How to have an awesome holiday 101 - Part 1

The recipe for an awesome holiday is really quite easy.

Step 1: Marry a school teacher. (the holiday time is the bomb!) If you failed to accomplish step 1 - don't worry. I'm sure that your holiday will still be a good one. or ...should I say WAS a good one. tee hee.

Sorry did that sound like I was gloating?

Moving on.

Step 2: Focus on the reason for the season
It's important to focus on the true meaning of Christmas isn't it? On Monday we had Family Home Evening with my sister. Yummy pizzas, and a live production. Mind you Joseph and one of the Shepards were a bit rowdy, but all in all the best rendition of the Nativity I've seen in a while, and the perfect way to remember the birth of our saviour.

Step 3: Find a good book and read it to your kids every night while they fall asleep under the Christmas tree. A Christmas Carol was a favorite for us.



Step 4: Go on a date with the love of your life. Chose your favorite restaurant and enjoy the cozy Christmas atmosphere. Note: It helps if your sister in law provides the gift certificate! (Thanks Sarah!)



Step 5: Help someone in need. In this particular case it came in the form of a sweet chocolate lab, who may or may not have really been in need. We don't know. He did play with our kids for a couple of hours before he snuggled up on our front step for a snooze.

And I may or may not have slipped him some ham a few times when John wasn't watching.

Then John caught me. And got mad.

That's what I don't get about John. I can scratch the paint on our van, overshoot our monthly budget...paint a bedroom a terrible color and John's all cool and chill. I can purchase the wrong couch TWICE and make him go through the hassel of hauling and returning it back to the store...and he's fine with that.
But feed a stray dog, and it's look out Charlie!

Go figure. ;)


Step 6: Plan a big Christmas dinner with loved ones.

Christmas Eve in particular was spent eating a fabulous four course steak dinner with King Crab legs as well. Oh Yummy. I should include a recipe for all of that too- but I didn't cook it. I didn't plan it either. But (thanks to my father-in-law) I did enjoy it.
Oh man did we ever enjoy it!


Step 7: Milk and Cookies. Do NOT forget the milk and cookies. A nice thank you note to Santa is always a nice gesture too. I was impressed with Abby's. "Dear Santa: Thanks for Everything."
She's sweet like that.


Step 8: Spend Christmas Day doing absolutely nothing important. Stay in your jammies, eat lots, sleep, and let the phone ring. Perhaps it may include a drive out to one of your favorite spots.

We did all of those things.


Step 9: Find a reason to bring the family together one more time. Because you haven't already had enough fun, throw in a baby blessing! You get to see even more family, and fill your now fat tummy all over again!

Now all you have to do is throw in 3 cheese balls, and a Lord of the Rings Marathon and that's it!
The recipe for a truly perfect and wonderful Holiday.

Or, in my case, a wonderful FIRST HALF of a holiday!

But really - I'm not gloating.

Christmas Day

I know that I should really write about all of the wonderful events of this past week. It was our first Christmas in this home and it was more then delightful to us. But I'll try to journal all of that in the days to come. I am however anxious to post a few pictures.


This afternoon, after we opened gifts and stuffed ourselves silly with breakfast pizza, we took John' s Dad on a drive out to Waterton! Beee-uutifull!! In two hours we saw a huge herd of several hundred Elk. The most I've ever seen in one herd! Then we saw a golden eagle feeding on a carcass (nature at its finest), two more eagles, two mountain sheep, white tail and mule deer, and ... um some cattle. :) Not that the cattle really count as wildlife but Jessica was equally fascinated with them so it is worth mentioning.



It felt so good to get out to Waterton. We hadn't been out there since October! Geesh!

Two days ago we woke up to a thick frost that blanketed the entire town. I seized the opportunity to go down to the temple and take some pictures. My favorite is this one:
I LOVE how a deer just walked into the photo and started eating.

These were other favorites!!!!

From our Home to Yours

Only 3 more sleeps....

We wish all of you, our family and friends, a very very Merry Christmas! We hope it is filled with love and happiness!

