Christmas 2010

Christmas was nice this year. On Christmas Eve we actually had the missionaries over for dinner and the kids had bought and wrapped them some socks and we sent them home with plates of food so they could have leftovers the next day. It was fun to read the Christmas story with them and have them bare there testimonies to my children about our Savior. I really tried to help them think about the Savior every day and what He has done for us. We read the scriptures and talked about things we wanted to do to be like Jesus. I am so thankful for my Savior and the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I hope that I can share it and give someone else the joy of that knowledge. I did like what one of the missionaries said when the spoke in Church on Sunday. It was how we teach people the gospel all through out our lives. Missionaries go door to door. Teachers teach in primary or sunday school or ym & yw. Moms and Dads teach almost everyday. I think that is why I love the thought that nothing can compare to our homes if we live righteously and teach through example to love and serve with all our hearts and minds and souls.

I am glad that we were able to stay home just us this year. It was nice to make our own traditions and have the time together. The kids all got to open one gift the night before... jammies!!! We got up around 7:30... it was so nice to sleep in!! We looked at what Santa brought and then we opened gifts from family and friends. The kids were so excited to have each other open the gifts they had gone with me to buy for each other. It was fun watching them wait and see if their brother or sister would get as excited about what they had bought for them as they had been buying it. We had them open the gifts we had bought for them last and it was fun to see their faces and get hugs of thanks! They had made us gifts as school and I will cherish each ornament and bookmark!! 

Of course we then had sweet rolls and eggnog milkshakes, and when Dewey came back from checking the building we had eggs and sausage and tried to relax for a little bit. 

new p j's

After Christmas but still on Christmas day we actually packed up and headed to Salt Lake for a Funeral. Dewey's dad's mom passed away on Dec 20th after 81 years of a wonderful life. She had been living with Dewey's aunts who were so sweet with her and did everything with her... going to ball games, camping, parties, you name it. She was the life of the party and always wanted to hold the baby (and share her drink with him/her even if it was diet pepsi). She had been without her sweetheart for 18 years and also two sons and a daughter had gone on before her as well. She had a wonderful Christmas reunion with them, I am sure, and she is very missed here. We were able to be in Salt Lake with all Dewey's family and then she was buried in Fountain Green, UT next to Grandpa.

What we have been up to...

So it has been a little while since I last posted. We have been very busy getting over horrible colds and the flu, and in the mean time, taking wonderful little hikes and playing together! We went to our ward Christmas party in which the kids got to visit with Santa. I would like to be a fly on Santa's nose to hear what things they tell him they would like, as it always changes from moment to moment. Ben wanted a helicopter, night vision goggles, and more books. Willard wanted anything he could take a bath with. Joselyn wanted another horse (go figure) and Eph was just fascinated to see Santa he couldn't get any words out. I did get a picture of all of them...

We are so excited for this season. I love taking the kids shopping for each other. If we had an endless budget it would be interesting what the kids would buy for whom. As it is we made gifts for the kids' teachers instead. Ben was going to write his teacher a story to give her but as he was doing it he decided to create a little Christmas tree for her instead. All by himself, he cut the tree and glued on ornaments and a tree stand. When he took it to school to give it to her she LOVED it. He is a pretty special kid!! We also get to have the missionaries over for dinner on Christmas Eve and the kids are helping me make the Elders some special gifts. I can only hope to make them feel as if they were home...

 

I have so much fun with my family. My parents came up on Saturday to celebrate with us early because they are going to MO for the Ames' Nutcracker performances. Anyway, they brought with them a game called Qwirkle. It is a mix between dominos and scrabble with shapes and colors. I love it!! And the kids want to pay it over and over. We can also use all the pieces for sorting and counting games. We went out to eat with Grannie and Pop and it was cute because Ben really wanted to go to the Golden Corral.  He gets it in his mind about something and will NOT let it go. It turned out to be great fun anyway!

Here are some pictures of the kids hike with Dewey. I stayed in the car with Ruby. They hiked almost all the way to the top of this hill. They were in search of a geocache that ended up being on the other side of the barbed wire fence. Not a good combination for a almost three year old, five year old twins, an eight year old and Dewey (I won't mention his age because my birthday is coming up and I don't want retaliation!!!)

You can see them all the way up the mountain... look closer!!

Shutterfly is Amazing!!

I love the photo cards you can make through places like Shutterfly! I remember spending hours trying to print off my own cards and getting them just right.  Now you can upload the pictures you want and make personalized cards for many different occasions!! Sutterfly is a great online comp that has a wonderful selection of gift cards and other creations like calendars and photobooks...
Check them out HERE to sign up yourself!! I am excited to make a personalized Christmas card this year!!! It will be fun to use a different design template and they have such a great variety to choose from!! They also do birth announcements and birthday cards!! Just check it out HERE!

Thank you Shutterfly!!