Picture Post

My kids doing their favorite outing, "gas station drinks" and looking at toys at Target.

Kate's Christmas dress I made her this year.

Some pictures in front of our Christmas tree

Visit to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa!  We also saw Frozen this day too.  We all loved it!

Last Saturday our neighborhood had a Christmas event.  There were train rides and a carnival swing.

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving with the Welkers at it was held at Paul and Teresa's house.



Kate said it was a castle when we pulled up to it.

They had a bouncy house and a badmiton net set up, but I just couldn't keep my kids away from the pool.  The day before was actually really cold so I didn't think to bring their swimsuits with me that day.  Sorry kids.  That didn't stop them from getting soaked though.  

Thanksgiving food was delicious and I had my more than my share of desserts! After we were all stuffed it was time for our traditional white elephant gift exchange.  We included the kids this year as well, but played it mildly because we didn't want anyone upset that someone took their gift.  Basically they just chose a wrapped gift each and got what was inside.  Kate got a really cute necklace and Max got a remote control car!

White elephant wasn't without its usual and hilarious gag gifts. Some of the favorites were these hats. Dustin ended up with a Duck Dynasty beard and Phil bobblehead, and I got a cute homemade Christmas sign from Sherice.

We eventually left around 4 because Max was so cranky and tired.  Dustin and I tried to do black friday at Walmart that night but left after about 10 minutes.  The Walmarts out here are the worst.  Not organized at all!  So we just went home and spent a quiet night together.  Later that night I met up with the rest of the girls at midnight and got almost all my Christmas shopping done at the Disney store.  It was hardly crazy at all!  I will go again for sure.  

It was a great Thanksgiving!

Kate's Christmas Concert

On Tuesday night Kate had her Christmas concert with the San Tan Singers.  Sadly, this is also her last as her teachers have gotten too busy with work and school to continue teaching.  This has been a good and fun experience for her and I hope she continues to love singing as much as she does.

Top right- Kate and Libby, bottom left- Kate and Callie

And of course, I videoed the songs Kate was in.  First is the younger class singing Stars Were Gleaming, then it's Kate Libby and Kinsey singing Christmas Bells, then it's two songs with all the singers, O Come All Ye Faithful and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.   It's worth watching the whole thing.  If you listen closely you'll also hear Dustin saying that his back went out.

Christmas Concert from Erin Watson on Vimeo.

Aside from her sillyness in O Come All Ye Faithful, she did awesome.  I'm really impressed with her ability to memorize all her songs.  I love you Kate!

Dance Recital

First off, I want to apologize for neglecting this blog.  I've been so busy with photography that my personal stuff has taken a back seat for now.  I've finally shot my last session so I'll be back in the swing of things soon.  I have posts to catch up on, but for now I need to post about Kate's dance recital becuase I know there are Grandma's waiting to see this video.

The girls had to be at the recital an hour before the rest of us so Beth picked up Kate to take her over there.  I got these pictures of the girls before they left.  They looked so adorable!  Don't worry, Kate did not dance in those flip flops :)

Here is the video of the dance!  They both did so good.  Kate is the 2nd from the right, and Jaylee is the 2nd from the left.

  Santa Baby from Erin Watson on Vimeo.

Daddy brought her a "bouquet" of red vines when we picked her up backstage.  This is her and her cute instructor "Miss Stevie".

Kate loves dance and can't wait to go each week.  I'm glad that she likes it and that it's been such a good experience for her. 

First Primary Program

This little girl had her very first Primary Program on Sunday!  She did so good.  She wasn't nervous at all to say her part and she said it nice and loud.  She actually had it memorized, but still had someone help her when she was actually up there.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God"  Romans 8:16

I'm her Primary teacher so I sat up in the front of the stands with her and the rest of the class.  As soon as she said her part I started crying (ugh, pregnancy hormones!) and I think I cried throughout the entire program.  I even had to say the prayer at the end of the meeting, and I doubt anyone could even make out what I was saying because I was crying.  So embarrassing!

She knew all her songs and sang nice and loud.  She knew all the sign language to "I am a Child of God", one of the few Sunbeams who did!  Of course it helps to have your mom know the sign language too and practice it with you.  haha.

It was a beautiful program.  I felt the spirit so strongly.  I know I complain about being in Primary sometimes, I've been in this calling in every single ward I've lived in, but I do love it.  I love being with these sweet kids every Sunday, and it's especially fun to have my daughter in my class.

4 year old and 2 year old pictures

I've been meaning to take these forever, but hadn't gotten around to it until a couple weeks ago.  So I guess the kids are technically 4 1/2 and 2 and 3 months old in these pictures.  I took them to a wash out by my house and I just LOVE these pictures.  So...here are just a million pictures of my cute kids.  I also did an interview with them which I will post at the bottom.

And here is the interview video.  I'm sorry that I am so much louder than the kids!  It was just with my phone and I think that's why. 
Kid interviews from Erin Watson on Vimeo.

Halloween Festivites

Halloween for us this year started with our ward party on the 25th.  The Primary presidency did an awesome job putting on a Fall Festival for everyone.  There was chili, hot dogs, carnival games, hay rides, and a little bit of trick or treating.  It was so much fun!  It was also our yearly neighborhood Halloween block party too, so we made sure to head over there for a little bit first.

Max was so fascinated by all the kids in their costumes!  Especially, those also dressed as Mario characters, and especially the boys dressed as Luigi.  It was like meeting a character at Disneyland for him.  He was so excited to meet Luigi!  haha.

The following night, that Saturday, we went to a neighbors Halloween party.  No pictures of that event, but if you ask Kate about the Haunted House she will tell you all about it!

Then on the Wednesday before Halloween, we had our preschool Halloween party.  Kate has been planning this for months!  Of course, we couldn't do everything she had planned, but I think she liked how it ended up.

Also that day for dance class, the kids were allowed to wear costumes, and they did a Halloween dance for everyone! 

Then on Halloween we traveled up to the mountains.  My sister decided to surprise everyone by getting married on Halloween.  She had only gotten engaged two weeks prior.  So we drove up, went to the wedding (post to come) and then got changed into our Halloween costumes.

We went trick or treating in Pinetop with cousin Emma.  Her brother Layton was actually so sick that night, that they ended up taking him to the hospital.  I'm glad we were there and she was able to have a fun Halloween with us.  

 

We only really went down one street before the kids were done. Kate said, "I think we have plenty of candy now, let's go home I'm cold and tired."  haha.  My valley kids don't handle the cold well!
You can't see it too well, but the lower right picture is a picture of a huge Jack Skellington that somebody had carved.  About 6 feet tall.  It was awesome and my kids were so excited about it.  If I haven't mentioned it already, they LOVE that movie.  Kate knows all the songs.

We had an awesome Halloween!  I think that other than Christmas, this is my kids' favorite holiday.  They just love it and it was fun to spend it with family this year.