A fun December beginning...

This week is going to be catch up time for all four months I was missing in action.  I know it's not as much fun, but hopefully our past times are as much fun to you as our present adventures. Enjoy!

Our December Excitations

As soon as we got back from our family trip, we went and got us a Christmas tree.  This is my favorite Christmas tradition.  We usually decorate the tree the same day as we get it.  I have the kids paint special Christmas ornaments while Elijah does the lights, I make some hot chocolate, and we listen to Christmas music.  It's very relaxing and very Christmasy.  This year, however, it took me a week to finish the tree.   Elijah finished the lights, and we decided to decorate it later, because we were all very tired from the trip.  Well, I was so busy with the kids and my own parties that my friends were throwing for my birthday, plus kids' piano recitals, dates with the kids to various Christmas plays and musicals, that I just didn't find the time to decorate it.  Finally, I gave up and told the kids to go ahead and decorate it just like they wanted to without my supervision.  In the past years, they would help with it, but the decorating of the tree was my thing.  Good thing they are getting older and with more attention to detail because the tree looked fabulous.  Jefferson put the star on top, and we could officially open our Christmas season!

I continued to bring the spirit of Christmas not only in our homes, but also everywhere I went.  Art this month had to involve Christmas colors, so I chose Gustav Klimt, whose gold, silver, white, and dark red were perfect for our Christmas project.  I had the kids look at various Klimt paintings, study and talk about his style, and then make a Christmas card for their family using Klimt's style and colors. They loved it.  Klimt's style is a mixture of imagination, geometrical shapes, and color coordination - perfect for elementary kids hands and minds.  Truth be told I also had a great time making my own card!

Here are some other Christmas activities that we enjoyed, and for which I fortunately remembered to take a few photos:

Our Christmas ward party, where the Primary kids sang fun songs with Charlton making funny faces.  I had no idea I had a clown in my family!

I took Gillian and her best friends to live sing- along Handel's Messiah.  I really enjoyed it, but boy, could those girls talk!

Mama and Papa came to visit and spend Christmas with us; Charlton loved having undivided attention from his grandma, Jefferson enjoyed working on a school project with Papa, and James and Gillian were thrilled to show off their cooking skills

Charlton enjoyed going to the mall and meeting Santa while playing in the fun wintery scenes so beautifully decorated.

Gillian and I were so excited for Rebekah to come and join our girl team, and play, watch shows, and cook together during this awesome season.

The boys couldn't wait to be done with school so they could totally enjoy their dad and wrestle him down.  They also started their basketball practice, and they seem so excited to learn new skills.

When school was finally out, I surprised my boys by picking them up from school.  Normally they ride their bikes, but being the last day and all, I decided to make them happy. However, it was them who made me happy; as soon as they saw me driving in the roundabout, a smile shone their faces and they waved excitedly at me.  I felt like a queen!

Throughout the month, the kids had fun playing with each other, read basking in the sunshine, ice skate every Saturday, and go to the drive-in theater with their sweet aunt.  December is busy, but truly fun, especially when you share your joyous life with your loving family.

Pier 39 Christmas Tree Lighting

Sunday, November 18, was a busy one for us.  I don't usually try to do many things on Sunday as to keep it relaxing and restful, but between getting ready for church, packing for a sleep-over with the Wiederholds, and trying not to forget her choir outfit for her performance after church and the many details that go with that, was a bit much for me.  But all the children helped with their own packing and showers, and we made it on time to church, with our car packed and ready to go.

Gillian's choir level was invited to sing their prepared holiday songs at Pier 39 for the Christmas Tree Lighting.  This is her first performance of the season, and first among five.  Add to that two piano recitals, as well as the Christmas activities I've planned for them, and we are booked for the holidays.  I know it's a wonderful experience for my children to be part of this Christmas cheer, and so when I feel myself kind of tired of being their driver taking them to and fro, I try to relax and enjoy their singing, playing and laughter.  And it helps that I've been asked to be their photographer for all of the performances, because it makes my "relaxing" even more enjoyable.

