This year for Christmas

I figure it's not too late to post this. Isn't it Christmas until New Year's Day? These are amazing words to live by. As the new year is approaching and I am setting new goals and seeking ways to better myself, these words strike inspiration to my heart.

be
gentle
be kind
apologize
write a letter
keep a promise
forgive an enemy
give a soft answer
laugh a little more
express your gratitude
think first of someone else
seek out a forgotten friend
gladden the heart of a child
examine your demands on others
manifest your loyalty in word and deed
speak your love and then speak it again
dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust
take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth
mend a quarrel
forgo a grudge
encourage youth
welcome a stranger

Howard W. Hunter, 1994 Christmas devotional

Temple Square at Christmas!

We braved the cold on Monday and ventured to Temple Square with our little family. The kids were amazed. While we were there I realized that Taylor (me and Dave too) hadn't been there since he was a baby. Crazy! My mom, dad, Kristina, and her friend Melissa came along for the fun too. We brought along some hot chocolate. It was a great idea, especially since they knocked down Crossroads Plaza- the bookstore we used to buy hot chocolate in isn't there anymore...

The kids were super excited to see the temple, especially Taylor so I made sure to get a picture of him in front of it.


Kristina, gpa, Dave, Taylor


Gma, Taylor, Kristina, Melissa- As always, Taylor is being a poser!


Olivia seems to be the busiest, wiggliest, most curious child on the planet. She was ticked off most of the night because she was in a stroller. I let her out for a while and she was off! It was funny to see her tiny little body running in the swarms of people. She wouldn't keep gloves on so her little hands were bright red! We took her into the visitor's center to warm her up.


Proof that I really do exist!

Finally!

Finally, our very first real live Christmas tree!

Growing up my uncle always ran a Christmas tree lot out of my grandma's front yard. The lot isn't there anymore, but it's still a tradition for my uncle and cousins and whoever will go from my family, to cut trees on and around Thanksgiving. Dave has yet to go (darn U game) but we did go pick out a tree. It is so pretty and the kids love the idea of a real tree being in our house. Here are some pictures of the blessed event:

Loading up the tree




Bringing it home


After a few minutes in the garage cutting off the top and the bottom, Dave brought the tree in (insert Hallelujah chorus here)


After 4 trips to Target to "get more lights", we were done with the lights even though the bottom of the tree wasn't completely covered. I guess it really all works out because we can't put too many ornaments at the bottom with Livvy trying to eat them whole. She tries to sneak in for a "tree snack" every once in a while and I have to race after her. Little stinker!

Tree with flash on


Tree with flash off


Our tree really is so pretty. It's sad how impossible it is to capture the beauty of it with a picture.

I still have not decorated the fake tree yet. In fact, Dave haphazardly threw it in the corner and it is just waiting for me, in all my spare time, to put some lights on it and decorate it. Is it really the 11th already?

A fun visit

We had a visitor last Thursday- one of my favorite roommates from Ricks College- Marisa. She lives in Virginia and was in town for a wedding. She spent the day with me and my kids. She is brave. But really, once we had her in our minivan, what choice did she have?

Funny. Marisa is slightly vertically challenged. She is 4 ft 10-and-a-half inches tall (correct me if I am wrong). I don't bat an eye at it because I have known her a good 12 years or so now. (whoa, that's a long time...) Anywho, we picked her up in our van. Once we got to our destination, she jumps out to help Sara unbuckle her car seat. First thing Sara says to her "Why you so little?" It was so funny. I mean, she's not that little. I just can't believe she noticed.

We had a fun time hanging out with Marisa and dragging her all over town on our errands.

Taylor took this picture of us. I've never asked him to actually take a real picture of something important. He did a great job. We only had to do like 15 takes. No biggee. We were actually laughing so hard we were crying.

Don't we all look so fabulous in this one?

Thanks for coming Marisa! It was so fun to see you.

Where have I been?

Just so you know, I ask myself that question all the time. I also ask questions like:

• "Why aren't there more hours in the day?"
• "Exactly what is that growing in the toilet?"
• "I'm supposed to check pockets before I throw things in the wash?"
• "Why are my kids still awake?"
• "Why are we the only people in the neighborhood without a shoveled driveway?"
• "Why am I haunted on a daily basis by Sara's pee? Why?"
• "What did you say?"
• And again, "What did you say?"

Things have been a bit crazy around here. I have a million excuses. I'm still debating whether to spew them all at you or not. I think I will choose NOT and just say nothing at all. I find that saying nothing at all can be rather effective. So whatever. I've been busy. December has been crazy and it's not even half over. Bring it on!

mazeltopf!

