Baking Night

Jeron decided that we needed to have a baking night.  Since I have not had a very good relationship with food the last 3 months this was a bit of a daunting task for me.  Jeron tried to make it as easy as possible.  He brought up a chair for me to sit on while I made the food, which helped a lot.   We made Chex party mix, and sugar cookies to have on Christmas eve.  He helped out a lot at first but when it came time to make the sugar cookies he disappeared.  Hmmmm, whats that about.  The kids stuck with me to the bitter end though. 

Right when we put the first batch in I realized that Jeron was in the basement.  His Christmas present was hidden in the basement.  I FREAKED out, ran down stairs and it looked like he had maybe seen it.  I was so upset.  I knew that he would love his present and I finally got him something he didn't know about.  He swears he didn't see it...but I have my doubts.  Then after FREAKING out I remembered the cookies.  I slightly burned the first ones and yes, I might have cried a little bit over it.  There is nothing worse than making the dreaded sugar cookie and burning a batch of your hard efforts and work. 

The kids assured me that they would still eat them so I guess the tears were unneeded.  They are sweet to worry about my silly feelings. 

I am glad that Jeron suggested that we have a baking night.  I hope we continue this in the future. 

I wish we had a picture of Jeron but he really was MIA most of the time.  He did successfully clean the basement though. 

The Minivan Express

I found the cutest idea on Pinterest...or someone found it and I repinned it, anywho, It was to take the kids on a Polar Express minus the train. You simple make a ticket for each kid, place it on their bed while they are getting ready for bed.

Then you prepare Hot Chocolate, and popcorn and go put it in your van and start it so it is nice and warm for the kiddos.  Make sure there is Christmas music playing when they get in. 

It was so fun.  Jeron got them ready for bed and we said family prayers and then sent them off to bed.  They were so excited to find their tickets.  On the way done the stairs Elsie said "We are going on an adventure!"  That made it all worth it.  The kids got in the van, found their treats and more squeals of delight came. 

It really was a lot of fun.  We drove all over Farmington, Kaysville, and Fruit Heights and just looked at house lights.  We actually got lucky because FM100 was playing their 100 hours of Christmas Music and it started just an hour before we left.  Worked out perfect.  It  really was a great time, and best of all it was a wonderful memory that cost nothing.  Love it. 

Temple Square Lights

This year when we went to see the Temple lights we went with another idea in mind. We decided to seek out Christ just like the Wise Men did. So our first stop was the nativity. The kids loved watching it light up. They loved the star but most of all they loved the baby Jesus. We had great intentions of going up to see the Statue of Christ but the line was out of control so we just looked from the window. There really isn't a prettier place at Christmas time.  The lights were amazing. 

We almost bagged it when we couldn't find parking but I am really glad we held out.

The colors were amazing, and the kids love it.

Elsie asked if we could go inside the temple and see Jesus.  How sweet is she.

It is funny because every year we dread going and fighting the crowds and staying warm, but every year we walk away loving every minute of it.  This year we went up into the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to look out the windows.  It is spectacular from up there.  Now it feels a little more like Christmas.

We are having A Christ Centered Christmas

Last year I was introduced to this book by my relief society president. She did an entire lesson on this book. After the lesson I was determined to go and get it. I didn't realize the impact it would have on our holiday traditions. It has helped change the atmosphere in our home at Christmas time.  We take every Monday night from Thanksgiving on talking about one person or persons in the nativity.  We only display the people we have talked about.  Mary was our first.  We talked about her and then we place her in the nativity and she sits alone for the whole week.  Then Joseph was next.  He gets added in and so on and so on until on Christmas we finally place the most important piece in our special nativity.  Jesus comes on Christmas. 

At first I kind of thought it was sad that Jesus isn't there the whole time.  I had to remind myself that we have two other nativities in the home that Jesus is in.  Then the magical moment came when I overheard Elsie telling her friend in the most excited tone "Come and see our nativity.  Do you know who isn't there?  Baby Jesus!  He comes on CHRISTMAS.  I can't wait until CHRISTMAS so JESUS can come." She didn't say I can't wait for Santa, she said she can't wait for JESUS.  Now don't get me wrong, we love Santa.  In fact two of Santa's elves live at our home all through the month of December.  I just really wanted the focus to shift ever so slightly.  Each one of my kids have asked me if can we have family night early so we can learn about the next person.  Each of our family nights have been so touching and have brought us closer together.  That is what Christmas should be about.  I love watching their testimonies of Him grow as we celebrate His birth.  Santa is just icing on the cake now.  Jesus is what we focus on and we are loving it. 

