Waiting on Christmas - Part 1

As my kids grow older it is getting increasingly difficult to feel the magic of the Christmas season.  

I've felt a need to seize any opportunity given during December to do things as a family. 

This is how the first half of our month of Christmas went:

Jessica finished her ten-week art class and we all attended her celebratory art show. 

She really enjoyed this class and I can't wait to see how she continues to grow her talent.  

(Note:  The watercolor dog and the sketch of Linda Burwell were two of her projects this month)

Speaking of projects - Jessica also finished her PERSONAL PROGRESS this month!!!

This young women method of goal setting is coming to an end in our church, and I won't lie, I'm kinda excited for the change.   There was a great push through to finish by Christmas and with persistence and nagging, she completed it just in time.   

I'm so glad she did.  

There is something to be said for seeing a goal through to the end.  

Another thing I have loved about this month, and always, are our mealtimes with Grandpa.  

For the most part, we have managed to eat our suppers in December by candlelight.

A tradition that stems from my childhood, this seems to slow us down just enough to connect a little more, even if just for a moment.  

We always have the Gladdings join us for dinner near Christmas and we were thrilled to get to visit with them each again.  Sweetest couple ever!

Sam looks slightly evil in the photo above, but I swear despite the fact that he looks as though he is plotting to take over the world -  he was just goofing off.   He likes the Gladdings just as much as the rest of us!

For the past few years, we have enjoyed visiting the Creche display in Lethbridge.  An LDS stake center is completely decorated and filled with creches and theme rooms all depicting aspects of the Savior's life.   In the chapel, they have musical performances by city members.  

It's actually quite reverent and breathtaking. 
Definitely one of my favorite things to do when we are needing to remind our kids of the true meaning of Christmas.  

And in case a visit to see the Creche displays isn't Christmassy enough - we make sure to always catch our local 10-minute production of the Nativity.  It runs for just a few days but is really well done!   I think I LOVE a good Nativity - in any form!

Nate wanted a Christmassy hairstyle for crazy hair day during the last week of school. 

John buzzed out the shape of a tree and then I went in behind and painted on a Christmas tree.  

The ope was that when Nate was working hard at his desk (because that happens, right?) this would be what everyone saw.  

Apparently, you are never too old to enjoy a gingerbread house making competition.  The boys struggled less to keep theirs together and they didn't hesitate to point that out while us girls were working hard to hold our walls in place, but in the end we added a backyard basketball court to our house, which shut those boys right up!  Boo yah!

During the month of December, Grandpa lingers after dinner a bit more than he usually does.  (Perhaps it is the soothing affect of those candles?)   We like the extra time with him. 

On one Sunday evening he stayed and watched the LDS Christmas Devotional with us.  

The older I get, the more I love this annual evening.

John and I were hosts at our local theatre during their production of the Forgotten Carols.

John took this role to heart and dusted off his theatre vest and bow tie. 

He stole the show and got so many comments about his festive outfit.  haha

We had four Christmas trees in our house this year.  FOUR!

My favorite one is this one.  It is full of black and white photos of my family's adventures.  It also features popcorn garland which we strung ourselves!

I think that will be a new tradition for us.  So fun!

I'm a sucker for Christmas decor.  No matter how much I chuck and throw away, I hold true to the notion that you can never NEVER have too many Christmas decorations.

Winter Solstace Babb Run

Oh, how I loved this day!

A wintry drive to check the mail is always so much more exciting when Jessica comes too.

We take backroads, explore ditches and fields, watch moose, search for wolves, find creeks to walk along and, with cameras in hand we try to capture the light in the most beautiful way possible.  

With Jessica in tow, it somehow ends up never really being about the mail after all.  

November Noteworthys

I am convinced that November brings some of the best sunrises and sunsets of the year.

The colorful sky at the start and end of our days has more than made up for the early onset of winter and the several snowstorms that we have already experienced.  

Other November things of note include:

Jess had a sleepover at her friend Lola's house where they stayed up all night long to read the Book of Mormon.   Like, who does that?   Jessica and Lola do, that's who!  

(Especially when they have a short month to go to finish their personal progress.)   

They met at Lola's house early on a Friday evening and read through the night, only stopping for short naps or sugar breaks.   I was super excited and relieved that they had accomplished this and that they were able to finish this goal together.  

Nate participated in his 4th Champs Basketball Camp and once again earned his end of season Glazed Donut.   For some reason, nothing motivates Nate like a champs issued sugar glazed donut. 

It was really fun to see him grow in the sport this winter and he got to play with several of his friends which was super fun to watch. 

November was also the month that Nate turned 10 years old.  

DOUBLE DIGITS BABY!!!  

To celebrate, his Aunt Jewel gave him a packet of Orbeez which are pretty much the worst things ever created.   Nate filled our tub with them, and that is where they sat for days until I finally decided that I'd waited the appropriate amount of time before chucking a gift. 

Nate's birthday celebration was done.  

Even though Nate's creative antics drive me crazy at times, they sometimes melt my heart as well.  

This is a note that Nathan wrote for a former teacher of his who recently lost his mother, Linda Burwell.  Written with love and respect to a teacher who really meant a lot to Nate.

I tell ya, this kid sometimes...

November marked the end of volleyball season.  Woot Woot!!!  

Ur...uh...I mean, we will miss it so much.

(Really, we do miss it, but with 4 out of 6 of us heavily involved in that sport, it has been nice to have our evenings back;)

I walked into the kitchen one morning to find Nate doing something silly (shocker) in the pantry.   What stood out to me in this moment was that Nate was standing on a chair, something he hasn't had to do in a long time!   He is growing so tall, so fast.

