KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS......

Silas snuck into my bed early one morning. I said "hello baby" he said, "I dust wan to cuddo wif you mom. I said, "you precious little boy." He touched my cheek and said, "you pwecious litto momma."

Jason overhead Silas playing and talking to himself. Here is what he overheard. In a high pitched, sad voice he said: "Oh no, I bwoke it dadda." Then he changed his voice deep to sound like a dad and said, "Alright! I'm so mad at you kids."....too funny.

Silas crawled into my lap and said to me, "I wish I was a dadda mom, and I could hode babies all day long!"

CHRISTMAS DAY

Merry Christmas. Here are the presents strewn around the tree patiently awaiting to be torn, ripped and pulled open!

The boys were completely surprised that Santa ate the entire plate of cookies they left for him. They were even more surprised that he left a thank you note! Logan thought it was so cool that Santa left them a note, and that he shared the cookies with his reindeer.
The initial reaction!
It was so nice to have Diane there to watch the boys unwrap presents. Silas ran up to her and gave her a hug and said, "I'm so happy you stayed with us Auntie Di"! She was such a great help. She took all the still pictures while I took video and Jason corralled the kids.....and the wrapping paper...and the chaos. Here are a few pictures of them opening presents.
Si unwrapping his first gift from Santa.
"Ets a bumbobee helmet. Ets what I aways wanned!"
He was so excited he gave it a hug and a kiss!
Logan unwrapping his first gift from Santa. "It's a Bakugan battle arena! Mom, look! How did he know that's what I wanted, I didn't even leave him a note."
Silas holding (hugging) his other gift from Santa, a remote control truck. "I'm so happy to get my frruck! My heart is so happy."
Logan admiring his remote control jeep from Santa. "Mom, Santa got us both the same thing and now we can play together. Look Si, we can play together!"
The best part of Christmas is definitely in the squeals of excitement and laughter, the smiles and the giggles.
The look of determination!
"I haf a sord, I'm a knight!"......and he immediately began battling imaginary bad guys. "Shing, shing...clink, clink"...and almost hit Jason in the head.
Alien light-up shoes.
"Ah gittaw...a gittaw!"
Fire Station Legos......
and Army Attack legos.
Silas looking over his Croc Rod Crash hot wheels toy.
"More Bakugans, I don't believe it!"
Silas getting his first big boy (large) Transformer.
Logan looking over his secret mission spy set.
Si doing the happy dance because he got the Matchbox Stunt Driver Jump racetrack.
And here is one of the best presents Logan received this year. A real wooden acoustic guitar from Auntie Diane! Mom and Dad are just as excited, because we are going to be learning right along with him.

After presents we headed to Alpine for a Christmas brunch with the family at Aunt Nita's. She has the coolest Gingerbread house I've ever seen. It's on a turntable.

THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

For the 12th day of Christmas we hung the Gift ornament. It symbolizes The Gift of Life. Each day is a gift from Heavenly Father, that's why it's called the present. What we are in Heavenly Father's gift to us, what we become is our gift to Heavenly Father.
After the ornament, we read about the Savior's birth from the book of Luke.

THE 11TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

To celebrate the 11th day of Christmas we hung the Stocking ornament. The Stocking represents Compassionate Service. It is shaped like the letter J to symbolize Jesus Christ, who walked thousands of miles in the service of His fellow men. Christian legend is also told of St. Nicholas, who celebrated the Savior's birth each year by filling stockings with food, clothes and gifts to give to those in need and lift the spirits of down-hearted.

I was able to celebrate Christmas Eve with my family this year. Diane came to spend the evening with us and my brothers and dad came to eat dinner with us. I made a honey-ham with a dijon-balsamic/brown sugar glaze, we had scalloped potatoes, mashed sweet-potato crisp, green bean almondine with garlic and lemon, and tart broccoli salad. For dessert I made (completely from scratch....no pudding here) banana and coconut cream pies. They were delicious, my favorite was the coconut..