This semester Gillian has been asked to sing a short solo (six verses) in some of the performances, and although it is a small part she is excited she told me because she gets to stand alone in front of non-denominational audience and sing about her Savior.  There are moments like this that make me realize the enormous blessing of having the fullness of the gospel in our lives and teaching our children about their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ at such an early age.  I'm truly grateful for that opportunity - to raise my children with a love for God and a humbling desire to do His will.  It makes these beautiful carols have so much more meaning to me.

I know Thanksgiving was just last week, and November isn't over yet, but I'm so happy about Christmas.  The music, the feeling, the service - the magic of it all - is what I crave in a holiday.  Christmas offers that and more.  It's a time for me to devotedly ponder about my Savior and positively feel His love come from all directions.  What joy!

Merry Christmas to you all!

What a great week-end we had. We ate great food, played awesome games, served others, shared our love with family, talked to friends, and we celebrated the birth of our Savior together as a family. This was our first Christmas by ourselves, and at the beginning I was a bit apprehensive about cooking a big meal for just my little kids. But after telling my children that evening I was going to entertain my favorite guests - them - I got into the Spirit of Christmas and cooked a delicious dinner for my beautiful and precious family.

We started our Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve. After telling my kids that they were my special guests for that evening, they decided to help set the table with fancy glasses and plates. I roasted a whole turkey for us and cooked all of our traditional dishes. My kids were excited. I have to say my favorite thing was seeing Charlton trying to drink sparkling cider with our tall fancy glasses. We were all worried he would spill, but he did fine during the whole dinner. I loved seeing my boys using knives to cut their meat, and Gillian trying to eat the turkey's leg, following her grandmother and mother's example of liking dark meat. Most of all I loved sharing this celebration with my husband. He made this week so special by being with us and doing things with us every day, by sharing his example of service and kindness, as well as by helping me make this holiday unforgettable for all of our family.

Christmas morning found us all fresh and excited. Since we were going to have church from 10 to 11,we decided to open only Santa's gifts, and leave the rest of the Christmas gifts to be open after church. The kids weren't happy about this, but they understood. This was Charlton's first Christmas being old enough to really capture the meaning of Christmas as well as enjoy Santa's gifts. He was excited to open his gifts, and then just sit and read. I think his siblings were way more excited about him getting gifts than he was himself. He was satisfied within the first few minutes when he got some Froggy books. Santa was really kind to the kids this year, very educational and exercise oriented, and they really appreciated it.


At church, we partook of the sacrament, and listened to the choir singing amazing and uplifting songs that reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas. Gillian and I participated in the choir this year, and I was grateful for that opportunity to develop our talents as well as bring some joy to others while doing it.
After church, we got home and enjoyed our children's joy and gratitude for the gifts they got. Amongst others, Gillian's favorite were her Do-your own Gustaf Klimt painting and the set of the Lord of the Rings books-on-CD. Mama Lu followed up on my lead of Gustaf Klimt's art set by giving Gillian a a Gustaf Klimt coloring book, which Gillian already started to color. I love her sense of color.

Both older boys loved all of their gifts, but the Star Wars Legos were their primary love. We placed our laundry table in the middle of the living room and Elijah sat along side them and helped them build their Star Wars battleships. Later, while I enjoyed a game of darts with Jefferson, Elijah was also able to play with James a game of Jenga and had to admit that James was a worthy opponent.

Charlton received plenty of fun games and toys, but yet again books won his heart over. My kids are so easy to please!

Elijah was gracious enough to be pleased with our boring gifts to him, such as a leaf blower and clothing items. But he was touched when Jefferson gave him his present, something he had made all by himself. Jefferson had made Elijah his very own Santa Clause bringing him a full bag of gifts. Sweeeeet!
I got plenty of exciting gifts. Jeremy's girlfriend, Kalie, had drawn my name this year, and she totally surprised, shocked, impressed, and touched me. After thinking about my likes and dislikes, she presented me with a very nice lenses for my camera. Very thoughtful, indeed. My mother-in-law hit a home run this year also with her gift to me by surprising me in choosing a very fashionable dress for me, just like I would have chosen it myself. Thank you family members. You made me very happy.

