Christmas Day

Here they are up and ready for some fun. We of course got a picture on the stairs. We stuck with tradition and we all got new PJ's on Christmas Eve, Jack unfortunately had a bit of an accident so these aren't them but Kate is loving her fuzzy Strawberry Shortcake pj's. And here they are ready to break through the paper. They were so much fun to watch. Kate showed us everything with such excitement. Even the orange at the bottom of the stocking was greeted with the same amount of surprise and pleasure as the candy and fun princess stuff! Kate gave Jack a Sesame Street book. He really likes Elmo so he has really liked this book, pointing and saying "Mo" on each page. Lots of fun! One of the big hits has been Hullabaloo DVD version from G&G L. His tongue isn't quite out but we could tell he was concentrating and loving his new cars. This little book from G&G H. has been great. All of the sudden Kate can sing all the way through some of the primary songs, it only took her a day. And finally, the gift that keeps on giving. Ray's parents made us this Marble game. It is so cool and will be around for many many years to come. Just like the one Great Great Grandpa made almost 100 years ago. Everyone in the family got one this year - that's a lot! It's not a great picture but I have a feeling we will have more later with results posted - as long as I have high score! (just kidding)

Christmas Eve

We have had a great holiday. Ray has been home a lot which has extended our holiday a bit. We are so grateful for all the friends that have been around for Christmas. We've just had a lot of fun with everyone. After going to a fun party on Saturday night we had a little get together on Christmas Eve. This picture was taken with a timer so it wasn't quite centered (sorry Jeff) but it includes everyone.The kids acted out the nativity story. It was short and very sweet. Our little friend that played Mary was so sweet and she sat there through the whole thing enjoying holding the baby. No one wanted to play Joseph so that was Jack's role but he wasn't into the costumes. He sat down so we quickly had Mary sit by him and that lasted for a few seconds before he was off in another direction. In Kate's words she was the wise-man-girl. She brought baby Jesus and Mary a present who had a great expression of excitement in this picture. Here's a picture of all the kids (angel on the right, shepard in the middle hugging the animals). It was really fun to watch the kids act out the roles after hearing the story of baby Jesus' birth. Before the night was over the kids spread "reindeer chow" outside. It was a mixture of oatmeal and glitter that Kate made at preschool.

Wildlights

We went to the zoo this week to see the Wildlights. It was better than years previous, we were only there for a couple hours and could've spent a few more. They cover almost every tree and bush with lights, it was so neat. Kate and Ray went ice skating while Jack and I munched on Kettle corn. Jack really wanted to be in there with the kids skating. We rode the carousel. It was Jack's first time and he preferred the bench over the horse. We saw Santa. I think it is so neat that they let us take picture with our own camera. Unfortunately it turned out blurry so maybe we should've bought one from them. I still wanted to post it because it could've been a great picture! The kids decorated cookies with Mrs. Claus and drove the toy train in this huge/little town with a few trains going around. After some fun and 4 cups of hot chocolate we were on our way out. In the past years it has been bitter cold when we visited to see the lights so we skipped the extras and ran from building to building quickly taking in the lights. With the 60 degree weather we've been having it made for a decent night - a great night.

Putting up the paper

We are having fun starting new traditions this year. Being at home for the holidays puts a whole new twist on things. We get to initiate our traditions, mostly we are just doing things that we did growing up. One of the fun things that Ray's family did was put up a huge piece of paper on Christmas Eve. Strategically placed to block the doorway leading to the room with the tree. To the kids it was a place to write notes to santa, to the parents a way to keep the kids from peeking. My first year married to Ray I had the honors of running through the paper on Christmas morning. We of course will be doing that this year and Kate is soooooo excited. We bought paper today and started decorating it. Because of the way our stairs are we will have two pieces, one to go under then walk a few steps, then one to break through. I guess we will just keep adding to it until Christmas Eve.

Holiday Busy-ness

Ray started the last half of his school year this week. That's right, two quarters left. It makes me want to cry and gives me butterflies at the same time. So much unknown, so many good things and people to leave behind and yet so many great adventure awaiting us in the west! For this reason it seems like a monumental week for us. Just another mark in our timeline that doesn't seem to want to slowdown for us. He is at a different site each day so it is like starting 5 new jobs this week, he handles this kind of thing perfectly. I'm sure I would be a wreck but it doesn't seem to make him flinch. We have been keeping ourselves busy at home getting ready for the holidays. We made holiday treats right out of the Kraft Food and Family magazine. Pretzels dipped in caramel then chocolate, chocolate rolled in fruity pebbles, and chocolate rolled in Heath pieces. Kate is a great helper in the kitchen and this was right up her alley - very kid-friendly. I've been busy sewing and thought it might be fun to post some of the bags my friends have made. I've shown a few people how to make them and sewn a few myself. I love this sort of thing.I've shown this small blue one before but I took this picture to be able to show the three different sizes I've done so far. The one on the left is for a friend's mom, I think she'll love it. It's a sturdy one. This one is also for a friends mom, same thing - nice and sturdy. And this one I had no part in. I just provided the machine, the pattern and a tip or two. They all did a great job.

Santa

We had a great little ward Christmas party. Papa John's pizza, pumpkin cheesecake, a few musical presentations and a visit from Santa. It was sooooo fun to see Kate's reaction to Santa. She could hardly contain herself waiting for him to come. I loved watching her stand in front of him in awe. She seemed so innocent as she sat there so happy to see him without a question in her mind about why his tummy was shaped like a square pillow or if his beard was real. I wonder how long this excitement will last. We'll treasure this year just in case she gets more skeptical next year. Jack was happy to see him at first and got a candy cane but when we went back a little later for a picture he did not like the idea of sitting on his lap. Santa was a trooper sitting there for all the little munchkins to get pictures. We have a similar picture of Kate when she was about Jack's age screaming on his lap - this is the stuff memories are made of!

On the way home she said she didn't think it was the real santa because she didn't see the reindeer. We explained they needed to rest and were on the other side of the building. Then she said he couldn't be the real santa because he had a ring on. Once we explained there is a Mrs. Clause then she was content. The next day we saw a Santa with a real white beard. She let me know that he was not the real santa because the one at our party was. I just love to hear the thoughts going on in her mind.

Circus

Kate and I went with a few friends to the circus last week. It was fun to have a night our with her. What makes it so fun is that she loves it. She loves to tell Dad "just the girls are going and the boys are staying home". The circus was interesting to watch. I just can't help but wonder if the elephants really like coming out and laying down and then sitting on those big stands and putting their feet on each others backs. I won't dwell on it too much (until next time the circus comes to town). It really was a good show and Kate had fun. Plus I think Barnum and Bailey do a lot of good for animals and I imagine the trainers have to treat the animals well for them to trust them. I'll tell myself that unless someone tells me otherwise. I think Kate's favorite part was the cat running around and walking on a tight rope and the acrobats. I enjoyed most of it but realized I'm too much of a worry wart when the motorcycle guys riding around in the metal ball came out. They had 7 riders in there - amazing yet very nerve-racking for me to watch. Each time they brought one more rider out I could hardly stand to watch, I just knew someone would mess up and they'd all get hurt and we would have to watch. Luckily they all came riding out safe. Here are a few pic's, not great lighting but you get the idea.