Love,

John, Tanis and the kids

What made me happy today:

There is absolutely nothing NOTHING better about being married to a school teacher then days like today. As of 1:00 pm John is officially on Christmas break!!!



Two WHOLE WEEKS!



What does this mean for me?



Grocery shopping ...sans children.

Hair appointments...sans children.

Visiting teaching...sans children.



You get the idea. I LOVE having John around. We have lots of fun stuff planned WITH the children too, and it all starts RIGHT NOW!!!!


That's not the only thing that made me smile today.



I was packing Abby's lunch this morning (her last one for two weeks!) when I came across this letter to Santa.

According to this letter she wants a ZELDA game and a ZELDA toy.

I sat there for a minute a little bit confused. I thought she wanted a Barbie...? Does she even know who Zelda is? Then it occurred to me that Abby wrote this letter at school, and must have been sitting by a boy.

Oh Abby...I used to try to impress the boys too.
But Zelda...? Really?

I think Santa should just get it for her. Seeing as we don't have any sort of machine to play it ON... that might teach her to be careful what she asks for!



This kid made me smile today, when he came to me with big alligator tears streaming down his face. When I asked him what was wrong he said, "I'm trying to be good but it's just too hard. I can't Do it!"
Perhaps I've pushed the Santa thing a little too much.


I took this photo of Nate this week. Every time I look at it I feel happy.

Same with this one.




And definately this one.

Yup - I feel as happy as he looks!!

It's all about Santa around here!

There is a lot of symbolism in placing a Star on top of a Christmas tree isn't there. It represents the star that signalled the birth of the Savior. The same Star that guided the shepherds and the wise men. The star that welcomed the true LIGHT OF THE WORLD. In my opinion - the Star is a pretty big deal.

Our own little tree has been without a Star for the past couple of weeks. Not because I haven't wanted one- but because I've been looking for the perfect one. I've purchased a few. One was too big for our little tree and kept bending over and downward. It looked sad. The other one looked cute in the store, all pearly and feathery - but did NOT look good with the gaudy (ahem I mean kid-friendly) decorations we have now. The other was just too breakable.

It broke.

So I've been keeping my eye out for a good one - but I've not been in much of a rush I must admit.

I wish now I had been.

When Sam came home from preschool the other day he was so excited and proudly exclaimed that he had the "perfect thing for our Christmas tree!!!" Bursting with delight he pulled out of his backpack this mangled little Santa Claus decoration.
Now I mean that in the nicest way possible. I'm sure he put a lot of concentrated and focused... seconds into building that delightful decoration, and I really do love it.

Really.

So I proceeded to try to help him find a rightful spot on our tree for it. Sorta down low...and towards the back...if you get my drift.

Sam had a better idea. Right on top. In place of my vacant star. Grudgingly I thought I'd humor the kid for a few hours and I consented to let it stay there. Only until he went to bed though. That's when I would creep down to the living room, remove that thing, and replace it with something else. ANYTHING else.

However as I laid with Sam before bed waiting for his eyes to close he said, "Mom I love Christmas, and I love my Santa Star."

So what am I supposed to do now? I can't dare remove the jolly guy from his lofty place on top of our tree now, can I? ....Can I?

So there you have it. In case you happen to stop by and question in your mind our choice of decor. Apparently we've taken a more secular approach with our tree this year, and there is one member of this family who couldn't be happier.

But ONLY one.

My favorite Christmas Tradition

In my family growing up, one of my favorite traditions came every December. For as long as I can remember we spent the entire month eating dinner by Candle light. From December 1st to the 31st it was macaroni by candlelight. Or pizza-or whatever. But it was by candle light! My Dad loved doing this.

He acted like he didn't.

But really I know he did.

Sure, I remember all of the times he got after us to "STOP touching the flame," and warned us repeatedly to "STOP burning our napkins....and our hair... and the utensils." The same threats were repeated each night. Still, no matter how much he promised to end that tradition- we always began each meal with a candle of our own at each of our plates.


Proof that he enjoyed it at much as we did.


