Christmas morning

our little guy was the Christmas elf this morning. His job was to pass out presents.

Everyone was spoiled and got lots of wonderful gifts. J got 4 pairs of boots, and some BYU paraphernalia.

Sierra scored an ipod touch! She was thrilled. Also lots of stuff for going away to college. She is thinking about mechanical engineering! which was a present for me...it's good to have a plan :) and she's such a smart girl.

H was hoping for some custom converse and got them. She got a beautiful bracelet and some books and some hoodies.

Little Lu was the most spoiled. She got some fun books, little animals, magic sand, a fishing pole, grew her herd and a rescue pup!!

the boy got a new bike, a race track, some wii games, some science toys and a bionicle.

We had a nice breakfast together and are now playing with our new toys!! Merry Christmas!!!!

funny

we were laying in bed early this morning when we heard the rumble of the garbage truck coming down the street.
Big leaped out of bed and ran out to try and get the can to the curb; but he was too late. I heard a huge ruckus as he charged back up the stairs and grabbed slippers and jacket then ran back out the door. He grabbed the can and started dragging it down the road on an intercept course with the truck.

Another neighbor, in a similar predicament, grabbed his can and joined the early morning garbage parade.

They went down the road, made a turn, and finally caught up with the garbage men!

Mission success! two empty cans ready to hold lots of holiday debris tomorrow, two sheepishly smiling heroes headed back home to hop back in bed.

the problem with service

Merry Christmas Eve. What a sweet and tender time of year. It's a time when everyone seems a little more generous, and a little more thoughtful. There are food drives, and clothing drives, and gifts for neighbors and visits to nursing homes. Everyone pauses a little to look outside of themselves and to reach out to lift and help another. That's probably my favorite thing about this season.

However I have a problem. It's with the service I try to do. When I set out to serve I end up so blessed myself that I am not too sure who served whom.

For example a couple days ago I was asked to give a dear sister a ride to the doctor. I got up and drove to her home where I was greeted by the biggest, warmest hug. I then spent the next couple hours playing chauffeur but really I had the most delightful time. I laughed so much, and learned so much and just was so grateful for the time I got to spend. I even learned "the secret to a happy marriage"~ which I plan on putting into action. I was lifted up much more than I helped.

Example 2, this morning we went to clean the church. The kids weren't too excited but I figured what better way to start off the Saviours birthday than but getting His house clean? J had some friends spend the night, and they were up late :) so I had to DRAG them out of bed. They were cheerful and sweet once awake. Then we got to church and met with some more friends and cleaned and had a nice time. Many hands made light work. Matt brought donuts, and the kids played with friends, and H watched the babies and again it was more of a blessing to me than a service for someone else.

Example 3, we take goodies to someone. They reciprocate and theirs are tastier and so exciting to receive.

Example 4....I could go on and on.

It is such a joy to serve, I love it, but if I am so blessed where is the sacrifice?? Sort of a rhetorical question.

Note to self, and posterity: serve often, it makes you happy.

This day in 1805 the prophet Joseph Smith was born. A few weeks ago I was thinking that it's been a long time since I have thought a lot about him, or talked with the kids about him. I decided it would be fun to celebrate his birthday so I invited a few friends and asked them to come ready to share a story from his life.

We had four families over and started with a delicious spaghetti dinner. After dinner we gathered in our music room and sang some carols and "once there was a snowman", then had a prayer.

Our family shared about his childhood, told some stories, did a skit, had a stick pull.

The Rays shared about the martyrdom and the Watsons the restoration. It was a nice evening. I heard some stories I didn't know and we had a nice time together.

We played the bells, the kids ran around :), we had birthday cake and a hot chocolate bar.

Thanks for coming friends!

playing the pipes

Tonight we had some friends over, I asked Christina to bring her musical pipes and we had such a fun time playing them. I filmed the first song on Big's phone, and then joined in the playing. I should have waited because we got so much better!

monday before Christmas

first, my camera has finally died :( Very Very sad.

If it had not I would have posted a picture of Miss H this morning. She was the stay puff marshmallow girl in her winter garb. It's a chilly walk in the dark to the bus stop for her. She did have a big smile on her face and striped Christmas socks on though :)

I would have also taken a picture of the cute peppermint pinwheel cookies I brought to Michelle's yesterday for her cookie exchange. I had a great time visiting with everyone and eating some delicious foods!! My fav was Mindy's baked brie.

