Christmas

Alan said Saturday night that this was a perfect Christmas. I think he might have been right. It started with a family hike the morning of Christmas Eve. It was a short hike but when we stopped for a short break the kids started playing and using their imaginations and were so animated in their play that John and I could bear to interrupt them to make them keep going. So our short rest ended up being a long play time.

That afternoon we dipped chocolates and the boys did some work on our "tree house".

Christmas Eve we did our annual reenactment of the Nativity.  John and I noticed that our roles never change.  The kids always switch back and forth between wanting to be Joseph and a shepherd.  That always leaves John and I to do Mary and the Angel.  Well since John really doesn't want to be Mary, I'm always Mary and John is always the angel.  And a wrapped up scooby doo always ends up being Baby Jesus.

Then we each got to open one gift before bed. The kids get books on Christmas eve, and Mom and Dad each got a gift that the kids made in school. I think those were John and my favorite gifts.

We did your Christmas dinner a little different this year.  I heard about a tradition of a friend of mine and decided to try it this year.  Instead of traditional ham and potatoes we tried to replicate how Christ might have eaten dinner.  I was a little worried about the foods but overall dinner was a success.  My brother and his family came over.  We ate sitting on the floor and used our fingers.  It was a neat experience that helped bring us back from the presents to remembering Christ.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too!

Concentration

Last night was Hyrum's winter concert.  The picture above is terrible but it gives you an idea of how Hyrum was during the entire thing.  His brow was furrowed almost the entire time.  Hyrum is a perfectionist and I think he was concentrating hard on remembering the words and getting the actions right.  It made John and I laugh watching him.  He was so excited to have it be HIS concert.  We've gone to many events for Alan but this was his first.  He was even asking if he could have the "You are special today" plate at dinner.

Another reason why I love this kid.

The other day after school he says he's going to make a sandwich for a snack and this is what happened.  It's a triple decker peanut butter, pretzel and cracker sandwich.

I love this kid.

Success!

It was every child's worst nightmare.  The invitations were sent, the cupcakes were baked, the decorations were set.  Then Alan got the stomach flu the day of his birthday party.  He took it pretty good when we told him we needed to cancel, but it was hard.  I had a hard time not crying.  John had a hard time not crying when I stayed up all night debating back and forth to him about what we could have done to save the day while John was trying to sleep.  But we rescheduled.

I was worried that no one would be able to come since December is so busy (it took us 3 weeks to find a weekend where we were free to have a party). But friends came, they all had fun, and Alan felt special. And THAT makes it a success.

It was a movie party filled with lots of candy and popcorn.

Progress

 My parents were in town last week and we took them to the Phoenix temple site.  It doesn't look like much from the street but they have been doing lots of work. 

 This is the best picture I could get of the hole in the ground, also known as basement excavation.  We've still got a long ways to go but we are very excited.

This weekend we took the kids and some friends to go on a carriage ride with Santa.  Alan just handed Santa a list of what he wanted.  Santa didn't quite get through the list but he did tell Alan that cell phones were reserved for those a little older.

 

Alan turned 9 a few week ago.  The birthday was fun.  Unfortunately Alan got sick the day of his birthday party and we had to cancel at the last minute.  We have it rescheduled but I'm afraid that many kids won't be able to make come since December is so busy.  Poor kid.  I think that is every kids worst nightmare.

Food Blog

I love food.  Not just any food but really good food.  I've toyed with the idea of a food blog for a long time.  I've posted some favorite recipes to a family food blog but since it was just family not many people read it.  I finally decided to do my own recipe blog.  It motivates me to organize my favorite recipes and is a good way to share them with others.  I decided to keep it completely separate from my personal blog so I can keep this blog, well. . .  personal.  I'll be adding to it regularly so check it out and let me know what you think.

http://thinklovesleepdine.blogspot.com/

Overheard

I'm wearing a sweatshirt and Alan is running around barefoot

Me:  Aren't you cold?

Alan:  No.

Me:  You're crazy!

Alan:  That's because I'm a MAN and you're a sissy.