I too can't wait for Christmas so that Jesus can be placed in our nativity and we can learn the most important story of them all. 

Meads Christmas Party

It was fun to see everyone when we got to the part.  There is getting to be so many great grandchildren.  It is neat to see my Granddaddy and Nana's posterity getting so big.   We found out that we were an hour late and that everyone waited for us.  OOPS!  We thought it was at 6:00pm but it started at 5:30.  It was nice of them to wait for us.  After we were done eating a very yummy dinner we all headed down stairs.  We went around the circle and got caught up on everyone's life.  It was great to find out what everyone was up too. 

Hanging out with Mama.  At one point we sent Emma to go find Ellie because she was so quiet we didn't even notice her sitting on Mama's lap.

Look at all those great grandchildren!  JJ is the oldest great grandchild.

This is only the ones in Utah minus one.

There are 17 great grandchildren out of state, and three on the way...that I know of..

Awesome!

A memorable of the night happened to Emma.  She was eating a chewy caramel when she noticed something weird in her mouth.  Her loose tooth came out.  It was hilarious.  Here is Emma holding a tooth.

My poor dad was only feet away and missed getting to hear the crack that he loves so much.

Sorry Papa, better luck next time.

Missed all those that couldn't make it...especially ALL of my siblings.

Grandpa John turns 69

Tonight we celebrated Grandpa John's birthday. He is the BIG 69. Only a year until 70. Yikers. We had a great time.  It was fun to spend time with all the family.  It has been a long time since that happened.

The boys in the family.

Numbers are getting up there.

It is now seven girls to three boys.

Elsie with Mac.  She just loves this little guy.  Who can blame her, he is adorable.

All the cousins minus Taylor and Megan

Grandpa with his kiddos

Julie and Jennifer did a great job pulling off the party.  

Happy Birthday John.

Baking with the Ladies...and a few gents

Tara sent an email a few weeks ago asking to start a new family tradition of getting together to make goodies for the families. I thought it was a great idea. I have always wanted to do something like this. Good for her for implementing the idea. We all got together at her house to bake, bake, bake. Originally it was just going to be the girls but Mac and Brock really wanted in on the fun so they came too. The fellas all went and played basketball and hung out.

While they hung out we got our baking on.  We made a lot of treats some yummy and some, well, not.  I totally forgot to put salt in my cinnamon rolls so they tasted awful.  Everyone had a great time though.  That's what matters most...right!?! 

Elsie and Brock had a hay day in the flour.  Yikes, where are their parents.  I am still having guilt for letting her do it.  It was just too cute to see them playing together in the flour.  Poor Tara and her kitchen.  (I haven't forgotten that I owe you a bag of flour.)  All the girls pitched in and helped a ton.  Emma pretty much did the cinnamon rolls herself.  I felt bad that she put so much work into the cinnamon rolls and her prego momma forgot the salt. 

Here is what you get when the kids have had way too much sugar.

Still darling.

We can't wait until next year.

Aprons for sure!

Christmas with the Johns

Every year we have a Christmas get together with the Johns. We rotate and this year it was at their house. We always have a great time when we get together (why don't we do it more)  We eat dinner and then we exchange gifts.  The kids love to find out what they are going to get.  The adults usually get better take out than just pizza like the kids have.  This year Jana and Graydon were extra gracious with my picky nature.  I ended up getting Asparagus creamy soup.  Jana happened to get a pickle with her meal.  It looked so yummy so she gave it to me cause she loves me like that.  I seriously could have dipped the pickle in the soup, it sounded so good and tasted so good.  Finally a meal I could eat.  Problem was the rest of the night I felt sick.  We still were able to enjoy each others company though.  Jeron and Graydon played the Wii most of the time.  The kids disappear which is really nice ;-)  Tatum and Elsie played so well together.  It looks like another Anneka and Emma in the making. 

Jana was smart enough to bring out her camera right before we left.  I may look really tired but it is always nice to have a pic with my BFF

A new tradition that Jana and I think is hilarious is the "Awkward Man" picture.

