A new year and back to school

We had a great New Year's Eve by celebrating UofA's win over ASU in basketball.  Grandpa Matheson took us, the Stephensons, Lincoln, Michelle, Sadie & Monte to the game in Tucson.  Grandma Matheson was kind enough to have a princess party at her house for our girls which we greatly appreciated.  It was fun to actually watch the game.  We also had a great time driving there and back with the Stephensons. 

That same morning Alex took the honors of winning the 2 mile race at the ward fun run.  He claims that he won only because the really good runners did the 3-mile run but we don't believe that for a minute.  For winning first place he got to bring home the coveted ward white elephant trophy of a picture of our friend Chris Walker who is in the bishopric.  He has to surrender it at the next ward competition -- whenever that may be.

On New Year's Day we got to have Lincoln, Michelle, Sadie, Grandma & Grandpa Matheson and Monte and one of his roommates, Anthon over for dinner.    The kids took Sadie out to introduce her to the goats and feed them some orange peels.  She was a little leary at first but then decided they were OK.  Unfortunately, just as she started to warm up to the goats she saw the cow. . .

After dinner Lydia decided that we should have a dance competition.  She offered to be Aunt Michelle's choreographer to help her get up-to-speed with the masters.  I'm guessing that Aunt Michelle has not put in the dancing practice hours lately that Lydia and Eve have but she really held her own well.  After the performance Lydia asked each of us one by one who we voted for as the best dancer.  She told me, "You can only pick ONE Mom. And remember I'm your daughter!"  No pressure, eh?  To finish off the evening we tried out our new game from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kelsey -- Hedbanz.  It was a fun evening. 

The weather this past week has been wonderful -- warm and sunny -- and the kids had the whole week off school.  That meant lots of time for playing basketball, beyblades and riding bikes with friends.  We had a really great week.  The kids and I also got to spend part of a day at the Stephenson's house which was fun and delicious too since Aunt Anna always makes the best food. 

Ever since she played Mary in the Christmas play, Eve has decided that whereever there is a Mary, there must be a Joseph too.  The other day she started singing Mary Had A Little Lamb.  Then her second verse was Jofes (Joseph) had a little lamb . . .

Brad and Carter had their first game in their flag football league.  They both played really well.  Carter and I also got to go to a gem and mineral show with his cub scout group.  Brad, Carter and Lydia started back to school today.  The saying goes that all good things must come to an end and we are sad to see this one end.  It's been a fun couple of weeks.

Sadie spots the cow.

Eve, Lydia, Sadie, Carter, Camille.

Eve, Lydia & Sadie ready to dance.

Life from a child's perspective.  Eve tooks several pictures during the evening.  I always have to laugh after one of the little kids gets a hold of the camera.  There are fifty shots of places like the bathroom counters, lightswitches, doors, pictures, their bedroom and, of course, the vacuum closet.