Trevor the FIVE year old

Trevor's 5th birthday was a big event at our house.  Bigger than Christmas....well, the countdown to it at least.  Starting about 3 weeks before his birthday, Brynlee would remind us how many days there were until T's big day.  The day finally arrived.  He turned FIVE!  When Trevor woke up, Landon said he wasn't five yet because he had to wait until the time he was actually born, but I assured him that, yes, he was born at 4:30 in the morning so he was officially 5.  Landon thought that was totally unfair since he had to wait until 3:11 in the afternoon (for some reason that fact has stuck with him).  Oh Landon.  If only life was fair.

The night of the 20th was a very busy evening and we ended up not having his cake that night since I got home from work pretty late.  Grandma Barton came over after work to give him his present....a fleece cheetah print blanket.  He loved it and was happy to have a blanket to keep him all warm and cozy.  The blankets he had on his bed were baby-sized ones that barely covered him.  Poor kid.  I don't know why I didn't ever get him a bigger one sooner!

Opening presents the night of his birthday...

The Nerf swords can be two separate swords or combined into a double sword.  The look on Landon's face pretty much explains his attitude the whole night as Trevor was opening his presents.  We called it birthday present envy, kinda like Woody had laser envy.

Ellie enjoyed his presents as much as Trevor did!  She kept taking them over to Grandma.

The next day we had cake and ice cream after the kids got home from school.  It was a half day so he just had to wait until after lunch for his cake.  He wanted a chocolate cake with white frosting and red "emma ems" (M&Ms).  Because red is his favorite color.  And Angry Birds.

I want the piece with the WHOLE five on it, mom.  You got it, birthday boy!

 

He loves to tell everyone he is five.  Of course now his favorite number is 5 and he wants five of everything.  The best thing is when he eats five carrots or five apple slices because who would want to eat 4 of them when you are 5.

Barton Christmas Parties

December 15th was the big day for the Barton family Christmas parties.  We headed down for the festivities, stopping first in Centerville for the extended Barton family party, complete with food, white elephant exchanges and decorating trees.

Brynlee didn't decorate a tree because she was given a challenge by her gymnastics coach to not eat artificial colors for the month of December.  That is also the reason why should looks so thrilled about her white elephant gift.  Pure artificial color in a package.

At least Trevor made up for her lack of excitement...

Then it was off to Chris and Cheryl's house for delicious appetizers and desserts.  Talk about yumminess!  We opened gifts from cousins, siblings and grandparents.  Grandma sure was busy sewing this year.  She made pillowcases for the grandkids, except for the girls who had dolls.  They got doll clothes that she sewed.  All so very cute!

This is the best picture I got of the cousins.  At least most are looking.  I think Jane was running from creepy Santa.  :)

Christmas Piano Recital

The girls played in their Christmas piano recital on December 10th.  Brynlee played Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.

Ashlee played Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker. 

Ashlee's Nutcracker Pictures

Shanda Call Photography took these pictures of Ashlee in her Soldier and Dew costumes from the Nutcracker.  So beautiful!  (and so grown up!)

 

Busy Saturday!

Saturday was a busy day. We started out in the morning with Brynlee and Rob going to her intrasquad at Altius while I took the rest of the kids to a Breakfast with Santa put on by the National Children's Study. 

 

Trevor kept telling me he wasn't going to sit on Santa's lap.  I told him that was fine and that he could just stand next to him so I was pretty surprised when he sat on his lap AND smiled!  Looks like he is finally warming up to the Jolly Old Elf!

 



 

 

Never too old to sit on Santa's lap...

Classic...

Brynlee has made huge improvements on bars since the Rock Springs meet.  She has her kip!!  Wahoo!


She was the only one to stick her landing on vault!


Still needs to get her cartwheel on beam...


Her back has been causing her problems lately.  She hurt it going down a slide one day.  Since then she says she hasn't been able to do her back walkover.  Hopefully once her back heals, she won't need a spot on her floor routine.


Then Rob and I went to the American Festival Chorus Christmas concert.  Rob's mom sings in the choir and it was, as usual, amazing!

We quickly ran out of the concert right at the end so we could go to Ashlee's Christmas ballet recital.  This will be the last year she will perform in this recital since there isn't a performance class after Level 6 (only technique, which she'll continue, plus Jr. Company classes and performances).  We forgot the video camera so Rob got this high quality video on his phone.  :)  She starts out in the middle and ends on the far right.

Chimneys

Me: How does Santa get into our house?

T: Through the chimney.

Me: What's a chimney?

T: I don't know. What is it?

Me: It's that thing on top of the house where the smoke comes out.

T: Oh yeah, is it connected to the fireplace?

Me: Yes. So how does Santa get in through there?

T: He goes into the chimney. What if the glass was in there and the fire was on?

Me: What do you think what would happen?

T: Santa would burn his bum.

Nutcracker 2012

Ashlee was SO excited to be in the Nutcracker this year.  She was a Soldier and Dew Drop.  Rehearsals every Saturday beginning in September and then LOOONG nights of rehearsal the week of Thanksgiving kept her busy but Ashlee loved it all!  There were four shows beginning the day after Thanksgiving (each night Friday, Saturday and Monday and a matinee on Saturday).

With her BBFs (best ballet friends!)

 

And the carpool moms! 

 

With their teacher, Karyn.

Her Activity Days leader spoiled her with a bouquet of 6 white roses!

All I can think of when I look at these pictures is....my little girl is growing up!  *Sigh*

Thanksgiving 2012

This year we went to Grandma and Grandpa Barton's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Cheryl and Chris and their family and Great Grandma Jones were also there.

Ellie enjoyed her "1st Thanksgiving" (well the first time she actually got to eat the Thanksgiving food!)...

Mmmm....rolls!



The kids' table...

The "Sarah and Trevor" table...

We enjoyed some after dinner entertainment. A little football on the TV and wrestling on the floor!

Of course it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt!  Hmmmm, Chinese checkers anyone?