Monday we took down Christmas decorations and put up my Christmas present. If you have ever been to our house you know how much kitchen cupboard space we have or the lack there of. So for Christmas John surprised me with this pot holder. Which meant that Monday I spent a good chunk of the day reorganizing cupboards and I can't organize without cleaning. So my kitchen got a good wipe down too and let's face it, it really needed it.
Tuesday we hit the bowling alley with Josh and Dana. Gabe loves to bowl and so do the men folk, so we all had a good time!
And here's a couple of funny things that Gabe's said:
I called him "sweet" the other day and he responded by saying, "I am not a potato!"
He frequently says "oopsie daisies" and lately it's turned into "ouchie daisies" when he hurts himself.
And finally, check out these cute kids I get to grocery shop with. (I told you this post had random things in it.)
Today we decorated cookies for Santa. This is the gingerbread man that Gabe decorated for Santa. Yes, he is missing a leg and the frosting job is not the best, but this is what a 3 year old makes for Santa Claus and I think it's beautiful.
Do you ever struggle with this? I know I do. Christmas is so commercialized and Santaized. (Like that word? Ya, I made it up.) Yesterday Gabe was watching Arthur on TV and they were explaining the Hanukkah tradition of lighting the Menorah. Then they switched to Christmas traditions and I kid you not they said, "and now we will celebrate Christmas like millions of Christians do every year by going to the movies." Seriously? I guess it shouldn't surprise me, but it really bugged me.
Gabe also learned about Hanukkah and Kwanza at preschool. He brought home crafts of the Star of David, a Menorah, and a beaded Kwanza necklace. For Christmas he brought home his name written in Christmas lights, a poinsetta flower, gingerbread men, and reindeer. I'm glad he's learning about these things in preschool and I didn't expect them to talk about the birth of Christ, but I feel like he's missing something huge here. And honestly, John and I have felt it missing from our Christmas celebrations too.
So I thought I would share some of the things we've done that help us have a more Christ centered Christmas. And don't get me wrong, we still are super excited for Santa to visit. We will be putting reindeer food on the front lawn, leaving out cookies and milk, the works. But we want to make sure that the story of our Savior's birth isn't just something we have to endure before we can "get to the fun stuff."
So here's some of our favorite things that help us to remember Christ at Christmas time:
TheForgotten Carols.
I LOVE this story!
It's one we will listen to or watch at Christmas time every year.
The Nativity Story
Another one of my favorites!
We will be watching this movie on Christmas Day for sure!
A Charlie Brown Christmas.
We watch this show year round at our house because Gabe loves it, but it is a great movie about the true meaning of Christmas. The best part is the kids love it, but it's written for adults! If you haven't seen this since you were a kid go rent it or come borrow ours. Love it!
Little People Nativity Set.
Baby Jesus is usually on the roof of the manger at our house, but Gabe and even Porter have had a ball playing with this! It's awesome to have a nativity set the kids can play with!
Gifts
Another thing we have done is opted out of being involved in extended family and friend gift exchanges. I'm not going to explain this one on my blog, but it's something we felt was important for keeping a good Christmas attitude at our house.
Now it your turn. What are some of the things you do to remember Christ during the Christmas season?
So this little guy is getting big. He is 8 months old now. For the past three months I have been saying "any day now, and that tooth will be in." Well, like I said, three months later and we finally have our first tooth. He "army crawls" wherever he wants to go which is usually wherever we are since he doesn't like to be by himself. He adores Gabe and is always interested in whatever Gabe is doing. And he continues to be one of the happiest/smiliest babies ever! We love our Porter!
This year we purchased a real Christmas tree. You know the kind that you have to keep alive by giving it water to drink. The real deal. I have never had a real Christmas tree before, so this was a big deal to me. The night we picked up our tree it was just like you see in the movies . . .
The Hollywood version: The family piles into the car singing Christmas carols the excitement is almost tangible. They arrive at the quaint Christmas tree lot and as the snow gently falls they pick out the perfect tree. Perfect Mr. Evergreen is magically strapped to the top of the car and everyone merrily sings their way home to a steaming cup of hot cocoa.
