Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours all the best for 2010!

The Best Snow on Earth!

Highlights:

Myles finding our camera in the snow!
Dad doing a back flip (wish I'd had the camera out for that one!)
Johnathan going down on the saucer all by himself
Being on top of the snow bowl surrounded by mountains
Having a beautiful, warm day
coming home for cocomotion

Sweet Memories

One of the sweetest parts of Christmas for me is watching the girls give gifts and homemade cards to each other and to Myles. One of my favorite memories of Christmas this year was finding Macy hiding under the coffee table with her stocking full of treats. She was happy to hand me her wrappers. She was SO excited about her bubble gum that she chewed it all by the time we sat down for breakfast! She was also super excited about "lip stick" (chap stick). Ahh, the simple things in life!

I also like our tradition of giving a hug to whoever gives you a gift. For those who sent packages, we send you a long-distance one!

Christmas week

Blast from the Past

Back in 1983, little did I know that my future husband was gluing his school picture on an ornament for his mama, too.

Horton Hears a Who

This was a fun game the girls got this year that they enjoyed playing with their cousins. This board game proved to be anything but boring, especially when we threw a dragon, an umbrella, and some Hubba Bubba into the mix! They were laughing so hard, I was glad we didn't have any accidents.

Carly loses her 1st Tooth

She put it in a baggie to save so she could show Grammy. When I looked at it, I thought it was weird that it looked gritty. Myles said, "Oh, that's cinnamon and sugar on it." She lost it while we were eating butter with cinnamon and sugar on fresh, hot bread. So, it turns out, she lost her sweet tooth!

On the first day of Christmas Break, My True Love Gave to me...

extra sleeping in for me! I woke up to this cute scene of Myles and the girls spending quality time together. How times have changed. I remember my brothers waking up at the crack of dawn to watch cartoons. Now, it's PBS Kids online! (video clips, games, etc)

After breakfast on their first day off from school, Carly and Robyn started playing school right away. They made weather charts, helping hands, and a schedule for the day, which included playing Christmas bells for music and going sledding for PE. They weren't going to waste a minute, and loved being the ones in charge!

Dashing through the snow..

in a one-wheelbarrow sleigh. This was Myles' idea a couple years ago of how to go caroling without the girls getting too tired. Even though they're big enough to walk now, they still think it's so fun!

While You Were Sleeping...

Carly made a life-size pilgrim ("too bad there weren't Christmas colors available, or he could've been an elf, mom") and the girls had a fun photo shoot.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

Miss Amber did it again. Somehow, every year, it is even more amazing! I love starting out the Christmas season with this dance recital. Macy loved waving to us. Carly took her part very seriously, and was able to enjoy it, too. So glad to have another dance year with Sara!

Celebrating with Cousins

www.aretegymnastics.com

This is a super fun place you'll have to check out if you're local. You can pay $5 to use their equipment for 2 hrs. during open gym on Saturdays. A great place for kids to play, especially during the winter months!

Parrot Party

Happy Birthday, Carly!

I love this girl!

I remember taking pictures of Carly Noel in a Christmas stocking and inside our big wreath like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe she's 6, (She told me she doesn't feel any different today) and yet she's grown up so much this year. She's taken off on her two-wheeler, learned to read, and is dancing away. She continues to be thoughtful and sensitive beyond her years. She also cracks me up. She's a good friend. When she gets an idea in her head, she figures out how to make it a reality, whether it be how to make her own purse or how to host a parrot party.

She brings me joy. I love it when she smiles and her eyes light up. I'm so glad she's in our family and that I've gotten to spend another magical year with her.

Happy Birthday, Carlita!

Live Nativity

This was pretty exciting for us and the kids! We've never been so close to real camel before.

They were a little disappointed that there wasn't a live baby, though, and that Mary didn't ride in on the donkey. (I think maybe he was a little too small).

Thanks, Edyn, for the invite, and Mom for the yummy cinnamon and orange rolls! What a great way to start the Christmas season.

