Tree Huggers

Our annual pics in front of the tree and with our stockings.

Sweet Dreams

After we left the Martin's we hurried home to get ready for Santa.


We left him some yummy treats.


The kids hurried off for their slumber party (no Gavin and Teague didn't stay for long, but aren't they cute all snuggly together?)


The next morning we found that our dreams came true and Santa did come!

Getting Merry at the Martin's

We sure miss our extended families during the holidays, but it is so nice to have friends who are like family to share them with. We spent Christmas Eve at the Martin's with the Cameron's too. Laura and Mary are sisters and I've just adopting myself into their family.


Me, Laura, and Mary (2 of my favorite gals in the world).


Teague was snuggling with Leonard, and Kevin decided to join them =).


The missionaries, Elder Yates and Elder Eslick joined us for a delicious dinner of homemade pizzas.

After eating, we sang Christmas carols. We started with the youngest and we each took a turn choosing the song for all of us to sing. It was really fun and I loved holding 2 little sweet babies on my lap again.

Then it was time to act out the nativity story. Emma made a lovely Mary, and Kaleb was Joseph, with the sweet little baby Jesus.

The shepherds and sheep were astonished by the appearance of the angels (isn't Noe a cute little lamb?)

The little wise guys- so cute!

The finale of the evening was when the kids all opened up new pajamas. Aren't they so cute and festive?

The beautiful Martin family.

The beautiful Cameron family.

The beautiful Reil family too.

4 old friends. Kaleb and Noe started having play dates with Emma back when they were all just 10 months old. Quinn joined the group about a year and a half later. If you look above Emma's head you'll see a picture of the 4 of them that was taken back in 2004. It's so nice to have good friends!

Christmas Festivities

Here it is a month after Boxing Day and I'm finally putting some Christmas pictures on here. The week before Christmas we tried to cram in as much fun as we could.


One of the best things about Christmas time is the 2 week break from school. Kaleb & Noe brought home lots of little crafty treasures on the last day including these Santa and Mrs. Santa ornaments they painted. They're kinda cute and kinda scary- tee hee.


We donated to the Toy Mountain this year. Kaleb donated some little cars for a bigger boy, while Gavin donated a bigger car for a smaller boy.


Noe donated a Barbie doll, while Teague donated a baby doll (but I'm keeping my baby doll!)

We went to a live Nativity Pageant performance in the -20* freezing weather. Our fingers froze and our nose and toes, but our hearts were warmed. We really missed performing in the pageant in Taiwan though.

After the pageant we went inside the church to see the beautiful creche displays from around the world. We shared one of ours as well.

We warmed up some more with some hot chocolate and timbits!

We were spoiled with yummy homemade gifts of soup and cookie mixes from friends at church.

The kids also got these adorable snowmen (Smarties) from their Primary teacher.

The kids put on the cutest Christmas play with our sweet neighbors. They wrote a script, memorized it, had several scenes and in between each scene played corresponding Christmas music. I was really impressed!

The stars of the show- Santa, Rudolph, Baby Elf, and Head Elf.

We went Christmas carolling with the Matthews family and it was so heartwarming to watch the kids get in to it and to see the sweet surprised faces on the other side of the doors.

We also drove down Taffy Lane to see the amazing Christmas light displays.

Christmas Eve pics coming soon!

Balance

"Sometimes you just need to hear it...You are a phenomenal woman, a beautiful mother, doing an extraordinary job, making things happen for those you love, and although you might not always feel it, you are loved and appreciated!!"

My friend sent me this on facebook and it brightened my day. I just wanted to share it here for all the amazing mothers who balance it all, and really to all women, because we're all mothers whether we have children or not. And to the fabulous men that are loving and supporting their wives and children, you are loved and appreciated too!

Not the Love Bug

Last Thursday night I came home from Ward Council to find all of the kids in bed. I got to visit with my honey for a bit before we called it a night. I woke up in the middle of the night FREEZING, and asked my honey to snuggle me (he is a furnace). He rolled over and wrapped his arms around me, and they felt cold. He tells me that I am on fire. Oh NO, I think, the flu bug has found me again. I spent the next 2 days and nights pretty much living in the bathroom (although I didn't have the strength to shower or even brush my teeth, too much info, I know). Now I think he has moved on as my stomach is no longer nauseated, but my body feels like it has been punched by Mike Tyson on both the outside and inside. The only good thing about being sick is that I lost 7 pounds. The bad thing is that once my appetite returns I'm sure I'll gain it all back plus more. Ugh! I hope the flu bug doesn't find you this winter.

On another note, I took about a jillion pictures during the Christmas season (ok, it was really only 400) and it's been a month since I posted any of my own pics on here. Hopefully, soon I'll have the time and energy to at least get some previews on here.

