About two years ago my mom started this tradition that we come to her house for a pre-Christmas get together. We eat soup and then bundle up (in A Christmas Story fashion) and go to Christmas Village in Ogden to see the lights, little decorated houses and Santa Claus. After we are sufficiently frozen we return to grandma’s and grandpa’s for hot chocolate and doughnuts. Then my mom and dad give the grown up kids and the grandkids their presents. The grandkids get new pajamas and a book.
Kylie absolutely loves every visit to her grandparents. She loved her cute pink and brown heart jammies (wearing them for several days in a row) and the whole way home kept saying, “Grandma is the nicest grandma ever!”
The grown up kids traditionally get food storage items. This year among other things we got these awesome water bottles that make virtually any water purified through a built in filtration system. We also received a butane burning stove. My un-married siblings may balk at my mom’s dedication to emergency preparedness, but I love it! As an LDS woman food storage, emergency preparedness, and visiting teaching are my 3 main stresses in life and a source of much guilt. It is so nice to get some help in these areas (maybe next year my mom will do my visiting teaching for me too )!
Although the evening is loud and often chaotic I love that my mom brings our family together for the special times. I love that her and my dad make each and every grandchild feel so special! We are so lucky to have them to help us remember the true spirit of Christmas which is “Christ-like Love!”
P.S. I'm almost forgot...A shout out to the BEST AUNTS EVER who stood in line so our little darlings could see Santa before the new year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas Video
I have a reputation to keep being the wife of a "Technology Guy." So this year I decided to make a Christmas Video instead of sending a Christmas Card. I hope you all enjoy it!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Oh Christmas Tree
If you couldn't tell from my previous "Thanksgiving Post in December," I am running a little behind. Last night for Family Home Evening we decided we better get out the tree and all of our other Christmas Decorations. Kylie was so excited.
She insisted on putting the star at the top of the tree (she has seen one too many Christmas Movies). Then she made Kody and I hold her hands while we all sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer around the Christmas Tree (I'm sure this will be a new tradition)!
She keeps saying "I am so excited for Christmas," and "This is going to be the best Christmas EVER!"
I hope Santa doesn't disappoint!
She insisted on putting the star at the top of the tree (she has seen one too many Christmas Movies). Then she made Kody and I hold her hands while we all sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer around the Christmas Tree (I'm sure this will be a new tradition)!
She keeps saying "I am so excited for Christmas," and "This is going to be the best Christmas EVER!"
I hope Santa doesn't disappoint!
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!
Don't you just hate people that post their Thanksgiving pictures in December?! In my defense Thanksgiving was during the last week of November this year.
So this was our year to travel to Kody's parents in Vale, Oregon. It's about a 7 hour trip with one stop for food and bathroom. I must say the portable DVD player is the greatest travel invention EVER!
With no cousins it's hard to entertain two young girls but grandma pulled out a toy that had lots of gears and wheels. Kylie loved it...maybe she has an engineering mind like her dad!
Kody's dad owns a Pheasant Hunting Ranch but this is the first time in about 5 years that he has gotten to hunt. It obviously brought out the redneck in him! :)
Kody's brother Kip traveled up to Oregon with us and when we got there Tessa started crawling up to him and wanting him to hold her. We laughed that he was a newer, younger version of her Dad.
Tessa loved watching the kittens wrestle on the back deck through the big glass window!
Another toy, grandpa's back massager. The girls loved changing the settings and hearing their vibrating voices!
Of course no Thanksgiving would be complete without some heavy TV viewing!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
So this was our year to travel to Kody's parents in Vale, Oregon. It's about a 7 hour trip with one stop for food and bathroom. I must say the portable DVD player is the greatest travel invention EVER!
With no cousins it's hard to entertain two young girls but grandma pulled out a toy that had lots of gears and wheels. Kylie loved it...maybe she has an engineering mind like her dad!
Kody's dad owns a Pheasant Hunting Ranch but this is the first time in about 5 years that he has gotten to hunt. It obviously brought out the redneck in him! :)
Kody's brother Kip traveled up to Oregon with us and when we got there Tessa started crawling up to him and wanting him to hold her. We laughed that he was a newer, younger version of her Dad.
Tessa loved watching the kittens wrestle on the back deck through the big glass window!
Another toy, grandpa's back massager. The girls loved changing the settings and hearing their vibrating voices!
Of course no Thanksgiving would be complete without some heavy TV viewing!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Twilight
I went without a t-shirt but I went just the same! I finally saw Twilight on Monday.
So all of my friends who have seen the movie have been giving me the inside scoop but I had to see it my self to confirm their findings.
Find #1: Jasper looks like Edward Scissor Hands...CONFIRMED...he does have that stiff, wide eyed look that makes you let out an awkward giggle.
Find #2: Emmett is HOT!...CONFIRMED...this bad boy with his hat turned side-ways is indeed (in my opinion) the #1 hottie of the movie!
Find #3:Bella isn't the greatest...CONFIRMED...a little disappointed by her lack of acting skills. Her lines are a little too forced.
Find #4: Edward also struggled with the acting...UNDECIDED...he does look constipated most of the time or like he is going to ralph (when Bella comes to chemistry) but when he smiles you can see the Edward in him.