Daddy Daughter Date

Myles started Carly's Birthday week off with a date to an international Christmas dance performance. I think I was as excited as she was. She was so cute about getting to go on a Daddy Daughter date all by herself, especially at bed time!

PS Thanks for the darling dress, Aunt Sue!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We were so excited to wake up to a world of white. It finally feels like December!

Robyn was so cute about volunteering to shovel while waiting for her ride to school. Later, Carly did the same. We had a blast sliding down the snow-covered slides in our slippery snow pants at the park!

Macy (while licking the snow): I like snow. It's good for our bodies.

Carly (singing): Shoveling the snow is fun to do, fun to do to do to do, shoveling the snow is fun to do to do to do to do!

Carly (after getting ALL bundled up for school): I have to go to the bathroom!
This reminds me of my mom telling me how when I got the perfect attendance award for preshool, she thought it should've gone to her instead of me. She'd get me and my twin brothers all bundled up in our snowsuits and buckled into the car when one of them would have to go to the bathroom, every time!

I think the cold weather puts me more in the mood for baking. Macy helped me make bread. When I explained to her what yeast does, she said, "That's so cool!" Then, we read "Where Does Bread Come From?" in Richard Scarry's book "What Do People Do All Day?" Able Baker Charlie uses a little too much yeast.

Numbers

This is a great game Myles played with his family growing up that we played at Thanksgiving. You'll want to keep it in mind for your big Christmas parties!

You know how it goes. You've worked all day or maybe even all week buying and preparing food. Everyone's eaten it before you can hardly blink, and then the HUGE mess in the kitchen awaits you. This game is a fun way for different people to get to work together for short amounts of time to get a big mess cleaned up quickly so you can move on to bigger and better things.

Depending on your size of kitchen and size of mess, start with 2-4 people in the kitchen. (This is a good game for kids, too. It gives them skills--math skills, helping out skills, moon boot skills...) They can choose whatever they want to do to clean up.

Everyone else sits at the table enjoying each other's company. One of these people thinks of a number between 1 and 100. You go around the table, having everyone guess the number, each time the person thinking of the number saying either , "lower" or "higher." The lucky person who finally guesses the number hops up to help, relieving the person who has been helping longest in the kitchen. The person who is relieved thinks of the new number.

Thanksgiving Highlights...

Mike making cookie turkeys with the girls
Myles fixing the car
Apryl's pretzel jello
turkey in brine
street hockey
Robyn learning to play chess
hike to the canal
girls sewing purses
sleepovers
story times
just being together
sing along with guitars
Robyn's pilgrim place settings
Ryan's baptism!
deer sighting
Elayna's smile
Ethan's sense of humor
Catch Phrase
Foosball
leftover pie for dinner
sunny days

Gram's Visit

A visit with Gram wouldn't be complete without...

a trip to McDonalds with a play land, getting ice cream, reading stories, movie night with popcorn, having fun every minute!

This time, Gram also got to go to 2 museums (one with Carly on her field trip) and the library, have dinner at our house with Uncle Mike and Great Uncle Tom, feed the ducks, watch Carly ride her bike, and have fun with glitter gel paints.

Art Lessons with Great Uncle Tom

It was SO wonderful to have Uncle Tom come visit us! He is someone who is gentle, constant, and talented. He is someone who takes time for people and always does a good job.

He brought us back some dirt from Death Valley to watercolor with. It worked great and was lots of fun!

Robyn's Race

Robyn ended up placing third and helped bring the trophy home to her school. It was fun for her to get to run with some girls from her class. I'm enjoying watching her take interest in her own things, like running and playing the piano.

Blessings of Hope

Since my Going Bananas post, I felt like I was having "one of those days" ever since.