My siblings and I would linger at the table as long as possible on those evenings, and I remember long conversations over the flickering glow. It was cozy. He would sometimes talk about my mom. Other times he would tell us stories of when he was a kid, and we would laugh at all the bad things he used to do. Like the time he poured chocolate pudding in his school teachers BOOT. That was my favorite one.

To a 6 year old, it was a very cool way to eat a meal.

That is what was so great about my Dad. He was the BEST at celebrating a holiday, and creating memories. I wish I could thank him for that.


Now as my own little family sits around the table and I find myself voicing the same warnings, I feel like I understand him a little bit better.
Because, along with the moments when the kids fight over who gets to blow which flame out, or I accidentally place the bread bag too close to the flame and it melts all over everything, or John decides to show the kids a cool magic trick that they are bound to try, no doubt unattended, sometime...

along with all of those moments-

there is a calm, peaceful moment.

A moment each night when I look around the table and my kids faces look so sweet in the glow.

When their eyes are all sparkly and happy.

When none of us are in a hurry to go anywhere.

I think I understand now why he enjoyed that tradition so much.

To me - it wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Leave it to a Pro

Considering my last post- I suppose I should just leave the photography to those who know how to do it.

We just got our pictures back from a real photographer which means that we may actually send out a Christmas card after all.

I love how they turned out, and watching Dana work solidified to me that I could not do what she does. I am much more qualified to take pictures of things that DON'T MOVE. Things like, oh I don't know ...Trees.

and I suppose...Rocks.

When it comes to capturing People - well some people have a gift!

And I'm ok with that.

Really!

Thanks Dana.

www.photographydana.com

Just SMILE!

I like to take pictures. I usually really enjoy the photography and editing process. But I don't know why - WHY my family has to make it so difficult. Why are my kids the only ones who just won't ever cooperate?

Take yesterday for example. I've been meaning to get some photos ready for a Christmas card of some sort for awhile now. Yesterday I decided that as soon as the kids got home from school- we'd get it finished and out of the way.

Literally as soon as they walked in the door - I pounced. Comb, washcloth and a quick snack in hand I begged BEGGED them to just give me Ten minutes and then they could go play. I had seen on a different blog some cute photos a mom had done with candy canes, and I was anxious to try to copy it. (Yes copy. After all - imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery.)

I started with Abby. It's simple. I knew that Abby would not require as much coaching. I just needed her to look AT the camera. That's all. She only had to look at me.




This is what I got out of her.

With Jessica I tried to be a little more specific. I simply ask that she smile her "prettiest smile" for me. We practiced a bit. Her smile was perfect.




As soon as I go to CLICK she pulls out this.

This is NOT her prettiest smile. Trust me.



By the time it was Sam's turn I was losing faith in the whole thing. I said, "Sam- Please Please sit up straight like a good boy and try not to be silly."





Viola.

I'd had it. I was sweaty, frustrated and had totally neglected any dinner prep- and for WHAT!

After all of that though, I still managed to find a tiny morsel of enthusiasm, or at least determination, to try to get a decent family photo. I knew it wouldn't be much-but I just needed one nice shot of all of us. So as soon as John walked through the door, I rallied everyone together- one last time.

I asked Nicely.

I begged.

I PLEADED with them all.

I finally resorted to blackmail. I said, "KIDS. I know that you don't like this. But it will be quick if you ALL just obey. If you are not ALL smiling, sitting up straight, looking at the camera and being good little kids- then ...well...I just don't think Santa will come to our house this year. (I know- maybe a little bit of a cheap one- but I had to try something.)

And it did work. The kids got my drift.

They were willing.

They were ready.

And what do you think I got?

Nice one John.


I think my family Hates me.

An update on our crazy life!

I'm not sure how to catch up on the events of the past couple of weeks. So much has happened and we've hardly had a moment to catch our breath until now. I'll try to hit the highlights.

First - we woke up one morning to a beautiful SOLD sign on our front lawn. When it was placed there - I'm not sure, but it was a welcome sight.

