Reggie, our elf on the shelf.

We finally got an elf on the shelf this year! Micah named him Reginald and we call him Reggie for short. He doesn't leave us any treats or surprises like I've heard some elves do, but he does hide or go to a different place every night. The kids had a fun time looking for Reggie every morning. Here are just a few of the places we found him.

On a date with Taylor.
Practicing the piano
Hidden in a drawer in the bathroom.
Playing football with one of the boys build a bears.
Atop our Christmas presents from Santa! He's back in storage now and we are looking forward to seeing him again next season.

We Believe

Merry Christmas!
No Christmas card this year. Things have been busy, like they always are I guess, so I'm going to make this my Christmas greeting.

Tyler is still with CalTrans, serving on the Greater Valley Credit Union Board of Directors, was released as 2nd counselor in the bishopric and then called as 1st counselor. He is no longer the one to issue a plea to those asked to give talks, so life is much more enjoyable for him now.
Micah is still taking piano (almost 4 years now) and just started violin lessons with my mom as his teacher, he was Student Body VP and was in his school's production of Cinderella as the Prime Minister. He still loves to draw and I find artwork all over the house. He also was asked to join the GATE program at school and enjoys that, chess club and trail partners.
Jacob is also still taking piano (about 2 years I think!). He saved up for many months and bought himself an ipod touch and has been loving that. Jacob is also in GATE this year with Micah. You can often find him with a thick book in his hand, just like his mom!
Ben, what can I say about Ben? He is a funny, cute, little boy. He still loves games of all sorts and loves to read, especially his scriptures, just like his dad! He is fearless and daring and often getting hurt (latest injury is a rope burn on his neck, look closely and you'll see it), so it's a good thing he's our toughest kid!
Peyton is my best buddy. She is a tom boy and a princess. She likes to play Barbies and Ninja Turtles a lot. She is always chattering and singing and enjoys private time in her room making messes that she always apologizes for. She is very grateful when I clean her room as she likes it to be clean but does not like to clean it! Her favorite thing to wear is a sleeper and I often let her wear one as her day outfit, I'm such a nice mom.
As for me? Not sure what to say about myself. I am happy, I still enjoy crafting and reading and have been working on keeping a schedule since I am horrible at balancing my life! I have washed my Van more in the last 6 months than I have the last 6 years! It's true. Every Friday you may find me in the driveway cleaning the Van inside and out. As for eating right and exercising, that took place for a year ending this past June, sorry if you missed it. You may catch it again starting this January, that's when I'll stop cleaning my van and probably my house too. I have been having fun with my activity day girls (ages 8-12) they are a rather large and very talkative group of girls and I love them!
I hope your year has been a good one! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We...Post#6

We waited at Mom and Dad's door for the countdown. Every Christmas morning the kids pile in our bed, read scriptures, say a prayer and then line up at the door. Peyton was still asleep. We countdown and then...
they run out while Mom takes pictures and Dad videotapes.

We do gifts one at a time so it doesn't go too quickly and we all get to see what each other gets. Santa brought each of the boys a stocking this year and a Harry Potter Lego set.

Micah was so excited to get the quidditch set that he literally jumped up and down.

Ben got The Burrow! It is pretty cool.

Peyton got colored bandaids and Dora bandaids in her stocking and she was very happy about that, she likes bandaids.

We also had a little meltdown about something I can't even remember.

We had breakfast burritos, another tradition for Christmas morning. So yummy.

Mmmmm. We even busted out the white flour tortillas.

Santa found Peyton a kitchen (which she still plays with EVERY day) for a VERY good price. She wanted to play with it immediately. We scaled down a lot this Christmas and I was afraid the kids would be disappointed. The things we did get were all great things though and the kids didn't even notice that there weren't very many. They said it was the best Christmas ever, so were doing it this way every year!

Dad got it together pretty quickly, he loves assembly.

Dad bought the boys fishing poles, he gets them something from him every year, we also got them rollerblades (they've been rollerblading often with Hannah and Tanner down the street).

We got Peyton a stroller for her twin babies, aren't they cute?

Nana and Papa bought each of the boys new sweaters and star wars ships and Peyton got a shopping cart (perfect to go with her kitchen and with her play food from Aunt Lindsay).

We felt very blessed this Christmas and enjoyed less stuff and more family time and Christmas centered activities. This is not my last WE post, but we're getting close!

We...Post#4

We...had another child start Cub Scouts and we decorated Sugar Cookie Cutouts!

Jacob is now a Cub Scout.

My Cub Scouts, Micah and Jacob.

Homemade sugar cookies are a yearly tradition here in the Laing house, a tradition that was started by my mom when I was a kid, maybe even earlier than that. Ben likes sprinkles, lots of sprinkles.

Peyton likes sprinkles too!

Just for the record

We'll start with Christmas Eve. The traditional reading of Luke 2 done by my mother in law
While the family plays the parts...Bryan and Helga as Mary and Joseph and Makyla as baby Jesus (each year this part is typically played by the most recent family to have a new baby)

Tyler, No room at the inn.

Micah, Sore afraid.

Wise men and their gifts

All the cousins that were there this year, my kids, Essien and Makyla.

I made all my nephews, my boys, and Ty matching jammie pants. When I bought the kids pattern I laughed that it had a dog shirt with it, and then I ended up making Diego one with the scraps. I thought the boys would like him matching, they did. Santa even brought him a treat in his stocking.

She woke up just in time, before the opening began.

My sister and Nephew spent the night with us so were there Christmas morning.

Jacob got just what he asked for from Santa, a MAN'S wallet.

Santa got Ben a Wally, remote control, like he wanted last year ($80), and was still very happy to get it this year ($35)!

Peyton had fun playing with some of the tools my mom got Ben, Santa brought her a pack in play for her dolls, but her favorite gift was the buggy my mom got her.

Peyton also got many Barbies, Barbie clothes, baby dolls and baby clothes that she loves. She is almost ready for bed here as soon as she reads her baby a story!

Christmas was wonderful this year and we were truely blessed and are really looking forward to another wonderful year!

My how they've grown!

I toyed with the idea of titling this how I did or using, "We all still Believe!" We all do. I was sure that this would be the year we lost Micah to the non believers, but alas, I think we will all always believe. It makes me sad to think of all the kids who've been old Santa is not real by other kids, or at times even their parents. I will never tell my kids that Santa is not real, ever. Santa is real, he makes Christmas more fun and magical and those who do not believe do not receive!

2009

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