T"was The Night Before Christmas

As our stockings hung by

the chimney with care,

we donned our costumes with

no time to spare!

We had Mary, a Joseph and

baby snug in wraps,

With herald Angels all white

with wings and haloed caps.

Although missing their third

these Wise Men were there,

And our lonely Shepard,

a staff and all stayed sitting

in a chair.

We preformed our nativity

with strict exactness,

Reading from the scriptures

filled with the spirit brought much happiness.

Although Joseph had to protect

the gifts given,

From swift fingers of the

disobedient Wise Men.

Then it was finally time to open

the treasured box,

Shipped straight from Grandma's

Pockets, they hoped it was socks!

Starting from the youngest

we worked our way up,

A soft Thomas Train for Dan,

grateful to play with something

other then teacups.

Keira received a pup with big,

large eyes,

And for Ben a train named

Chuggington,

to his surprise!

A bracelet for Emma that she

could create all on her own,

Sydney got the same, to create together,

now neither alone.

We ended with new pj's for all,

and swift goodnight.

Remembering the treats to wish

Santa a safe flight!

Merry Chirstmas

Our Christmas Holiday Break began

with Larry getting ACL reconstructive surgery

on his left knee.

It's been a long wait for him...

almost 5 years since his original injury.

He's missed many activities due to

the missing tendons and has suffered

much pain and swelling with too much

strain.

It's been hard over the years to find the right

time to leave work for recovery,

 the right time in between having kids

that I could survive without his help,

and the right insurance coverage.

Finally the stars have aligned

and with a string pulled from his

own hamstring, Larry's knee is mended!

So we enjoyed the comforts of home

together with Dad home

(even if he was asleep from his

pain med's for most of it)

and made due spending time

in each other's company.

We painted ornaments,

made forts,

watched Christmas movies,

read 1,000s of Christmas books,

put together two 500 piece puzzles,

and finally on Christmas Eve

we made sugar cookies for Santa.

I have admit, this table is awesome.

It holds are family (+ more) and has plenty

of space to spread out.

One happy family.

(We didn't forget Dan, but we knowingly

plan "hands on" activities like these for

when he his peacefully napping)

Who's that hungry girl?

Little Orphan Annie?

Nope, it's our little Keira Jane.

She ate her weight in cookies

that afternoon!

Daddy was her servant as she ordered

him to put specific colored icing on

her cookies and then saved the shaking of

sprinkles for herself.

Sydney got out toothpicks

to add details to her cookies.

Emma was very concerned

about making her gingerbread girl

to look exactly like her!

And then she ate it.

Ben and his "half smile"!

I am treasuring this photo.

It is the first time I have caught

that cute facial expression.

Classic Photos

 I promise,

if you take the time to scroll through

this posting of pictures

you will NOT be disappointed.

I am pleased to say that I can take

partial responsibility for how rad

these pictures are.

The photos are taken from our

ward activity that I put together with help
from friends.

In other words,

I am really really good at asking

people to do stuff for me.

The background of our Santa set up

is my Christmas tablecloth,

the lighted tree goes next to my front door,

and I asked a dear friend who

does professional photography

to take the photos for free!

As for how well my children preformed

in the photos,

that is.... ALL their doing!

Here is Keira looking slightly happy,

but more scared.

Kind of on the verge of running 

in the opposite direction.

Here is Ben with the typical

awkward smile that goes with

4 yr old boys

and finding comfort with sugar in one hand

and a matchbox car in the other.

And Emma desperate to tell Santa

her long list of things she wants

for Christmas, as Santa strains to 

hold up Emma and her burly,

muscled body which can make a leg

go numb in a matter of seconds.

Then there is Sydney,

too old to still be sitting on Santa's lap,

but enduring for her mother's sake.

Plastering her pretend smile

wide across her face.

Lastly the classic group photo

with the baby screaming at the top of his

lungs!!

With death grips by his older sisters,

holding him in place while the

torturous picture is taken.

And Keira, scared to death,

because she doesn't understand

why her brother is so desperate

to get away.

And let me tell you,

I loved every minute of it.

Laughing heartily at Dan's expense.

9 Going On 19

 Somebody is growing up!

Right before our very eyes.

Sydney is the big "9"!!

We started the day by letting

Sydney open her present from

the Grandparents.

Her requested present from

MONTHS ago

was finally here...

a tiger pillow pet!

Then a quick breakfast of

eggs!

For dinner the kids all put on

dress up clothes

and we decorated Sydney's chair

like a present.

Dinner was hot ham & cheese sliders

and her chocolate Rolo cookies for dessert!

Each of my kids have loved the

birthday plate they get from

primary!!

Daddy preps the candles.

9 candles make for a big glow!

She huffed, and she puffed until she

BLEW

out those candles!

And her party?

Nope, not this year.

Just the $$ for the cost of the party.

She is saving up for an American Girl Doll!!

Look at her just concentrate on counting 

how much $$ she is holding in her hands.

Then it's time for the traditional

scavenger hunt to find your present!

This year Dad did pictures of things

around the house to send Sydney

off to the next clue.

Ending with the garage.

On first glance, Sydney didn't see her new bike

among the billion sitting in there.

But finally she spotted it and jumped on.

She is very excited to finally have something

 on her bike that none of the previous ever have...

....A KICK STAND!!!

2 Helpers Makes Double The Fun

 Ever had a "helper" in the kitchen?

Sometimes it's great.

Fun, even.

Exciting to watch their little minds

concentrate at the task set before them.

Then there's the times

when your helpers are just

major nuisances.

That's when I take several

deep breaths just to make it

through.

This day we were whipping up

a special cookie Sydney requested

to eat for her birthday dessert.

Rolo Chocolate Cookies!

My helpers were very excited to

make a treat for their Big Sis.

Ben's first task, was to unwrap

all the Rolo's.

He excelled at that,

by creating towers.

So I gave him a harder task of hiding the

Rolo's inside the chocolate batter

and wrapping it around them.

I was surprised at how well he did!

Keira usually does things like

stir, whisk, count the cups of flour, hold the beater,

clean the beaters (with her tongue), etc..

but today she had a cough.

And the last thing I need was her

to cough into the bowl.

So she was on clean up duty.

And MAN!

Was she good at it!! 

It's snowed on our cookies!!

If you haven't tried making chocolate cookies

from a the box of Devil's Food Cake mix.

You have to!!

So easy, quick and versatile.

You can put anything in them.

White chocolate chips, Reese's pb cups,

Reese's pieces, a cherry, etc...