Merry Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We had our Christmas Eve dinner with Jared, Melanie, and kids (Craig's nephew), which was lots of fun. We ate ham and laughed and talked and played Pit for hours. Later we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. Then we hurried home to make cookies for Santa. We had all our family together on Christmas morning to open presents and have breakfast...our usual Christmas Morning Casserole! YUM!
I am so thankful for such a magical time when hearts are softened and everyone "believes." We had fun reading Christmas books each night the week before Christmas. Most nights I struggled to read without bawling my head off. The spirit was so strong I nearly suffocated. It was a wonderful thing and one I hope to continue as long as they'll let me read to them. We also started a new tradition this year...one I borrowed from a friend. On Christmas day we ate soup and bread. I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what we come up with for next year!
Here are a FEW pictures of our family. We wish we could have spent the day with you, too!

Before going downstairs.

The big stocking dump!

Disney scene it?...very fun!

Craig built a doll house, I mean Webkinz house, for Emma. She was very excited!

Emma and Kevin got new play food from Santa. Emma's eyes are weird, as usual.

Steven saying, "Yes!" to his MP3 player.

"Tara, what ARRGH ya smilin' about?"

My two cute boys!

Emma's reindeer. She named him Comet.

Freeway is stretching as far as he can trying to reach the leftover cookies that Santa didn't eat.

Kevin gave Rebecca and George the game Trouble. Trouble from Kevin...how fitting!

Awwww...tender!

I made pajama pants for all the unmarried kids. Sorry Rebecca and George.

Logan made this bracelet tree for me.

Steven made me a jewelry box. Very talented boys and also very thoughtful. I love them both!

Kevin got Lego Racers from Mom and Dad. They were a big hit!

Craig got new slippers. This was fantastic as his old ones had blown out the side.

What could this be?

I know, a box of rocks!

Just what I wanted...a pair of boots! Steven keeps telling me they could almost be cowboy boots. He wishes!

Rebecca and George scored on board games this year. I think they got a total of 4 or 5.

Logan was so excited to get this catcher's glove from Mom and Dad. He said now all he wants for his birthday is the rest of the catcher's gear.

A soft, cuddly robe for Tara. Nice!

Iron Gym for the iron man!

Chuck the Silverback Gorilla, Rebecca the Camel, and Comet the Reindeer sit atop Emma's baby blanket in her new dol....Webkinz house.

Tara and Emma later that day. Tara is reading Tales of Beedle the Bard, which she got for Christmas from Mom and Dad.

The next day playing Wii Tennis at Becca's house.

Snow Day

A snow day in Las Vegas...I never would have believed it!
December 17, 2008

Winter Dance Recital 2008

Emma and I had our winter dance recital on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 6 pm. The pictures of us by the Christmas tree were taken before we left. Unfortunately, they are the only pictures that turned out okay. Logan went with us to take pictures and, through no fault of his own, they all turned out blurry. Man, I want a new camera!!! I found one that I like and I told Craig that I'm willing to wait until we can save up for it. Emma and I each danced a jazz dance and a tap dance. We both messed up a little, and we are relieved it's over until the spring recital in May.

Steven had basketball practice until 6:15, so Craig stayed home to wait for him. (Forgot to mention he made the JV Basketball team at Silverado. Yay!) Then we were all going to meet up at Cashman Center for the annual Cowboy Christmas concert. The Bar J Wranglers from Jackson Hole, WY do a concert here every year, and our good friends from Anderson Dairy supply us with tickets. Anyway, we were texting back and forth letting each other know where we were and how we were doing time-wise. As soon as my last dance was over, I was rushing to get changed so we could head out for the concert. We were going to be cutting it close and most likely we would be late. I grabbed my bag, dashed into the restroom, and froze as it just didn't seem right to me. I stood there for several seconds trying to figure out why the stalls were on the wrong side of the restroom when I realized I had gone into the men's side! I hurried back out as Logan came to the door and said, "Uh, that's the boy's." Luckily for me, there was no one in there...THIS TIME! Yes, this has happened to me before. At Wal-Mart. I got something in my eye and could hardly see and ran blinking straight into the men's restroom. As I struggled to get my contact out, I wondered why there wasn't a mirror in the women's restroom. I heard someone in the stall, but paid no attention until HE came out and said, "One of us is in the wrong place." I gasped, looked around, and ran out, embarrassed and laughing. I must be one of the few people on earth that cannot tell the difference between the universal signs for men and women.

Just remember what Elder Worthlin said, "The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable."

New tag!

Rebecca had this new tag on her blog. I thought it was a cute idea. You grab the nearest book, turn to page 123, and copy the 5th sentence. The book near me is "The Bruce R. McConkie Story" by Joseph Fielding McConkie. Steven has just finished it for a book report for school. On page 123 the 5th sentence says, "The two of them waited together for more than two hours before the call came." This part is about Joseph Fielding Smith and his daugher, Amelia, waiting for Joseph's brother, a doctor, to call them back about Amelia's sick baby, Bruce R. McConkie, Jr. The baby later died.
Steven really enjoyed reading this book. He would tell me new things about it every day. We've had it in our bookcase forever, but I've never read it. I guess maybe now I will as soon as I finish "Angels & Demons."
I tag all who read! P.S. That means anyone reading this blog!

School assembly

We were invited to attend an assembly at the elementary school last week. Kevin received an award for "excellence in all academic subjects." We were very pleased and also amazed. Who is this kid...? He's a total pill at home, but his teachers always tell me they just love having him in class and he's such a wonderful student. Of course I'm glad, but I sure wish he'd bring some of that home with him!

Kevin's teacher, Mr. Zabriskie.

The day after Thanksgiving

I cooked a turkey the day after Thanksgiving. It was so good. We ate on it for days and I made a turkey casserole with the leftovers. I fed that to the missionaries the following Sunday along with a green bean casserole and yummy cranberry salad. Don't you just love this time of year!

Thanksgiving 2008

We went to the buffet at the South Pointe AGAIN this year. How lame are we?!? We've done it 4 times now, and the kids are starting to think it's tradition. It is kind of fun, though. Everyone gets to choose what they want, and how much. I think Logan was the top eater this year. He must have gone back a dozen times! I guess he's growing.
We had Craig's niece, Eliza, with us, also. We just love her!

Waiting in line.


Eliza, Kevin and Ruth

Our table.


I'm saying, "Ummm, shrimp!"

Ok, in this picture see how it's Logan, Tara, Emma...


and in this picture it's Logan, empty chair, and Kevin. Tara and Emma went back for more and suddenly Kevin was sitting in Emma's chair eating the spaghetti off her plate. He looks completely content, like there's nothing at all wrong with that.


Eating pictures are weird, I've decided, but check out Emma's hair!

One of the few shots of the cameraman!