Polar Express to Temple Square Lights 2011

The Living Nativity

During the month of December we tried to have Christ focused Family Home Evenings to emphasize the true reason for the Christmas season. We put up our Christmas decorations one week and discussed how the fun symbols of Christmas relate to Christ. Another week we went to Temple Square and enjoyed the nativities while discussing how different cultures view Christ and the story of Christ's birth. The week in between we attended The Living Nativity, a local family shares the Christmas story through a miniature journey to Bethlehem. A free event that provided an in depth experience of what Mary and Joseph's journey might have actually been like.

We drove to a chapel where we were loaded into horse trailers and hauled a short distance to what looked like some horse property. After we stepped off our transport we were greeted by "the shepherd at the gate" who told us about our journey and what we would find along the way. We then walked from fire pit to fire pit to visit with shepherds, Roman soldiers, Mary and Joseph, and other travelers. Each told us a story of what they were doing at the time of Christ's birth. The children even got to touch camels, donkeys, goats, and sheep. After passing Mary and Joseph (on their way to Bethlehem and still expecting baby Jesus), we entered Bethlehem where we saw a tanner, basket weavers, a black smith, pottery workers, bakers, shepherds, children playing games, and listened to their stories. Just outside of Bethlehem was a "stable" set off away from the busyness of the "city" was a well insulated stable where we entered to see the "living" baby Jesus. Above the entryway the "angels" sang praises (Christmas hymns) and the star marked the spot of Jesus's birth. Despite the freezing cold night, we were warmed and fed by the beauty of this experience and hope the family putting it together will do it again next year because we want to take our family again to truly experience "the reason for the season." And, next year I will remember my camera.

Christmas Sing

Benjamin's teacher was kind enough to take pictures of his whole class after their Christmas Sing performance. It was terribly difficult to get a decent picture with the crowd of parents at the performance, so I am extremely grateful for these pictures!

Best Friends

Benjamin and his best friend, Jaden, love Star Wars, Legos, and all things boy. We are so sad Jaden moved because these two loved playing together. I hope Benjamin can find another friend as good for him, and as much like him, as Jaden is.

A Friend's Baptism

We attended the baptism of one of Benjamin's friends, Asiah, back in November and there was an interesting visitor during refreshments.

Bekah was enjoying her dessert too much to care.

Flashback Friday: Christmas 2004

Our first Christmas was spent at my parents house, and the scenery was a lot more interesting than our Christmas morning. Pictures became a lot more fun after we started having kiddos.

Festival of Trees 2011

I love going to the Festival of Trees and seeing all of the unique designs people come up with. This year we took bingo cards and stickers so the kids could have a scavenger hunt looking for various Christmas items in the displays. We had a lot of fun!

The designated "favorite" trees of the festival: Legos & pink bears.

Can you find the hidden pictures in the puzzle?

The "Up" tree, decorated after the movie "Up" made by Disney.

The M&M tree reminded me of going to Grandma D's house at Christmas time. She had LOTS of M&M Christmas decorations, and she even let us play with some of them.

The elusive drum from our Christmas bingo.

Making crafts at the Kids' Corner.

Black Friday 2011

I did the crazy midnight shopping, came home at 6 a.m., took a nap, and then took my kiddos to the Dinosaur Museum. The museum was the best part of the day! I even convinced the baby to toddle around holding my hand for half the time we were there.

Read Me a Story

Ryan loves books. He loves being read to. In fact, one of his favorite tricks lately is to bring a book to Michael or I so we can read it to him. He will repeat this method for quite awhile before he finds something else to do. Good thing we have a plethera of books in our home and are always adding more.

Rubber Duckies Are So Much Fun

Ryan has reached to carrying and toddling stage. Today he was toddling around holding his rubber duckie from his bath. He came over and handed it to me while I was sitting on the couch. I decided to balance it on my head and then let/make it fall. Ryan thought this was hilarious and laughed as he had me do it over and over again. I love sharing giggles with my little ones.

Messy Rooms

The original quote reads "My room is not messy; it is an obstacle course designed to keep me fit." I would have to change it to say "My children's rooms are not messy; they are just obstacle courses designed to keep me fit."

Resolutions for 2012

• Create 365 posts for this blog. Again, I did not say post every day, just 365 posts.
• Index 75,000 records using Family Search.
• Read most of the books in my house I have yet to read (for example, we own the Harry Potter series, but I haven't read it yet.)
• Finish projects I have started previously and not start new ones.
• Help Ryan learn English and stop speaking grunt.
• Help Bekah start Kindergarten.
• Help Benjamin improve his piano skills.
• Find time to laugh, smile, and serve others.

Resolutions 2011 in Review

My resolutions for the year 2011were

1. Spend time each week with my children doing something they enjoy. Every day would be fantastic, but I am trying to be realistic.
2. Take a nap each day whenever possible.
3. Read at least 12 books.
4. Plant a garden.
5. Create 365 posts for this blog. Notice, I did not say post every day, just 365 posts.
6. Spend less time on Facebook playing games.
7. Sell 100 flower headbands and clips.
8. Help Ryan learn to crawl, walk, say a few words, eat solid foods, and feed himself finger foods.
9. Help Benjamin continue to develop his reading abilities, do homework, transition into 1st grade, and have play dates with boy friends.
10. Help Bekah transition into Primary, have play dates with girl friends her age, learn how to ride her scooter, and ride her bike without training wheels.
11. Index 75,000 names using Family Search.
12. Find time to laugh, smile, and serve others.

I accomplished

1. Spending time each week with my children playing games, doing chores, going places, and reading books, etc.
2. I took a nap at least 5 days a week for the first 9 months of the year and then about once a week the last 3 months.
3. I read over 36 books.
4. I planted a small garden and we enjoyed home grown corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, Anaheim peppers, zucchini, spaghetti squash, and one tiny pumpkin.
5. I completed 320 blog posts (this one is going on the 2012 resolution list.)
6. I cut back my Facebook game playing time by several hours a day. Now, I only spend about an hour on Facebook each day and that is to keep track of what others are doing and if anyone needs something.
7. I sold 1 headband, started a whole bunch, and need to send my pattern to a friend. I think I am going to shelve this business venture for a few years.
8. Ryan learned how to crawl, walk, eat a variety of solid foods, say about a dozen words, and proficiently feed himself.
9. Benjamin transitioned into 1st grade a little roughly, but is now doing well. He likes to read books on his own, has developed friends with several other boys in our neighborhood, knows the homework routine even if he doesn't always like it, and he even started to learn to play the piano this year.
10. Bekah found she loves Primary (even if she doesn't always get to say a prayer in class), started preschool at home, learned how to write her name and a lot of her ABCs, and is getting better at holding still while Mom does her hair.
11. I indexed 61,078 records using Family Search and am now the Family History coordinator for our ward. (This one is also going on the 2012 resolution list.)
12. I did find time to laugh, smile, and serve others and I had some good experiences doing this. I want to do more of these things in the coming years.