Jana and I giggle the whole time we are taking it.

Love these beautiful ladies.

Can't wait until next year...but lets make sure we get together before then.

BTW, that food came right right back up when I got home.  YUCK!  No longer do pickles or asparagus sound good.  

A Christmas Carol with Mama and Papa

Ever since I was a little girl my dad has loved "A Christmas Carol". We would watch it every single Christmas Eve.  I loved watching my dad get ready to watch his favorite Christmas show.  Still to this day if you go to my parents house on Christmas eve you will find my dad and mom watching it.

So you can only imagine how excited we were when my parents asked us to go with them to Hales Center Theater to watch A Christmas Carol.  We got there a bit early and were able to get some pictures in their beautiful lobby.  Then we headed across the street and ate dinner at Costa Vida.  Then it was time to watch the show.  And what an amazing show it was.

The play was so good.  They did a great job.  The role of the Narrator and Scrooges nephew looked just like Mr. Shoop from Glee.  He did an amazing job.  Scrooge stole the show though.  He was amazing.  He had more energy than most people and just did an amazing job.  The kids had a lot of fun.  They love to go to plays.  They had begged us to take them to see the Forgotten Carols this year and when we didn't they were disappointed. I think this helped them feel much better.  They couldn't stop talking about the rotating stage and all the characters.  We love watching the theater come to life.  They were both impressed with the special effects.  It was fun to see their excitement. 

Thanks Mama and Papa for taking us.  We loved it.  Can't wait to go again...

Oh me, oh my

JJ isn't the best photographer with my camera but here is a pic I found of me down and out.  I threw my back out last night and have spent the whole day lying on ice.  Nothing like being down in the middle of December.  Christmas shopping has yet to be done and now I can't even do it if I wanted to.  I was helping Ellie with getting her Pajamas on when she decided to grab around my neck and drop.  It made me yank forward.  I didn't realize anything had happened until I tried to get out of bed and collapsed.  It hurt something awful and I couldn't walk if I wanted too.  The kids stayed home today to take care of me.  It was an interesting day.    I hope I feel better soon or Christmas may be a bust.

DIG IT

Every year at our school in 6th grade they do a play called "Dig It". JJ tried out for the play and landed the role of Imhotep. He did a great job. He loved doing the play and would practice his part all of the time. He new his part and everyone's for that matter. You could see him mouthing what they were saying.He did a great job. He also did great at the singing. 

His grandparents all came to support him. 

We all stood by his mummy.  It is the one behind JJ.  I should have taken a picture of just the mummy, he did a great job.

The little ladies had a really great time.  After they had to get a picture of how cute they are. 

And of course Elsie had to a special one of just her.

JJ now has to get his booty home because he has a science fair project display to make tonight because it is due tomorrow.  

Spending time with Boo

Since I have been preggers I have been pretty under the weather and poor Boo takes the brunt of it.

There isn't a lot that I feel up to doing and she has been a trooper.

She never watched TV before and now she knows the line up for PBS mornings.

She has found a new favorite movie in Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton's version)
Which maybe we should worry that that is her favorite movie.

Here is her typical position in the mornings.
Kind of breaks my heart.

Then there is the coloring, which I really enjoy.
This makes me feel a little less guilty.
Hopefully she can remember these moments from this exerience rather than the TV ones.

Love my Boo

Cookie Party 2011

Every year growing up my Nana and Granddaddy had a cookie party for us. Now my parents are carrying on the tradition. Our kids look forward to this fun event every year.  This year we were a bit nervous because last year we were so sick at the cookie party that our houses made us sick the rest of the season.  This year we were safe.  No one got sick and the kids were able to handle the smell.  We sure missed Lucy and Ben.  Maybe one of these years they will be here with us. 

The kids really had a great time.  It is fun to watch their houses take shape every year.  They definitely have their own personalities shine when they do their houses. 

And here are the finished products.

The kids are pretty excited to take them home and see if the elf's try to live in them. 

Loving the Nativity

Ellie and Elsie can often be found sitting under the tree playing with the nativity. I love capturing these moments with them.

I will have to say the little people nativity is the best thing I have purchased for Christmas.

I remember when I was little all I wanted to do was touch the nativity.  

Now they can, and they love it...especially Jesus.

These are the moments that makes me love Christmas so much. 

