Annual Temple Square Trip

A couple of weeks ago, we had our annual Temple Square Trip. It was fun and not terribly cold. The kids had a GREAT time looking at the lights. There was even a tree with pink lights on it - which thrilled Noodle.

Lewlew, Noodle, and Buddy in front of the big snowflake.

The manger scene that looks almost real.

The tree in the JSM Building. Incredibly beautiful!

All of us in front of a tree made of lights.

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh Bells ring, are you listening? A beautiful sight, we're happy today, LIVING in a winter wonderland. It's been snowing ALL day. It's a good wet, heavy snow too. Last week we got 3 snow storms. And we're supposed to get 2 more before Friday. Yea for the snow and moisture! Boo, for those who don't know how to drive in it. Yea for my neighbors and their snow blowers! Boo for when they don't clear our walks! Yea for the workout I get clearing our walks! Boo for my sore back!

Our backyard

Our front yard and across the street.

A Special Day

Buddywas baptised on Saturday by his dad. Noodle and Papa Eric sang "I Am A Child Of God" and it was so neat. Bret then confirmed Austin a member of the church and gave him the Holy Ghost and gave him a great blessing. Afterwards we ate Hawaiian Haystacks - one of Buddy's favorite foods. It was yummy! It was such a wonderful day. Thanks to all those who brought food and helped us celebrate this happy day.

Hubs and Buddy

Buddy after he was confirmed.

Taylor, notice the tie he's wearing. It's the one you gave him. He loves it!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Buddy 6 weeks old

My first born in 8 years old today!! Sheesh!!! Where has the time gone. 2 years ago, Hubs and I walked to the church to attended a baptism of a friend of ours. That day we said that in just 2 short years we'd be doing the same thing for Buddy. Little did I know just how short these last 2 years have been. He was the absolute BEST early Christmas present ever. It brings tears to my eyes to see him, to see how big he is, to watch him with his sisters, to see him participate in FHE and Primary, to see him help his dad. He is such a sweet, tender young man. Buddy has such a special relationship with his Nana and I wouldn't change that for anything. He's in 2nd grade, loves Transformers and is quite good with the computer. (His favorite sites are Ebay and You Tube.) His favorite color is orange and he likes going to the cabin and playing with Zach. I'm so thankful for Buddy and the part he plays in our lives. Happy Birthday Buddy!

Buddy Oct 2008 - Almost 8 years old

PS He's going to be baptized Sat. For more info, leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Christmas Lights

We just finished putting our outside lights on. Click below to see the video.

The Christmas Guest

It happened day near December’s end
Two neighbors called on an old friend.
They found his house so meager and lean
Made gay a thousand bows of green.
And Conrad was sittin’ with faces shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he said, “Oh friends at dawn today
When the cock was crowin’ the night away
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said ‘I’m comin’ your guest to be.’
So I’ve been busy with feet astir
And strewin’ my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shine
And over the rafters the holly is twine.
Now I’ll wait from my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear his step
As he nears my humble place
And I’ll open the door and look on his face.”
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone
For this was the happiest day he’d known.
For long since his family had passed away
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas day.
But he knew with this Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at his door
Like the vision he’d had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound
But all he could see on the snow covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
But he Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said, “Ya know, your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that’ll keep you warmer too.”
So with grateful heart the man went away
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And wondered what made the Lord so late
And how much longer he’d have to wait.
When he heard a knock he ran to the door
But it was only a stranger once more
A bent old lady with a shawl of black
With a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad’s great guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, “Don’t send me away.
Let me rest for a while on Christmas Day.”
So Conrad brewed her a steamin’ cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
And the Lord hadn’t come as he said he would
And Conrad felt sure he’d misunderstood.
When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
“Please help me and tell me where am I.”
So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was only a child who’d wondered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad’s heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make the little girl glad.
So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darken door
He knew the Lord was not coming today.
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, “Dear Lord, why did you delay.
What kept you from coming to call on me?
For I wanted so much your face to see.”
When soft in the silence a voice he heard,
“Lift up your head for I kept my word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
And 3 times I came to your lonely door.
I was the beggar with bruised cold feet.
I was the woman you gave something to eat.
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked and three times I came in
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts love is the best.
And I was honored to be your Christmas guest.”

