Learning to teach again...

Now that Colton has turned one, I have gained some new responsibilities.  I get to teach piano to about 12 students.  They are amazing.  Everyone practices and is musical.  I had better improve my skills on the piano

if I'm going to teach them anything more than what I already know.

 Fridays I substitute teach.  My first week I had the music class at the junior high, my second week I had a bilingual 3rd grade, and last week I got assigned to Anna and Ella's school. I must still be cool enough to be seen with, because they came by to visit me at lunch.  Or maybe they were just checking to see if I was still alive.  I feel worried that I'm too strict or not strict enough, and that everyone is watching me get my bearings again.  I hope I gain my confidence back. 
Ella's friends coming by.
 And now Anna's friends.

Another chance to teach again..I just got called as Ella's primary teacher.  (Ella didn't make it for this picture!)  Aren't they the cutest kids?  I am so lucky.  Ella was sure to let me know that I was way too strict.  Even with that critique, I was so happy to feel the strong spirit from all the children in primary.  I love primary.

Yeah, and with Colton turning 1, I've even left the couch to meet for breakfast to celebrate new babies.  

I haven't done that since I was the one having a baby, a year ago!  As much as I love being home with a baby and a toddler, it's great to touch base and commiserate, especially with such fun girls.

Teaching....

 I

Colton's Week in Review

Celebrating his first birthday!  Thanks for the great gifts and cupcakes Grandma Dee and Grandpa Craig!

I remember when he was just born and the girls couldn't help themselves from kissing him...

Not much has changed!

We had the cousins up for dinner and cake a few days after his birthday.  He couldn't believe that everyone was there for him!  We love you Baby Colton!  You are our last little one to hold and watch grow up and we are so thrilled that we get to do it one last time with you!  Happy Birthday to our Big One Year Old!  Thanks for all the well-wishes family!  We can't believe that we no longer have a baby under one in our family.  We are all growing up so fast.  But thank goodness it gets more and more fun as the kids learn and are able to do more and become people in their own skins.  We're grateful we get to watch you grow up Colton!!!  We love you so much!

Night shots from Christmas Vacation

Christmas Wrap-Up

This was our tree by Christmas, half blue and half white lights because who knows how we burned them out, but we still loved this beautiful fake Christmas tree that Grandma Dee and Aunt Liz decorated and brought to our home 8 years ago, when Ella was born.

Every year we pull it out of the box that is falling apart because of all the games they play in it.  They showed Colton how to make his mark and try to sign his name and write a message like they do each year.

Ella had her last dance performance in the K-2 program at her school.  She was great!  Grandma Nan and Aunt Tauna and all the kids came to watch her dance and sing and do a special sign language number to the Mary Poppins songs. 

I am the room mother for Ella's class.  We made gingerbread houses on the last day of school.

How do you rotate pictures on here?  We got to stay at the Inn at the Opera in SF, at my generous parents' time share.  It is right outside City Hall, the Opera House, Symphony Hall, the San Francisco ballet and it is a very classy place.  

Dinner at Max's Opera Cafe, where the waiters stop and sing songs from muscials or operas.

yeah, we all adore reading books at book stores, but the workers weren't that crazy about seeing us park it.

City Hall at night on the walk home

The view from the top window in Macy's at Union Square.

Ice-skating

Whoa, a little break to watch the pep rally for the University of Illinois and UCLA.

This was a bonus for paying for our skating tickets and meeting the UCLA mascot.  Colton is thrilled.

Back to skating!

Love that beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of Union Square.  We ate in the food court at Macy's and walked all the shops.

Now, pictures from Santa Claus' visit!  Everyone was excited and happy with what they were brought!

Here is our one picture of our New Years' Party!  Olivia watching a princess movie with her Church friends.

The girls begged me to buy them an Elf on the Shelf.  I was not sure about it, but it paid off when I checked Anna's camera for pictures to use on here, and saw how excited they were about finding him in a different spot and even taking pictures of him.

The elf can only move spots if the kids have been good, so I guess it was a very, very good year!  Thanks to amazing grandparents, Santa was awesome this year as well.  Thank you Santa.  We appreciate you coming through as you do every year for us and the kids.  Happy New Year!