We've loved that little trailer and all the yard around it. We'll miss having a yard that big, and I will miss the ward we lived in more then I can stand to think about. It has been the best place for our family over the last three years. Sometimes when I'd feel bad about living in a trailer I'd often think of that old country song by Doug Stone called Little Houses. I'll miss our little house, and all the Love that was shared there.

Last Tuesday we said good-bye to the East side of town and made the Trek West. ;) Our new home is LOVELY, and we've spent the past week working to get unpacked, pictures hung and all settled in.

Aside from the fact that I feel as though we've moved to a entire new TOWN we are quite comfortable. This home has a lot of Luxuries that I'm really enjoying. Like- a dishwasher! Who knew doing dishes could be so FUN!

And Space!

And a Basement! AKA somewhere to hide the toys!

And the kids favorite feature - Stairs!

The kids were so excited to finally have a set of stairs. During the first couple of days they spent many hours sledding down the stairs on my exercise mat. (someone might as well use that thing!)

I think we will be quite happy here.

Which is a good thing, because only a few days after we moved in we were hit with the hugest Blizzard I've ever seen, which left us snowed in until today. The town pretty shut down. You guys. CHURCH WAS CANCELLED! Here- in this town. Un-heard of! ;) My sister in law and her family risked their lives in that weather to bring us a piano. That was scary. Dairy Queen and other local business stayed closed, and no one could go ANYWHERE even if they'd wanted to!

We were out of cheese. It was rough. Awful. We've never gone without cheese before- and I could barely cook a meal. That was a huge lesson to me on being prepared for emergencies. :)

We spent the weekend in the basement watching movies by the fire with popcorn. Of course we had to venture out to enjoy these DRIFTS! Even John and I had fun sliding down them.

Yup- there is something very cozy about a good storm. It forces you to stop and enjoy life a little. Well- so long as everyone is safe. And you have a good supply of cheddar!

Due to the cancellation of Church, Nate's scheduled baby blessing was cancelled. We will try again with that in a few weeks. He'll be two months old by then. Considering how big he's getting he may be able to walk by that time!

Things are starting to settle down and we are figuring out a routine all over again. I can't wait to focus my attentions on the Christmas season now.

So much to be grateful for!

In Keeping with Tradition

Here is an interesting fact about our marriage. Every time we have had a baby we have also moved shortly after. With Abby, we moved two weeks after she was born. Sam- we moved 10 days after he was born. Jessica- a blessed 6 weeks after. John has always joked about this, and I think he feels it is actually efficient planning on his part to get the two major stresses (baby and move) out of the way simultaneously or something.

Me- I think it is a form of spousal abuse. The things he puts me through, I'll tell ya.

I guess it shouldn't have surprised me, when a week ago we signed the paper work and made it official. We are moving.

Again.

This will mark our TWELVE move in EIGHT years of marriage! What's our problem anyways? Do we get bored too easy? Commitment issues perhaps? Nomadic by nature?

We are REALLY excited about this move, as it means more S-P-A-C-E! Something we ALL are craving right now. I suppose I could just chalk it up to the weather, but my kids seem to be wicked cranky lately. They argue...a lot, they are pouty and whiney, and then to make matters worse, they have this awful MOM who yells at them to "Stop Screaming, cause they're GONNA WAKE THE BABY!!!!"

That's usually when John starts humming "Love at Home" or something really aggravating like that. :)

Space.

It will be so nice.





It's in a great neighborhood. Closer to my sister. Closer to the schools. Sadly, I won't be able to have a garden here. So you can look forward to future posts from me sans obnoxious garden bragging. I also will Really miss the ward we live in now. I don't think we could ever easily find a better group of people as who we have been able to associate with for the past few years. It makes me sad to consider leaving all my friends. I don't make friends easy, and I'm generally pretty lousy at maintaining friendships. So even though we are only moving across town, I worry that it will be hard to maintain a lot of those ties. But change is good right?

...right?

We just need to make it through this week. Lots to do in the next 6 days.

Wish us luck!

