surprise trip

We had some buddy passes from Beck that were expiring soon that we had planned to use as a family.  Then the reality of trying to fly a family of 6 standby, packing 4 car seats, strollers, for only a few days due to Josh's work schedule made it seem daunting, stressful and not what we needed right now.  I brainstormed this idea and Josh jumped at it. 

The ultimate father, son outing. 

A weekend trip to San Diego to visit family and go to Lego land. 

We kept the whole trip a surprise to Noah.  Josh casually comes up early from work and asks Noah if he wants to go on a little trip with him.  Noah cutely asked all the right questions.  When? tonight.(twinkly smile) Where to? California (huge, excited eyes) How? on an airplane (really dad!today! just you and me! on an airplane?)  Within minutes he threw his folder from his school backpack ran upstairs and filled his bag (5 shirts and pajamas) and was back downstairs ready to go. I'll have to have Josh insert some of the personal anecdotes from the trip but it was awesome.  No stress at all making the flights.  The next morning they played at the beach, watched surfers, ate, and then went for a drive.  Josh didn't tell Noah where to until they were seeing signs and rides.  It took a sec for Noah to put it all together and then magic and amazement struck again. Dads really can make magic for their kids.  Noah guided their day at the park, which they basically had to themselves.  Afterwards, they headed south for a sleepover with cousins.  Kris and Adam hosted and sounds like even more fun than Lego land...yummy food, Sound of Music, fun with cousins.  The fun continued with many more of the Scholder crew in the morning. What a great memory for them to share forever.  I was so giddy with all the joy they were having, it made me so happy.  (There may be another one in the works for me soon too, we'll see.) 

ben 2 months update

He may be taking on the nick name Big Ben with these stats.  At his 2 month checkup he wieghed in at 13lbs and 24in height.  That is nearly doubling his body wieght and growing 6 inches in 2months!  He gave us the sweetest Christmas present by smiling huge his first time on Christmas Eve.  He is super snuggly...nestles right in on my chest (one of the sweetest pleasures of life).  He loves to hold my hand when he nurses.  He tolorates the loves, pokes, tantrums of his siblings like only a forth child can.  I love, love, love him!

park in january

Our sleds are collecting dust but we are making the most of this mild winter.

benjamin's blessing

Benjamin and Jesse (cousins just 10 days apart)

Sunday the eightenth of December our little Benjamin was given a name and blessing from his daddy.  He was able to have both Grandpa's in the circle, which was an extra special blessing.  Both Josh and I have liked the name Benjamin for various reasons.  King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon is a favorite of mine.  I love his teachings of the be attitudes...be humble, meek, patient, kind etc.  I also love the kind of leader he was...steadfast, loving, and hard working.  All great qualities to share a name with.  August came from my paternal grandfather.  He too was a wonderful man.  He took great responsibility as a patriarch of our family.  He blessed our life and the community with his music.  With the sweet coos Ben has I think he is already on his way to be a great musician :).  We coordinated the blessing to be when lots of family was in town.  It was great to share his special day with so many good friends and family.

Stika Family of Six: Rowan Ben Clara Noah

Grandma and Grandpa Sanders

Grandma and Grandpa Stika

Four of the six siblings: Lissy, Laura, Rebecca, and Adam

attention

One weekend in December Grammy Pat had some of the grandkids for a sleepover and Christmas festivities.  They came home with these amazing creations.  Noah's was ofcourse a train with a volcano and Clara's the darling house.  Having enjoyed Grammy's gingerbread it took all my will power not to indulge.  They actually made it through to Christmas.   How she was able to do these and two others with the four kids I will never know...super grandma powers!

It's so funny what a breeze it was just having Rowan and Ben.  When  I just had two it never super easy.  I guess it's all relative.  Rowan absolutely loved the extra attention.  We tried to make it a special day for her.  We went to Kneaders for breakfast.

clara's preschool program

Rowan loves any occation to wear a dress.

She took the performance very serious and did wonderfully!

The proud brother that sang along from the audience.

I kinda love that Newcastle (Clara's Preschool) does a Christmas program.  In my years of teaching in California the closest we got to Christmas was Winter Soltice.  It included elf hats, angel halos... bring on the red and green! Clara sang, clanged her heart out.  We got to enjoy "One little light on the Christmas tree"  probably a hundred times this season.  Noah learned O Tannabaum for his sing along and shared it equally as much. 

lights of the season

Temple Square

Saturday after Thanksgiving we bundled the kiddos and with hot cocoa in tow headed downtown to kick of the Christmas Season.   The kids loved the refuge in the basement of the visitor's center (Rowan was especially wild, she freaks me out in a crowd...fast and cute a dangerous combo).  We rode trax, saw good friends from California (Corene, Rick, Athen, and Crew)  and toured the Grand America window display with them.  It was the highlight of the night to unexpectedly run into and catch up with good friends (even with the mayhem of my munchkins).

Zoolights
I bought a groupon to Zoolights. In the fine print I found out it was only good for a few days in early December.  Of course those were the coldest days of the season.  So yes, with a balmy 19 degrees not including wind chill I took my 6 wk old, and the rest of the crew to enjoy the magic of Christmas with the animals.  Well, 90% of the animals were no where to be found due to the extreme temperatures.  We sought shelter in the reptile house were we got warm and saw a few creature friends.  It actually was fun.  Josh threw down for a carousel ride which was the highlight of the night for the kids.  Amazingly everyone survived without getting sick but I don't know if it will make the cut to be a tradition.

Santa and Lights at Thanksgiving Point

We went with our good friends the Wests to see Santa at Thanksgiving Point.  The line took over an hour.  The kids were in good spirits the majority of the time.  However, when it came to picture time, this is what we ended up with...

waiting with hailey...before the tears

I think the only thing that tops it is that Josh thought it was so funny he sent it out to 600 past clients and I'm not even kidding.  I only found out because I was at Lissy's when she recieved one, love you dear,  next time that might be one to run by me ;).