Colorado Christmas

One thing I miss about Colorado is the snow. It was different than here. When it snowed in my hometown, it stayed on the ground until late spring - because it was so freakishly cold. I don't miss that kind of cold, but because the snow lasted so long we almost always had a white Christmas. So even though this song is set in California, it's still one of my favorites.

Lookin’ out this window of this Hollywood hotel,
You’d never know that it was Christmas Eve.
The billboards and the neon took the place of silver bells,
And the temperature is 84 degrees.
I can hear the traffic on the crowded strip below,
As the palm trees poke their heads above the scene.
But there’s not a single reindeer and it hardly ever snows
And Santa drives a Roles Royce Limousine.
But all along the Rockies you can feel it in the air.
From Telluride to Boulder down below.
The closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere,
Is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow.
I remember Christmases when I was just a boy,
In the morning I would run and see the tree.
And the carolers on the hillside sing their songs of Christmas joy.
Well I always thought they sang them just for me.
Now the sun is setting in the California sky,
And I can’t find the spirit anywhere.
So I think it’s time for me to tell Los Angelas good-bye.
I’m going back home to look for Christmas there.
But all along the Rockies you can feel it in the air,
From Telluride to Boulder down below
The closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere,
Is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow.
It’s a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow.

Annual Santa Trip

Every year we take the kids to see Santa. It was great this year. And the pictures turned out awesome! I'm so glad my kids are past the cry your eyes out to see Santa. Lewlew was so big and brave. If Buddy and Noodle can do then so can she. If any of you want to go see Santa, go to the Univ Mall Santa. He's better and cheaper!!!

Buddy is showing Santa his "list."

Noodle is talking to Santa.

Santa is listening to Lewlew.

CONTEST

So I was at the doctor's office the other day and this young lady came in with her 2 week old baby girl. The mom checked in her baby and I couldn't believe me ears. The baby's name is.....

The first one with the correct guess will get a Christmas ornament of some kind. I'll announce the winner in a couple of days. Good luck to all!

Christmas Memories...

I am inviting everyone who wants to (this means those of you who ALWAYS read and never post a comment), to post in the comments of this post, their favorite Christmas memory(ies) and or traditions. Here are just a few of mine:

When I was young - before any of my generation got married or moved - we always went to Grandma and Grandpa's. We had a pinata and starting with the younges first we lined up to take a couple swings at it. We always had hot cocoa and some sort of food (sandwiches, chili, chicken noodle soup). We drew names earlier in the year, so we exchanged gifts and got to open that gift. Then we got to open the gift from Grandma and Grandpa. Then we all went to our homes and went to bed.

As we got older the pinata and gifts were done away with and we started giving food storage as gifts.

When Bret and I were first married, we spent Christmas Eve with his parents and sisters and nephew and nieces. At first it was nice. Then when we had kids, it got to be too much. So we spend the odd years with his parents on Christmas Eve and the even years at home. When we spend it with Grandma and Grandpa, there are 15 people so there are tons of gifts. Then we have some sort of waffle concoctions for breakfast. A few years we've gone to a movie Christmas afternoon. Some years we've gone over to Great Grandma's. At some point in the season, Bret's extended family has a progressive dinner where we go to 4 or 5 families home for some part of a meal.

When we spend Christmas at home, we build a fire on Christmas Eve and light lots of candles and read the Christmas Story from the bible while eating something and drinking hot cocoa. Sometimes we let the kids open 1 gift - usually jammies. Then Christmas morning, we open gifts and just sorta hang out for a couple hours and then we head over to Bret's parents. Almost every year during the season, we go to Temple Square to see the lights. That hasn't got old yet! It's one of our favorite traditions.

We also like to do the 12 days of Christmas for someone or a Secret Santa. Also every year, we take the kids shopping. They pick out something they want, we buy it and have the kids donate it to Toys 4 Tots. We all really like doing that.

Christmas is a really great time to focus on Christ and all of our blessings. I try to bring Christ in more and more every year. I hope to impress on my kids' minds that Santa is the spirit of giving. That Christmas is about Christ and giving, NOT recieving. It's hard when they're so young. But hopefully it will sink in.

I hope we all enjoy this magical season and keep the spirit of Jesus and giving in our hearts.