Happy New Year

 This has nothing to do with New Years, but it was recent.  I love the bond these two have.

We weren't able to figure out a sitter for the night so Becky thought it'd be nice to have a kid friendly dinner.  For whatever reason, I couldn't finalize the plans - denial maybe?  But when Friday rolled around and Tina gave me a reality check, I knew I needed to make a decision.  It has taken me years but I am finally in a place where I'm recognizing my limits.  All this to say that Saturday night, we had everyone come over at about 7pm for appetizers and desserts.  

 We really wanted to play some adult games without interference from the kids, so we thought to set up the tent in the back yard.  But when that sun went down, it was chilly!!  And with Jackson starting a bit of a cough, we decided to set up camp in the twins' bedroom.

 I thought we were being pretty exciting with the tent but Michalle took it all to the next level.  This girl amazes me always!  Michalle decided to do a treasure hunt and in the chest were noise makers and hats and what not to bring in the New Year.  So cute!

 It has been a good year - of course, we have had our struggles but isn't that life!?!?  My hope for this year is that I become a better mother, a better wife, a better leader, a better person.  Here's to 2012!

*Side note: aren't the pavers pretty!  I can't wait until they're done.

*PSS - Special shout out to Wes and Nikki for hanging out with us even though they had a kid free evening.  Those are some true friends there :)

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve began with me finishing up our shopping, Cole devouring half a container of tofu and Andrew working.  I tried getting ready quickly but only to find out my daughter used my blush brush in BLUE make-up.

Our traditional Christmas Eve was not very traditional.  Mark was gone.  Grandma and Grandpa were gone.  And to top it off, Jackson and Andi got sick about 5pm - the time we had planned to leave for Acton.  Jackson ended up throwing up before we left and in the car (in the car because he said he still wanted to go and come on, it's Christmas, I couldn't tell him no).  With that said, we got to dinner late and with kids so out of it, we weren't up to doing our traditional scripture reading.  Late that night Jackson complained, "We didn't read the Bible!".  Oops, maybe we should have tried!?!?

We took our traditional Christmas picture though - and as per tradition, I couldn't get the lighting just right.  Never fails!

My parents got this horse for Jackson Christmas 2007.  I can't believe it's still around bringing tons of fun for all.

We did fulfill the traditional Santa cookie baking but failed to make a birthday cake for Christ.

It cracks me up that they wanted an apple during this process.

When we got home Christmas Eve, we were again showered with the love of Christ.  On our doorstep sat four gifts, one for each child.  Jackson found them when he went out to sprinkle reindeer food.  I guess you could say it was slightly magical :)  Christmas Eve was also the first night I found Cole sleeping while holding his dummy.  Every night since then I have found him doing this.

I have said it a million times, but this year we were so very blessed.  With two different secret santas, Bri and Andrew receiving a check Friday, we were so grateful to be able to give the kids a fabulous Christmas!

On Pinterest I saw stockings hung at the foot of the master bed.  I found this to be brilliant because how cute would it be to have the kids come into our room before going to the tree, to open their stockings all together.  We did it and we loved it.

We blocked off the hallway so we could catch them running down the hall.

It was a scooter and Leap Frog Christmas - thank you Santa and Children's Orchard!

We had a little chat with the kids about the gifts given to them anonymously.  We discussed how blessed they were to be so loved.  And really, they are.  The gift they each received was perfect - PERFECT!

After gifts, we went into the kitchen for breakfast.  I wanted to start a breakfast tradition and so we did a dish in the crockpot the night before.  When Jackson sat down to eat it, he inquired, "What the hell is this?".  Oh my, one of us needs to watch our mouth.  He said it so casually we knew he was simply asking what it was - but we were shocked nonetheless.  

All was said and done by 8:40 and so we loaded up in the car to make our way over to church.  I loved seeing Andi and Ryan waiting for everyone to come out to the car.

We couldn't believe how empty the lot was but shortly thereafter, it filled up.  Considering the program was "on my shoulders", I was relieved to see it all go so smoothly.

We came home to a mess, but had no time to clean it up because we had to get to my parents before we made our way to Corona.

At grandpa grandpa and grandma shopping's house, the kids, no, we are, were so spoiled.  Andrew got a GPS (whew, no more calling me to give him directions when he's out and about), basketball shoes (his were beyond disgusting!), much needed underwear, socks, and what nots.  Everyone gets shoes for Christmas because Uncle Fred used to always get us shoe.  The tradition carries on and thank goodness because Jackson especially needed them.  At one point Andi and Ryan opened up treasure boxes with costumes inside.  Jackson looked around for his and it turned out, he had none.  This year he was twice mistaken for a kid that had outgrown some of the simple things of childhood.  He proved us wrong.  Because he was off in the corner so sad, my dad took that moment to give him the big Santa gift: a swing set!  It worked.  The entire day when anyone asked what he got for Christmas, he exclaimed, "A swing set!".