Gratitude

With half of John's family living in the United States, we will be thinking of them this week as they celebrate American Thanksgiving.

Lucky Ducks!

Life is busy right now for us. VERY busy. But life is good.

I've got so much to be thankful for!

Faces

I took a lot of pictures of the kids this week. Just thought I'd post a few of them.

This is Nate as soon as he wakes up and realizes that he is hungry. This sequence was taken in about a span of 4 seconds:)




The kids visited Santa on Saturday. It was a little anti climatic. Abby was really the only one NOT afraid of Santa. The other two kids seemed more then a bit nervous. Jessica wouldn't move a muscle.

Jessica smiled lots for me at home though. For a baby gift my three sisters (Jewel, Crystal, and Heather) all got clothes for our four kids that match. I loved the concept much more then baby clothes. We've got lots of those! Anyways on Friday we dolled the kids up and I took them to a REAL photographer in town.

I'm excited to see how the professional shots turned out- but Jess is still stinking sweet in these.

I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by all these CUTE FACES everyday!!!

One week in

I have to thank John for posting the previous announcement about the birth of Nathan. It was a sweet post, and probably the most spiritual one this site has ever seen. John should update more often:) I also was so grateful for all of your kind comments and congrats.

I've been meaning to sit down and write to update, and journal the events of this past week, but to be honest - the events have all become a little bit blurry! I had planned to write about John's Halloween birthday, which came and went without much ado. I'd planned to write about the hillarious Cowboy Doctor that we had.


Most of all though- I'd wanted to write about how wonderful John was throughout it all. The perfect "coach." I am so grateful for his soothing and calming disposition in moments like that, and really in life in general.

All the details of that awesome day are recorded in a journal for Nate, and as much as I wanted to share it here (all the gory details), my brain is mush now.

Consider youself lucky!

Suffice it to say that November 1st was one of the happiest days ever. There is no better feeling then that second when you hold your baby for the first time and realize it is all over! The past 9 months, 5 days, and 7 hours will one day be a distant memory.

I was done. And I felt so VICTORIOUS! Of course it helps to have an awesome awesome husband who makes you feel like you've just conquered the world!

It was a great day!

As John mentioned -Nathan was a little over 9 pounds, which didn't surprise the doctor and nurses much. What did surprise them though, was the size of his hands and feet. This is not going to be a little boy- that's for sure! But he is still little enough to fit perfectly into our arms right now- and we love him as though he's always been here.



We brought little Nate home on Monday, let the kids each hold him once, took a picture, and then I whisked Nate off to our room where he has remained and will remain for the next week. The next day (Tuesday) Sam, Abby and Jess ALL had their own little bout of the SWINE FLUE. Sam was the least severe, complaining of only headache, stomach upset and coughing. Jess was in between with a low grade fever and a cough, and Abby was knocked out with every symptom in the book and a burning fever for a couple of days.



For the past few days, we've been trying our best to sanitize, sterilize, isolate, medicate and quarantine as much as possible.

It has made me so frustrated at times that we have to go through this when I did everything right to prevent it. Remember how much I freaked out about it last week? I stood in line for 3 hours amidst contractions to immunize the family, we're ALL hand sanitizer ADDICS now, and I kept the kids home from church and pre-school for two weeks prior to my due date - just to avoid the germs.

All that Stress last week. Completely WASTED!!!! (There is nothing worse then wasted stress!)

The kids are all on the mend, and Nate so far is doing great! In fact he is the DREAM baby. Not a bit of jaundice. He's thriving for sure. And he is already sleeping for up to 5 hours in between feedings. He has the roundest face and dark hair. His eyes don't appear to be brown, which makes me wonder if this little guy could have some of that stunning hardy blue that so many of my nieces and nephews do. Over all, he reminds me so much of Abby. Almost a spitting image of her in fact.

Well, that is week 1 with Nate so far. Until I get another burst of unexplained energy, here are some more pics of the cute one!

My niece Ava knitted this hat for Nate. I think he likes it!

Nate, John, and Grandpa Max.