Sweet Talking Santa

Mother knows that this little one has had her VERY naughty days, but she is hoping that her cuteness will win her a place on Santa's Nice List. She has asked Santa to bring her a Belle dress. When she saw this one in the window, she was so excited that she ASKED ME to take her picture.

Winter Wonderland

Last Thursday we enjoyed Jacob's 2nd Grade Program. Jacob has been singing "Sleigh Ride" and "Winter Wonderland" around the house all week. I'm glad we got a preview because his lips barely moved throughout the program. He tossed an occasional big grin when he thought I was going to take a picture and the rest of the time he looked VERY serious.

The Gingerbread House

The kids love the idea of doing an activity where they can sneak candy into their mouths. Tasting each type of treat is more important than having an artistic masterpiece. This is also evidenced by how the candy seems to disappear from the finished product. The last picture is only four days after we put it together.

Magical Silent Night

There is nothing more gorgeous to me than streaming purple fireworks set to Silent Night. I tear up every time. It's just so peaceful and beautiful. Disneyland Christmas fireworks are ALWAYS crowded, but as I gaze into the sky it's all for me. We've taken our kids for years, but I'm certain that I love it the most.

We went last Monday for our family's festive Disneyland finale (our passes expire next week). Our friends were going the same day, so we found each other after dinner to catch a peek of the parade. We skipped a bunch of rides to find a place in front of the castle to wait for the fireworks. We waited much longer than expected because they started at 8:45 p.m. instead of 7:45 p.m. We usually just crowd in somewhere and watch through the trees, but there was something magical about having a front row seat to the castle and full view of all the effects. It's going to be one of my favorite Christmas moments.

Full of Surprises

On Sunday mornings when my kids aren't dragging ALL the clean blankets to the backyard along with their buckets of toys to furnish their playhouse, they are getting out all the board games. So I was at Target AGAIN and I found my way to the game aisle in search of a new game to add to our collection.

I came across Pokemon Champion Island, a game that I don't personally look forward to playing but one I believe my boys will love. They are always buying Pokemon training guide books from their book orders and collecting Pokemon cards. So this game that will put all their pointless knowledge to the test while moving around a game board and battling via DVD seemed like a winner.

I made this purchase ALONE - a rare thing, but I apparently left the merchandise in the bag near the stairs for future transport. That afternoon Jessica found it and brought it to the boys. With great enthusiasm she exclaimed, "THIS IS FOR YOU!"

The good news is that they seemed to be excited about the gift. Bad news: one of the ONLY surprises for Christmas morning has been blown.

Christmas Fun

One of my mission companions forwarded this Christmas questionaire to me. I thought it'd be fun to share on the blog. I'd love to read about your traditions too.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? Artificial, but I LOVE the smell of fresh pine. The ideal scenario would be to have both – one for all the kids’ glittering creations & one that would just be pretty and festive.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? The weekend after Thanksgiving Jon gets it out of the box, but it often takes me another week to shape the branches and get TONS of white light strands on it before the kids can help decorate.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually in January after we’ve visited family in Utah. We aren’t traveling this year, so we’ll see.

5. Like egg nog? No. I’ve never been a fan of drinking my calories. I’d much rather spoon them up in ice cream.

6. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. My grandma gave us one years ago. I added the Little People Nativity this year, so my youngest children would have a hands-on set. I also have a mini set that we use to decorate a cake remembering Christ’s birth (kind of like a birthday celebration with the young kids).

7. Favorite gift received as a child? I probably had a new favorite each year which meant the world to me at the time. Off the top of my head I remember the tippie toe doll that could push her stroller & my blue 10 speed bike. We did always look forward to the Life Savor Storybooks we got in our stockings each year. How cool to have 8 rolls of candy all to myself!

8. Hardest person to buy for? Jon. I quit buying him gifts after our 2^nd Christmas when he returned everything. He buys for himself & I get to wrap it.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My Kids. Jessica is so thrilled with EVERYTHING & I love all the little girl things. My boys tell me EXACTLY what video games they’d like (even though I’d rather be giving them something else). They make it easy to know what items will be winners.

10. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I’m bugged by the tv ads that seem to say that unless you spend WAY to much money, you must not really love the special people in your life. Even if you find a great deal, the implication is that you should then buy way MORE presents. I don’t like all the STUFF about Christmas. I’m even uncomfortable receiving gifts. I like the activities, moments, letters from friends, and memories. I also don’t think it’s appropriate to have Victoria Secret models seducing innocent watchers all set to Christmas carols. BUGGY!

