Day 16--Caroling

Go visits mom's patients and sing a Christmas carol to them

Standing in front of a big gingerbread house in the lobby of the assisted living center

I had no idea how much I would enjoy this activity. I have been a home health nurse for 9 years and have seen some of my patients for almost just as long. We went to an assisted living center where some of my patients live and did a surprise visit and sang, "We wish you a Merry Christmas" to them. I loved showing off my family to my patients and was so happy they finally got to meet my children. My patients love that I have six kids and like to tell whomever is around when I am doing their visit. It felt so great to sing to them and bring a little Christmas cheer into their home! After we were done caroling we met up with the Ware's for dinner at Training Table.

Day 15--Cookies

Our church is doing a 'neighborhood tree' with ornaments that have an address written on it. The idea is that each family take several ornaments and do some sort of service for that family during the month. We (well Jack, Ryan and Hadley) made cookies (while I wrapped Christmas presents upstairs) and took them around to the families that we had chosen on the tree.

Remembering Jason

It's hard to believe that it has already been a year since we got the awful news that Jason (my brother-in-law) had died in a skiing accident. It honestly seems just like yesterday and still feels like it can't be true. We were just getting to know him when he was taken from our family. He was married to Gavin's sister, Laurie, for two years and they had a two month old baby girl. We miss Jason so much!

I love this picture of Laurie! This was taken 6 months after they were married, holding their new nephew. The smile on Laurie's face is priceless. It is easy to forget how happy she was with Jason by her side! I miss that smile!

This picture was taken one month before Jason died. He is out in his backyard (connected to a golf course) where he spent a lot of his time playing in the snow and snow shoeing. He had a special bond with his nephew, Noah.

This picture was taken two weeks before Jason died. We are all on Jason and Laurie's front porch after Lily's baby blessing in Jeremy Ranch. (I'm not in the picture because I was the one taking the picture). How lucky that Lolly insisted on getting us all together for this picture. I remember lots of complaining about the sun being in faces, being hungry and cold and not wanting to pose for pictures. It would have been so easy to just have waited for another 'more convenient' time and not have taken this photo. This is our last family picture with all of us together.

Jason, Lily and Laurie at their house after the Lily's baby blessing. I absolutely LOVE this picture of the three of them together. I'm not sure, but I think this may be their only family picture. I'm so glad I decided to take this picture before I got in my car to go back home. Jason lived each day to fullest. He accomplished so much in his life. We are so lucky that we got to know him and have him be a part of our family. I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we will all be with Jason again.

Day 14-- Christmas Party

Christmas Party at Grandma and Grandpa Stewart's house

I am the cute little girl on the right that looks like a boy in a dress. The one that my baby brother is staring at --maybe he doesn't like my hand position on my popsicle or he just wants my popsicle!

My favorite Christmas tradition happens to be the one my sweet grandma Norma started many years ago. She loved Christmas-- the songs, especially Silent Night (at least she cried every time she sang it with us so I am guessing it was out of love and not that our voices made her sad), our Christmas Eve program from Luke 2, serving and giving to others, and the surprise visit from Santa. I looked forward to this party at my grandma's house all year --seeing all my cousins, exchanging Christmas gifts, playing songs on the piano for the program, and the anticipation of the real Santa's visit. My mom has continued this tradition at her home now that Grandma Norma has passed away. She had a house full of relatives--my aunts, uncles, and cousins (and their children)--I think it was around 75 people this year.

Jack asked Santa for a new Nintendo DS and the Nintendogs game

Ryan wants a teddy bear hamster

Hadley asked Santa for a barbie house

When Santa asked Morgan what she wanted him to bring her, she responded "Christmas!" That is really all she needs to be happy. Well that and scissors. She also absolutely LOVES scissors!! She found some during the party and cut two holes in her new Christmas dress and gave her bangs another little trim. Thank goodness-- they were getting really long and outta hand since her last self-haircut 3 months ago!

Griffin wants puzzles. He LOVES puzzles and spends all day taking them apart and putting them together. He is helping Morgan get better at doing puzzles too. She used to not have any interest in trying the harder puzzles (without pegs) but now that she watches Griffin do them all day she has been able to do some of the harder ones too! Yea for siblings!

Mia just wanted to get away. This is after she managed to squirm off his lap!

As we were getting the kids dressed for church in their new Christmas clothes, we realized Jack's and Ryan's Christmas sweaters still fit them from last year so we could just take back the new ones and have them wear the same ones again this year. Then Jack let us know that he has worn that same sweater for more than one year. Here is the proof:

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2006

Day 12-- Lily

Go visit Laurie and Lily. Take Lily her Christmas present.