I fell down the same stairs Carly did and really hurt my shin and knee, things became even more up in the air with our graduation/job situation, I was going to be on time for something until I found Laffy Taffy on my hairdryer, Myles and I tried to go out on a date but it didn't work out, I am still having thyroid issues, I had a little breakdown, then our car broke down, I dropped a container of sour cream all over myself and the floor on my way out the door for a baby shower, I dropped a wrench on my foot that we'd used to check the car...You get the point. I was frustrated, agitated, complaining and yelling way too much, completely out of patience with everyone and the world!

Then, a miracle took place.

We went to stake conference. (This is a meeting we get to go to every six months with a large gathering of Latter-Day Saints to be instructed and edified by our leaders). We heard from our stake presidency, President Smith, President Willis, and President Thurston.

This time, we were also blessed to be in the presence of Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Steven J. Lund, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. These men have been ordained with Priesthood authority by God to share the good news of Christ, and that is what they did.

They talked about hope, rising above the troubles of the world and looking upwards. I felt my heart lighten and my frustrations melt away. I came home feeling blessed and wanting to do better.

“Life itself is a great blessing. Can you feel how blessed you are? Life is supposed to be challenging. Life is such that sometimes things go wrong. We can lose focus. Our vision becomes clouded. We become more worldly and less spiritual. If we’re always looking down, we forget to look up. How do we keep the vision? Keep reading and studying the scriptures…To overcome weakness, we have to stretch and endure. Jewels take time and pressure. ‘Be strong and of good courage…for thy God is with thee.’” (President Smith).

Elder Lund told us how the children in the Spanish Ward have been studying a different Apostle each month and prayed that they could meet one. When Elder Christofferson came to visit, he agreed to meet with them. They sang a few songs for him, then lined up to shake his hand. At the end of that, one little boy came up and hugged his leg. Then, the rest of the children formed a line again, so they could hug him, too! He said it was so touching to watch him let these little children come unto him, just as Jesus had in his day. I was blessed with witnessing a similar experience the next day.

While listening to Elder Christofferson speak, Macy drew a picture of him, Mr. Potato Head style, like 3 year olds do. (A big head with big eyes and arms and legs sticking directly out of the head). She told me she wanted to give it to him after the meeting. I told her that I wasn’t sure she’d be able to, explaining that he’d been in meetings and traveling for two days and might have to leave right after. I told her we might have to send it in the mail to him.

Elder Christofferson

I was wrong. He happily stayed to visit. Myles joined the long line with the girls, and I stood back to watch. (I had gotten to meet him the night before). When it got to their turn, Macy handed him her picture, and Elder Christofferson immediately crouched down to her eye level. (Later, Myles told me that he asked, “Is this of me? “ And then said, “ I’ve never looked better!”) Macy then gave him a kiss on the cheek. I was so overwhelmed with the love of the Savior I could feel and Macy could feel through one of his servants, who was so kind and so loving, taking time with each person, one by one.

Our home has already felt closer to heaven on earth since our experiences this weekend.

“Don’t worry about what you’re going to do, but who you are” (what Elder Rasband told Elder Lund when his call was extended to him).

“I invoke His blessing on you that discouragement will not overpower you…that your desires to do good will be awarded with time…We need quiet, spiritual moments in nature, but there is also a need for organized religion, for the purposes for which Christ organized his Church as a refuge, a place to gather…may you have peace and security in a darkening world” (Elder Christofferson).

It is especially at this Thanksgiving time that I’m thankful for my family and friends, my freedoms and life. I am also glad for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives me purpose, direction, hope, and joy!

PS With every disappointment, there was at least one blessing:

I fell down the same stairs Carly did and really hurt my shin and knee (no permanent damage, my family had compassion and really helped), things became even more up in the air with our graduation/job situation (Myles is not complaining, so why should I?), I was going to be on time for something until I found Laffy Taffy on my hairdryer (my kids sure keep me laughing!), Myles and I tried to go out on a date but it didn't work out (we got to spend time together later), still having thyroid issues (it can only get better, right? At least there's medicine I can take), I had a little breakdown (a friend was there to help), then our car broke down (it was a nice, sunny day to walk and friends/family were so generous in helping), I dropped a container of sour cream all over myself and the floor on my way out the door for a baby shower (Myles saved the day so I wasn't late), I dropped a wrench on my foot that we'd used to check the car (it's better now).

