Family Christmas Party!

Who doesn't love a good party? Lots of yummy desserts and a couple new twists that kept things interesting. First: Elder & Sister V were with us via Skype--definitely the highlight of the evening.Second: We added a new tradition with the talent show. I think this tradition will take off and make for years of fun. We will be working a little harder on our talents in the coming year, but for this year we settled with a rousing family rendition of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer! We finished the evening off with the classic Nativity reenactment, but things were made interesting when we couldn't find Grandmas costume box and had to come up with our own...we miss you Grandma & Grandpa. Gavin was Joseph, Kesley was an Angel and Jenna was a Shepherd.

Seeking: Chubby extras

Brent's sister runs a dance studio. Every year they put on a huge production of the Nutcracker. Some of you may remember Kesley as a cute little gumdrop a few years ago. Anyway, Gavin saw his cousin Mckay perform last year in the opening number as a boy at the party and has been asking to be in it ever since. The closer Christmas was getting, the more he was asking. Brent called Tami and she was nice enough to squeeze him in--she even made a part as Drosselmeyers nephew just for him. He followed Drosselmeyer around and had a few moments where all the attention was on him. He really felt like the star of the show! Nobody was more shocked or proud of him than Brent and I were. He was a little nervous, but still went out there and did it every night.

...And did I mention that in doing us this favor, Tami called in a favor and asked Me & Brent to be parents in the party seen?... We had to dance and mingle--it was HILARIOUS! Brent was actually more nervous than Gavin on the opening night! We had a blast and made some great memories--but we will NEVER be doing this again...

Remember 2 months ago?

Gavin was baptized two months ago on October 31, 2010. His dad was baptized the same day, 29 years earlier. The day was made even bigger and better when we added Olivia Gillespie & Jane Shumways baby blessings and then topped the evening off with Gavin's favorite Haystack dinner. I forgot my camera, so I don't have pictures of most of the night, but Aunt Amber took a few.
Gavin and Brent both did great. The tension was building throughout the day and at one point we weren't sure if we could get the font filled (isn't that how it always seemed to happen as a missionary!), but all in all, it went pretty smooth. I told Brent the only thing I wanted to request was that he pause while they were in the water and let Gavin look up and see all the people--really let that moment be ingrained in his memory and not rush things. He did the right thing and completely ignored my request when he saw Gavin starting to loose it because of all the attention on him just walking down into the font. He said he got a good laugh when it was over and they had just closed the curtains and, as he was reaching down to pull the plug, Gavin took a graceful leap off the stairs and back into the font for a final little swim around! Little stinker, but I guess he had to let off some steam somehow.

I got my chuckle when I went into the dressing room to see if I could help Gavin get dressed for his confirmation and I overheard Gavin--as he was just shivering from cold--asking Brent, "S-s-so n-n-now d-do I have th- the P-P-Priesthood?!" Seriously, we devoted AT LEAST 5 FHE lessons to this big event--where did he come up with that? :)

We had a good crowd. Great Grandpa Smith & Betty were able to be there and Grandpa Smith & Great Grandpa were the witnesses. We had most of Brents family, all but Elder & Sister V from my side and some Shumway & Gillespie inlaws. We also had Brother & Sister Peterson and their grandson, Michael who are favorite neighbors of my kids.

Great day.

Making memories--of what?

Here are my kids reliving one of my childhood memories: Standing under a full tree of lights on Temple Square and looking up. I remember always feeling like I was in space, surrounded by stars. I want them to grow up with the same magical memories--but I'm not sure they appreciate the little things like I did--or think I did anyway.

This year I really wanted to make things special. I opted out of buying the cheap...what's the name...you know, the calendars where you count down to Christmas by opening up a window with a little chocolate in it...uck--I hate my mind. Anyway, Instead, I bought a wooden sleigh that had little doors that I thought I would fill with all sorts of fun things we could DO.