Cute little Lily Brynn

This year has gone by so fast. I know they all seem to go by quicker and quicker but I guess it just seems more real to me this year. It is hard to believe it was almost a year ago that Jason died. It has been such a difficult year for Laurie and hard for all of us to watch her go through this and not know how to help, what to do or what to say. It's interesting to me that Jason's death is just beginning to seem real to my children. As we drove up to Laurie's house, Ryan had a lot of questions about his Uncle Jason. He was sad to see Laurie's house for sale as we pulled in her driveway. He asked if she was moving so she could live closer to us. He was so sad when I told him I thought she would move to New York. Then a few days later he was asking me about a Christmas card we had received. He wanted to know why the dad was not included on the card. I explained to him that my friends had gotten divorced. He thought for a minute and then said, "that's really sad, but not as sad as what happened to Aunt Laurie." I can only imagine how hard this time of year is for Laurie and hope she knows that her family loves her and is always thinking of her and Lily!

Lily, Hadley and Mia

Hadley and Lily

Day 11--Mall and Santa

We went to see Santa with the Stewart cousins. We met in the food court for some delicious dinner and company and then we went to see the old guy.


This is the best picture I could get. For some reason Morgan kept yelling "Santa" which left her with a nice big open mouth. And of course Griffin had to copy her because that is just what he does. Merry Christmas!

Day 9-- Gingerbread houses

Make a gingerbread house

We usually have all the kids build one big gingerbread house together from a kit I buy from the store. But this year we thought it might be fun to let them all try to build their own houses out of graham crackers. Maybe it wasn't the best idea. It started out great! All the kids were helping me make the icing, excited and full of anticipation of what their house was going to look like and then the actual building began. We quickly found out there is a definite skill that goes along with this--one that none of us has yet acquired! The houses kept falling apart. Over and over. After lots of tears and frustration we finally got a few houses to stand. And even a few smiles.

Jack's final house.

He had a great attitude and was totally content to decorate a house that had fallen apart.

Morgan LOVES candy and it was so cute to help her decorate her house. It was seriously a race to see who could get the candy first. Me-to put it on her house or Morgan-to put it in her mouth!

Ryan had the hardest time with this project. His house collapsed several times and he got very frustrated. But by the end of the night he was able to smile and show off his house.




Hadley had enjoyed decorating her house and decided her attic needed a doll and pet

Griffin's extent of gingerbread house action was enjoying some graham crackers and frosting.

Day 10--Wrap the presents for the Seal cousins

Day 8--Christmas House

Drive around and see the Christmas lights and hear the music on the 'Christmas house'

Hadley wanted a better view so decided to get out of the car even though she was only in shorts from her basketball practice. This house is next door to the real Christmas house. It has good lights but nothing like the other house. Not sure why I didn't get a picture of the other house. but just imagine lights everywhere, synchronized to music, Rudolph singing the words, Santa in the window waving to the children, a big angel on the top of the house, reindeer flying up to the sky, bubble machines, and a electric light band. Yah...pretty cool! I'm pretty sure Gavin is totally planning on doing the same thing to our house next year!

Everybody hanging out in the car, enjoying the light show

Look who joined us...The Debrys!

Day 7--Temple Square

Go to Temple Square and see the lights with grandma and grandpa and Stewart cousins

Jack took this great picture of the temple peeking through the trees and lights

We went to Temple Square last night with everyone else in the valley! I wanted to go while we were still having warm weather. And I think a lot of others had the same idea. It was really crowded but we had a great time! It was a beautiful evening and not too cold (in the 40's). We were able to walk around the temple for awhile, take some pictures, hang out, see the nativity, go in the Visitor's Center, listen to the program at The Christus, watch Luke 2, and best of all -- just enjoy being with family!

Gavin & I have a picture just like this from our wedding except we are in our wedding clothes and it is practically lifesize on my mom's wall

Our family with Chad's family, Blake, grandma and grandpa

And of course--My cute family!

What happened to Day 6? It got lost somewhere between the shuffle of 3 Jr. Jazz basketball games, arriving too late to our ward Christmas breakfast, a baby shower, and planning Sharing Time and a primary lesson. We had to settle for family breakfast at McD's! The kids thought it was the best breakfast ever--"We should do this every morning!"

Day 5--Christmas Dinner

Grandma's and Grandpa's ward Christmas Dinner at Wheeler Farm and see Father Christmas

Griffin and Morgan weren't too sure about Santa and didn't want to get too close

It only took a minute for Morgan to remember how much she loves Santa

Grandpa and Mia

The entertainment was a group of bell ringers. Morgan loved it and tried to sing and dance along!