I might have taken the last photo of the kids by the water delivering goodies to Julie, or maybe little b running around with Toto, seriously the cutest dog, at Donna's. Last night was our take Christmas treats around night. The hardest hardest part is deciding to whom to deliver. We have so many sweet and awesome neighbors and good friends at church that I seriously could have made up 50 plates. Instead we did our neighbors right next door, and then I let the kids choose two other neighbors. They chose John's family and Julia/Webb's family. Then we did my VT route, and Big's HT route. With one last gift for the seminary teacher, because anyone who is willing to teach at 6:30 am every day deserves pumpkin bread!

We started our deliveries at 5:45. It was a bit of a rocky start with H crying and complaining for the first 45 minutes and a bunch of jostling for space and "he's touching me" and "someone farted!" followed by a chorus of "Ethan!!!" I have to admit I was gritting my teeth and almost willing to abandon the efforts and was growing weary of explaining the joy of giving. Then we stopped at the Everetts. Dear Noni wasn't home but Michael and Donna let us in and we had a lovely visit. She is so sweet and kind and the kids settled down, were charming and entertaining and happy. After that stop our car was full of Christmas carols and laughter. It was a real blessing for me. I guess the lesson is keep being nice until everyone is nice.

We got home from the last drop off around 9:20 and plopped into bed. I was pooped. I had gotten up at 5:30am to start baking and spent the day cooking, and visiting and cleaning up between times. It was a good day though :)

Christmas celebrations

E and some boys having a spontaneous showball fight in front of the church.


What a busy weekend! Friday night H was invited to birthday sleepover at a neighbors house. They made aprons and cookies and home made pizzas and a had a great time!

E, Lu, Big and I went to see Tangled. I loved it. So cute!

Saturday morning we had a soccer game. E's team won 9-0. And they were playing a U-12 team!

Then we had tithing settlement.

Then we had our ward social.

Our good friend David is in town so we invited him to come with us. It was fun to see him and to hear about how everyone was doing in TX. We had a dinner and a show.

H participated in a piano solo and also in this fun Bommy Knocker musical group.

Lucy really wanted to participate so she went and asked Sister Lancaster if she could sing "I Am A Child Of God". Of course she said yes and Lucy bravely went up and sang. It was very sweet.

The young women sang a song, the HP played Kazooos, the Darrows did a rap and other people also shared their talents.

It was a fun night.

Tonight the RS is having their social. What a festive weekend :)

dresser

this is the dresser that j and i fixed up for her room. It turned out so cute!!

snow day

Our first snow day of the season. The kids are thrilled. I don't mind, except for all the extra laundry.
Everyone headed out to the little pond in back of our house to "skate" around and throw snowballs. I was worried the ice would crack, but it didn't.

Took the girls to the eye doctor this morning. J and H both are getting new glasses. I need to send Sierra next.

In other exciting news Jenna has heard back from two of the four colleges she's applied to. She got accepted to Towson, and to BYU-I. Still waiting to hear from the other 2 BYU's.

And last night was our YW Christmas party, which was soooo soooo fun. We all came in warm winter jammies and ate pancakes and bacon, followed by some gingerbread house decorating and a gift exchange. There was a lot of laughing and it was so fun. I love our girls. They are so awesome. Sadly I forgot my camera so I'll just have to remember it in my head.

the rest of the nighttime readers

this little guy will read for an hour or two or three every night, unless we turn off the light and force him to sleep, like the uber meanie parents we are.

what are you reading Bub?

She will also read all night, if allowed. Do you like the hat? Our ginormous house is great for having parties, for letting 10 kids play in the basement, for spreading out and having lots of space. It's not so great on the pocketbook for keeping toasty warm, so we keep it "warm enough". Some of us choose to wear trapper hats to bed, and some of us sleep in our 0 degree bags but we keep the bills down, and no one has lost a digit to frost bite yet.

tonight's stories

Bedtime stories are a nightly ritual. Tonight we read Llama Llama Holiday Drama, Fancy Nancy Spleniforous Christmas and Tina Cocolina. Favorites all :)

Birthday Lunch

Jenna is 18!! Whoo hoo!!

We went out to lunch to celebrate and then did a DIY project fixing up a dresser for her room.

Christmas recital

Last night was the girls Christmas recital. It was very nice. It was held at a little old church on the square and it was just as cute as can be all decked out in Christmas finery.

All of the students did a lovely job performing. I really enjoyed the carols and sweet spirit there.

After there was a lovely reception at Johnna's home. We had cookies and got to visit.

Johnna, Angie and me.

our weekend

The morning brought with it a light snowfall. Luckily the children still got to go to school. We bundled them up in coats and jackets and gloves and hats and scarfs and went down to the bus stop. Boy, those kids were excited. They were running around in a blur of winter wear chasing the snow and each other. Shouting in the cold. I feel sorry for the teachers today. June/July/August will never seem so far away :) It's very Christmasy outside. I am headed to the post office today to mail off our boxes. And I am looking forward to a lovely Christmas recital tonight.