After gifts, Andi was found in the bathtub eating the candy from her stocking.  This one is always so sneaky!

In Corona we played the white elephant game which we've done the past few years instead of exchanging gifts.  Kristal received an "eye pad" and John received Elise's hair - good times :)

Aunt Sharon and Uncle Rob are always so sweet to get gifts for the kids.  And of course, Ito got to open up his underwear which always brings a chuckle from Jackson :)  It was an exhausting day but isn't every holiday!?!?

Monday we spent the day cleaning and organizing.  I think this was the soonest we have taken down all the Christmas decorations - even the tree!  But how sad, Andi and Ryan's room was the first finished and by the time we got to the others, I was too beat to even get a picture.  Can I just say, it's so weird to have something like that table out in the room.  So not me.  They love it though (thanks Uncle Ben).  Just please, don't tell them the surface is a white board.  That is our little secret.

I was totally freaked out about this three week break but so far so good.  And I know it's only because the weather has been ideal.  The kids have been able to enjoy their gifts outside in the gorgeous 75-85 degree weather.  (Really, the perfect gifts are the ones for OUTSIDE!).  Andi didn't make it all the way to the park on her scooter but I was pretty proud of her for trying!  Jackson was a rock star and the best part was he made me run to keep up with him.  Good exercise!

The other exciting Christmas aftermath was the assembly of the swing set.  Our incredible friends (Evans) came over to help with the pavers in the backyard and they entertained my kids.  That was a pretty ideal situation if you ask me.

Juana and Ito came to visit for a couple days because they weren't able to come for Christmas Eve.  The kids loved showing off their new swing set.  I tell ya, the weather couldn't have been better.  It was funny because the morning after it was set up, I was lying in bed when I heard Jackson instruct, "OK you guys, go get your jackets and your shoes" and next thing you know, they were all outside swinging and sliding before 7am.

We are grateful for the Love of Christ this season and always.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Programs

Drop off Jackson at school - 7:30am
Drop off Ryan at school - 8:50am (I wanted to get there earlier but just couldn't pull it off)
Attend Jackson's Christmas show - 9am (yep, I was late!)  Luckily my mom went to support him, despite the fact she was sick, and got there earlier than I did.  This was awesome because Jackson loves an audience and he was bummed Papa and garnet weren't able to make it.  I was happy though that I didn't miss his favorite song.  Although, because I was late, the video isn't great.  That and I was holding a child and really, that makes for a wobbly video)

I love Jackson's "mad" face in that song.  I'm tellin' ya, he loves that song.  In fact, he was singing it today.

Attend Ryan's Christmas Show at 11am
Ryan was Joseph and it was so cute.  I had to hold Cole so Jackson was in charge of the camera.  Jackson was the epitome of an alumni.  He was in all his glory knowing the ins and outs of the program and what not!

It was so adorable when Grandma K and Grandma B presented the kids with their Christmas gift; this cute penguin!  And then, the icing on the cake, SANTA!

 Santa was so sweet to give all the kids a gift, not just the preschoolers!

I love that they're getting older and we're really able to experience the holidays through their eyes.  But, at the same time, those time conflicts proved how crazy our future will be as they all grow up!

Christmas with the Andersons

Wednesday Richard and Annette arrived for some Christmas celebrations.  In a way, these evening was like our Christmas Eve.  The kids were able to open some gifts before we headed out to dinner.  I can't tell you how excited they were; especially Jackson.  This kid has had a tough week - he claims it's because, "He's still little and it's hard to be good".  Whatever the reason, it has been exhausting!  But there are those moments where you see him make that extra effort just to make me happy.

 Dinner at Mom Can Cook was amazing.  So delicious.  The key is to starve your kids because then they're too hungry to misbehave.  Overall our kids do well at restaurants but that night, they did exceptionally well.  They all ate up their tofu (I think Cole may have eaten just as much as the others), chicken sa-tay, cucumber salad, soup, and rice.

 From dinner Richard and Annette went directly to Curtis and Tristan's for the night.  Jackson and Ryan had school the next morning so we came home and did our normal bedtime routine - the added bonus were the new pj's my papa and garnette.

 Last night everyone that's still in Cali, came over for a Christmas gathering.  We had dinner ordered which worked out wonderfully.  After we ate all we could eat, we enjoyed watching the kids open up the rest of their gifts.  They got an entire city for new Zu Zu Pets and Curtis and Tristan gave them some darling outfits.  We made a back scratching t-shirt for Cosmo, and a Hugs and Kisses dish for Annette (thanks Pinterest!).