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? I prefer to mail, but I preprint labels and letters. They aren’t handwritten anymore.. I sometimes send an e-mail version to friends whose address I don’t have or who are out of the country.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? I LOVE “The Gift of Love.” It came out when I was a kid. Marie Osmond is the leading lady. I watch it EVERY year along with Mr. Kruegar’s Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not the present, but I might reuse a nice gift bag or save special ribbons.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Growing up mom always made a breakfast casserole that I loved. We haven’t established our own tradition. We are often getting ready to travel so we are cleaning out the fridge, so no fancy ham or turkey dinner for us. We try to enjoy the Ward Christmas Dinner earlier in the month.

16. Clear or colored tree lights? clear/white lights on the tree. Our outside lights are swags of colored lights. Our house looks more like a gingerbread house instead of one covered in icicles. I like that it’s NOT cold enough here to have ice.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? My favorites change. I’ve loved “Breathe of Heaven” & “My Grown Up Christmas List” by Amy Grant. I love the classic “Silent Night” & "O Holy Night.”

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? I’ve always wanted our kids to remember Christmas in their own home. So we always have Christmas morning at our house – even if we have to petition Santa to visit us on the 23^rd or 24^th. We regularly travel to Utah in between Christmas & New Years depending on how many vacation days we have left. Some years we have been greeted with a White Christmas & an abominable flu virus. Other years we miss the snow completely. We enjoy spending time with all the cousins & Grandparents. This is part of our tradition too. We’ll be missing you all this year!!!

19. Do you have a special treat that you make at Christmas? Yes. We started baking poppy seed bread years ago. Now it’s become a tradition. Last Saturday I baked 20 loaves. We share many and eat many ourselves. The hardest part is getting them all delivered.

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? We open our presents on OUR Christmas morning (that is NOT always Dec. 25^th for us).

"I'm Rare"

James usually has a lot to say - mostly about video games. He has started several conversations with me where I think he is sharing something from school, but he's actually talking about something from an imaginary world on one of his games. He has much to say about what I cook for dinner too - most of it NOT very nice. He's really raw and honest - often abrupt.

While driving in the car he stated, "I'm rare.... I'm smart. I have blond hair. And I'm the oldest in my family." I smirked because he just described his mother :) How RARE is that?! Okay maybe I'm not THAT smart anymore. Or maybe we are a rare pair.

How sad that having a picture together is rare. This one was taken clear back in May.

In Stitches

Wish I could tell you that I have something hilarious to say. But with all the holiday excitement Jessica came running into the kitchen, slipped, and slammed into the wooden kitchen chair. She received a gash just under her lip. Blood was everywhere which sent her into a panic. We decided that it was going to be a long night because she ought to have stitches. Jon made the mistake of telling Jessica that he was going to bring her to the doctor (last time she was there she had SHOTS).

He left before 8 p.m. with my baby girl wrapped in her Christmas pjs and blanket while screaming her head off. He was armed with the portable DVD player and multiple princess or Barbie disks. I stayed home with the boys - tired and restless. I could see how scared my little girl was and I was sad that I couldn't help her. After waiting around urgent care, he was sent to the ER to see "someone more qualified." It was pouring rain and well past Jessica's bedtime. She panicked each time someone took a look at her cut and woke her up.

Finally after midnight she was strapped to a papoose board. One would think that an irritated little girl would start screaming. But our little Jessica snuggled right in like an Indian baby and fell asleep leaving the doctor to mend her face in peace. He opted to use the special super glue instead of traditional stitches. Jon and Jessica finally returned home around 1:30 a.m.

Under the Weather

I've been under the weather lately. What does that mean anyway? Our weather here has been clear, sunny, and perhaps TOO hot. Shouldn't I be feeling like springtime? I've been fighting a cold for over six weeks. It keeps flaring up when I exert too much. Not that I have much of an immune system while pregnant. I haven't gotten caught up from all the Thanksgiving family fun. Now I can only get through the morning and I'm wasted for the day. I'm trying to get the Christmas shopping wrapped up (almost finished) before I get worse. It seems that stuff keeps popping up on the schedule. Now I'm starting to miss stuff - like most of church on Sunday and the Relief Society dinner I wanted to attend last night. I've got to help at school, attend my boys' award assembly, put away the 9 batches of laundry, go to doctor's appointment, and find a new maternity top - because I really should show up for our family photo. Should I just leave the tree half decorated or should I pull out that other box? We are still in the midst of soccer practices and games because James is playing in a tournament. Anyway, I'm exhausted, but wanting to enjoy this season with my family.

Oh- I did an idiom search. Under the weather may be referring to an old sailor phrase. When men were sick, they would rest below deck and thus were literally under the weather deck. So there you have it.

The Nativity

We took our kids to the Annual Nativity (Creche Festival). It's been a few years since we've visited. It always reminds me of all the nativity displays we had at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor Center. I always miss my fellow missionary sisters & couples this time of year.