After we had all opened our gifts and shared our gratitude to each other and to our Heavenly Father for the blessing of having a loving family, Elijah and I sat next to each other and shared our love for one another. Just then, he told me that he remembered he had one more gift for me, and apologized to me for not having it wrapped. When he came back from the room he placed a large gift on my lap. My heart stopped when I opened it. He had bought me my very own laptop!!! The gift was beautiful for many reasons. We have a very nice desktop at home, but sometimes I wished I had a laptop and sat down on my comfortable chair and did my own things while Elijah or the kids used the other computer. So, it was needed, but not quite necessary. Secondly, it was beautiful because it was a total surprise. Truthfully I didn't expect it. Thirdly, my husband had probably sacrificed his own things to purchase me something that I wanted but didn't quite need it. I am so grateful for a husband who loves me, adores me, and respects me. And above all, I'm grateful for a man who puts me above his own needs. I'm grateful for his example of sacrifice and kindness.

We spent the rest of our Christmas day talking to our family and eating dinner with friends. We all went to bed very happy that night. This morning we woke up very late, made some yummy breakfast and enjoyed each other's company.

This last picture is for my father-in-law, whose name Charlton carries as his middle name. Elijah's father loves to add hot sauce to everything he eats, so when the first thing Charlton asked as he sat down on the breakfast table this morning was hot sauce, I had to capture it in camera:

Merry Christmas, friends, and a happy New Year! And don't forget hot sauce to spice up your life.

What does Christmas mean to you and yours?

Christmas means a lot of things to me and my family. That's why we try to take time during the whole month of December to enjoy this magical event. That's why Elijah saves his vacation time (most all of it) for Christmas (he is spending these last two weeks of December with us at home). Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year, and here is what it means to us:

SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS

The Wiederhold children and my kids had a fantastic time playing at the park, talking and sharing their excitement for the holidays, as well as watching this new Christmas movie. It had a touching message and made our children think of Christmas as a special time for everyone, and that giving is the best thing in the world.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
James's Snowman


Jefferson's Elf


Gillian's dream of sugar plums dancing in her head


WORKING TOGETHER
One of the greatest blessings in our family is the fact that my kids love being together, whether they are playing, reading, eating, watching a movie, or even working and doing chores. Life isn't always perfect of course; they do fight and irritate each other. However, for the most part they are there for each other, and try to help one another. Having had Elijah home this week, we have been together all day and everyday, and we have loved every minute of it. Family is what this life is all about.

SERVING

Elijah made six pies just this week. And he gave them all away to friends and neighbors. Elijah and I may be different in many things, but service is a great trait that connects us strongly. Both of us believe that serving others is the most powerful way to show our love and kindness toward others and our Savoir. I'm grateful for my husband's example of giving of his time and talents to enrich others' lives. It enriches mine for sure.

REMEMBERING AND BEING REMEMBERED

GIVING AND RECEIVING


OBEYING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
We finished reading the Book of Mormon as a family tonight! We started it in the beginning of this year, but were not reading them very regularly. On August 28, I was inspired to write a promising declaration and had each of us sign it. In it, we (my children and us the parents) promised to read every day for at least 10 minutes each from classics and scriptures. We made it; we read every day without missing any. My children know the scriptures better, we have become a stronger family, and we cherish our reading time as the most precious time of the day. What a blessing!

SEEING THE LIGHTS AT THE TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER AND REMEMBERING WHO OUR TRUE LIGHT IS: OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST


SHOWING OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER


I'm a big Masterpiece Theater fan, and I LOVE Period dramas. Earlier this year, I got attached to this very well written series, The Downton Abbey. On January 8, the second season starts. I expressed to Elijah my desire to watch it with him, and he was so willing that we sat tonight and watched a couple of episodes from the first season. Knowing that this isn't his thing, and seeing him enjoying it just because I enjoy it, made me very happy. I know Elijah loves me dearly because he shows it in many amazing ways. I love spending Christmas with him.

READING CHRISTMAS BOOKS

Reading Christmas books each night during December truly brings a special spirit into our home. This year I was touched by the story of the Christmas truce in that long ago Christmas night of 1914. It is a beautiful book, and every time I read it I weep for those young soldiers who died a long time ago. But I also feel overwhelmed by the power of love that Christmas always brings.
That is what Christmas means to my family: LOVE.

Here is Walter Cronkite, accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, bringing this beautiful and touching story to life: