Christmas Unwrapped

Warning, this is gonna be a long one. If my kids don't call you grandma and grandpa you may get bored...

Christmas Eve presents!

Surprise! It's pj's!

The presents finally got to be put under the tree on Christmas Eve...after the kids went to bed.

Santa totally delivered, he may have grumbled a bit about the minor assembly required, but he sure did deliver!

TOTALLY delivered, mama's gonna be lovin' this one in the spring...MAJOR assembly required, Santa, sorry :)

Christmas morn, waiting for that darn Elliot to wake up! You may notice that Naomi does, in fact, have on different pj's than she went to bed in. That is because she started throwing up at about midnight Christmas morning. Needless to say, Santa's elves didn't get a whole lot of sleep on Christmas eve.

Elliot got JUST what he has been asking for for a couple of months! He is thrilled with his new guitar!

Little mommy Maggie immediately put her baby in the high chair and began feeding her :)

Just what our little soon-to-be walker needs. Santa is really smart and knew that our old walker is buried in the garage somewhere and he just knew that chances were very slim that mom would ever go out and dig through the boxes to find it.

OH MY GOODNESS!! A candy jewelry maker!! Just what Grace wanted!

The antlers were a big hit, they made the rounds.

Graces l.o.v.e.s. her pink fluffy vest from Valerie. Thanks girl!!

I am the coolest wife ever and got Ray a plane ticket to Phoenix (thank you frequent flyer miles) and a ticket to the Fiesta Bowl so he can watch his beloved Broncos play.

I don't know why I have never bought my kids Memory before now, but they just can't get enough of it!

Hope your Christmas was as special as ours.

For your entertainment:

See These Two?

Thumb suckers no longer.

Let's just say that I get it. I understand thumb sucking, I sucked mine until I was 10-you're welcome Dr. Orthodontist (can't remember his name for the life of me). I know it sounds strange, but I can almost feel the comfort it gives. So I guess I just never felt the need to push the stopping of the thumb sucking with Grace. But, I know she is getting to the age where other kids will notice and probably make fun. So, when I told Grace that her cousin Colby, 2 years her junior, had stopped sucking his thumb, she decided that it was time. We ordered the yucky stuff to paint on her thumb, same stuff Colby used, of course. She was very diligent to keep it painted on.

She hated the taste.

And so did everyone else who tried to eat chips from the same bag as her, if you know what I mean. A few days later, viola! No more thumb sucking! 6+ years of bad habit, broken. We haven't seen so much as a little suck for about a week! We're so proud of you, Grace!

(and a little sad...she is officially all grown up now :( )

Born This Day

Luke 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the birth of the babe Jesus, the Savior of the world! The One the wise men sought. Born in the most humble of circumstances, destined to be the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God. Sent to earth to save our wretched souls, to give us hope and peace. To teach us love and charity. Rejoice in the event that changed the course of humanity forever, the single most important event in the history of the world. Rejoice in the good tidings of great joy. Merry Christmas!

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year.

I don't know if there'll be snow,

But have a cup of cheer.

Have a holly Jolly Christmas

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know,

And everyone you meet.

OH BY GOLLY have a Holly Jolly Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Maggie's new fave

Grape Tomatoes!!

She eats them by the handful (thank you Costco)

I deserve at least one child who eats good, right?

Love this girl...

Kindermusik Love

Have I mentioned how much I love Kindermusik? Well, I do. It is so great for Elliot. He loves it so much and he learns so much. This year they are learning to read music!! They just got their glockenspiels and will soon learn to play a song on it from music. Anyway, we went to the Christmas party today. Elliot got to sing a solo. He rocks.

They got to make the "snow" fall...

They laid on the floor together to listen to the other kids sing...

They got to sing Christmas carols and dance (please ignore my singing, UGH!!)

In other news, when I went to upload these video from my point and shoot I discovered a bunch of pictures that Grace had taken. Check out her mad photog skills :)

Don't you just love Elliot's little sexy baby legs? :)

I guess this is what I get for complaining...

Photo by Misty Alger

So, in my church we don't have paid clergy. It is all volunteer. Incredibly dedicated and selfless members donate their time, sometimes LOTS of it, to keeping my church running and moving forward. We are given "callings" to do specific tasks, to hold specific positions. We believe that these callings come from God, that our leaders (volunteer) are inspired to call us to the areas where we can help, and more importantly, where we need to grow personally. I have had people who are not members of my church tell me that we are asked to do too much, that it just isn't fair to ask us to do so much. What is sometimes hard to explain are the spiritual rewards we gain for our service. It is often hard to articulate how our families become stronger, how we become closer to God, how we feel God's love for us more acutely, how our spirits become refined, how our spiritual reserves are built up, and most importantly-how we learn to emulate Jesus Christ through our own lesson in Charity. Anyone, mormon or not, would tell you that they become better themselves when they give service to others.

