White Christmas

At the beginning of the week we experienced a fabulous snow storm. Before it came the kids thought that we wouldn't have any snow for Christmas, but this one guaranteed a white Christmas for us. It reminded me of the snow storms that we used to get when I was younger.

Dennis got a call early that morning from our neighbor who couldn't get out her front door because their big willow tree had split off from all the weight of the snow and fell against the front door. A lot of people had a snow day so there was lots of help removing the tree as well as working on the sidewalks and drive ways. Dennis and the boys made really fun maze in the front yard for snow ball wars. Teddy was kind of stuck walking up against the house because it was so deep. It was funny watching he bound through the snow a couple times before he gave up.

Baby's First Christmas

I still haven't posted anything this month about Bonnie, but since this is her first Christmas I thought that this picture would suffice. She's getting up on her hands and knees now, not moving anywhere, but just enough to get everyone really excited. She really likes food pieces instead of the mooshy stuff, which she constantly gagged on and made this face like I just put the most horrid stuff in her mouth. Her favorites are yams, pears, rice, green beans, and grandmas rolls.
This picture was taken at the Marker family Christmas party in the 1st Christmas chair. Grandma Joy always makes the new babies a quilt. I thought this turned out so cute.

Christmas Lights

We went to see the lights on Temple Square with my brother and his cute family a week ago. We had dinner and then rode the trax downtown. The kids really enjoyed the train ride. I loved walking around and showing them the temple and the nativity there. The older children really like the miniature model that shows the inside of the Salt Lake temple. We've never seen that before. My favorite place is the "pink wave delight" a beautiful section of lights. It was so bitterly cold though that we walked around temple square pretty fast. By the time we were done we had tired and cold babies and everyone was ready to head home. Kind of a fun tradition.

30 Christmas Questions

I've been up since 4am this morning, with this as the result of my sleep apnea, or it could be the head cold that I'm fighting and can't sleep with. Anyway, I'm apologizing now. This is one of those copy and paste things that I got.

Real tree or artificial? Artificial. Early in my marriage I insisted on real (that's what my family did), but I quickly decided it wasn't worth the trouble... or mess although I do miss the smell.

When do you put up your tree and decorations? The day after Thanksgiving is the goal; this year it happened the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Dennis and I went on a date and came home to a decorated tree. (How fun is that!) It wasn't too bad either.



When do you take the tree down? Right around January 2.


Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate



Mail or email Christmas cards? Not much of either these days. Sorry friends!



Favorite gift received as a child? Cabbage patch doll and a keyboard that I had been asking for for years!



Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrapping paper, but I do give an occational gift bag.



Do you have a nativity scene? This is the first year. Dennis surprised me with the idea of painting one for me. We're actually waiting for it to come back from being fired at the ceramic store. (I'll post pictures when we get it back.)

Hardest person to buy for? Dennis. He never really "Wants" anything so I settle for something I think he needs.

Easiest person to buy for? The girls!



Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Carol, The Grinch, The Polar Express, The Santa Clause, and all those cute Mickey Mouse Holiday Short movies.



When do you start shopping for Christmas? July on a good year, but usually in full force after Thanksgiving hoping to get it completely done a couple weeks before Christmas so I can enjoy it without the stress of that one thing I forgot.



Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No


Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? English Toffee, however I do enjoy the Christmas dinner that I make at home for my family. It's our one big fancy dinner of the year with candles and the works.



Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear



Favorite Christmas song? Too many to pick just one!



Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? It's reindeer, (no "s") and 0f course!



Angel on the tree top or a star? A star


Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but the kids usually open one on Christmas Eve, their PJ's.


Candy canes? Yes, we usually have some that we to stir hot chocolate (which dissolves in the hot chocolate making it peppermint flavored).


What I love most about Christmas? The music. Dennis and I get to pull our our duet books which is about the only time we play together.
What is your favorite holiday tradition? Not sure. I love being with my family.



Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? He wraps them and places them under the tree.


Do you hang mistletoe? No, bah humbug (smile)



Travel at Christmas or stay home? Lots of travel within the state. We usually hit both sides of the family each year and while I hate driving I love the family time so we continue to do it.



When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I'm not entirely sure, but I remember that I played along for quite a while because it was so much fun.


How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We use clear lights, red bead garland, red bows, and then an assortment of ornaments we've collected all through the years. Each year the kids get a new ornament that they either really like or symbolizes the year for them, so the tree definitely isn't "themed." It's a hodge-podge of everything.


Snow - Love it or dread it? I do love it. I love it even more that the city has to cut back on the salt they use because it doesn't look as dirty. And I love driving on the snow but just around town.



Can you ice skate? I will say no, as I have only done it once. I didn't fall down, but I went very slowly.


Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Definitely giving. But, hey, receiving can be pretty cool, too especially when it really is a surprise!

6 Month Update

*UPDATE: Bonnie is now 15lbs 8 oz (31%), and 26.5 inches long (68%). She's looking good!!

Bonnie hit the six month mark and she is just so stinkin cute! I could just eat up those cheeks. I'm still so excited about her hair, it's starting to come in really thick now and is lightening up a bit. Her eyes appear to be hazel and she's just growing and improving those rolls in her legs. She always seams happy. She is very ticklish, tries to grab everything, gives me "I've missed you, now I neeeed you" smiles when I come home. Bonnie likes eating her feet but hates baby food. People love talking to her because she gives them such big smiles and makes them feel so good. It's one of her special talents. We all just love her so much.

Sick Bugs Sighted at our House

The past two weeks we've had some crazy cold/flu bugs at our house. I was KO with a duzzy for 2 days, then Dennis has had some crazy strain with a major sore throat and swollen gums. He went to the Dr who did a strep test which came back negative, but now he has cankers where they did the test. Weird right?? The kids have had some runny noses, but so far Bonnie has been the only safe one! Thank goodness for the benefits of nursing!!!

Halloween 2010

We didn't make it home in time for trick or treating so we did it in Fayette. It was a little wet and muddy, but the kids made out just fine. They love to dress up. Khora fell asleep on the drive home from Goblin Valley so the older kids headed out on their own. When she woke up Dennis went out with her. They came back cold and hungry and ready for bed.