Dayton, Ohio Version: Mom doesn't want tree sap on/in the van from the tree, so Dad drives the truck and mom and kids follow in a separate vehicle. No Christmas carols are sung. In fact, I spend the majority of our drive explaining to Gabe why I am not going to crash the car. He really wants me to crash. He thinks it'll be fun. We finally arrive at our destination - The Home Depot. And yes, precipitation is falling from the sky, but it's not snow, it's rain. It's cold and it's wet as we pick out "the perfect tree." My kids are freezing and wet and want out of the cold metal shopping cart. So merrily singing is not the sound I would describe coming from us as we made our exit from the Home Depot. I was so excited to have my first real Christmas tree that I wanted a picture of it on it's way home in the back of truck. However, John had already started backing out of the parking stall when I came running up with the camera to take pictures. So while blocking traffic in the parking lot I took several pictures of our tree. And yes, there was some guy obnoxiously waiting for John to move because he had to have the parking spot next to us. All the other empty parking stalls weren't as good as the one right next to us. So he waited while I took pictures and I'm sure he muttered a few choice words at us. Ah, just like the movies.
Merry Christmas!!! I'm loving my real tree!!! We picked up a tree for Josh and Dana too, that's why there's two trees in the truck.
Today is John's 31st birthday! Happy Birthday babe! I love you and think you're the best! Sometimes I think it's hard for you to still relate to me since I'm still youthful and still in my 2o's, but don't worry. I don't blame you. I know it's not your fault that you're getting old. What matters is that you're super awesome at all the roles you play; daddy, husband, Air Force guy, church guy, etc. And we absolutely LOVE you!!! Happy Birthday to our Super Dad!
On Friday, November 21st John and I, along with our kiddos, boarded not one plane, but three and headed home to Utah. We had two layovers, which is two too many with two kids. During one of our layovers we were hurrying to catch our plane and Gabe started yelling at John and I to stop. John and I were both holding one of Gabe's hands and just kept pulling him along. Eventually I looked down to see what was wrong and Gabe's pants had fallen down and were around his ankles. It was your classic story of Mom and Dad drag kid through airport with his pants down - happens to everyone, right? Overall our kids were really good on the planes. The only complaint I heard was from a couple sitting directly in front of us on our long flight from Atlanta to Denver. However, after they each drank three Vodkas and a Coke I don't think my kids were bothering them anymore.
Porter had been sporting a fever of 103 -104 the day before our travels and of course while we were traveling. When we got to Utah and he wasn't sleeping because of his fever of 103 I decided to take him to the ER. Three days of a fever that high and I was starting to worry. So at midnight on our first night in Utah after having travelled all day long I headed off to the ER. My brother happened to be taking his girlfriend home at that same time so he volunteered to come with me. Thanks Tay! The ER tested Porter for the flu and never called me with the results. I'm assuming it was negative or else I would have heard from them. And as fate would have it after spending all night in the ER his fever broke the next morning and didn't return. I was just glad he was feeling better.
The reason we went to Utah was to celebrate the life of this amazing kid, my cousing Spencer McKay. "McKay had a great love for his country and desire to help in the cause of freedom. He joined the Army and began his military service at Fort Knox, KY. He was a member of Bravo Troop, 1-33 Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (The Screaming Eagles), Fort Campbell, KY. McKay excelled in his training, was an expert marksman and was known for his ability, enthusiasm and love for the military. We remember him with love: His handsome face, his irresistible, contagious smile, his love for children, his willingness and sincere desire to play with his younger cousins, his helpfulness, his kind interaction with people and animals, his enjoyment of certain video games, his willingness to express love to others, his bravery, and the way he sang the hymns in church with great gusto when he was young." - obituary excerpt
Philip and Jenny put together this video of Mac's life:
A poem I wrote for McKay's family:
I’m in a different army now and the battle continues here. The Commander . . . He is different. He is merciful, He is just, and He is true. He loves me like a brother and He always has my back. I’ve sworn to follow Him forever - just like you taught me to.
His orders are much clearer now that my mind is calm, free from all the static, free from all the hurt. He’s washed me clean with His blood and freed me from my chains. I know I am in good Hands and hope it brings you peace.
I want to thank you for loving me. Know I will always be your soldier; standing brave and strong. It’s my duty now to safeguard and protect those closest to my heart. You’ll feel me all around you; I’ll be forever near. I run and jump with the wind as it races through the trees. The stars will twinkle with my smile. The sunshine will be warm on your skin when I reach out and give you a hug.
I promise I have not left you. I am not gone, I’ve just moved on, to a better place for me. I am your soldier, I am your baby, I am your brother still.
All though the battle is still raging, there is no need to fear. Christ is my Commander now and my orders are crystal clear. Keeping watch just a breath away until this battle we call life is over with and won. Then your soldier will come home. Home to you where I belong. Home with you forever.
In remembrance of Spencer McKay We love you. We miss you.
Sunday we were able to attend church and spend the day with my family again. It was a wonderful day spent reminiscing about McKay and just enjoying each other's company. It was wonderful to see so much family, I just wish it could have been under different circumstances.
