Cousins, Gingerbread Houses, and Julia's early 3rd Birthday Party

We had our annual Cardon Cousin Gingerbread making and decided to add a little party for Julia the same night. We had dinner to start off the night tacos, burritos, and fruit salad. Then the kids enjoyed being creative with their gingerbread(graham cracker houses. Julia loved adding as much candy as she could. Dean started taking bites from his roof when he was finished. It was fun having at night Brian could come and help. After Julia opened a couple of gifts and then we sang to her and she blew out the candles. She picked the caked with the gingerbread men on it. I did not get the best picture of her blowing the candles out but she did it all by herself. She was being quite shy being the center of attention.

Dean's Preschool Christmas Party

Julia and I went with Dean to his Preschool Party. His class sang a few songs and we got to see some of the work the kids have been doing. They also had Santa come. Dean was very cute and when he was called up to sit on Santa's lap he invited Julia to come with him. She had the funniest look the whole time she was sitting on his lap. It did not change until she was off. The kids got to decorate cookies and eat treats.

Julia's Dance Class

Julia participated in her first dance class through the Parks and Recreation. It was a class for 2 1/2-3 year olds that involved tap, ballet, and a little tumbling. She loved going and they had a short little performance on the last day. It was so cute to watch. She loved putting on her dance clothes each Wednesday for dance.

Dean's Sports Class

Dean took another sports class through the Parks and Recreation. The last day of class his instructor, Coach Dempster invited all the parents to watch. Dean loved having us there and watch him warm-up, stretch, do drills for soccer and basketball, and a relay race at the end. 

Decorating the Christmas Tree

This will be our first Christmas in our home so it was fun decorating the tree and putting out decorations. Our space is different so we had to decorate a little differently. The first picture is taken from our banister. I am excited for Christmas day and the view the kids will get when we celebrate Christmas. They all enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree. Deborah was having so much fun. We tried to get a picture of all of us around the finished product but not a lot of cooperation on the kids part.

Ward Christmas Party

Dean participated in the Primary Christmas Nativity Story at the ward party. It was a play that lasted a little longer than expected since but it was great. He was a Nephite and he did a great job staying in place during the long production. The party was at 8 am and we enjoyed a pancake breakfast after the play. Then we had a visit from Santa. Julia was not wanting to sit on his lap but after watching a lot of kids go and a little coaxing she finally did it and did not even cry. Deborah did great and it did not even phase her.

Deborah's 15 month STATs

All is well and normal. The doctor did comment that she was the 4th 15 month well check that day and she was the easiest by far. She did not experience any stranger anxiety like most kids do at her age. She does go to new people very easily unless she is tired. She continues to be our smallest kid, even though she is not small.
Wt: 23 lbs 14 oz  70th percentile
Ht: 311/4 inches   80th percentile