Christmas Morning

After our traditional photo on the stairs and my forcing them to eat piping hot cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven, (am I the only person who forces my kids to eat before presents??) we scurry into the living room and pull back a blanket to see what Santa dropped by. Since Santa has so many gifts to get for all the good boys and girls around the world, we keep our list short & sweet. The bigger gifts come from Mom and Dad who would never want to be out done by some guy in a red suit.

After they exchanged the gifts they got for each other, (my favorite part of the morning), we lined the kids up just so and handed them small bags containing their gifts from us.

The various bags contained disposable cameras, sunscreen, water goggles, and such, and a card that looked like this:

The card explained what we'd be doing over the break. As you can see below, the kids were totally surprised and ecstatic about our plans. It was not easy keeping this a secret from them but after watching their responses, I'm so glad we did!

A BIG thank you to my friend Kristen for offering her home in California thereby making this whole trip possible!! Pics of the trip coming soon...

A recap of what we've been up to beginning with: Christmas Eve

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we drove...

Here is our lovely Lisey showing off her snow baby ornament on Grandma's tree. There is one for every grandchild. The kids love looking at them and telling which one belongs to whom.

There was the traditional reading of the nativity featuring our very own...


Mary and Joseph


an Angel


a very cute but dangerous Shepard (his long staff was flying everywhere)


and Kings and Wise Men who traveled afar.

There were angel voices singing

and the quite successful playing of the bells thanks to our highly experienced conductor.


Ring out wild bells!

There was fierce competitive gift grabbing with our 2nd annual "Left, Right Gift Exchange"

Christmas cheer abounded

and fun was had by all.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for making our night so joyous!

Miracles

D& C 84:88

We, living at the residence of Comfy Chaos, have witnessed some mighty miracles this last year!

Here are a few things I've learned that I wish to share:

1.There are blessings to paying tithing. Of this I have no doubt. They are not always financial but come with the peace of knowing that if you've faithfully done your part, the Lord will take care of you.

2. Sincere prayer- written, thought or spoken has power beyond all comprehension.

3. There is no one single person insignificant to the Lord. We are all his children and he is mindful of you and even little o' me in East Millcreek.

Happy New Year to you all!

(Thanks for the angel, M. It will find a little spot in my home to remind me of the constant miracles I encounter each and every day.)

Merry Christmas!

Mr. Hollywood

Joseph started second grade at a new school this last fall. It was a scary move for him not knowing anyone and giving up recess with his neighborhood buds. He took on our family motto, "I can do hard things" and went into it with a great attitude. We'd heard amazing things about the 2nd grade teacher at his new school but whoa, were we in for a surprise when we found out just how truly AMAZING she really is. I could go on and on gushing about her curriculum and her mad cogitating skills but I will refrain at this time and just share a few pics and clips of their latest program of which she wrote and composed all of the music.

I asked Joseph if any girls had crushes on him. His response, "Ah, just a few. They're just in love with with my big eyes and lashes I guess."

His teacher calls him her Mr. Hollywood. Click on the videos to find out why.

Winters

Don't judge, just love... I let my girls go to school dances before the age of 16. Maybe it's a cultural thing (Quinceañera). Or maybe it's because she has a late summer birthday and will actually graduate at the age of 17 thus skipping out on a whole year of dances. Regardless, she goes on a friend only basis and with a big group of kids and maintains the same curfew as any other night.

Being a girls choice dance she decided at the last minute and from heavy persuasion from her friends to ask her hilarious tennis bud, Howard. Here are a few pictures of the fun response.


Analisa sifted through a bag of flour and found these little notes but no answer...


Half an hour later the doorbell rang with this type of flower laying on the doormat.




She found her gorgeous dress at Thrift Town for 30 bucks which she happily paid for with her own $. Thank you Lisey!


The girls arranged a three course meal at Anna's house.


I chaperoned this part of the evening and was able to snap a few pictures.


They all went over to another girls house after the dance and decorated ginger bread houses while watching Elf.

This picture is only half of her very good friends. How lucky she is to be surrounded by some pretty amazing kids.

A Christmas tune

performed by our little music man, Matthew.

Listen to the Sounds of Heaven

Last winter our dear friend Blue invited Matthew and Katherine to hear her daughter sing with The Salt Lake Children's Choir. When the kids came home that night they went on and on about how beautiful it was and how I just had to hear it to believe it. Matthew commented to me that he wanted to try out and sing with the choir too. I didn't think much of it but he insisted. I made a few phone calls, arranged an audition and here he is one year later adding his own angelic voice to the mix.

Nothing like beautiful Christmas music to usher in the spirit of the season.





Berceuse (Lullaby to the Child)
Their joyous voices lead us on to the child who in the manger reposes on the fragrant hay
Oh sleep little Jesus, Oh sleep holy child
Heavens shining eyes are watching over Thee, so sleep
Our hearts fill with hope and joy at thy birth
Slumber dearest Jesus fair heavenly King, Oh sleep
To God we sing our joy Noel!
Sing we Noel!

December 2009

Last week I felt like this...


Word to the wise: DO NOT EVER attempt to pack or look for a new place to relocate a family of 8, plus a dog, in DECEMBER! Involuntary tears, insomnia and overall grumpiness are not a good way to start the "most wonderful time of the year".

The last thing I felt like doing while packing up the basement was to turn around and unpack Christmas decorations. But thanks to my dear sister Crystal and a few unrelenting kids, the stocking have been hung and the magic of twinkling lights and boughs of holly have draped themselves around our Sunnydale home one last time.

It's Christmas time folks, and that alone is cause for celebration! Just don't ask me where we're going to live a month and a half from now or I might have to hurt you ;)

Caution: Read only if you're in the mood for a good cry

I came across this tender photo journal titled Days With My Father by Philip Toledano. The pictures and story are so touching. Reading this made me 1.grateful that my parents are still relatively young and healthy even though they live far away (I miss them so much these days!) 2.grateful I am not an only child cause that would be really lonely and 3.grateful for my knowledge of eternal families.