Saratoga Springs Community Orchestra

Marcus and I have been playing with the Saratoga Springs Community Orchestra.  They meet every other week and have two concerts a year.  Fits well into our crazy, busy schedules.  Rehearsals are in the court room at the city offices building, which is kind of fun.  The group has only been around a couple years and has grown a lot.  It's been great playing in an orchestra together (and going out for ice cream cones after rehearsal).

Marcus' drum corner

We had a Christmas concert, which turned out a lot better than I was expecting.  And Marcus invited pretty much everyone we knew, and so if you're reading this and live in Utah, you were probably there :)

Santa even came and helped play the sleigh bells

Our action shot

Chase told me he really liked the concert!  Because Santa was there and we played Polar Express :)

Gingerbread House

Last year, we tried to make a gingerbread house, and it didn't go too well.  This year, there were no plans to try that again.  But then Costco sold a kit (with a pre-made house!), and Chase begged.  This was definitely much better than last year :)  Chase really got into it.  And so did Marcus.

Tasting the frosting. Delicious.

BYU Faculty Christmas Party

Marcus was invited to the BYU Faculty and Staff Christmas party.  There were lots of activities for kids (with crazy long lines), Santa, and treats.

Like I've mentioned, Chase loves Christmas.  He's a bit obsessed.  And he loves him some Santa.  When I told him we were going to BYU to meet Santa, he couldn't hold in his excitement.  

Waiting (almost) patiently

SANTA!

Chase also enjoyed the doughnut treats

And he was impressed with the bookstore

Afterwards, we stopped by Trevor and Logan's apartment to say hi.  Chase also got a roping lesson.

Cookie Cutters

Based on the past pictures alone, I'm sure you're aware Chase does not like getting his hair cut.  Well, I thought there is a cool kids haircutting shop not far away.  I bet that would make it fun.  Ha.  Bad assumption.

Things started off great...  For both boys...

Chase was curious about the rest of the shop

He loved the airplane chair

And then the pictures stop.  We ended up with 1 2/3 hair cuts, a broken buzzer, two boys in tears, a traumatized mother, and thankfully a calm and patient hair stylist.  No bueno.

Thanksgiving

I really think this was the fastest year ever!  Between the cross country move and vacations/holidays, it feels like we skipped over a few months.  "All good things, all good things."

  

Chase invented our "Thanksgiving Smile" breakfast.  Not bad :)

doughnut eyes and a banana smile

For Thanksgiving dinner, I brought one of Connie's chocolate pies.  They are so good.  They're pretty easy to make if you don't mind mixing forrrrevvvverrrrr!  Lucky for me, I had a little guy desperate to help :)  And he did a great job.  Pie success.

Dinner was at Gram and Pop's house.  I don't have pictures from the day - but a family picture we took is on our Christmas card :)

I had never been Black Friday shopping, and I really wanted to go.  Seemed like fun.  Marcus didn't think I would get up that early.  He bet me $100 I wouldn't be at a store by 6:00 AM...

I won!

In line at Home Depot

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Tree

Chase is the biggest fan of Christmas ever.  Seriously.  We've had a chain up to count down the days for probably a month already.  So when it was finally time to put up the tree, he was super excited.  

although you can't feel that excitement from this picture

Chase insisted on putting the star on the top

But the new star was a little too heavy for our old tree, so we had to pull out our old one.  (We'll get a new tree after Christmas this year so the star will work :) )

Scheels

For an early Christmas present, the boys were getting some great snow boots.  I decided to take them to Scheels to try on boots a little early and then let Chase ride the ferris wheel.  Gram and Pops met us there because they wanted to get out some work out clothes.

Chase and Pops getting on the ferris wheel

I was nervous Chase would hate it because he didn't like most rides at Disneyland

Luckily this was a win!

And now, every time we pass it on the freeway, Chase points out Scheels and the ferris wheel!