Christmas at Grandma Karens

On Christmas Eve we all went over to Karen's house for a delicious ham & potato dinner. We ate first & the kids couldn't wait to open their presents. Grandma Karen was so generous to each of us. Grandpa Boyd came too & had picked out special presents for each of the kids. After the presents had all been opened we watched "Elf" & then ate again. We had such a fun time with family.
 
 
 
 

Bowling

We all went bowling with Brian's family on Tuesday night after the big snow storm. Brian & I have not bowled for years & somehow he still managed to get strikes & spares. I on the other hand needed lots of help! Soon Brian realized that I really wasn't enoying the gutter balls every turn, so he made sure the bumpers came up on my turn- and yes- they worked great. I think I just needed to know that there was safety there, because once they were up, my ball never hit the bumpers & went straight towards the pins. :) We all had such a fun time! Boyd was so nice to go with us & I loved watching him help the grandkids bowl the right way. Jeff & Brittany's little boy just broke his femur & Karen was so sweet to stay with him so we could all bowl- we missed them! We all had pizza & rootbeer, and the kids can't wait to go again! Jackson was sad at the end because he didn't get to bowl very much. He only played 2 games, got to bowl twice on each turn, so a total of 36 turns & somehow it wasn't enough- maybe next time. :)
  
  

Snow Day

While I was shoveling one day, Jackson decided he wanted to help me. First he took 2 big scoops of snow & threw it to the side of the driveway. Then he started making snow angels & finally he started a snow man. After I finished the drivway, I went over to help him with the snowman. I loved seeing his creativity & watching him play it the snow.
The next day we got a HUGE snow storm! I looked outside at 6:00 and decided that I didn't want to send Morgan to school. I didn't want to drive in it, and where it was the last day before Christmas break, I knew they wouldn't be doing much. At 7:30 they decided to cancel school. We ended up getting a little over 12 inches of snow! The kids were so excited to have a "snow day." I felt like Buddy the Elf was living with me as we made plans for the day. Here was the list that Morgan & Jackson came up with. First we'll change our room around. Second, we'll go outside and play with our friends in the snow. Third, we'll come inside and take a hot bath. Fourth, we'll drink hot chocolate & eat lunch. Fifth we'll watch a movie. Sixth, we'll make cookies. It was a great way to spend our snow day.

Why I believe in Santa Claus...

 
Years ago, when I was around 12 years old, I knew what I thought was the "truth" about Santa. I was excited for the Christmas season, but also a little apprehensive because I knew that my parents didn't have a lot of money & that Christmas this year would be a little tight.
We were living in Iona, Idaho at the time & my parents made sure that we were feeling the true meaning of Christmas. We served others, spent time as a family, went to piano recitals to listen to easy-played Christmas music, had Family Home Evening, & tried to keep the normal traditions. I remember as always, singing songs like "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" as all 9 of us drove around in our blue mini van in our little city. Even now as I hear these songs, it reminds me of being a kid & the closeness of our family.
This one particular year, I could tell that my parents were somewhat stressed with the holiday season. As much as they tried to keep the season happy & joyous, they were still nervous about what our reactions would be come Christmas morning when there is little under the tree.
On Christmas Eve we were all at home when there was a knock at the door. As someone opened the door, there stood Santa Claus himself- coming for an early visit to see our family. He walked in carrying bags of presents. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes as I think of this kind gentleman who chose to bring light to our family & spend Christmas Eve with us. He pulled out present after present out of his bags for each of us. I remember each of us watching in awe at the number of gifts that soon began to fill our living room. Santa then came and sat on a chair and one by one we each went and sat on his lap. After each one of us had a turn, I remember him looking at my Mom & telling her it was her turn. She said it was okay, that she didn't need a turn & he told her that everyone needed to tell Santa Claus what they wanted for Christmas. I'm sure that my Mom said that she had everything that she needed & that what else could she possibly need when she had the happiness of her family & a stranger bringing joy? However, I watched as she went and sat on his lap & with tears in her eyes talked to him. Then it was my Dad's turn. :) As I tried to smile as I watched both of my parents on Santa's lap, I couldn't hold back the tears myself as I realized how much they were sacrificing for our family, and how much this special visit meant to them- other than just the gifts.
Santa Claus stayed for while & when it was time to go, we all thanked him with smiles on each of our faces. He wished us a Merry Christmas & then he was gone. A couple of seconds after he left, my Dad went out to see if he could see his sleigh (or a car) leaving. To my Dad's surprise, he couldn't see anyone or any trace of our Santa. I have even asked my parents a couple of times since then if they knew who Santa really was. My Mom said they honestly never knew- he was Santa. Years went by & when people would say, "There's NO Santa" I knew they were wrong. He had come to my house in the spirit of giving & love. He sacrificed his night to be with our family & brought peace & joy. And so, since then & for always... I believe!

The best part of being 1- Birthday Cake!

