Christmas Activities 2015

This was a wonderful Christmas season.  Each day we read a story in the scriptures about Jesus Christ's life.  We attended the church Christmas dinner where Jacob was the narrator as the Nativity story was acted out.  I attended a Relief Society progressive dinner where I spoke and gave ideas on creating a Christ centered Christmas.  I spoke in church on the Sunday before Christmas about "The Gift of the Savior".  Brent, Jacob, and I went Christmas caroling and took treats to some friends that needed some Christmas cheer, a family with young children whose father had just passed away, and to some new neighbors.

On December 22, we had an early Christmas celebration with Rachelle, Scott, and Peter.  We had our traditional Christmas dinner of ham, potatoes, green beans, rolls, and Christmas cookies.  This year we also had fresh pineapple garnished with frozen raspberries that had been picked this summer at Rachelle's house.

 Peter finished eating before we did and had fun playing with his favorite toy at Grandma's house -- Legos!

 After dinner we exchanged gifts.  Peter was so excited about the Veggie Tales DVDs we gave him.  He and Rachelle borrow some of our DVDs and Peter was so happy that he had some of his own.  He kept saying, "Take to my home."

Jacob opened the gift from his sisters and Peter helped.

 Jacob loves the Snap Circuits they gave him.  He loved playing with those this summer when we visited the children's museum in Anchorage when Amy's family was here.

The next day he spent time playing with the Snap Circuits.

On Christmas Eve we drove to the temple and enjoyed looking at the Nativity display as we read about Jesus Christ's birth in Luke chapter 2.

Brent, Jacob, and I had a nice Christmas day.  We visited with our children and grandchildren on Face Time.  We enjoyed opening our gifts.  Jacob got a new sled and we hope it snows so he can use it before winter is over.

Jacob spent more time making things with the Snap Circuits

The day after Christmas, we went to Rachelle's house.  Peter showed us his favorite new toy--a yellow duck puppet.  (Peter loves anything that is yellow.)

Jacob did the Topo Sticky monologue for Peter using the Topo Sticky that Jacob had given to Peter.

On New Years Eve, Rachelle, Scott, and Peter came over for dinner and to play games.  They brought some new games that they got for Christmas and we had fun playing Dominion and Power Grid.

 Peter discovered the Weeple People and he and I had a very fun time playing together. 

 It is fun to see him enjoy a toy that all of my children loved.

New Year's Eve is the best time for fireworks in Alaska.  (It is not dark enough on the fourth of July.)  Peter and I enjoyed watching fireworks outside the bedroom window before he lay down to go to sleep.  Peter went to sleep while we continued to play games.  At midnight, we wished each other a Happy New Year and the Pessettos went home.

We look forward to a wonderful 2016!

Engineer

Jacob's engineering class had a contest.  The class was divided into teams and each team built a marble sorter.  The sorter had to sort out metal, wood, and plastic marbles.  This project involved creating a computer program that ran the sorter that they built.

Jacob's team won 2nd place.  Good job!

Bah Humbug

For "spirit week" at school, the students dressed up with a different theme each day.  One of the days, the students were to dress up as a Christmas character.

Jacob dressed up in this costume.

Unfortunately, most of the students didn't know who Jacob's character was.  But, the teachers recognized him as Ebenezer Scrooge.  Bah humbug.

Who is Who

Jacob loves watching the "Doctor Who" TV series.  For Jacob's birthday, he received Doctor Who themed gifts.  So, it was natural for him to dress up for Halloween as  "The Doctor". (He got extra credit at school for dressing up for Halloween.)

As part of his costume, he took his Doctor Who sonic screwdriver that Jacob's friend gave him on his birthday.

The funny thing is that one of Jacob's friends dressed up as "Jacob Fisher".  I didn't realize that Jacob had such a signature look.  It is true that he often dresses in khaki pants, sneakers, a colored tee shirt with a plaid flannel shirt over the tee shirt.  

Jacob's friend has the same hair and eye coloring and same slim build.  Both teachers and students knew exactly who the costume was depicting.  In fact, one student got the two of them confused.  

It was a day of "who is who?"

On Halloween night, Rachelle and Peter came over for dinner and to spend the evening with us.

(Scott is on the "North Slope" for a couple of weeks.)

Peter dressed as a fireman although he didn't go trick-or-treating because it was too cold outside.

Jacob dressed as The Doctor and gave out Halloween treats.  Jacob felt good that several of the trick-or-treaters knew that Jacob was The Doctor from "Doctor Who".

We enjoyed making Jack-o-Lantern pizzas for dinner and watching some TV shows.

Swim Meet -- Pep Band

The last swim meet of the season was also "Senior's Night" where the seniors on the team were honored.  Because this was a special swim meet, the pep band played for about 30 minutes before the meet.

This made it a little tricky for Jacob since he is in the band and on the swim team.  He arrived at the pool with his trombone.  He then went and swam laps to warm up.  With his swim-team sweatshirt and still wet hair, he joined the band and played until the meet started.

Jacob did a great job playing in the band and swimming with the team.  What a talented boy!

Happy Birthday, Jacob

Happy Birthday, Jacob!  It is hard to believe that my little boy is 15 years old.  

In the morning we attended church and Jacob said that all of his friends wished him a Happy Birthday.  In the afternoon, our backyard neighbors, who are also friends from church, invited Jacob over for lunch.  We are blessed to have such good friends who live so close by.  They gave him these fun "eyes" to wear.

In the evening, Rachelle, Scott, and Peter came over for dinner.  Jacob requested the menu of roasted chicken, potatoes and gravy, and a veggie platter.

After dinner Jacob opened gifts with Peter's help.

Peter had fun stacking the cans of Pringles that Jacob got.

I think Rachelle was excited for Jacob to open her gift.  It was actually a gag gift.

 She gave him HIS pen that she had broken when she ran over the pen with her car (accidentally) .  She then let him know that his real gift was coming in the mail and hadn't arrived yet. 

Peter disappeared for a few minutes and we discovered what he was busy with.  He took Jacob's granola bars and frisbee gifts to "set the table".  Peter used the disc (for frisbee golf) as a plate.  He was so sweet to do that all on his own.  What a good little helper.  

We finished the evening with Texas sheet cake.

Jacob got some great gifts perfectly suited to him.  He got a Doctor Who shirt that Jeanine made.  A friend at school gave him a Doctor Who sonic screwdriver.   Amy and her family gave Jacob a great Doctor Who birthday card (along with birthday money.)  Elise's family gave him some fun snacks, "sticky hands" (which he loves),  and a Target gift card.  Jacob also got flannel shirts, a AP test prep book,  frisbee golf dics, a neckerchief  from Poland to go with his Polish scout uniform, a big can of peanuts, a silver eagle pin, and birthday money.

We love this card that Amy sent.  It sums up what Jacob likes.

I asked Jacob what was the best part of his birthday and he said, "Everything."

Jacob has grown into such a great young man.  He is talented, smart, an outstanding student, a good friend, creative, a good problem solver, thoughtful, and kind.  We are blessed to have him in our family.

P.S.  A few days after his birthday, his real gift from Rachelle arrived.  She and Scott gave him a Doctor Who mug.

When you put hot liquid in the mug, the Tardis (the time traveling police box) shows up.

 It is perfect for this boy that loves hot chocolate and Doctor Who.