Day 4--Molly Mouse and Shopping

A night out Christmas shopping with dad except for Hadley--a night out with mom to go see Molly Mouse: A Sugar Plum Debut ballet.

We had a great time going to Hadley's friend's ballet of Molly Mouse downtown. It was fun to have some one on one time with Hadley. We don't get that very often around here. The ballet was really fun! The two of us went to dinner afterwards at The Cheesecake Factory. Hadley didn't like anything we ordered but was totally content to just eat the free bread with some butter and jelly until her oreo cheesecake arrived. I'm not sure how the shopping went with dad, but by looking at the smile on Hadley's face, I'd say she had the the time of her life!

Day 3--Shrek the Halls

Watch Shrek The Halls and eat popcorn

Our nights are so busy that the only time we are going to be able to leave the house to do a fun Christmas activity will have to be on the weekends. I had the Relief Society Christmas dinner tonight, Hadley had gymnastics, Ryan and coach Gavin had basketball practice, and Jack had scouts and basketball practice. So our exciting activity for the 3rd day of December was watching a Christmas video--a 25 minute one, at that!

Christmas cards

The Christmas season is really here. We received our first two Christmas cards in the mail today which means the season is now in full swing. It is the one time of year that I genuinely look forward to getting the mail. I love opening all the Christmas cards and seeing the cute faces of my family and friends and reading all about the latest happenings in their lives. I had our family pictures taken a few months ago so that I would be on top of things and be able to get my cards out at the beginning of December compared to our usual 1-2 days before Christmas. But I am having a hard time deciding on what picture to use. My absolute favorite is the one of just my children, sitting on the wagon. But I know I love to not only see my friends' children but also love to see my friends. So I need your help . . . which picture is your favorite for our Christmas card. And now that you've seen the pictures --not a lot of reason to make the effort of sending out the cards, right? :)

Day 2--Hot Hot Hot!

Hottubbing and Hot chocolate with whipped cream

Show me a sign

Mia is talking more and more--mama, dada, and nigh nigh (night night). Our all time favorite has been this cute little sound of "mmmmmmmm" she makes when she wants something to eat. But this morning she decided to take it one step further and signed "more" during her breakfast.

Day 1-- Advent Calendars and Star Wars

I can't believe it's already December-- which means the tradition of the advent calendar fairy is back. It's going to harder to do an activity each day with how busy all of our evening schedules are but we are going to do our best to try to get some sort of activity in each night.

Day 1

Get chocolate advent calendars and have Family Home Evening with The Prudens -- Eat dinner and watch Star Wars IV: A New Hope

I realize the Star Wars phenomenon is kinda over, but we were a little late catching it. We just barely watched the first 3 episodes of Star Wars and are now trying to finish the series. It has been really fun to watch them with the kids. They know all about them from their Lego Star Wars video games. I'm surprised how much I have liked the shows because I am NOT a sci-fi/fantasy girl. I'd much rather watch a romantic comedy, but I am loving these. I had only seen Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back when I was young and can't remember anything from either of them so I am excited to finish the series and see if Darth Vader returns to the good side and becomes 'the chosen one' again. And I don't want any spoilers. Jack has already tried his best to tell me what happens. But I'd like to wait and see it for myself.

We Believe...

Ryan earned his 'Article of Faith candy bouquet' in Primary on Sunday for memorizing and passing off the 13 Articles of Faith.

For those of you that follow my blog--we are L.D.S. (also known as Mormons) and these are our beliefs.

The Articles of Faith are as follows:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Another reason I love Thanksgiving...

I get to see good friends when they come to town to see their family

I went over to Tisha's mom's house today to see her before she flew back to Arizona. It had been over five years since we last saw each other and a lot has changed. Tisha unexpectedly lost her husband 2 years ago, moved from California to Arizona, and is now raising her three children as a single mom and doing a great job! We have been friends for around 30 years. We grew up in the same circle. And even though she was a few years ahead of me in school we became great friends. I felt like I was part of their family . . . eating graham crackers with milk in their kitchen on a daily basis, going boating to Lake Powell and Willard Bay with her family, sleepovers, swinging on her swing set for hours in her backyard, believing that she and my sister were professional swingers (a different type of swinger than this generation is familiar with) for some made up guy, and the list goes on and on. Tisha moved away 20 years ago and we have seen each other only a handful of times but I think a sign of true friendship is when you can see each other again and feel like no time has passed and begin right where you left off. And that was exactly how it was today!