Our weekend was good. This little princess sent me this cute picture of her in her Christmas sweater.

The other day little b was laying on the floor watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with his feet propped up on the fireplace. The soles of his shoes melted onto the glass. It left a huge smudge of rubber. Lucky Big B got to scrap it off. Fortunately it came clean. The adventures and the glamour of our life never ends :)

We decorated the Christmas tree, Big and little went to a soccer game, we all went to a surprise b-day party for E's cub leader, H and I watched "Eclipse", we had the missionaries over for dinner, went to church & choir practice & cub committee meeting, Big went on a long long bike ride, J worked and hung out with some friends, S worked and worked on some papers she had to write.

That's it :)

my favorite present!!

Yesterday morning, while we were decorating the tree, a small package came for me in the mail. I opened it up expecting to find a wrapped gift to put under the tree. Instead out plopped a handful of these adorable little owl ornaments!! I love them!!! Dani and Tate sent them to me, because "owls are my favorite bird of prey" and they are! and those two are my favorite girls!!! I was so touched that they made something just for me, that they knew my fav bird, and made it. I am a lucky duck :)

tired children

this one fell asleep during scriptures

this one didn't even make it to the living room, she was tucked into bed before scriptures :)

Flat Iron Farm

Had a busy busy day. While the kids were at school I went to John Everett's funeral. It was really nice. He was so sweet and kind and many people loved him. I stayed after the service to help Colleen and Becky get the dinner ready for the family. Serving together is always a treat and such a special time. John reminded me of my dad, I need to go see him. I am glad for the great plan of Happiness that allows families to be together forever and I know it is a great source of comfort to his family right now.

I got home just in time to get the kids and head over to the middle school where H was auditioning for a part in Guys and Dolls. She is nervous but did a good job so we'll see.

After we went to Salsas to eat and watch Jen work :)

After that we headed up to Flat Iron Farm for some Christmasy fun. They had lots of animals and lights and shops and Santa.

I loved this beautiful choc late Santa. Isn't he lovely?

It was chilly out but we had a good time :)

After we went searching for a tree for our house & came home for some hot chocolate.

bowling

Last night we went bowling for YW. It was fun fun fun.

Hannah, Heidi and Jenna

little things I love

1. the snuggie, seems like a dumb idea but no, brilliant!
2. xm radio, Big got it for me for Christmas and I thought, hmmm, I don't even listen to the radio, but it's wonderful, lots of fun stations and I have enjoyed it more than I thought
3. my calling in YW. LOVE it!
4. being warm
5. boca black bean burgers
6. peppermint milk shakes from Chick fila
7. Rachel and Sharon and Kim, they are awesome and helpful and wonderful!
8. my neighbors
9. 9- 2 each day
10. Celtic Thunder
11. Josh (no last name needed)
12. Bobby (ditto)
13. sparkly lights
14. the library
15. mi familia
16. clean laundry
17. dinner out
18. my electric griddle
19. some yummy hot chocolate
20. cute old churches

a new snowball for the Christmas baby

Sierra's been having some car issues. Some resulting from neglect, some just old age. Whatever the cause she called me two days ago, sitting on the side of the road with a car that was just done.
I went to get her and we spent many frustrating and fruitless miles and hours searching for a new car. Everything in the price range she wanted to spend was junk. Everything more was questionable. Michael gave us some over the phone advice that was helpful but just stirred the pot and we didn't know what to do. Picture chicken little and her mother.
Yesterday was a new day. S had decided she wanted to get something pretty nice, that would last her a decade or so and that she could rely on. We went down to the Hyundai dealer and she got this cute 07 with only 44k miles on it. It is in excellent conditions, looks brand new, cute sun roof, 6 disc CD player. She is sitting pretty. She was able to pay cash for it and is in the middle of selling her old car. She's pretty happy about it. I am pretty proud of her. Not too many 20 year olds have enough money sitting in the bank to be able to go out and get a car.

Who knew that parenting adults big kids was hard. I thought, once upon a time in the middle of a sleepless night due to restless babies wanting to nurse and cranky toddlers being 2, that the hard part was at the beginning. HA! I laugh at that now. That is false advertising meant to lure us into reproducing. That sweet baby smell, that cuddly softness, the little round bum that fits in your hand and makes you want to eat them up...deceptive packaging. It's a trap. Then you love them and you're stuck. 16 years later, watch out. They drive, they date boys you hate, they run into things with their cars and miss their curfew and tell you they want to grow up and work in the food service industry or back pack through Mongolia living in a yurt with a bunch of other drifters. ARGH!