The first week was awesome. We decorated the tree, read Christmas books, drove around and looked at Christmas lights whilst munching a yummy Christmas blizzard from Dairy Queen, walked around the Festival of Trees, drank hot chocolate by the fire and watched a Christmas movie, and made Christmas ornaments for the Grandparents (act surprised when you open them).

The second week wasn't quite so awesome. I found myself putting off the opening until bedtime and then sending them off on a quick errand like teeth brushing while I madly scribbled something lame like, "pick 3 favorite Christmas songs" and trying to cram it in the sleigh before they were back. I was wishing I had opted for the stale chocolate calendar.

Tonight we tried to spruce things up again. We headed up to Temple Square for an evening of lights. Remember how magical that was as a kid? I captured this cute picture right when we got there and 2 seconds later everyone was fighting and whining and complaining. I thought I could change the mood by forcing them to watch the nativity....not so much. Anyway, I think pictures lie. Most pictures make it look like everything is just..so...great, when really it is a one snapshot taken in the midst of HELL.

Let it SNOW!!

We woke up to the white stuff this morning. Actually, I woke up to this:Yes, just in the nick of time because she was on her way OUT THE DOOR! Yesterday I thought she was downstairs playing with Kesley, but about 8:30am I realized neither of them were in the house. I found them over at our favorite neighbors and adopted grandparents making cookies. They had been there since 7:30am!! Time to stop sleeping in on Saturday & Sundays I guess...

Well, the white stuff wasn't going to last, so I let Gavin and Kesley enjoy it even though it was Sunday. I also needed a few extra minutes to finish my Relief Society lesson. Upside to big kids: They can get their own snow clothes on and make the snow man themselves!!!

Playing catch-up--again.

Ugg. Where to start???

Well, Brent had a birthday!! He was a little shocked to find out that he was turning 37 and not 36 like he thought. Funny how that happens. He had no problem drowning his sorrows in a big slice of his favorite chocolate cake!What else??? Halloween! Nothing crazy this year and only 2 days of dressing up instead of last years marathon 3 dayer. I'm sure I am not the only one looking forward to a ONE DAY HALLOWEEN next year when it falls on a MONDAY!! Woot! Woot!

We couldn't break tradition and skip the pumpkin carving--even though it was VERY tempting. My kids seem to love the gutting--not so much the carving. I think I ended up carving all the pumpkins and the kids were nowhere to be found. Next year I am going to push for a new tradition: We gut the pumpkins and then throw them off the roof and watch them explode!

Gavin and Brent's GUT WAR!

Kesley in gut heaven

My Cheerleader, Mermaid & Mario!This year I stole a friends idea and paid my kids $5 if they would give me all their candy after trick or treating. They each got to choose their favorite 20 pieces and the rest went into my closet for safe keeping. The idea was to save it for Christmas and use it in stockings and candy houses...that was the idea. Let's just say it now BAD IDEA!! NEVER DO THIS! Most of the candy is gone (well, all the good chocolaty/nutty/chewy stuff) and I am only attempting sweats because I can't handle the shock of the too tight jeans...you know, the one's that were already my FAT lady jeans. BAD idea, Maria. BAD, BAD IDEA!!

Actual Halloween day--October 31st--was AWESOME--but that is for tomorrows post.

This is what I got to do today...

It's not everyday that your sister needs an Appendectomy. I was lucky enough to get Emily's littles for the day and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I snuggled Olivia for the first 4 hours to keep her in a sleep coma in case Emily ended up not needing surgery and came back and needed to nurse her. I was constantly flashing back to Gavin and probably everybody's baby #1 that gets held and adored all day long because--why not? What else was there to do!?



Emily is out of surgery and doing well. She is staying at the hospital until tomorrow. Brian came and picked up Tanner, but I get to keep Paige and Olivia for the night. You should have seen Olivia light up and smile and try to talk when Brian walked into the room--even a 5 week old knows her mom and dad! I wish I had caught that on video!--p.s. the purple mouth is thanks to the medication she is taking for...yeast infection? Can't remember exactly--but it is BRIGHT purple!