New Year Wishes

I am feeling really bogged down with all the things I HAVE to do and all the things I WANT to do, that something's gotta give. Unfortunately, it seems to be this blog that I so enjoy doing. It's a fun little outlet for me; it helps keep our extended families and friends up-to-date with what we're doing; and the main reason I started blogging was to then slurp them into Blurb books for our family history. Today's the last day of 2009 so I need to make this year's book now and I still need to make 2008's! I'm hoping in 2010 I can be more organized- which basically means I need to be "on" always. If I ever take a breather for myself things get out of control. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up and stay sane. Hoping you have a fun New Year's Eve and that your goals for 2010 will be reached!

True Christmas Wishes

I collect Santas- I think he's a jolly guy. I also collect Nativities- Jesus' birth is the whole reason for the season. For years I've wanted a display of Santa worshipping the baby Jesus. I still haven't found a larger figurine, but I did see this ornament and thought it was precious. I also wanted to share a little Christmas scripture from the Book of Mormon:

2 Nephi 25:26- And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

This is why we celebrate Christmas!

Santa please come!

The Ward Party Santa pics were put up on Flickr, so I stole a few cute ones of friends. Again, I'm working on the premise that it's better to ask forgiveness instead of permission- so if any of you want me to remove your family photo, let me know and I will. Until then, enjoy!

We hope Santa visits us and all of you tonight!

Merry Christmas!

Mandarin to French- Kaleb and Noe are adjusting well to learning a new language and everything else that goes with life in Second Grade.

England and Ireland- Leonard's new desk job back at headquarters is very enjoyable and has put the hope of another European Adventure in our blood.

Reading lots- Jennifer is excited to be involved in Book Club again (and can't wait to read Len's novel he finally started!)

Ruurs, Margriet- The author of "Emma's Eggs," "Wake Up! Henry Rooster," and "Animal Alphabed" whom we got to meet this spring.

Young Women's President- Jennifer is happy to be working with the 12-18 year old girls at church, but is feeling old since it was half her life ago when she was a teenager.

Cheerleading, Taekwondo, and Playgroups- the kids are involved in many fun activities and mommy is involved in being the chauffer.

Homeowners finally- after 8 rounds of packing/moving/unpacking we are officially mortgaged instead of renters and we love it.

Reil's, Pittl's, and Lee's- we sure miss our extended families! We're no longer on the other side of an ocean, but the other side of a continent seems just as far.

Island memories- now that the snow is all around us we keep dreaming of our tropical sunny summer vacations to Hualien and Kenting.

Swimming with dolphins- a lifelong wish was fulfilled at Ocean Park in Taiwan. It was truly magical and we hope to do it again.

Teague our baby #4- he is just the sweetest and cutest little baby ever! (besides Kaleb, Noe, and Gavin) We love having a baby in our family, especially at Christmas time.

Marriages galore- Coleman married my sister Mandy, Lacey married my brother Clint, Len officiated at Shannon & Wen's nuptials, and Kaleb was the ringbearer for Tim & Yvonne!

Anniversary #12- a dozen years of wedded bliss and we got to celebrate with another Cirque du Soleil show, KA, along with our dear friends the Cannon's.

Savior of the world- we are honored to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this festive season, and we are humbled by the love He has given to us.

Our wish for you this Christmas and in the coming 2010 is that you may feel the love the Savior has for you through all the joyful relationships in your lives! We are so grateful for your wonderful relationships in ours!

Blizzard or Whirlwind?

Yes, we have snow! In fact we had a snow day last week because it was coming down so thick. Our front porched is covered, but that didn't stop the snow from coming in (horizontally) and settling on our bench, window wreath, Santa & Snowman sign above our mailbox, and of course the porch itself! One of my new favorite things is to sit inside my parked van while the snow is falling and to see all of the beautiful, intricate 6 pointed snowflakes land on the windshield. God truly is an artist! This month has been so busy though, so here's another sneak peek:


Noe's cheer class at the Rec Center put on a little performance for the last day of the semester. She went up in a V-sit, but my camera wasn't working so I missed the shot. The girls were cute though. Kaleb also did his belt testing in Taekwondo and earned his yellow stripe!


The youth at church put on the play "A Stranger for Christmas" and did a fabulous job! We even brought our neighbors to watch it.

Eating green veggies now. Doesn't he look thrilled about it? Actually, he was really tired but wanted food more than sleep.

Gingerbread house only 3 years in the making! Next year we might have to get a few more so everyone can make their own.

Our Ward Christmas Dinner/Talent Show/visit with Santa/Funzone was great fun! I only wish I could jump in the Bouncy Castle too.

Our YW party was a great success with 15 girls in attendance and 7 leaders! It was heartwarming when one of them said she wanted to sit by the "cool" people and she meant me.

Kaleb and Noe had a super fun week at school- McHappy luncheon, craft morning, Christmas assembly, Continental breakfast, and Holiday/Tradition oral reports.

Our Santa Baby is 3 and he LOVED his Thomas the Tank Engine themed family birthday party!

I'm just a kid at heart and love playing with the fun toys with my kids. Gramma sent us a new Little People holiday set and we've all enjoyed it and look forward to opening more treasures next week.

Starting tomorrow Kaleb and Noe are off school for 16 days and Len is off work for the next 10, so we're hoping to have lots of fun family time celebrating the season!