 We will be getting together in January for Shay and Mike's sealing.  At that time we will be able to exchange make gifts.  It was such a great night and felt like Christmas having almost everyone together.

The Gift of Giving

Is much better than the gift of receiving.  It truly is.  And when I thought about this, I thought maybe this is why I am in a funk this year.  I have been thinking it's because it's much more stressful being the parent of kids old enough to be aware.  It's a lot of work helping Santa.  It's a lot of stress making things memorable.  So yes, that has contributed to said funk, but it hit me today, I am bummed out I can't give.  There are so many "things" I see or think of that I want to give to family, friends, teachers, counselors, and anyone else that makes a difference in our lives.  Because we are feeling so very blessed this year to have truly remarkable people in our lives, I want to find a way to show them just how very much we value them.  And when you can't do it according to the standards of the world, or the commercial aspect of this holiday, you feel as though you have failed.

We have received this year.  We received big.  I can't tell you the emotion I experienced when I opened that anonymous package.  I wanted to give it back.  I wanted to repay them.  I wanted to hug them.  I wanted to use it.  I wanted to savor it.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to give.  Don't people amaze you when they make a sacrifice for those around them.  They made a sacrifice for my children.  Again, it brings tears to my eyes.  This is our season for receiving but you better believe, I will give what I can when I can.  There's no way to repay such a gift.  These anonymous givers reflected the true meaning of Christmas.  For "Christmas" is just that, receiving a gift greater than yourself.  A gift you can't give back, don't want to give back and can't pay back.  All we can do is say "thank you" and when it's our turn to give, WE WILL!

With that said, we have had a fun month enjoying the festivities of Christmas.  Again we had the chance to visit the Wakefeild Winterwonderland Lights a couple times.  The first was after a busy, busy Sunday.  That morning was typical but then continued after church while the Primary Presidency delivered goodies to every primary student and teacher.  It was a blessing I have to say - I truly enjoyed giving!

Visit to Lights #1

Visit to lights #2 - The plan was to meet at Begonias Park at 5:30pm so it wouldn't be too chilly.  Of course, it happened to be a windy day but we decided to brave it anyway.  The wind actually wasn't a problem so that was nice!  But before we met up, Andrew had to run to an appointment.  He called me at about 4:30 saying he had run out of gas.  Fantastic.  So I made him walk, yes I made him because he wanted to wait there for me to pick him up - uh, no.... I did though head over there to help out and when I did, he was already walking back with the gas can.  Of course, I had to get pictures - he kept trying to hide!  I don't know, I found this hilarious.

Turned out, he arrived to the park only one minute late - and yes, he was hauling butt!

We pushed out all those kids!

We had planned to hang out at Barnes and Nobles after lights but things changed.  Many of us weren't able to pull off dinner before hand, so we were hungry after lights.  Wendy's was "fast, cheap and easy" so there we went.  We took over the place for a couple hours I think and all had a great time.

Things have been pretty exhausting, but enjoyable.

Cole was given a shirt that just so happens to match a shirt Jackson just recently passed down to Ryan.  Cute.

I have been going to Book Club for a couple years I think and I love it.  At one point in time, it was the only socializing I had and I was truly grateful for it.  So I guess you could say, it has a bit of sentimental value to me which is why this Christmas, I knew I had to get a picture so I could look back years from now.  The bummer is this picture is missing a very important member!  But nonetheless, here we are, after our children's book exchange - LOVED IT.

Way back during Wes' birthday dinner, Nikki mentioned wanting to throw a Pinterest Party.  I had Brooke's homemade party idea fresh on my mind so I threw that out there to Nikki.  She hosted such a fabulous party which featured food and crafts from Pinterest.  Around 9pm we finished eating and exchanging and so we played a game until close to midnight.  It was a hilarious night - a night we so needed to escape from the stress of this month.  Hilarious!!

But don't worry, Andrew's enjoying the season too.  That day, Andrew had a baking day.  He and his buddy, Matt, baked goodies all day.  When they first planned it I wasn't sure it would happen.  But the night before, when Andrew got off the phone, his goofy grin of excitement, let me know that as Matt said, "Baking day was on!".  Andrew exclaimed, "I have a friend that likes to bake!".  There weren't enough to distribute to all our friends, but I think the memory they made was worth the time and energy.

While at home, the kids are finding ways to entertain themselves.  Puzzles, cups, discarded cookies, babies, teeth, car wash, white board, make believe....

During these civil moments, I was able to work on our Christmas stockings; the stocking I cut out TWO YEARS ago.  They are not yet finished, but at least they're functional for his year.

Can you believe, two more days!