of cold in the mornings and Whitney's favorite spot to lay is on the brick-bench in front of our fireplace. She will lay with her arms down to her sides (like a hotdog) and her cheek flat to the tiles. It looks so uncomfortable, but she loves it!

The Nutcracker

This was my first time using our camera as a video camera, and I wasn't sure what I was doing and I couldn't find the zoom, so it is very hard to actually see Samantha, but she is the little one in maroon, on the back row, on the right side. She is in the 2nd group to do their cartwheels and she lags behind the others (she hurt her tailbone right before she went on stage and it hurt to do her cartwheel). I was there by myself to watch her, tickets were 15 dollars and I didn't want to spend tons of money for everyone to go, Sam was only on stage like 30 sec. Scott couldn't go because he had parent's night with the basketball team and it is his first year coaching and he needed to be there to meet all the parents. So we had to split up to cover all our bases! Normally, the wives of the coaches and their families all go to parent's night too, so they can meet everyone . . . but as you can see we had to split up!

Our Russian

Samantha performed in the Nutcracker with her Ballet Company this past week! She did an amazing job! She had a big smile on her face the whole time. She looks very joyful while she is dancing! She loves ballet!

Big Sister Sammy

I am so grateful for Samantha. She is a wonderful big sister to her little sisters. While I was trying to make dinner one night, she rounded up her little sisters and sat on the couch to read to them. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and how her simple act of reading to them helped me immensely. They made such a happy and darling trio that I just had to get a picture. I like to remember the tender moments when they are being really sweet to each other.

Thanksgiving

So we had a great Thanksgiving. My Mom had us all over to her house this year-including my Grandpa Butler (from Denver) and my Grandpa and Grandma Robison, also this year Becca brought home her soon-to-be fiance' Nic (of SLC). We loved having Becca and Nic here for Thanksgiving! We are still getting to know Nic, and we really like him a lot! And we really like Becca with him--she is so happy and so nice---Nic brings out some very good qualities in Becca. Nic was very sweet to all of our little girls (who, I think, all have a bit of a crush on him--they were acting very giddy, silly, shy, and giggly around him). Whitney, is the most crazy about him! Always climbing in his lap and demanding to be held---to which Nic was very accommodating . . . I am so excited for Becca to have Nic in her life. They make a great couple.

Thanksgiving . . . a time to slow down and be grateful for all that we have. And no, I haven't taken the tiniest bit of time to do that this year. I am grateful for so much in my life--my crazy, busy life--- nonetheless, I do have plenty to be grateful for. And I really don't take enough time to think about it all . . . so now is as good a time as any.

1. Scott, of course, he is the first on my list. :) Words do little to describe my feelings about Scott. He truly is my best friend. A team player. Wonderful provider. He makes me laugh. Hugs me when I cry. Still holds my hand when we're walking somewhere. Tells me I am beautiful, even when I can't see it. Loves me. I can see it in his eyes when he is looking at me. This journey through life and raising kids is better with him by my side.

2. Samantha, McKenzie, and Whitney---my little women. Teaching me how to be a Mother. Little reflections of me--some good, some bad-- They are innocent, tender, forgiving, teachable, full of love, full of joy, full of excitement. My greatest life's work. I am grateful everyday for the gift of them in my life.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ. Shaping me, helping me, guiding me, keeping me safe, bringing me peace and direction in my life.

4. A home of my own. I love having a house that is just our family's. A place to learn and love and grow together.

5. Living in here in this great community. So close to family --I love having my parents just next door, and Scott's parents are just down the road.

Gratitude keeps us happy. I actually feel calmer and more peaceful having taken the time to think about the great and wonderful things in my life. Hope you all had a "Happy Thanksgiving."