That being said, it is not always easy. It is a natural tendency that we as humans have to be selfish. I have certainly dealt with my own selfishness more than I care to mention. For example, for the last year or so Ray has served with they youth in our church, specifically the young men. I have been known to complain a time or two about how much time this takes. He is gone every other Sunday before and after church for a couple of hours, every Wednesday night for a couple hours, a weekend here and there for a camp out, a Thursday night once a month for a scout roundtable, and the list goes on. I have really tried to be supportive because I know he will be blessed personally for his service and our family will be, and has been, blessed for our sacrifice. But...I struggle with my human selfishness. In this wicked world in which we live, I know how important it is for our youth to be focused on what is right and to have good, strong leaders who they look up to. Ray is perfect in this role. I KNOW that. I pray that when my kids are adolescents they will have church leaders as strong and dedicated as Ray. But still, on Sunday morning when I am getting the kids ready for church all by myself, not always nicely I might add, I struggle.

Well, I guess that my Father in Heaven must know about some inner strength I have that I have yet discovered because yesterday Ray was given a new calling. He was called to be the Elders Quorum President. Wikipedia defines quorum in this way, "A quorum is a group of people ordained or endowed with priesthood authority, and organized to act together as a body. The concept of a quorum continues to have significant meaning in modern LDS denominations. Quorums are expected to act unanimously, if possible, and are chaired by one person who is designated as the president or presiding officer." See here for a more in depth definition. That would be Ray. His responsibilities are many, and include both spiritual and temporal things. This is a huge responsibility that I have no doubt he will completely master. He is completely capable and qualified for this. I know we will be blessed beyond measure if he works to magnify this calling. I heard once that every calling you get is a call to repentance. Well, I think that Ray's calling is MY call to repentance. I need to work on mastering the "natural man" in me that has a tendency to be selfish. I will try my darnedest to be supportive, I will pray for the strength I need to get through those times on my own when Ray is serving others. (I may refer back to this post a time or two ;)). I am grateful to be married to a man who is worthy of this. Who so willingly wants to serve others. I know that there are good things in store for us.

Brownie Heaven

Boy Golly, these brownies are good!

Paula's photo, not mine :)

I made these brownies for our church Christmas party last night. Grace and I saw Paula Deen making them on her show yesterday. I use this word sparingly, but I would call them decadent. They are pretty much not low fat, (is anything Paula makes low fat??) and they just might cause a heart attack with all that butter, but man oh man they are good! I only got to eat one, that's a good thing, right?!

Creme De Menthe Brownies

Ingredients:

1 cups (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 (10-ounce) package Creme de Menthe baking chips (recommended: Andes)
Shaved Creme de Menthe thins (recommended: Andes)
Chocolate frosting

Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.

Using an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, mixing well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture. Fold in mint chips. Spoon into greased pan. Bake for 35 minutes (I baked mine for about 42 minutes, but my oven is old and temperamental).

While brownies are baking, prepare frosting. Combine butter, cocoa, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed until spreading consistency.

Remove pan from the oven and allow brownies to cool in pan on wire rack. Spread with chocolate frosting. Top with shaved mint thins.

ENJOY!! yummmmm

The Season To Be Jolly

'Tis the season to be Jolly!

We decorated our tree before we left for Thanksgiving. Naomi was in bed, but the rest of the kids had a great time!

Don't you just love this picture of Elliot (totally posed ;-))

Maggie just can't get enough of the tree. She L.O.V.E.S. it. She is always taking the ornaments off, but puts them right back on when asked.

Yep, that's as good as it's gonna get as far as smiles go!

BE JOLLY!

We went to Pocatello for Thanksgiving and had a great time, besides Maggie throwing up for 24 hours and Naomi getting an ear infection. I forgot to take pictures most of the time, surprise, surprise. I got to see "New Moon" with mom and Abby. We laughed loudly in the most inappropriate places, it was great. Ray, David, and dad got to go shooting, yes with guns. We had what we will affectionately call the Christmas tree debacle of 2009, when we got our permit to go cut down our own tree but failed to find any Christmas trees after driving for a really long time! We did get to partake of some really beautiful scenery, though! Thanks for the great Thanksgiving, mom and dad!!

Beautiful Arbon Valley, ID

(See any Christmas trees around here? Yea, me either.)

Dancing Queens

Grace went to a little dance camp last weekend, put on by the Ferris High dance team. She had a lot of fun. They performed this cute little routine at the end. She did pretty good for never having taken formal lessons!! (sorry for the shaky camera work :))

Grace and her friend Aria

SNOW!!

A tree in my backyard...taken with my sweet new camera!!

A Riddle - On Snow

From Heaven I fall, though from earth I begin.

No lady alive can show such a skin.

I'm bright as an angel, and light as a feather,

But heavy and dark, when you squeeze me together.

Though candor and truth in my aspect I bear,

Yet many poor creatures I help to insnare.

Though so much of Heaven appears in my make,

The foulest impressions I easily take.

My parent and I produce one another,

The mother the daughter, the daughter the mother.

-James Parton

New Moon...

Unfortunately, this is the only "new moon" we've gotten to see around here. Can't wait until next week to see the actual movie with mom and Abby! (you can come, too David ;))