The Perfect Place

My kids have often asked, "Why can't Gram and Grammy live next door, and then all our cousins, and then all our friends?"

I have often wished myself that we could take all our family and favorite people with us where ever we go.

It wasn't 'til today that the thought came to me, "You can; it's called heaven."

Redbox

If you read the story below, you may think that Redbox sounds like a pain in the neck, but that's the first time we ever had any problems with it. (When we did have that problem, they were super apologetic about it and rewarded us with 3 free rentals).

If you're not familiar with it, it's pretty much a vending machine for DVDs and is popping up in more and more locations. We like it because it only costs $1 a night (you choose how many nights you want to keep it) and you can return it at any Redbox location. Once, while we were on a road trip, we rented one in Colorado and then returned it by our house. I also love being able to return a movie without having to get all the kids out of the car, as a lot of the machines are outside.

You can be on an e-mail list to get free rental codes and new release titles. You can reserve movies online and see which movies are at which locations to save yourself a trip if they don't have what you want anyway.

There are no monthly fees.

I think whoever came up with it really had a great idea!

Going Bananas!

I don't remember when it all began, but let's just say I hope it's all come to an end.

The week was a blur and yet had many vivid points. I think the domino effect probably started when I rushed in the snow flurries to pick up the kids from school to race Robyn to her race, only to find out that the race was just canceled.

Carly's teacher told me her school pictures were creased.

Myles was already standing (freezing) on a street corner missing work, waiting for me to pick him up on the way to the race.

We were out of milk and bananas, and decided to run into a store on our way home so our whole trip wouldn't be a waste, only to get hit in the parking lot...

Carly tripped over our stroller and fell down the cement steps of our porch on her way to school. I felt bad for her, but sent her on her way, anyway, only to have the secretary call me and ask me if I realized what had happened and that she would put ice on it for me...

My grandma sent me home with food (a lot of food) and I forgot it in the car...

Myles dropped me off with the kids at their school to help out with their Halloween festivities while he ran to the plumbing store to pick up a part, only to find out they were closed.

Carly's kindergarten had a sub the day of their Halloween party. Just imagine what that means.

We were so tired by Friday night that we decided to enjoy a nice, relaxing evening at home.

We rented a movie online, and I volunteered to pick it up while Myles finished up with his plumbing project. As I was leaving, he said, "That Seven-11 isn't in the best part of town, but it's not too late. I guess you'll be OK."

When I pulled into a parking spot, the first thing I saw out of the corner of my eye was a guy with a knife sticking out of his head and blood gushing out.

Oh, yeah, it's Halloween Eve, I remember.

I got out of my car only to discover that the Redbox machine was not working. I dial their 1-800 # on the pay phone and wonder just how long I should stand there on hold until Myles starts wondering what happened to me.

I stand there long enough to see three sets of people walk out with cases of beer and two different people almost get hit by cars pulling into parking spots next to them as they're opening their doors to get out.

I drive home empty handed, not even mad. I start laughing to myself and then out loud just thinking about telling Myles what just happened.

While I'm on hold with Redbox at home, Myles drives to a different location to pick up the movie, and ends up driving to 3 more due to technical difficulties.

It's so late by the time we start the movie that I don't think it was as funny as it should've been. We stay up even later to watch the Deleted Scenes, hoping those will be funnier, but they're not.

Tomorrow is Robyn's race. She really wants to go. I'm not so sure that's such a good idea.

I do have to say that I called about the school pictures and they sent me full-sheet replacements, so I ended up with extra ones, we didn't get hurt in the fender bender, Carly didn't end up with a shiner like I thought she would, my grandma never found out (unless someone reads this and tells her), our leaks are fixed, Myles never complained about anything, and we got 3 free movie codes from Redbox!

