Christmas 2008

Warning - this could be the longest blog post EVER.

This year for Christmas we decided, at the last minute, to pack up and make a quick trip to California. We thought it would be fun to surprise Lee's family and also see my brother, Eric and his family. I packed everything up in a matter of hours and off we went. Before we left, however, there were a couple of things that had to be done.

Last year I did not get jammies for the kids to open on Christmas Eve. I didn't think they were into it. Well, I was wrong. I really heard about it from my kids and so I made sure I continued the tradition this year. I knew that we would be traveling all Christmas Eve so I let them open their jammies just before we left. Of course they wanted to wear them right away so their PJ's were also their traveling attire.

We also couldn't leave without letting Monte open his presents.

I started having second thoughts about this trip when Ella started asking, "Are we there yet?" and we hadn't even gotten on the freeway. I certainly cannot complain about how my kids travel. They are amazingly good. Taking long car rides is in their blood. Both Lee's and my own childhood is jam packed with long car ride type vacations. Ben made my day when about 9 hours into the ride he said, "This is the funnest day". I did try to make it fun for them. I told them once it got dark to start keeping a look out for Santa's sleigh in the sky, being Christmas Eve and all. I was much more into it than they were however.

Once we made it to Lee's mom's house we were able to get a few hours of sleep before the kids woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. The kids were so good about letting me get in some pictures before turning them loose with their gifts. I held them in another room to get some photo opps and then I gave them the OK to go take a gander in the living room.

I saw nothing but smiles. I think they were all happy campers.


Both Lee and I agreed that we would not get anything for each other this year. When am I going to learn that Lee doesn't like to follow the rules? He ended up giving me probably the best present I have ever received...

For months I have cut paper plates out of our budget in an attempt to save money. Lee has had to hear me complain about how much I dislike doing dishes. I love this gift because it shows that he listens. I have never before been so excited about paper plates. What a thoughtful little husband I have.

Princess Ella got some more jewels.

Ben was glued to his new DS game and Ella was glued to her cousin Scott.

Lee's brothers were so surprised to see us when they came. They had no idea we were coming. I don't know what David and Gary did to deserve such amazing wives but it must have been good. Wendy and Kristin are amazing, especially with the kids.

They are both going to be such good mommies one day - Kristin sooner than later. I wish I got a picture of her cute little pregnant tummy.

Nani and Gary

Christian always knows how to have fun with the kids.

Eva and Emma often entertained everyone with their piano playing.

When I mentioned that Ella was glued to Scott I wasn't kidding. She was his little shadow the whole day. It warmed my heart.

Something else that warmed my heart was how much time Wendy and Kristin spent playing with the girls. They all made really cool jewelry pieces. It was very sweet.

Speaking of sweet.

Brotherly love

We got to go to Downtown Disney for Christmas dinner which was so much fun for the kids. While we were there we had to make a little stop in the Lego store for Ben.

Even I was amazed at everything that was made completely out of Legos.

I had to take a quick pic of something I miss seeing...Palm Trees.

The next day we took a drive to see the Newport Beach Temple. The person who sealed Lee and I is now the Temple President there. He is an amazing man.

On Saturday we stopped in to visit Eric and Julie and the fam. I don't know why I didn't take more pictures but this picture pretty much sums up the day. Ella is crashed on the couch and the rest of them are on their way to doing the same thing.

The kids sure love their cousins!!

Before we knew it we were heading back home. I had to get a picture of the thermometer in Baker because I have never, in all the years of passing that thing, seen it so low. 41 degrees in Baker?! That's crazy!

Well, as far as the car ride home went, let's just say I choose to remember the car ride there more.

I am so glad we made the decision to go on our little trip. It made this Christmas very special and one we will remember for a very long time. We miss everyone already.

Ode To Santa And Mr. Balloon Guy

I just love Ella's personality. This picture is her "scary" face. She makes me laugh daily and today was no exception. I was upstairs cleaning up and overheard her playing the piano and singing. I couldn't resist grabbing a piece of paper and pen and writing down what I heard:

Ella's Song:

Santa Clause is coming to town

I love him

I love him even more than Daddy

I love him even more than my friends

I love him so much

I love Mr. Balloon guy

Mr. Balloon guy, I love him

I love you even more than Daddy

His balloons make music

I love him even more than Santa

My name is Mr. Balloon guy

I love my dad

I don't like your dad

Some Piano, A Party, And A PreSchool Program

SOME PIANO

Emma and Eva had their piano recital on Wednesday. I was so impressed with them. They weren't nervous at all. They just got up and did their thing, and they did it well. Eva even got to play a duet with Lee. The songs that they played were Jingle Bells (Emma), Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Emma), Up On the House Top (Eva), We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Eva), and Away In A Manger (Eva and Lee). Great job girls, on another successful recital.

I tried to upload some video of the girls but it wouldn't work. I will keep trying.

A PARTY

On Thursday, Eva was finally able to celebrate her 8th Birthday with Chuck E. and friends and family.

I am pretty sure everyone had a fun time. Eva said it was her best birthday ever...

...and definately worth the wait!

Thanks to all who helped make Eva's birthday extra special!

A PreSchool Program

Right after Eva's party, we got to celebrate some more by going to Ella's pre-school program.

She was given her very own Christmas tree that she got to decorate herself.

She was the part of the star in the program.

The kids also made the treats that everyone got to eat afterwards.

We love Miss Bridgette. She does such a great job.

Just Keeping It Real

I do not like snow. There is no sense in sugar coating it. In fact I loathe snow. I actually loved snow...until I had to live in it. I have been trying to convince myself ever since we moved up here that I like it. I don't think it is going to happen. I am ready for Winter to be over and it hasn't even technically started yet. I will tolerate a sledding trip or two for my kids and I may even have fun. But that doesn't change the fact that I would much rather be basking in the sunlight on a beach somewhere else. My list of things that I love about Utah is a long one but you will not find snow on it. If we had just three seasons a year life would be grand. One thing I refuse to do however, is try to convince my children to feel the same way. I want them to be kids and frolick in the cold white stuff as much as they want, even if it urks me to help them on with their clothes and off again...on, off, on, off, on, off! All Winter long I dream of my home town...

but this is my reality...
It's going to be a long next few months!

8 Tickles For Eva

Our little D'Eva-D turned eight on Thursday!

One trait of Eva's that stands out above the rest is that she radiates goodness. She has such a pure heart and is such a good example to me. I truly feel honored to be her mother.

On her birthday we all went and got ice cream and did some birthday shopping. There will be more celebrating later on in the week.

The next day, Lee took Eva on a very special daddy-daughter date to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Special. To quote Lee, it was "Spectacular"! One very cool thing was that they didn't know that President Monson would be there. All of a sudden everyone stood and there he was, The Prophet. I am so glad that Eva got to have such a great experience that she will remember forever.

Eva and Lee walked around Temple Square to see all the beautiful Christmas lights.

The next day, Saturday, Eva was baptized by her daddy and confirmed a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud of her and love her immensely. What a wonderful weekend this has been for Eva. My heart is full.

Can You See A Resemblance?

My girls asked me if I could crimp their hair today for school. Of course I jumped at the idea. It is not everyday that they will let me do something with their hair. They looked so cute! As I was doing Ella's hair I got a major case of deja vu. I thought I had gone back in time and was looking at a three year old Emma. I remembered a picture I had taken of Emma at three with her hair crimped and decided to get it out. I also found the same outfit she had worn and put in on Ella. You tell me...Do you see a resemblance?

Emma at 3 yrs and Ella at 3 yrs