Christmas 2007

Ah...Another Christmas come and gone. We had a wonderful one, if not a little stressful (mostly of the self-inflicted, take on too much variety). We were able to spend a few days with Jeff's parents and all of his siblings. It was nice to visit, sled, eat, exchange gifts, play games, etc. I come from a small family (at least my immediate family is) and it's fun to be part of a large family. To quote Hannah Montana (or is it Miley Cirus?) it's "the best of both worlds." Jeff's dad, with help from Jeff (a little), his brothers, and various other friends and family has built the most magnificent cabin. We got to spend some time there hanging out and playing out in the snow. The only down side was when I face planted coming down the slopes on a sled. My first thought was, "Wow, this is really soft!" Then I lifted my face out of the snow. Big mistake. The only thought for the next few minutes was "cold, cold, cold, cold, cold!!!" We did the traditional nativity play-grandkids playing all the parts. Instead of the annual talent show, and much to the joy of the 3-4 of us that perform, we did some group singing instead accompanied by piano, flute and violin. Very fun.

Due to threatening snow and being a bit of a party pooper of late, we left early Monday morning to be home for Christmas Eve. The kids were bouncing off walls and it was difficult to get them to focus for more than 30 seconds at a time, but finally the house was clean, their gifts wrapped and it was now time for dinner and festivities!! (Sorry about the run-on-not interested in editing today.) Last year we started a "Mary and Joseph Dinner" which we continued this year, made cookies for Santa, opened Christmas p.j.'s read a story and finally went to sleep.

Lucky for us, we haven't quite it that "I'm so excited I can't sleep!" stage yet and only had to get up at the normal 7:30. Christmas morning was a blur of brightly colored paper flying in all directions and squeals of joy. Lyndsi informed me that everything she got was on her list and so she must have been a good girl. (Too cute!) She is very into Santa and the importance of being on the "nice" list. Favorites of Christmas morning:

Jeff- handheld GPS (to go geocaching)-which is in progress of creating a monster :)

Angie- Bosch mixer-bread has become easy overnight!

Lyndsi- Baby Alive (the little baby-not the big one)

McKay- The Black Pearl (2 feet long, and has all kinds of doors and compartments to keep a boy busy)

Sophie- baby doll with hair she can brush.

Later Christmas day we went to the big Marchant party. Everyone was concerned about the amount (or lack) of food at previous family events, and we all over compensated, making this the first family gathering since grandma died that there has been an extreme over abundance of food. It was wonderful!!!

The next day was glorious. I love basking in the afterglow of Christmas. It's like sitting in the sunspot on your couch where it's nice and toasty when the rest of the house is a little cool. I felt totally relaxed and had nothing nagging at the corners of my brain wanting attention. Even the kids disappeared and played quietly all day long!!! Mom and dad came over later that night to exchange gifts. Jeff was so excited when he opened his gift and it was a ohio state hoodie. The kids and parents were all spoiled. Hopefully mom and dad and Greg liked their gifts as well.

Another wonderful Christmas is over. It is now time for SPRING!!! :)

Adventures in Sledding

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I decided to take the kids sledding in preparation for a trip to the cabin. Once we got them all bundled up and let them go down with a grownup once or twice, they loved it. Lyndsi went down several times by herself and even Sophie loved going down the hill. We went to my old elementary school where there is a hill but not so very steep, so Grandpa and Jeff ended up doing a lot of pushing. I didn't think the kids would last too long, but we ended up sledding for around an hour. Surprisingly, Sophie was the last to give in. (It's nice to finally have a child who is a little more adventuresome-not that I don't appreciate the older kids' cautiousness)

The next weekend at the cabin they didn't have as much fun, I think. Although, we did have to make our trail instead of going down ready-made ones. Maybe next time it'll be loads more fun. Unfortunately, I was having too much fun going down the hill to snap any pics, so if any of you got some pictures of our sledding adventure, could you pass them along? Thanks!

Here are a few favorite pics:

Disneyland Part 1

My friend told me the other night I hadn't blogged in awhile. I thought I'd been doing pretty well, especially since I had just posted the question thing when she tagged me. So, now, lucky you guys, you get 2 posts in 1 day!

I guess it's about time I post a little about Disneyland. We went with our friends, Todd and Jen Hess and their kids. We drove to their house (in Enterprise) the first day to break the trip up a little and so the kids would have some time to get to know each other before we actually left. They got along right off the bat. Definitely a promising start. The next day after hours and hours in the car and only 2 potty stops, we finally made it.

Our kids weren't too sure about the ride thing once we got to Disneyland. Of course, Mom made McKay go on Matterhorn for his very first ride. When they got off, it was reported that McKay said something to the effect of "Daddy, that was so cool! Don't ever take me on that ride again!" Totally McKay. They didn't really want to go on many rides the first day, but were instead very interested in meeting the characters. When we stopped by the Princess Faire the first time we met Princess Aurora, Cinderella and Snow White. Can I tell you I love these ladies? They made my little girl feel so special and didn't just rush her through. It was very exciting.

