We head out to this place next.
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 31
Saturday, December 24
The reason for the season
This has been a season of giving. We have been able to share our home, time, resources, and baked goods with friends, family, and neighbors. Our girls have given to each other by doing small acts of service, buying gifts, and playing without fighting. We have been the recipients of the kindness and service of family, friends, and neighbors and are so grateful for their thoughtfulness.
Giving.
That is what Christmas is about. It all started with the first gift. The ultimate. The greatest gift that would span time and space and cover all the people that would ever inhabit the earth.
The gift of God's Son.
I am grateful to celebrate His miraculous birth and for our loving Father who sent Him down to save us all. I am grateful that He willingly gave His life for you and for me. And I am grateful that He continues to give mercy, grace, and love through the power of His atonement. That is what Christmas means to me.
Giving.
That is what Christmas is about. It all started with the first gift. The ultimate. The greatest gift that would span time and space and cover all the people that would ever inhabit the earth.
The gift of God's Son.
I am grateful to celebrate His miraculous birth and for our loving Father who sent Him down to save us all. I am grateful that He willingly gave His life for you and for me. And I am grateful that He continues to give mercy, grace, and love through the power of His atonement. That is what Christmas means to me.
Friday, December 23
Tree report
Dead.
She lived for 23 days (Monday the 19th) before she stopped drinking.
She couldn't survive without water.
A few days later her pine needles lost their color, shriveled up, and turned crunchy.
Yet her skeleton stands waiting for two more days to greet the fat man who delivers.
I hope he is not displeased with her.
She tried her best.
[Her caretakers promise to do better next year by buying the tree a week later, soaking it again in the pool, and watering more consistently each day. They do feel grateful that she lasted longer than any other tree they've had.]
She lived for 23 days (Monday the 19th) before she stopped drinking.
She couldn't survive without water.
A few days later her pine needles lost their color, shriveled up, and turned crunchy.
Yet her skeleton stands waiting for two more days to greet the fat man who delivers.
I hope he is not displeased with her.
She tried her best.
[Her caretakers promise to do better next year by buying the tree a week later, soaking it again in the pool, and watering more consistently each day. They do feel grateful that she lasted longer than any other tree they've had.]
Tuesday, December 20
The real deal
One stalk of broccoli came from the store and the other one came from my garden. This one, combined with the other 3 stalks I've got out there, an onion, and maybe some celery probably equal the sum total of output from the winter garden. Oh well. At least it looks and tastes awesome.
Monday, December 19
Catching up on Christmas
We had dinner and watched the 1st Presidency Devotional with D&C campout style in front of the computer screen.
I've gone into Hobby Lobby 10 times in the last 3 weeks to get supplies for a wreath, presents, chargers, napkin rings, stuffed animal sleeping bags, and numerous other things.
We are doing our first "12 days of Christmas" daily present leaving/doorbell ditching and are all loving the thrill of running away before we get caught.
Several times a week we hop in the car with hot chocolate and drive around looking at lights before bed.
The girls love putting up a piece of the advent calendar every day and everyone is almost here to welcome the baby Jesus.
Spent time with different girl friends crafting, sewing, and just hanging out with kids running wild.
We've had 3 fires in the fireplace and I've got logs for a dozen more.
Ellie had the most darling Christmas program at preschool and brought home a beautiful homemade ornament (which broke, but was recreated the following day after another trip to HL).
We attended a junior league production of the Nutcracker at a local high school with some neighborhood friends and the girls were in heaven.
We ordered our girls main gifts online. Our neighbor let me send them to her house and her husband assembled everything today. Score!
A storm came through our toy room and left behind some snowflakes.
Started training for a half-marathon on March 3 with some cute ward girls. Anyone else want in???
We spent time making gingerbread men at the Children's museum and Ellie and Ada were in heaven.
Lauren bought her sisters presents at her school's "Christmas store," and even when I told her she could use a few dollars to buy something for herself she decided to get something for me and Jake instead.
And tonight we hosted an Elders Quorum cookie party with some wonderful company and fabulous desserts.
I can't believe there is just one more week to go.....
(And lest you think we live in a wonderland, I ran over a curb on Saturday in J's car and did this. Big oops for sure)
I've gone into Hobby Lobby 10 times in the last 3 weeks to get supplies for a wreath, presents, chargers, napkin rings, stuffed animal sleeping bags, and numerous other things.
We are doing our first "12 days of Christmas" daily present leaving/doorbell ditching and are all loving the thrill of running away before we get caught.
Several times a week we hop in the car with hot chocolate and drive around looking at lights before bed.
The girls love putting up a piece of the advent calendar every day and everyone is almost here to welcome the baby Jesus.
Spent time with different girl friends crafting, sewing, and just hanging out with kids running wild.