We have this cute little (strong emphasis on the word little) tree in our front yard that we planted last summer. Well, with the last snow storm, this poor little tree darn near snapped in half. This is a picture of the tree before I went to bed. I was too cold to go out and shake the snow off it. When I woke up the next morning, it was bent way over and not shaking it was no longer an option. It is being quite resilient, especially considering that we have it strangled in Christmas lights. Go little tree! Now let's just see if it makes it through the winter. It's got it's work cut out, especially if it keeps snowing the way it has been. Love the snow!

And just yesterday Dave said, "Did you know blue is the color of hanukkah?" So, not only is this our little charlie brown tree, it is also our Hanukkah tree. You know, because we celebrate hanukkah and all...

A few things

• Livvy does not grasp the concept of tree skirt. She thinks it is a blanket, gathers it up, and toddles away to wrap her baby in it.
• Today Taylor and Sara were in a "me first" battle. Taylor said, "Mom, I want to be firster." I asked him where he came up with that word and he said "Oh, it's spanish"- in his duh don't you know anything tone.
• It's not so easy to water a Christmas tree.
• We already have 2 ornament casualities this year, thanks to Olivia.
• The pest control guy stepped on the lights I have running along my curbing. Sure they were covered by snow but still irritating that I have to go out in the freezing weather to fix them.
• My kids all have chapped faces and bums. What is up with that? I'll tell you what it means- no more baths around here...
• We went to visit Dr. Jackson today, our family dentist. The girls and I escaped unscathed while Taylor had some cavities and a couple wiggly teeth- lots to look forward to!
• I don't think I will be able to put gifts under the tree this year. Livvy is just a little too curious. And please, nobody suggest that I put a baby gate around my entire tree.
• Taylor is fascinated with the globe. He likes to point out Utah, Japan, Hawaii, and California.
• My van needs an oil change.
• I fed the kids icecream today at 4:30 p.m. They were helping me to clean out the freezer. That's the only kind of "clean up" I've ever seen them happy to be a part of.

Holiday Hepatitis

I think the concept of spreading holiday cheer is fantastic. But really, a smile and a nod here and there is about all anyone should be spreading. You can compliment me on the fine purchases in my basket. You can gaze adoringly at my ultra hip outfit (that I don't own...) You can even comment on my darling children. Unfortunately for me, the lady ringing me up at Hobby Lobby the other day did not get the memo. She was all too willing to share that which should not be shared.

I brought my big stack of card stock to the counter and told her how many I had. She said "I have to count them." Whatever- just get on with it because there are 65 sheets of card stock and 15 people in line behind me.

Let me just preface the rest of this situation with saying that I don't consider myself a germ-a-phobe. I can leave a public restroom without having to hold the door handle with a paper towel. I can walk around in a hotel room without socks on. I have even occasionally been known to share a toothbrush with Dave. Okay, that's kind of gross and I don't do it on a regular basis but desperate times call for desperate measures. I always say too much, don't I?

The first sign of trouble came when this employee opened her mouth and lifted her big fat thumb toward it. I was like "You ARE NOT about to lick my card stock". Freak. That is exactly what she did. Lick 1-2-3 Lick 1-2-3 Lick 1-2-3. This went on for quite a while because hello, I had a few pieces of card stock. If you would like to put me in a bad mood, just start licking my card stock. You work at a craft store for crying out loud! Figure it out. You do not, under any circumstance, compromise craft items about to be purchased by another individual with bodily fluid of any kind EVER.

I guess you're wondering what I did. Did I fly off the handle in a raging tirade? Did I smack her across the face? (That would have been so Hollywood. Love the drama.) Did I scream "You're an idiot, you paper licking freak!"? I would like to say that I did. I would also like to say that I demanded my money back and walked away in a big fat huff. Instead, like the pansy that I am, I stared her down with the dirtiest look I had the energy to give her. Which really, #1- I have no energy and #2- I was trying to manage Livvy and be angry. Not easy. But just so you know, I do have some pretty good dirty looks- I have been complimented on the faces that I can pull- I have a natural talent, it's effortless.

So whatever. I took my saliva soaked paper home. But don't think they won't be getting a phone call from me.

I really just wanted to post this to get you all excited to receive a Christmas card from us. Ha! For neighbor gifts this year, forget the "Merry Kissmas" with a bag full of Hershey kisses and "We whisk you a Merry Christmas" with a wire whisk attached. We will just be passing out Holiday Hepatitis cards- just spreading some holiday cheer. Please be sure to answer the door when we come by.