Festive Traditions

I cannot believe that in one week from today we will have opened all of our presents and will already be playing with our new things!! I feel so behind. In fact, last night I dreamed that we went to our Christmas-day party and forgot one of the gifts-didn't even buy it! I woke up just sick. Ick. So, Matt, if we forget your present next week, sooo sorry!

The thing I do love about Christmas though, is all the traditions. This year has been full of them. Last weekend we got to see Santa at our ward Christmas party. He told Lyndsi that she was very much on his "nice" list. Ever since then she has been so excited. Out of the blue on more than one occasion, she'll sigh and say "Oh mom! I can't believe I made it onto Santa's nice list!" It is so cute. I don't ever remember being so concerned if I was going to be on the nice or naughty list.

We also went to the Festival of Trees with my mom and dad while Jeff was out of town. The kids had a ball. They had a little kids area where you could buy tickets and get your face painted, get a manicure, do crafts, etc. McKay even got to call one of Santa's elves! They loved looking at all the beautiful trees. McKay's favorite was the Star Wars tree with Darth Vader on top (a new fav since Disneyland) and Lyndsi's was anything girly. Grandma bought McKay some swords made out of water noodles. When we caught up with my aunt, cousin and some of his friends (all in their early 20s), McKay insisted that they fight him. They did and I can tell you that little boy of mine gave those big guys a run for their money! But, it was sweet that they were willing to play with my little 3-yr-old.

We've had a lot of snow it seems this month (with more on the way in time for Christmas!). I love to take pictures of nature, and these were some that I loved. This is our tree in our backyard. This storm took a lot of branches down in the neighborhood, but our trees are tough and still in good shape.

Tagged Again!

I'm tagged again. At least this a little different than the last one I did. It was actually kinda cute.

1. What is his name? Jeffrey

2. How long have you been married? For the best 7 1/2 years of my life!!

(Melissa-thanks for making #1 and 2 easy for me!)

3. How long did you date? 3 months then engaged for 3 months.

4. Who eats more? Mostly Jeff unless I'm really hungry.

5. Who said I love you first? Jeff.

6. Who sings better? Um..Me. Sorry Jeff.

7. Who is taller? Jeff by about 4 inches

8. Whose temper is worse? I think it's a toss up.

9. Who does the laundry? We both do, but Jeff's done it mostly since we had Sophie.

10. Who does the dishes? Mostly Jeff lately.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jeff.

12. Who does the cooking? Me, but I'd gladly hand it over to Jeff if we weren't all starving by the time he got home from work.

13. Who is more stubborn? umm...i think that one is a tie. We're both pretty stubborn.

14. Who proposed? Jeff did, but first he tried to trick me by making me think he was going to do it other times.

15. Who is more likely to admit when they are wrong? Jeff's better at admitting it.

16. Whose parents do you see the most? My parents. (hey! They only live a few minutes away.)

17. Who pays the bills? Jeff.

18. Who wears the pants in the family? I think we're pretty give and take on that one. At least we try to be!

19. Why do you love your husband? He is funny and can talk as much as me. He is thoughtful and goofy. I'd keep going, but I have a violin lesson in a few minutes and have to get some things done first (like clean the orange juice big brother dumped on little sister's head-joy).

Tagging-everyone! Yay!! (Just think, Mars, now you have something to blog about!)

Christmas thoughts

I was looking online for something cute, clever or though-provoking to put in my Christmas cards. These didn't make the cut, but still thought they were worth sharing.

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'" - Dave Barry "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic. – Unknown

Merry Christmas!

Reflections while shoveling

I think most of my readers (doesn't that sound so official and big? if only!) know my dear hubby is out of the country this week on business. Of course, since he is going to a tropical island, I am blessed with the first big snowfall of the year.

As I'm gazing out my window at the beautiful blanket of white snow, it hits me. I have to shovel that or there is no way I'm getting in or out of my house!!! So I start piling on the gear- coat, hat, gloves, boots-and grab the shovel and start working. (Side note to whoever invents the exercise equipment- I think you should invent a snow shoveler machine.) While my shovel is making that oh-so-not-lovely screech against the cement, I'm starting to turn a little green with envy as I watch my neighbor casually stroll along his driveway with his snow blower. Oohh...So not fair. Grumble, grumble, grumble.

Out of nowhere, my visiting teachers pop in my head regiving me November's VT message- blessings that come from trials. I kinda laughed and thought, "Well, if it hadn't snowed so hard today, I wouldn't have my cute new boots. " And then I thought, "I'm so glad I got such a steal on this wonderfully warm coat this morning! My other coat wouldn't have been so easy and comfy to work in." Then I looked up. The sky was beautiful. The clouds were starting to break in the west and what sunlight was peaking through turned everything pink and silver. Only in the winter after a fresh snowfall could you see something so amazing. Just like that, thoughts kept rolling into my head of all I had to be grateful for just because I had to do a little work.

(P.S. Pictures are from two years ago-not today.)

Updates

I've updated the both the photo gallery and the "in the kitchen" sections. Really, you should try those cookies.