We've had 3 fires in the fireplace and I've got logs for a dozen more.
Ellie had the most darling Christmas program at preschool and brought home a beautiful homemade ornament (which broke, but was recreated the following day after another trip to HL).
We attended a junior league production of the Nutcracker at a local high school with some neighborhood friends and the girls were in heaven.
We ordered our girls main gifts online. Our neighbor let me send them to her house and her husband assembled everything today. Score!
A storm came through our toy room and left behind some snowflakes.
Started training for a half-marathon on March 3 with some cute ward girls. Anyone else want in???
We spent time making gingerbread men at the Children's museum and Ellie and Ada were in heaven.
Lauren bought her sisters presents at her school's "Christmas store," and even when I told her she could use a few dollars to buy something for herself she decided to get something for me and Jake instead.
And tonight we hosted an Elders Quorum cookie party with some wonderful company and fabulous desserts.
I can't believe there is just one more week to go.....
(And lest you think we live in a wonderland, I ran over a curb on Saturday in J's car and did this. Big oops for sure)
Saturday, December 3
It's great to turn 4
Our sweet Ellie celebrated her birthday in style with a Christmas birthday party. We put fuzzy decorations on pine cone trees, played pin the nose on Frosty, duck duck reindeer and hot potato Santa. Ellie wanted to invite everyone from her preschool and primary class so we had a house full of sweet little kids who had a great time. She loved opening her presents, decorating sugar cookies, eating cupcakes and hearing her friends sing "happy birthday to you." All in all it has been a great day to celebrate this sweet girl we love so much. I'm so grateful for the 4 years we've had to get to know this amazing, sweet, sensitive, bright, and lovely daughter.
Thursday, December 1
Thankful
I am so thankful that we went to Utah for Thanksgiving.
We drove up on Wednesday, stayed for 3 days and turned it back around on Sunday.
It was a great holiday. I loved being with my family. They are seriously all wonderful people.
We ran the turkey trot, ate a lovely and delicious meal, watched some football (some more than others), saw Breaking Dawn, laughed and joked around, played at the Provo Beach resort, held a baby shower for Courtney and little Vern, saw the Messiah, got some gas station hot chocolate, visited campus and enjoyed being together.
I am thankful to my parents for hosting us, feeding us, loving us, and making the holiday memorable.
I am thankful to my siblings and their spouses for making the trip and for their support and fun loving natures.
We spent Saturday morning with the Utahans on J's side of the family. Jen & Taylor hosted us for brunch at their lovely apartment and we had a great meal with them and Matt and Jessica. We loved talking with them and hearing about whats going on in their lives. We are grateful that they patiently broke the ice with our kids and were so good to them.
After our visit we all headed down the street to visit J's only living grandmother.
She broke her leg 6 weeks ago and is in a facility recovering. She will turn 93 on Christmas Eve. She is truly a wonderful lady and we so enjoyed talking with her and seeing her doing so well, despite her difficult health condition.
We were sad to leave, but so happy that we got to spend those days together. Our girls truly love their extended family members and I am so grateful that they have so many good influences and examples to look to and learn from as they grow up.
Family really is what matters most.
(And since we were having so much fun together, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me. Just visualize all of the above events with all of the members of the family I mentioned. If you don't know what those people look like, feel free to create your own cast of characters.)
We drove up on Wednesday, stayed for 3 days and turned it back around on Sunday.
It was a great holiday. I loved being with my family. They are seriously all wonderful people.
We ran the turkey trot, ate a lovely and delicious meal, watched some football (some more than others), saw Breaking Dawn, laughed and joked around, played at the Provo Beach resort, held a baby shower for Courtney and little Vern, saw the Messiah, got some gas station hot chocolate, visited campus and enjoyed being together.
I am thankful to my parents for hosting us, feeding us, loving us, and making the holiday memorable.
I am thankful to my siblings and their spouses for making the trip and for their support and fun loving natures.
We spent Saturday morning with the Utahans on J's side of the family. Jen & Taylor hosted us for brunch at their lovely apartment and we had a great meal with them and Matt and Jessica. We loved talking with them and hearing about whats going on in their lives. We are grateful that they patiently broke the ice with our kids and were so good to them.
After our visit we all headed down the street to visit J's only living grandmother.
She broke her leg 6 weeks ago and is in a facility recovering. She will turn 93 on Christmas Eve. She is truly a wonderful lady and we so enjoyed talking with her and seeing her doing so well, despite her difficult health condition.
We were sad to leave, but so happy that we got to spend those days together. Our girls truly love their extended family members and I am so grateful that they have so many good influences and examples to look to and learn from as they grow up.
Family really is what matters most.
(And since we were having so much fun together, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me. Just visualize all of the above events with all of the members of the family I mentioned. If you don't know what those people look like, feel free to create your own cast of characters.)
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