Irvine Park Santa Train

Every year it is a tradition to go with Grandma to see Santa Clause at the North Pole at Irvine Park. The kids get very excited, write a letter to him and bring it with them when we go. It is a big deal. Christmas would not be Christmas without seeing Santa Clause first. We take a little train ride through the park to the North Pole, and Santa is there waiting to meet us and read our wish list letters. This year was especially fun because we had Mary, Alex, and our new little cousin baby Alex to go with us. It was fun to watch his expressions as we rode on the train and he was checking out all of the lights. Santa did not disappoint this year and the kids had a wonderful visit.

Cameron's Turn to Shine

Unlike Chad, Cameron is NOT shy. Not in any sense of the word. Sometimes he pretends to be, but he is definitely not. He was extremely excited for his first time up on a stage and couldn't wait for everyone to watch him. His preschool has a little Christmas Program every year - Chad and Kylie performed in it when they were there. All of the 2, 3, and four year olds get up in front of all the parents and families and sing. It is so cute and so much fun to watch. I look forward to it every year. He knew every word and every little hand motion. He was very focused on the performance, until he started to check out a little girl on the row above him. Every now and then his little head would look up, and we lost him. It was actually really cute. Check out our not-so-shy little boy.

I will never forget the moment he walked down the aisle of the church and saw us sitting in our seats. His face lit up and he was so excited! This is the moment right after that.

Random picture of Cameron visiting Kylie's class party.

So cute - just had to throw it in here.

Wow...

My kids rarely surprise me....I pretty much know what they are thinking, what they are going to say, or how they are going to act in certain situations. Lately, though, Chad has really shocked me. He is normally very quiet and reserved when there is a lot of people around. He is a deep thinker and his mind is always moving - you can just see it on his face. Sometimes when you ask him a question it takes a sec for him to answer you. I used to get frustrated, until I realized just how he is. He is very smart, logical, and analytical. With this kind of personality comes a lot of timidness and shyness. He has not been a big performer and doesn't love a lot of attention. At the start of the school year, the kids had to "audition" to be in the All-Stars group at the school. They had to prepare a song to sing, and sing it to the teachers. At least that's what we thought until we got there. The kids were up on stage, alone, singing their song to everyone that was there. I kind of freaked out for a second and immediately talked quietly in Kylie's ear and asked her to go up on stage so that he would be okay to sing his song to audition. Okay, so I freaked out, but Chad didn't. That's where the wow comes in. He told me he didn't need Kylie and marched right up to that stage and sang Twinkle Twinke Little Star all on his own. No music, just his voice, in front of about 75 people. I was shocked!!! I was so proud!!! I wish I would have had my video camera. My little shy boy was branching out and changing! He was so proud of himself and I was sad to think I could have messed that up for him by having Kylie go up with him. Sometimes we learn from our kids. Then, in December his teacher asked him and two other kids in his first grade class to have a speaking part in their little performance for the school. They were singing a bunch of songs, and Chad's job was to introduce the segment of "oldies" Christmas songs. He came home with a long page to practice and many of the words were probably fifth grade level. He read it right to me the first time and then told me that he wanted to memorize it. I started to tell him he didn't have to and that he could just take the paper up there with him, as long as he was able to read it. There I go again, having little faith in my child when he says he can do something. Again, the day of the performance, he marched right over to the microphone and said his lines, perfectly, without the paper to help. What a stud! It doesn't end there, in February we had a sweetheart dance at school. His first grade teacher is a DJ on the side (how cool is that?) and he was the DJ at the dance. He obviously loves music and incorporates it in the classroom whenever he can. Often at the end of the day you will find them singing and busting out their best moves in the middle of a dance circle in the classroom. Chad LOVES to breakdance and is constantly head spinning and doing cool moves. Mr. D has really helped Chad to come out of his shell with their dance-offs in the classroom and Chad loves it. Anyway....at the dance Mr. D had the kids all get in a circle for a dance off. I started to freak out again a little, knowing that Chad might be asked to go. Would he really get up in front of these 200 people and show them his best moves? I wasn't so sure. Right when the music began, Mr. D. said, "Can I have Chad Ferguson get out there first please?" It was so cute, he knew Chad could start it off and gave him the opportunity to shine. I kind of cringed for a minute and then realized that Chad was already in the middle of the circle rocking out. It was so awesome! I was surprised again! I wish I would have gotten better pictures, but I was kind of freaking out a little. My little boy is growing up and has so many talents. I am so glad he is not afraid to share them.

Promenade All-Stars

Both Kylie and Chad perform with the Promenade All-Stars at their elementary school. It is basically an after school music, singing, dancing, and acting group and they perform a few times throughout the year. During the holidays, they performed at the school and at the Mission Inn Festival of Lights. We had a lot of fun watching all of the kids sing. They really enjoyed themselves. We love Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. Bain, and Mrs. Higgins for taking their time (voluntarily) to lead this group. I'm so thankful for my kids' school and awesome teachers.

Holiday Dance Performances

Kylie had the opportunity to be on the dance Performance Team again this year. During the holiday season they perform at least two times in outdoor areas for all of the shoppers/families to see. She just lights up when she is performing and I love to see her smile on stage. They performed at an outdoor shopping area in Riverside, and at the Mission Inn Festival of Lights. The studio also had their own scholarship Christmas show right before the holidays....we were busy, busy, busy. I don't ever want to forget the way she smiles when she is performing - it's not her everyday smile. Her entire face lights up. I love to watch her. I'm so glad she loves what she is doing.

These are the stage faces/smiles I was talking about.

She had a little solo at the start of one of the dances

and she did a great job....so cute!

Kylie and Samantha, her big sister at the dance studio.

Basketball Season

This was Chad's first time playing basketball and he LOVED it. I think he enjoyed basketball more than any other sport he has played so far. He was out practicing almost every day. We were really proud of all that he learned. He had an awesome team of LDS friends, and our bishop was the coach! He loves to shoot the ball and worked really hard all season. Check out some awesome pics....

Not afraid to block the bigger boys!

LOVE this face!

These three have been playing together since they were born...

Chad, Carter, and Jack

Another trophy for his collection!