Choir & Recorder Concert

Tyler is singing in the school choir this year. His 1st official concert was this past Tuesday, December 14th. He did a great job.Jacob is participating in the Recorder Club again...at least for now...

His concert was also this past Tuesday with the Choir.
The many faces of my boys...I actually took about 5 but didn't want to put all 5 on here.

December Pack Meeting

Tyler received his Wolf Badge at Pack Meeting yesterday.

To get his badge he had to "wolf" down a cupcake/whip cream treat without using his hands. He did a great job and really enjoyed it.

When the time was up, Tyler picked up his plate and smashed it into his face.

For the activity, the cub scouts made gingerbread houses while the siblings decorated cookies.

Once Joe arrived to Pack meeting, we continued with Jacob's awards. He earned his Webelos badge and Arrow of Light back in October, but we haven't been able to make it to Pack Meeting so we held if off until December.

For his Webelos Badge, Joe got to paint his face.

Great job Dad!

Then Jacob got his Arrow of Light.

This is the best family photo we have taken all season, minus the face paint. I'd use it for the Christmas card but Jacob wouldn't be happy, so we will just have to try again.

Congrats to Jacob and Tyler for you Cub Scout Achievements.

Yesterday was also Grandpa Hastings' Birthday. So we invited Grandma and Papa over for pizza before Pack Meeting, went to pack meeting and then treated them to ice cream at Dairy Queen after.

Happy 68th Birthday, Grandpa!

Aunt Jeany & Grandma Phyllis visit

In all the business with the play I failed to document the visit of Joe's sister Jeany and his Mom, Phyllis. They came into town on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Jeany stayed until Monday, Nov 30th and Phyllis stayed until Saturday, December 4th. We all went to the Mesa Temple lights on Saturday, November 27th. Here are a few pictures from that visit.

It was fun having Jeany and Phyllis visit. The boys enjoyed the nightly story time with Aunt Jeany and added attention from both our visitors.

Savior of the World: His Birth Production

This past weekend I was in our Hawes Ward production of Savior of the World: His Birth. We began working on this production in August. It was a lot of time and frustration, but it turned into a great play. My parents and Joe's mom, Phyllis attended the Friday night performance along with Joe and the boys. We then had a Saturday matinee at 3:30pm and then the final performance at 7:30pm on Saturday. Every performance was so different, and yet successful in its own way.

Tyler and Jacob took pictures during the performance. I've included a few of those here. We had a professional photographer take pictures, so I should have some of those in couple of weeks. We also had a performance video taped, and I'm hoping for a copy of that also.

Here are the grandparents waiting for the show to start. Papa, Grandma Hastings & Grandma Phyllis. Aaron, need I say more???
Joe and half of Tyler. I'm not sure who took this picture, but I'd assume Jared.

Jared

The Wedding Scene. I am wearing the blue shoulder wrap. I was one of Mary's cousins and an angel. Here is my cousin costume. My costume was very colorful.

Glory to God Angels, singing to the shepherd. To my right is Carrie Bennett. On my left is Michelle Jimenez and Cindy Spratling.

The final scene.

Momma Angel with my "angel" boys. They were so well behaved for the show. Grandma Phyllis and Dad treated them to sonic afterwards.

My parents.

Myself, Phyllis and Joe

Jacob's 1st Viola Concert

On December 2nd Jacob had his first Strings Concert. He is playing the viola this year. We invited my parents to tag along to see the concert. Bad planning by the strings and band teachers = too many people and no where to sit. We showed up 25 mins early and there were no seats. Tons of people standing around. Joe went and helped the custodian get out chairs and we snagged a few so we wouldn't have to stand the whole time. Needless to say, Jacob's 5th grade strings songs were great. I had to leave after his part to get to my play practice, so my parents took our other 3 boys home and Joe stayed for the rest of the concert with Jacob.

Grandma & Papa Hastings with Jacob back at our house.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was celebrated with my family at my sister Christine's house. Everyone was there. My parents along with my older brother, Galen and his wife Julia, along with Julia's sons Sheldon and Galen's four kids, Austin, Trevor, Dallin & Haleigh. Julia's parents also joined us for dinner. My younger brother Doyle, his wife Jody and their 2 kids, Allie & Ryan. Christine's family including husband Sean, kids: Garrett, Tatum & Dusty. And the youngest, Denise with her husband Cole and their kids, Addison, Lincoln & Linden. With my 6 the total came to 25. Christine's back yard was the perfect size.

Like every year I tried to take a few family pictures in preparation for Christmas. This was our "funny" shot. I think we could take 100 pictures and still not get great ones. So this will have to do for now. I'll see if one of the others makes the cut for our Christmas card. The kids enjoyed the trampoline, playground set and sand box before and after the meal.
Trying to make everything fit on around the buffet table.

Grandpa carving the roasted turkey.

Sean carving the smoked turkey.

Christine, Julia's Mom and Denise arranging and rearranging the table.

One of the kids' table.

It was a nice afternoon with family. The weather was cool but sunny.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mesa Veteran's Day Parade

It has become a tradition for our family to go to downtown Mesa for the Veteran's Day Parade. This year we picked up Grandma and Papa Hastings and took them with us to the parade. My sister Christine met up with us just before the parade started. She brought 2 of her kids, Tatum and Dusty. Sean had to work and Garrett was at a sleepover.

I took a few pictures of us waiting for the parade to start and then turned the camera over to Jacob and Tyler to take whatever pictures of the parade they wanted to take.

165!

That's how many pictures they took of the parade!

165!

and they killed the battery. But it kept them happy and they got some fun pictures.Aaron, the only picture dedicated child I have. Everyone else could care less that I was taking their picture!

My Mom, Sister Christine and nephew Dusty.I tried to get Dusty to smile, but he wasn't having it!

Aaron and Tatum

Jared

Tyler

When we went to pick up my dad and mom, my dad had old army hats for the boys to wear in honor of Veteran's Day. Tyler wore his the whole time. Aaron's was off and on.
Jared's didn't last out of the car. Jacob wore his for about 5 mins. The best was Aaron thought he got the keep the hat and was surprised when Grandpa asked for it back. Aaron was told he could wear it anytime he visits Grandpa.

Mesa Citizen's Academy Graduation Night

Tonight was graduation from the Mesa Citizen Police Academy. Joe and the boys came along to the ceremony. They had a few speakers and then a slide show presentation, which we all got a copy of. Then they presented us with a certificate and class photo. Then we ate cake, a favorite for the boys.

Jacob was in charge of the camera. He had to "test" to make sure it was working correctly.

Getting my certificate from the Assistant Chief Dvorak.

These are the girls I sat with each week.

On the left, Adrienne Hassan, and on the right Danielle Fallbeck.

It was a very nice ceremony. I thoroughly enjoyed the 12 weeks in the academy. It was a great experience and one I suggest to anyone interested in the workings of the Police Department.

It seems a little weird that it's over. It has become quite the habit to go every Wednesday night to class. I'm sure I'll find other ways to fill my time.