PS We never found those bananas we bought.

Say What?!

Myles after getting home from work: I found an interesting bug today.
Carly: Really?! What did it look like? Did it bite you?!

He also found some really interesting features of a computer part he ordered in the mail straight from China:

1. chip-wide design, not more secure smooth hand injury.
2. The new chip manufacturing more durable.
3. Complete packaging and accessories, but also beautiful and practical.
4. More multi-purpose card, failure to master more convenient.
5. Sound alarm.
6. Super compatibility.
7. Fault can only diagnostics.
8. China has been large-scale IT companies to choose from, more quality assured.

Mmm...and people wonder why it's taking us so long to finish! Not to mention that his power supply literally burned up the same week (for the second time).

So, keep those prayers coming, and if someone is looking for a job in Chinese translation, I think you could (or should) send in that resume!

Halloween Highlights...

1. Myles' pumpkin original
2. Carly offering a piece of her candy to the person she was trick-or-treating to because "she was so nice, Mom."
3. Robyn happily letting Carly join her school Halloween parade.
4. Myles scaring (or scarring) the trick or treaters as the Big Bad Wolf.
5. Bringing Bozo Buckets to Carly and Robyn's class parties.
6. Trick or treating in the most glorious weather ever.
7. Seeing so many fun friends in the neighborhood.
8. Winning Mud Tacos (the book).
9. Myles making pumpkin soup and pumpkin seeds for us.
10. Sharing my kids' loot!!

5 Little Pumpkins

(Plus Carly's makes 6)

5 Little Pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "My, it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "Well, I don't care."
The fourth one said, "I'm ready for some fun."
The fifth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"

Wooooo went the wind and out went the lights (clap)
And 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Preschool party. What a fun bunch!

Reading Where the Wild Things Are was a big hit! Has anyone seen the movie? Is it good? Is it too scary for little kids? What do you think?

3 Little Witches

The girls enjoyed this fun craft from a Halloween party we went to.

Go, Carly, Go!

I love the determined look of concentration on her face in this pic. and how it's all a blur.

This one cracks me up because she suddenly looks like a big kid on a little bike. Nice of her to choose such a scenic time of year to learn to ride.

After many previous practices with Mom and Dad, Granddad's helping hand and encouragement is what got Carly to really take off!

Riding off into the Sunset

It's always fun when Mikey comes!

Peter and the Wolf

Macy looks like she's worried the wolf's going to eat her in this picture!

This was such a fun show! You're the best, Amber!

free tickets!

We had a fun cousin day seeing Stellaluna, a creative production based on the children's book that used acting and puppetry. At our matinee show, they gave us some free kids' tickets for an evening show. If you're local and you want to go, give me a call.

Boo!

Carly and I had fun making these ghost cookies together for our mother/daughter date last week. We dipped Nutter Butters in white chocolate and then used mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouths. Very easy. Very fun. Very yummy! We decided we could use three more mini chocolate chips for buttons to make snowmen next time.

Halloween Bread

Ever since Myles was a little boy, he'd do reverse trick-or-treating and bring Halloween bread around to people with his mom. People would say "thank you" politely, thinking the bread was burned or moldy, until they were brave enough to cut a slice and discover the swirls! Now our girls have fun making it and surprising people, too.

Macy: You are not my father!

Playing with Grammy

Robyn has just taken off with the piano. She loves spending the time practicing and playing duets with Grammy. The girls also had fun for many hours with the playdough Grammy brought. Carly really developed her writing muscles using that garlic press!

True Love

Out of all the kids, Macy loved the pumpkin guts the most! She just couldn't get enough squishing.

I loved that we grew enough pumpkins this year to choose from our own patch, and I loved seeing each child's unique creative designs.

Myles taught the art of pumpkin surgery with toothpicks when needed.

We enjoyed warm, salty pumkin seeds and sweet donuts with lots of sprinkles!