Birthday Boy

Ryan had another birthday.  Yes, it seems like he's had a bunch, and they keep right on coming.  The kids and I made him a "fancy" dinner.

 And after dinner, it was time for birthday candles.  Guess who lit several for my birthday, and left the package like this in the cupboard....?

As it was Sunday, I couldn't go run to the store for new candles, so I improvised.

We had birthday cake with Ryan's family yesterday, and so Ryan requested lemon scones.  I happily obliged.  You really can't go wrong with lemon scones.

My silly family.

Baby Charlotte

We took a day trip to go see our new niece.  It was going to be a quick trip so we wouldn't overstay our welcome.  After all, they got home from the hospital the night before and had just made it through their first night at home alone.  (Anyone else remember those days?  Me neither.  Apparently sleep deprivation ruins memory retention.)

It was an apartment full.  Michael, Blair, Simon, and baby Charlotte, plus Rick and Kim, plus our family, plus Brynne and Curt.

I made a beeline for the baby.  It's nice to hold a new baby.  But then I had to share.  There was a newly married sister-in-law, and my four girls all wanting turns.

Before we left, we got to see how Simon was reacting to his new sister.  

I think she will be loved.

Our stay in the apartment was short, so we detoured to the Spokane Valley mall to exercise the kids' legs, and then we had a snack at Krispy Kreme donuts.  Can't say no to the fresh hot donuts sign.

 And then we drove home.

Merry Christmas

First off, I would just like to say that I am so thankful my children are not the ones who get up at 4 am wanting to open their gifts.  They were up at about 7:15 and bouncing with excitement.

 I think Santa managed to bring what they asked for.  We had some good smiles.

 The kids played with the new toys while I made pancakes and sausages for breakfast.

After breakfast, we got our clothes on to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  About 45 minutes into the drive there, my phone beeped with a voicemail message that said maybe we didn't need to come up today because they were going to go because Blair was likely going to have her baby soon.

Um....

After a quick call, we determined that we were close enough to finish driving there to see them before they left.  (That's good, otherwise the kids might have mutinied.)

We arrived, opened gifts, ate lunch, and came home.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet.  We got progress updates on Blair via text, and played and watched The Sound of Music.

About 9 pm, baby Charlotte was born.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas Dresses

It should be obvious, right?  The Sunday before Christmas, you should wear something Christmas-y.  Well, not to certain children of mine.  In fact, Annie is actually anti-dress lately.  Skirts- fine, dresses- no thank you.  

So this morning we go upstairs to find suitable clothing to wear to church, and I gave Annie a few options.  She did not like any of them.  I guess it was a good thing I decided we were all wearing hand-me-down dresses, rather than spend money on pretty new dresses.  

Eventually, Annie and I came to a compromise.  BUT, we had a couple of girls who didn't want the bother of taking that annual photo in front of the Christmas tree.

DARN IT.  WE ARE MAKING MEMORIES.  YOU WILL STAND IN FRONT OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, AAAANNND YOU WILL SMILE!  YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS ONE DAY.

I really had the Christmas spirit this morning.  But at least it got results:

We took about 20 pictures, and got a good one finally.

At church Emma found she was almost twins with best friend Kaylee.  It warranted another picture.

By Maddie

Last Day of School for 2013

After waiting and waiting and waiting, it finally snowed.  It was a really good thing, because I had a couple of children not excited to go to the last day of school before Christmas break.  Not even the yearly class party was providing motivation.  However, the groaning stopped after I mentioned the word "Snow," and those kids were up and dressed and outside much quicker than I was anticipating.  (whew!)

 The kids brought home gifts for family from their classes.  I love each one of their offerings, and thank the teachers too!  I am excited to see their sweet gifts.

Please note the writing on the gift bags.  Aren't Annie and Maddie doing well?

Preschool Christmas Party

Annie and Maddie had their preschool Christmas party today.  It was a pajama party, which causes many giggles from 4 and 5 year olds.  

This picture was taken after the "What's in Santa's Bag?" game.  The moms were also wearing silly things, but no one was brave enough to get their picture taken.  But then, Sean (one of the preschool boys) wasn't interested in getting his picture taken like that either.

We are so excited for Christmas break!

5th Grade Christmas Performance

Yesterday night was Emma's yearly school performance.  Being a 5th grader (you know- the oldest grade at school), Emma had a "big" part this year.  She was one of the Penguins, and had a speaking role.  In addition, she is in the before school choir, and they performed before the 4th and 5th grade play.  

 (Emma had a solo in the choir!)

 They all did well.

As we were sitting in the gym before the performance (we had to be there extra early because Emma had a speaking role), it was pretty cold.  Ryan walked around the gym trying to find some kind of thermostat, but there wasn't one to be found.  Luckily, Ryan knows important people around here.  Ryan texted one of the school district maintenance guys (who was unaware that the building was going to be occupied that evening).  And the guy turned on the heat from his smart phone.

He's a problem solver, that husband of mine.  Everyone started removing their jackets, and settled in to enjoy.

Emma and Kaylee.

A Few Words

As I sit here trying to catch up with my blog, I am thinking about the more somber Christmas Season we've had this year.  It started with my Grandpa passing away before Thanksgiving, and attending his funeral in early December.  While I know he isn't in pain anymore and lived a full life, and likely very happy to see relatives that have passed before him, I'm sad for me.  And I'm sad that my children never knew him like I did.

The week following his funeral, a lady from church that I knew from Primary in her mid-fifties also passed away.

And the following week, Cannon Copeland (you can read his mom's blog here) left his all-too-short mortal sojourn due to Menkes Disease at the tender age of 3.  We know his family from church, and his mom Natalie helped throw my baby shower before the twins were born.  The lives and examples of the Copeland family as they have shared their life with Cannon have touched everyone they have come in contact with.


While we do as a family like to celebrate the more "fun" aspects of the Christmas season, this year it's been a bit different.  We've had quite the reminder that life is short, and some things are more important than others.
So, let's celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Let this time of year be a reminder that He is the one who has borne all for us, and is the way and the path that leads us back to our Father in Heaven.

Families are forever, and I am so thankful for that.  I'm thankful for temples so my family can be sealed together even after this mortal life.  I'm thankful for the Holy Ghost, and the peace I can receive when my heart aches.