What drives me the most most most nuts is when they do not see the opportunities they have, the awesome things they can do. They do not recognize that right now they are free to study anything, learn anything, do anything.

It's hard to describe the worry, the "I'm about to throw up just at the thought of you wasting your life" feeling, the "you are sooooo awesome, why don't you remember who you are" angst that old moms feel.
I distinctly remember one day when my precious Dani, who is a good good girl and was hardly ever any trouble or worry, was up to some shenanigans (as we all do) and I was just heartsick about what to do. It was a particularly tumultuous time, a transitional time for her really, and those are always hard, and in a completely unrelated event I had lost some money. So I was searching for it, and concerned. No one wants to lose money, I was so distracted though that things were slipping through my normally sieve like brain at an alarming rate, so I was looking looking, tearing apart my car in search of this money and my friend Sheila came over and found me in the car. She asked what I was doing, and I told her I lost my money, and then out of the blue just started bawling "I think I am losing Dani" (nothing like a little drama to get you through a tough spot!~ not) Being the good friend she is she cried right along with me. Well, long story short Dani is awesome. She turned out great. and now it's Sierra's turn. Not that she's doing awfully, she's just not quite doing what I want. (darn free agency) and so it goes.

I guess being a mom means shedding a lot of tears. Tears of pain at birth, tears of frustration and tiredness in the wee hours of the morning, tears of sympathy at shot time & not making the dance team time, and breaking up with a boyfriend time, tears of worry...and tears of joy.

and it's my blog so I'll cry if I want to :)

poor Dani, she's always the example when I tell a story. I guess it's because I can remember her :) everyone else is a blur...I suffer greatly from mom brain. Which works out nicely for the children. The other day Lucy was grounded from having friends over and watching TV because she left our house one day and ran to the bus stop on her own and when E and I came out from finding his shoes we couldn't find her anywhere and had to run down the block hoping she was there and safe, and she was, but I was none too pleased. SO the next day she said "can I have Julia over to play" and I said "no you are grounded" and she said "You STILL remember??" sort of incredulously. Sad but true tales of the brainless mom.

reindeer day

Today is reindeer day at Kindergarten! So exciting. They are going to learn about reindeer, and make reindeer crafts, and eat reindeer food and play reindeer games. Yesterday I had the brilliant idea of making Lucy a reindeer shirt, patterned after the classic foot print body, hand print antlers craft idea. I think it turned out really cute and she was thrilled. At the last minute I called up my friend Jen and asked if Julia wanted one and so I ended up making two and the girlies looked adorable this a.m. going off to school with matchy shirts and matchy hair ribbons.

you can't tell but the fabric for the body is a icy winter waterland with penguins and polar bears and moose frolicking on it and the ribbon says "ho ho ho"

gifts

my family is a gift to me. One that I can not exchange or return, even when the fit is a bit itchy or off :)

just kidding.

Had an unexpectedly stressful day yesterday, but then I got to come home to these cute faces, and the rest of the cuties too, and have a nice FHE and dinner and warm bed to snuggle into at the end ~so it's all good.

Fancy Lu ready for church

sunday afternoon

Time for a little Christmas crafting. The two littlest made teacher gifts. It was super easy and inexpensive!

All we needed was some white gloves, felt, card stock, glue and a frame from the dollar section.

Lu contemplating her design.

Ta Dah!!!

best laid plans :)

In a week and a half Jenna will be 18. I thought it would be fun to surprise her with a little party. Last week while we were in Ohio Hannah and Heidi handed out invitations and generally spread the word for me and then I just had to hide the evidence and all plans.

I asked J if she wanted to go to the movies after work, to assure that she skedaddle home promptly and off she went. As soon as she left we started cleaning up and decorating and getting out the food. I couldn't do any of that early lest she suspect :) Every time we clean up I get asked "who's coming over", most annoyingly.

Anyway, we were ready and Baxter had arrived so we were sitting and talking when all of a sudden the door opened and who came home from work (almost an hour early?!) Jenna. We were so surprised we just looked at her...then I said "surprise?"

She was. She ran and changed and then hid in the basement so she could yell surprise at everyone else who came. Which she did, repeatedly :)!


Well, it's the thought that counts! and the kids are having a good time, and have plenty to eat so it's all good.

the second picture is smoky from all the candles :) She's old now! and that's Emma on the cell phone who sang along :)

glitter ornaments

Lu spent some time making glitter ornaments while she waited to go to Ryder's birthday party. E had a birthday party to go to today as well after his soccer game. It is a busy season!

futsol

Today was our first futsol game of the winter season. It was a lot of fun. Fast paced and exciting...although hard to photograph with my silly little camera.