Hurricane without the Rain

On Wednesday night before we went to bed we got reports of strong winds coming with gusts up to 80 mph.  We have experienced east canyon winds so I wasn't too worried.  We might lose a little siding or a shingle or two.  Pain in the behind more than anything.  Well about 2 am I woke up and it really sounded bad.  I looked out my window above my bed and sure enough things were flying through the air.  I was able to sleep again until about 5:45am when it sounded like my house was under attack. We ran out to the family room to find that our fascia on the roof of our deck was coming off.  It sounded awful.  Then we noticed that the girls window sounded like it was going to break so we moved Elsie in our room.  Ellie, JJ, and Emma were already awake from the banging on the deck.  Ellie was terrified.  She couldn't figure out why the noise was so bad.  She kept asking me "Whhhhyyyyy?"  We turned on the news and they were shocked at the force of winds that we were seeing.  The police had asked the school district to close but still they didn't until about 11am.  We decided it was too crazy outside to send our kids to school, or for Jeron to go to work.  Semi's were tipping over all over I15.  Our neighborhood looked like a war zone.  I got some pictures but not enough.  One that I missed getting was the one where the roof of a house came off, and one of a garage door blown in and then the force of the wind blew out the adjacent wall.  Yes, it blew out an entire wall.  It seriously looked like a tornado went through all of Davis County.  Trees down everywhere, power lines down, basketball stands bent in half, play grounds picked up and thrown like a rag doll, windows shattered, shingles on entire roofs gone, siding off of every house, boats rolled away, trampolines gone, trees missing their tops, garbage cans in the next zip code, and garbage everywhere.  The only good thing that came out of it was that that stupid stop sign that we have been trying to get the city to take down has finally came down.  The Davis Golf Course and Oakridge lost every third tree.  They don't even look the same.  We were only without power for 12 hours.  Many were without for 72+ hours.  When it is 18 degrees outside that makes for a very cold house.  We lost a lot of our insulation because of our attic being exposed, which made things get colder faster.   In all the devastation I only heard of one injury to a poor Jr High kid that walked to school.  He got hit in the head, knocking him unconscious.  He ended up at the hospital as a John Doe in critical condition.  His parents didn't realize anything was wrong until he didn't come home from school that day.  Yikes.  A kid on our street decided to wind surf.  Jeron and I saw the whole thing.  He was going a good 40-50 min a hour when he just couldn't stay on his skateboard any longer.  He kind of ran off but his legs just couldn't keep up with how fast they were running and he feel face first on the asphalt.  His shirt came up from the wind and his pants went down.  He got road rash all over his face, chest, and well you can imagine with pants down.  I saw more of him then I ever needed or wanted too.  Turns out he only sprained his finger, but he had to pick gravel out of awful places.  He also looked to me to have a slight concussion.  (but I'm no doctor.)  Poor STUPID kid.

Here is our damage.  Yes that is the attic to our family room.  Oh, our attic cover got sucked up and broke in half.  We now have a lovely piece of card board over it.

Because of the power outage and having heard it would take 48 hours to come on we moved all of the kids into our room for a big sleepover.  Grandma Jan and Grandpa Gene brought up a generator for us.  We were able to run our refrigerator and the space heater.  We had a small space heater good enough to heat one room so that was the plan.  By the time we got home from dinner the power was back on...THANK HEAVENS!  But the kids were so hyped up for a sleep over that we did it anyways.  They loved it. 

We learned that we are very unprepared for such a tragedy.  Had it lasted any longer or been more devastating we need to have more supplies.  My parents neighborhood got hit pretty hard as well.  They lost a lot of their roof, have a broken window, and their hot tube cover blew off.  (It might be in my yard) They were without power for only a little longer than us thank goodness.  I don't know if my dad could have made it through the cold.  He is cold in 75 degrees.  One sad thing to see go was a tree when you turn in their neighborhood.  It was a huge landmark of where you were and now it is gone forever.  I am just glad we were all safe.  We really fared well compared to some.  For that I am very grateful.  Thanks JJ for reminding us to say a family prayer when it all got crazy.  In the end we were told that it was type 2 hurricane winds.  The gusts reached up to 96 miles an hour where we live and 102 in Centerville.  I can now say I have been in a natural disaster. Even the national guard was called in.