After dinner, we each opened our gifts to each other. The boys each received a HUGE Christmas tree lollipop from Uncle Mike (started the sugar high early this year), and he gave Jason and I a large box of diapers in preparation for our new arrival in a few months. Matthew and Shranda gave the family new hot chocolate mugs with different flavored hot cocoa packets. Dad was very generous this year and gave us quite a nest egg deposit....very thankful for that, too kind! Before bedtime we settled down on the couch as a family and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

THE 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

For the 10th day of Christmas we hung the Candle ornament. The candle represents our testimony and how we exemplify
our Savior Jesus Christ. It represents the "light" that Jesus brought to the earth through His birth, His life, and His teaching of our Heavenly lineage. We must be a
"Beacon of Light" to lead the way.

Matthew 5:14: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all those that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"

WHERE IS SILAS?

I decided a month ago to start letting Silas sleep in Logan's room in preparation for the new baby. I wanted to give him plenty of time to say good-bye to the baby's room (and the fact that he will no longer be the baby) and transition him into sharing a room with Logan and sleeping in a big boy bed. The first night we had Logan sleep on the top bunk and Si on the bottom, but in the morning I found that Logan had snuck down to sleep with Si, so they've been sleeping side by side ever since. They love sharing a room, in fact they get along a little too well. After lights out we are guaranteed to have a least one visit to remind them it's bedtime. We always hear whispers and giggles and a little rustling movement here and there, sometimes they flip the light back on and sometimes we need to intervene due to quite a bit of ruckus coming from the room. Last night they went down pretty well at 8 pm and I didn't hear much from them. I asked Jason to go and check on them at 10:30. Now when we put them to bed they were snuggled up next to each other at the head of the bed, evenly covered under a nice layer of blankets. Notice the picture below.

The bed has been completely ripped apart, Logan is no longer wearing his pajamas (probably got too hot from rough-housing), he is now sleeping sideways at the foot of the bed, toys are scattered about the room and Silas is missing from the picture! I looked on the top bunk, and under all the covers and I still couldn't find him. Then Jason pointed under the bed.

Yep, he's out! I can't imagine how cold and uncomfortable that must have been. Goes to show how much fun they were having to have completely tuckered him out.

THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

The Real Meaning of Christmas
by Henry Van Dyke

There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world;....to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are, and to try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;...to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness--are you willing to do these things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you...

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world--stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death--and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas.

And if you keep it for a day, why not always?

But you can never keep it alone.

THE 9TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

For the 9th day of Christmas we hung the Star ornament. The star symbolizes The Star of Bethlehem, which was a heavenly sign of the Savior's birth and represents the "Shining Hope" for mankind. Just as the Star of Bethlehem guided the wise men and shepherds to find baby Jesus, so shall we be guided to find Him if we open our hearts.

We read The Small Lost Sheep as our Christmas story. The theme of the story is about how we can sometimes lose our way in this life, and without knowing it, the example of others can lead us home.

THE 8TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS.....

Last night was the 8th day of Christmas. We hung the Dove ornament. It symbolizes The Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit we are able to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and feel the peace and comfort of the love that He has for each of us as His children. The pristine whiteness of the dove represents purity as well as the forgiveness we obtain from Heavenly Father through repentance, and the forgiveness we in turn should grant to our fellow men.

We spent the evening in Salt Lake since I had a Dr. appointment. We went to dinner and just spent time together as a family. The baby is growing well, and everything seems on track. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to get an ultrasound to find out what we are having. Very excited!

THE 7TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Finally we have snow for Christmas. We had a few inches last night, but woke up to over a foot and it's still coming down. I was beginning to worry that we wouldn't have a white Christmas after all, but it looks like its here to stay. Tonight we are going to attempt a snowman, if it's not too cold.

Jason's brother Cory, his wife Holly and their daughter Brynley are in town visiting from Oregon. We haven't seen them in almost 4 months. So we are very excited they are here! We had a small family get together last night to celebrate Christmas. Cory and Holly brought pizza, Taska made her delicious hot apple cider, and I contributed homemade caramels and pumpkin bars (recipe below).
It was no nice to let the kids play, and play, and play...and we had a good visit and ate some yummy food. I love Christmastime.

To celebrate the 7th day of Christmas we hung the Poinsettia, which symbolizes Individual Faith. Christian legend tells of a poor shepherd boy who had nothing to bring to the baby Jesus. Desiring to take something for the holy babe, he picked a bouquet of weeds from alongside the dusty road. As the boy neared the manger the weeds transformed and blossomed into beautiful red flowers shaped like a star, to remind the world of the Jesus' birth and purpose to all mankind. Even the most humble gift of our faith, if given in love and true intent, can transform our lives.