With all my pre-viewing reports everyone failed to mention that Eric is Asian?!! and Tyler is African American??!! What the....
I went into the movie knowing it would never live up the images in my head so I had a good time and liked it.
My favorite part of the movie: A night out with my sisters, mom, and friends!
So all of my friends who have seen the movie have been giving me the inside scoop but I had to see it my self to confirm their findings.
Find #1: Jasper looks like Edward Scissor Hands...CONFIRMED...he does have that stiff, wide eyed look that makes you let out an awkward giggle.
Find #2: Emmett is HOT!...CONFIRMED...this bad boy with his hat turned side-ways is indeed (in my opinion) the #1 hottie of the movie!
Find #3:Bella isn't the greatest...CONFIRMED...a little disappointed by her lack of acting skills. Her lines are a little too forced.
Find #4: Edward also struggled with the acting...UNDECIDED...he does look constipated most of the time or like he is going to ralph (when Bella comes to chemistry) but when he smiles you can see the Edward in him.
With all my pre-viewing reports everyone failed to mention that Eric is Asian?!! and Tyler is African American??!! What the....
I went into the movie knowing it would never live up the images in my head so I had a good time and liked it.
My favorite part of the movie: A night out with my sisters, mom, and friends!
Friday, November 21, 2008
When is a Baby No Longer a Baby?
So that's my question. How do you know when your child is no longer a baby? Is it when they turn one, walk, get their first tooth, talk...
Well the signs have all been there: walking, babbling, some healthy chompers, trying to feed herself, blowing bubbles in the tub water, etc. but today I finally had to admit that my 14, almost 15 month old is no longer a baby.
It happened when we went shopping. We were in Target in the child's department and she looks up and see the huge baby on the sign for the baby department. She kicks her legs, points, and says very loud and clearly, "Baby." I didn't even know she knew how to say that word, and I guess when you can identify another baby you are out of the club.
Then we start going down the toy aisle and she is so excited! She has never shown mush interest and now she mumbles the same jibberish as she points to different toys. She is definitely telling me what she wants for Christmas!
So now I must prepare myself for the next stage...Toddlerhood...heaven help us! :)
Do we all hate our high pitch mommy voice played on video?!
Well the signs have all been there: walking, babbling, some healthy chompers, trying to feed herself, blowing bubbles in the tub water, etc. but today I finally had to admit that my 14, almost 15 month old is no longer a baby.
It happened when we went shopping. We were in Target in the child's department and she looks up and see the huge baby on the sign for the baby department. She kicks her legs, points, and says very loud and clearly, "Baby." I didn't even know she knew how to say that word, and I guess when you can identify another baby you are out of the club.
Then we start going down the toy aisle and she is so excited! She has never shown mush interest and now she mumbles the same jibberish as she points to different toys. She is definitely telling me what she wants for Christmas!
So now I must prepare myself for the next stage...Toddlerhood...heaven help us! :)
Do we all hate our high pitch mommy voice played on video?!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Parent Book
As many of you know I run a preschool out of my home. I don’t usually write about it, but today I thought it might give you all a laugh. November’s theme for the month is People and Places we love. We are talking about friends, family, houses, and homes. I made up this Parent Book entitled “My Parents by the person who know them best…me [student name]!” I have them draw a picture of their parents and then I get them to finish statements and I write down what they say. Some of the statements include:
My Mom is years old.
My Mom’s favorite food is
My Mom likes it when
If my Dad wasn’t a Dad he would be
My Dad is good at
Well I have gotten some really funny responses when asked how old their parents are; answers range from 6 to 60 with most saying 25 or 22. Some dads would be garbage men if they weren’t dads, and “the Utes” is most of the dad's favorite sport.
One little boy answered the statement “My Dad is " with the statement “a genius.”
We did the mom part of the book on one day and the dad part of the book another day, but I noticed when I asked one little girl, “My momther likes it when..." she answered “when my dad watches us.” Next day, same statement for dad, “My dad likes it when …answer “when mom watches us.”
There were so many funny sayings but the last on I wanted to share was the response to “My Dads name is...” One little boy didn’t understand and answered “dad.” So I tried to clarify by asking “What does everyone else call your dad?” His face brightened and he answered, “Brother Call.” I thought this was pretty funny because his dad was in the bishopric for a long time and is now the stake executive secretary!
My Mom is years old.
My Mom’s favorite food is
My Mom likes it when
If my Dad wasn’t a Dad he would be
My Dad is good at
Well I have gotten some really funny responses when asked how old their parents are; answers range from 6 to 60 with most saying 25 or 22. Some dads would be garbage men if they weren’t dads, and “the Utes” is most of the dad's favorite sport.
One little boy answered the statement “My Dad is " with the statement “a genius.”
We did the mom part of the book on one day and the dad part of the book another day, but I noticed when I asked one little girl, “My momther likes it when..." she answered “when my dad watches us.” Next day, same statement for dad, “My dad likes it when …answer “when mom watches us.”
There were so many funny sayings but the last on I wanted to share was the response to “My Dads name is...” One little boy didn’t understand and answered “dad.” So I tried to clarify by asking “What does everyone else call your dad?” His face brightened and he answered, “Brother Call.” I thought this was pretty funny because his dad was in the bishopric for a long time and is now the stake executive secretary!
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