Christmas Day Continued

Jackson was so tired from opening presents that he needed to take a bath or something like that- I actually don't remember this part of the day. Our kids LOVE bubble baths, especially when they get to take one in our bath tub. Jackson loved all the bubbles. On a side note, Morgan called home from school the other day saying she was sick. (They were talking about what they were having for lunch, and the thoughts of the school's grilled cheese sandwiches made her nauseated.) So I went and picked her up & told her if she was really sick she needed to lay on the couch or her bed all afternoon. I did not think she was really sick & didn't want to make it a fun day for her so she would call again the next day. Anyway, at lunch, Brian called home & when Morgan told him she was sick he said, "Maybe you should go and take a bath in our bathroom and watch a movie!" My thoughts- Are you kidding me- no way- we are not making this a "fun" day for her, and shouldn't "I" be the one taking the nice bath and watching a movie? Yes, that right there shows you which parent is sensitive to their child's needs. :) Now really, in all honesty, if she was puking her little heart out then I would have been a wonderful sweet nurse & would have doted on her all day. However, since she was walking around with in 15 minutes of being home & claiming she needed ice cream for lunch- I knew she was okay. I asked her why she really wanted to come home and her reply was, "I just wanted to spend time with you. I want it to be Saturday again so we can all be together." Ah, sweet thing really enjoys being with all of us & loved spending time with us over Christmas break. Morgan is such a huge help & sometimes I think it really is hard being the only one, other than Daddy that has to leave all day. Anyway- back to Christmas...
 
After our little family Christmas we all went over to my parents house to talk to my missionary sister Brianna (who is in Texas). We all enjoyed talking to her and can't wait for her to come home. We then opened gifts & there were so many of us! We had such a nice time. I love the picture- I'm not sure what my brother is doing with Rachelle's hair, or what she is doing with his foot- but they are cute & I guess they can get away with it. :) Hallie loved her new "Pinkalicious" doll from Grandma & the kids loved watching a movie (Wizard of Oz) with Carly & Kaylie. We then had a yummy Christmas dinner & spent the night playing games and visiting. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such good family.
 
 
 

Christmas Morning

Jackson had such a hard time falling asleep because he was so excited about Santa Claus coming. He told me he was going to listen for Santa Claus & then run out & see him. He finally went to sleep around 10:30. Hallie was the first one to wake up in the morning at about 8:00 a.m. I told her to go downstairs & wake up Morgan & Jackson and tell them that Santa had come. Within a couple of minutes we could hear Morgan & Jackson running into the leaving room & saying, "He Came! He Came!" They then came running into our room & jumped on our bed-landing on Brian in the process. :) We had such a nice Christmas morning. I love seeing the excitment of the kids & I love giving gifts to Brian. After a yummy breakfast, Morgan rode out on Jackson's new bike. We won it from a drawing when we went to see Santa Claus a couple of weeks earlier. Santa & Mommy & Daddy already had enough presents for Jackson so we thought it might be nice to have Morgan give Jackson the bike as her gift to him. (Hopefully to lessen any envy) She was so sweet & excited all week to give it to him & see his reaction. Morgan did a great job & keeping it a surprise & didn't tell him anything about it. After the bike, we told the kids we had one more thing for them. Hallie closed her eyes in hope that it was a bike for her. Ooops-maybe next year. We gave them each a wrapped Book of Mormon with their names on it. When they had each opened theirs, Hallie said, " Ahh- you gave me a Book of Mormon?! Thanks Mommy & Daddy- I love it!" Now that is my kind of reaction for a gift. :)
 
 
 
 

Christmas Eve at Grandma Karen's continued

 
 

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!