Christmas 2009

Christmas Morning


A few of the gifts





SMILIN'





I made these tutus for my nieces for Christmas.


Steve enjoying Morgan's Karaoke machine...




Morgan enjoyed playing with my sisters new horse...um... I mean her new dog, Shadow.

Christmas was really great. Everyone loved their gifts, we spent a lot of time with family and with each other.

Scholar of the Month

Yesterday Koby got an award at school for Scholar of the Month. Morgan and I attended the assembly to see his moment of glory. The gym was full with students, teachers and parents and it was noisy! Morgan said to me, "Mom it's really annoying here." But here she is saying, "YEAH Koby!"


Anyway we had to sit behind all the kids so I didn't get many photo ops. I think Koby would have been embarrassed if I had run up the aisle and then laid on the floor in order to capture this Kodak moment. Instead I took pictures after. (Am I not an awesome un-embarrassing mother?)

We are very proud of our brilliant Koby and it was not a surprise to hear that he was chosen as scholar of the month. Way to go, Koby, we love you!

Gingerbread house

On Monday night for FHE, we talked about how lucky we are to have a home that keeps us warm and safe and then we made a gingerbread house. No picture of the final product as the roof kept slipping down and then the kids got impatient and started eating it.

Busy December

Christmas is right around the corner! We are all so excited. We have done many fun things to remember what Christmas is all about, preparing for Christmas, holiday parties, playing in the snow and scout awards in addition to all of our normal everyday busy-ness. Here are a few pictures...

Koby received 4 scout awards (I can only remember the names of 3- tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st class). It was very nice for me because Steve helped Koby accomplish everything he needed to and I didn't do a dang thing! Hope the whole eagle thing happens the same way!


Morgan loves the snow and spends as much time outside as she can. She takes her snow pants, boots and coat to the babysitters everyday. When she gets home from the babysitters she takes Georgia into the backyard and they play in even more snow. She was thrilled when her big brother offered to take her sledding. This morning she was commenting that it was so sad that all the snow was melting. I told her it was supposed to snow tonight and then for two more days. She said, "YES! That is great news and great days!" Morgan also got to visit with Santa-look at how happy she is!


We took a few family photos. I think they turned out ok, even if our dog does look like she is possessed.




I was compiling photos for a couple of Christmas gift projects and I noticed that in the past year Steve and I only have a handful of pictures that have both Steve and I in the picture. So we took a couple with us both-this is my favorite.

Parental Failure

A few days ago I was talking to my friend Corrine about Christmas. She was telling me that her girls knew the true meaning of Christmas and I felt confident that my children also knew. So imagine my immense disappointment when I found out that wasn't the case.

Koby knows-which is good since he is 12 years old and knows all the 'secrets' about Christmas. He didn't ask for anything unreasonable for Christmas and he has asked if we could do secret Santa again this year. He asked if he could use his own money to buy a gift for Morgan. He seems to "get it".

That's the good news and now for the bad...

I asked Morgan if she knew why we really celebrate Christmas and without pausing to think she said, "Yes, Christmas is about the presents!"

In a calm, still hopeful voice I said, "Well there are presents, but what else?"

After a thoughtful pause, "Oh yeah, Santa!"

I wanted to cry! I mean we read the Christmas story from the bible every year, we even have the kids dress up and play Joseph and Mary. We try and do service through the whole month of December. When we set up our nativity set we talk about each piece. We have done secret Santa and yet Morgan doesn't know why we celebrate Christmas!

So rather than despair and give up hope that I will one day be a good mother and teach my children all that they need to know I have come up with a plan! (I always have plans for everything-just ask Steve!)

First I made a little 12 days of Christmas advent calender. I put pictures and suggestions of activities in 12 separate envelopes. Some ideas are: make cookies for the neighbors, read Luke 2, spend time as a family playing games, making a snow man and watching holiday movies, go see the Christmas lights and talk about how Jesus is the light of the world and how the star led the Shepherds to Jesus. That's a few of my suggestions.

Second, we are going to buy a 12 piece nativity set and give out each piece for the 12 days of Christmas to someone that we feel needs a special boost for Christmas. Each day we will talk about a different piece of the set and why they are important.

I hope that helps Morgan to remember that the most important things are not the presents but the memories, the feelings of love and unity and most of all our Savior's birth, his life and his sacrifices.

Morganism

Morgan: Mom, Rylynn gave me a piece of gum that she got at the trunk or treat.
Me: Cool!
Morgan: There is two places to get candy- trunk-or-treat and house-or-treat.
Me: Really? (trying not to laugh)
Morgan: Yeah house-or-treat is when you go to people's houses and they give you candy!

Ready for Christmas???

Last night we "built" our tree and began decorating for Christmas. I think Steve was more excited about it than the kids-but not by much. Here are some pictures...




Yes Morgan and Georgia both wore the Christmas tree skirt. Although only one of them had a choice.





So are we ready for Christmas? Mentally we are really excited and anxious for the season, physically we are still getting there. Here is the check list...

Tree up & decorated Check
Radio tuned to 24 hr Christmas music-check( 2 cks if we count the radio at work too!)
Many parties scheduled- check
gifts purchased- 3/4 a check (or a chec)
gifts wrapped-not at all
Stocked up on sugar cookie dough & hot chocolate- Check
sitting back and enjoying the holiday season-CHECK!