AUNT JEN'S PUMPKIN BARS
1 large can pumpkin
3 c sugar
6 eggs
3/4 c oil
3 c flour
3 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cloves
3/4 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients one item at a time. Bake in a 11x14 sheet at 350 for 35-40 min.

YUMMY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 c softened butter
3 c powdered sugar
3 TB cream
1 c shredded coconut
1 c chopped walnuts or pecans

THE 6TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Tonight we hung the Christmas Tree ornament. The Christmas Tree symbolizes The Savior's Sacrifice and Eternal Life. The evergreen is "forever" green because it never sheds its needles, representing the continuation of life after death and the eternal nature of Heavenly Father. We have been given eternal life through the love of our Savior, His perfect life, His sacrifice, His resurrection and our repentance. Just as the needles of the tree point to heaven, so should we look heavenward.

We made salt dough ornaments for our family activity. I made a momma gingerbread with a baby in her belly. All I had was a hard cinnamon candy, sure wish I had a butterscotch instead, because it looks more like I've been shot in the stomach than I'm pregnant! Oh well. We haven't finished painting them yet, but here's a before picture.

We finished reading Benjamin's Gift. It was a sweet Christmas story. The overall message is, "Thinking of others and working for their happiness is the way we find true happiness."

THE 5TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Last night we celebrated the 5th day of Christmas by hanging the Jingle Bell ornament. The Jingle Bell symbolizes Prophecy. It represents the truth that every ear will hear and every eye will see that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind.

We read half of the book Benjamin's Gift. So far it is a very endearing and touching story of the struggles of a 10 year old boy born without legs in Judea during the time of our Savior's birth. I can't wait to see how it ends.

As a family activity we watched the Polar Express. My greatest hope for my children is that we will always hear the ringing of the bell, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

THE 4TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Tonight we hung the Candy Cane ornament. The Candy Cane symbolizes Missionary Work. It represents the Shepherd's hook, which represents our Savior's work here on earth, and how as the Shepherd, He gently guided straying lambs back to the fold. The color red symbolizes love and the sacrifice of our Savior's life for all mankind. The color white symbolizes His pureness and how through repentance and through forgiveness we can become pure as well.

For our family activity, we made a Santa Box.
It's made from a shoe box, wrapping paper, cardboard, and cotton balls. It will hold Santa's cookies on Christmas Eve.

We read Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect for our nightly Christmas story.
It's a great story about the love of Christ expressed on earth, and how the true meaning of His work and mission here was about unconditional love and service to His fellow man. "For, as many of us, the trees have learned that living for the sake of others makes us most beautiful in the eyes of God."

WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS?

I love the song Where are you Christmas sung by Faith Hill. I am going to share the lyrics, and I have changed one integral part of the song to reflect it's true meaning.

Where are you CHRIST
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean CHRIST changes too

Where are you CHRIST
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

CHRIST is here
Everywhere, oh
CHRIST is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like CHRIST all the time

I feel you CHRIST
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of CHRIST
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you CHRIST
Fill your heart with love

THE 3RD DAY OF CHRISTMAS........

In honor of the 3rd day of Christmas we hung the Holly ornament. The Holly represents Personal Inspiration and Revelation. There is a Christmas legend told of how one night, when baby Jesus was about a year old, Joseph and Mary fled to escape King Herod's soldiers. As they were traveling, they were guided by the Holy Spirit to take shelter off the road under under a barren bush. As the soldiers drew close, the bush began to grow large green thorny leaves with red berries in order to hide the "Holy" family. Since then, the "Holly" has been a symbol of spiritual inspiration for mankind.

As a family activity we made a gingerbread man
rice krispie treat. They boys really enjoyed eating him! Silas said, "He's licious mom."
For our Christmas story, we read Christmas Oranges.
This is another great story to share. It's a reminder that our journey in this life isn't just about us, it's also about helping those around us as well. We need to take care of each other, be kind and help those in need. We should carry the spirit of Christ with us in our heart all year long.