Brian was right- he guessed that Landon would dig into his birthday cake & go to town eating it! Landon LOVED his chocolate snowman birthday cake. I made a little too much & we had LOTS left over! Landon ate almost the entire head of the snowman. I tried for about 10 minutes to take a picture of him without his cake filled hand in his mouth. He is such a cute little guy & we had such a fun celebration with him. My parents, Kaylie, Brittany, Steven, & Carson came, and Janelle & Karen came too. We had such a fun night & we all enjoyed watching Landon. Jackson wanted to see what it was like to have frosting on his face so he took a huge bite out of his blue cupcake- funny boys. :) I'm just a little nervous to see Landon's diaper today.
 
 
 
 

Elder Robert D. Hales

Yesterday we had a special stake conference where Elder Robert D. Hales was invited to come & speak along with our stake president, an area authority, & the Provo Temple president (Pres. Daines) and his wife. We were able to have a nice view & the kids did really well. However, by the end of the first hour, Hallie had had enough of the meeting & was being loud. I took her out into the hallway & walked the halls with her and tried to listen. At one point I took her into the mothers lounge hoping I could hear some of Elder Hales' talk. We sat down and Hallie looked at the mother sitting next to me and said, "Mommy- that your friend?" I said, "Yes" She then said, "Mommy, your friend name Missa?" (Melissa) "No Hallie, her name isn't Melissa, I don't know what her name is." Morgan, Jackson, & Landon all sat really well through the conference. Hallie was good, but then her curiosity came out & she was BUSY! Finally, once I heard the choir start to sing we came back in. Hallie found her own way back and when she saw me a couple of minutes later she said, "I beat you Mom!" :) Funny girl!
Well, I debated writing this on here, because it was a special spiritual experience for our family. However, I feel that the main reason why I do a blog is to keep a history or journal for my family. This is something I always want our family to remember & to be a part of their testimony-
When the conference was over, Brian & I gathered all of the books, crayons, garbage etc. on our row and got the kids ready to go. We both looked up and saw the majority of the congregation leave & then we both watched Elder Hales as he went to people to shake their hands. Brian was able to talk to him for a minute in the foyer when he first got there, but he really wanted the kids to meet him. So, we decided to go and see if we could all meet him. I don't want to forget the feeling of love & the strength of the spirit that came as I watched friends & ward members of mine line the aisle to shake his hand. I saw one man in my ward who I admire & I thought- "I hope he gets to shake his hand." I saw his wife behind him, who is also a dear friend- who had stepped back so her husband could shake his hand. I saw another dear family who has done so much for our family, and I thought- "I hope their boys get to shake his hand, and feel of his spirit- they are old enough they will always remember this, and they are such good boys!" I saw other families from our ward & watched as they shook his hand & could feel of the love and strength from being around him. It was then our turn- I had tears in my eyes, which I was trying to hold back, as he came and shook each of our kids hands. (well, he just patted Landon who was asleep) Jackson looked so handsome in his suit & Morgan & Hallie looked beautiful. As he stopped to shake Hallie's hand, instead of Hallie holding our her right hand to shake his, she held out her left & set it on his hand. She smiled at him as though she was a beautiful princess- unlike the crazy 2 year old she had been for the past hour. As I watched his look when he looked at Hallie, I noticed it was different. He paused for a minute, smiled at her & gave her a look that she & her generation were the strength of the future & that she would do great things. I could feel the spirit so strongly as he shook my hand. I thought of how he gave Hallie a look that she was so special, and even though, she had been testing my patience, he loved her just as the Savior himself would. When we got home, I told Jackson & Morgan that they felt warm in their hearts because that was the Holy Ghost telling them that Elder Hales was an apostle of Jesus Christ. I also told them that I always wanted them to remember this day & how warm they felt. Meeting Elder Hales was even better then meeting Santa. :)
Elder Hales gave a wonderful talk & I am grateful for the example he is of loving his family. He told us to tell our family we love them, and then to tell them again. I am so grateful for the blessing it was to gain an even stronger testimony that these men, the 12 apostles, are chosen to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one of them are so powerful in their own way. I am grateful for the confirmation of the spirit to know that when the Savior comes again, that the feeling will be even stronger. I can't wait for that day when not only will I be able to shake the Savior's hand, but to embrace him. What a glorious day that will be!!!
I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ ( www.mormon.org ) that is on the earth today.

A visit with Santa

I love that all year we tell our kids to not talk to strangers, and to even THINK of sitting on a strangers lap! However, as soon as we see the man in the red suit with the white beard, we rush over for our kids to sit on his lap. :)
Yesterday after Morgan and I were done running errands, I looked over & saw St. Nick at a store. Morgan & I stopped and Morgan sat on his lap and told him she wanted a Zhu Zhu pet for Christmas. We then decided to go & get the rest of the family so they could see Santa too- (The also had a free lunch & samples of different kinds of foods & we hadn't eaten yet) Hallie & Jackson were so excited to see Santa this year. Jackson kept yelling across the parking lot, "Hi Santa! Hi!" Jackson told Santa he wanted a Jack in the box, and Hallie told Santa she wanted a bike. I'm not sure what Landon told Santa he wanted.