Porter loved Spencer!
The 3 crazies with Mom
Annette and Jessica
Emma was such a good little babysitter!
Born just a week apart - this was the first time Porter and Boston met!
Funny note: When the evening was over we walked outside and it was snowing. Gabe saw the snow and exclaimed, "It's Christmas!!!"
Monday we had lunch at Macaroni Grill with Rose and Wayne.
I LOVE these pictures of Wayne and Porter - so cute!
Then Monday night it was time to hang out with my Dad & Cheryl.
Adyson & Lexi weren't sure about the wild thing eating at their table. We heard a lot of, "He's touching my food!"
Sisters
My Nana and Grumpy
Gabe beating up Uncle Taylor
Grammy reads all of the kids a bedtime story.
Tuesday. Lunch at Cafe "you are so yummy" Rio. Need I say more? Oh, and a visit to the distribution center, $153 later John and I own white underwear again (not yellow). Okay, TMI. Ended the day by having dinner, visiting and playing games with John's family.
Porter's first visit to Cafe Rio
Isn't he a doll?
Mmmm . . . we love Cafe Rio!
Porter upset because he just learned they don't have a Cafe Rio in Ohio.
More pictures of Porter and Boston
This is what Bradon and Kolten did when their Mom went to pickup dinner . . .
Gabe thought it was great fun! I can't believe how grown up they are.
Gabe LOVED playing with Aiden!
Here they are in the bathtub.
Wednesday - we had lunch in Springville with my Dad. Which meant a trip to the construction yard to show Gabe the equipment.
Checking out the rock truck. One sexy machine in my opinion.
Notice his outfit. He put on my Dad's hard hat when we got out of the truck. After a few minutes of looking at equipment he said, "Wait, I forgot something!" Gabe runs back to the truck and pulls out . . .
. . . the orange safety vest.
Taylor and his cute girlfriend Nikki
Wednesday we drove to Salt Lake to celebrate my Great Grandmother's 95th Birthday.
Before having dinner at the Lion House we took our kids into the Joseph Smith Memorial building so they could see the temple. Gabe thinks we go to church every week at the temple. So I wanted him to see the difference between our church and the temple. Cheryl asked Gabe who was on top of the temple (correct answer for those of you who don't know is the angel Moroni) well, Gabe said, "the Statue of Liberty." Funny, yes, but I was pretty proud that my 3 year old knew what the Statue of Liberty was.
My cute boys in front of the temple.
Happy Birthday Pinkie!!!
Porter and Grammy
The Birthday Girl!
Taylor and Nikki
John and Gabe blowing their party horns. I think the staff at the Lion House thought we were crazy for having a party like this for our grandma (especially since they had to wear party hats too), but it was fun!
Our attempts at a cousin picture. HA!
And finally Thanksgiving. What a fabulous day. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for my family. I love all of you and feel very blessed to have seen so many of you while we were in Utah. I am grateful to my Dad and to John's parents for helping us come home for McKay's funeral and for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for eternal families. Tragedies are not so tragic when we know we can be with each other again someday. I am thankful for my Aunt and Uncle who believe that with all their hearts. It's a testimony builder to me to see people live their beliefs when hard times come. Finally, I am so thankful for the gospel and the light, the peace, and direction it gives me.
Here's pictures from our awesome Thanksgiving Day!
What's Thanksgiving without a Turkey Bowl?
John and Gabe enjoyed getting out and playing a little football!
Check out the adorable cornucopia place cards Cheryl & I made.
Let the feast begin!
My Dad's entire family was there, minus Matt and his family.
33 of us total!
My plate. I couldn't eat before taking a picture of this gorgeous food. And I wanted a picture to curse at later when I'm working off all the calories at the gym.
Gabe's Thanksgiving Feast was not so great. He threw up about 3o minutes before we ate. So I put him to bed and we enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner without him : (
On the other hand Porter LOVED his first Thanksgiving!
After eating with my family we drove to Heber and had dinner with John's family. I couldn't leave without getting a picture of Rose and Wayne in front of their new Amish stove. On their first visit to Ohio they bought a beautiful Amish table and 14 chairs. On their next trip they bought this stove. We took them to Lehman's Amish store on their first visit out here and it was like taking kids to a candy shop! (Notice Rose holding the Lehman's catalog.) Love you guys!
Finally on Friday we again boarded three planes and finally made it home to Ohio. Our return flights were much easier and the kids seemed to travel better. Gabe finally fell asleep on the plane just as we touched down in Dayton. Isn't that nature's law? And to think all this happened in just one amazing week.