We've taken a few family walks down to the creek this month to scope out the location for our future skating rink, walk our favorite dog Nala, or just get the kids off of the Internet and breathing fresh air for a bit;)    

On one particular day, we were delighted to find that the thick fog that had descended, had blanketed our town with a layer of ice.  Every blade of grass, every leaf, every branch was encased in it.  It made for a slick, but beautiful walk.

It's hard to believe this year is almost over. 

Moments like this remind me to find the beauty of our day, our month, or our year and enjoy it!

Sadie goes Prehistoric

My grade 11 girl is growing up SO fast that I sometimes want to sit down and cry.  

I'm not talking about a pretend cry either.  I am talking about legit, real-life, tears of sorrow cry that will pour the day I have to turn this girl over to the real world.  

She surprised me a couple of months ago (yes, I am a tad behind on journaling?) and invited a boy to "Sadie's!"   This is a big deal because Abby has not always attended Sadies, she has not ever really gone on a date, and she certainly has never before considered asking a boy. 

I mean, last year, when Sadie's came around, Abby did go to the dance but she went alone and somehow came home married to her baguette!    Sound strange?   If only that were the strangest tale a kid of mine has come home and told me.   Short story:  Every year at Sadie's there is a theme and "marriage room" because a theme wouldn't be crazy enough.   Students partner up with their dates and two teachers (in character according to the theme) perform a mock wedding allowing the dates to be married, only until the end of the dance.   Last year the theme was around the world, and Abby had gone as a cute little french woman - hence her baguette for a date.     

...Does that seem less strange now? 

This year, I almost cried when Abby said she was planning on inviting a young man.   And I'm not talking about a pretend cry either.  I am talking about a legit, real-life, tears of relief cry.

Traditionally, the girls have to ask the boys out in a creative way, so Abby drafted up an examination for her perspective date that had a secret message encrypted in the answer that this young man would only know IF he got the answers correct.   She then got a favorite teacher of hers to call him in during FLEX and have him write this "missed" examination.   

A few days after her ask, Abby was presented with a giant, and I mean GIANT wad of saran wrap.  It was a darling acceptance that kept Abby occupied for about three hours and literally a years supply of bubble gum which had cleverly been hidden throughout each layer of wrap.   

Our basement stank of cellophane for a whole day!

The theme this year for Sadie's was "Prehistoric," so a few of Abby's friends decided that as a group they would go skating and then they would end up at our house for dinner and games before the dance.     I tried hard to make it as fancy of dinner as possible.   Jessica - a party planner at heart, really got on board with this.   

Jess helped create menus, she decorated, and along with two of her friends, she waited on these couples, ensuring that their meal went as smoothly (and awkwardly) as possible.

These three were hilarious, all crushing on the same boy, trying to act like professional waitresses and being way, way too giggly on the job.  

After dinner, they played some games for a while before dressing up and heading out to the dance. 

Sam went to the dance as well, but he kinda just decided last minute to go, threw an animal print piece of cloth on over his hoody and called it good.  (Boys!) 

I've learned that when my kids go out to a dance, a piece of my heart always goes with them.
Even though my body never likes staying up until 12:30, my mind doesn't stop asking all sorts of questions:  Did they get there safely?   Will they get home safely?   Is Sam asking girls to dance?  Is Abby being asked?  Are they having a good time?   Has anyone married a baguette yet?   

Not until all my chicks are back together and everyone is safely tucked in bed, do I ever really relax.

This parenting thing is a rough gig, I tell ya.

Sometimes, it makes me want to cry.

T'is the Season

Oh, how we love Christmas.

Like, we really really love it.  

We always decorate on November 11th and if it were up to me these decorations would stay up well into February.  

This year we have four Christmas trees set up, and no, I don't think that is at all excessive.

Even though John and I consider ourselves minimalists, I do maintain that you can never, no never, have too many Christmas decorations.  

There is something about Christmas lights.  

They just really make the world a happier place.

Lest we forget

This past remembrance day will likely be one that stays in our hearts for a long time to come.

We did one we usually do. 
We found time to put up our Christmas decor.

We got dressed up and attended our local Remembrance Day service.

We had a moment of silence.

We remembered relatives of our own who have fought and died in war.

And we reflected on how blessed we are to get to live in this country.

Those are things we do every remembrance day.

This year though there were a few things that made it a little different and certainly more meaningful.

We learned of the passing of our sweet Linda Burwell.  A woman who has taught each one of my kids to love music, to live and behave like Kings and Queens, and who mentored and loved our Jessica in a personal and profound way.

We cried together. 

We went to the elementary school and along with others in the community who wanted to...made a snow angel on the front lawn in tribute of Linda.

We fled to Waterton (Jessica and I) which seems to be our go-to response whenever our hearts hurt.

We promised to treat others the way this remarkable woman always treated us.

At one point, we stood on driftwood bay and marveled as the fierce wind drove the icy lake water towards us, sending little chunks of ice flying into our faces.  The entire beach was covered in a layer of the icy shards.  We'd never seen anything like it before!

We are in awe of this world we live in, of the people who grace our lives, and of the lasting effect their goodness has had on us.  

Halloween

Halloween is celebrated all week long at our house.  

With John's birthday, Nate's birthday and Halloween all happening at the same time, we have no choice but to stretch the fun out in any way we can.  

Halloween night was a little different for us this year.  

Nate went trick or treating with friends.

Jessica participated in a food drive with other student council members.

Sam went to a party, and Abby did too.

John and I sat in the front room and answered the door for all 350 trick or treaters that came by.

I'll admit, we felt a bit of nostalgia for Halloweens past as we remembered how it felt to be the ones out with young kids.   

It was a quiet night, but it was nice.

Around 9:00 pm, Grandpa came by for some late-night food and birthday cake.    

After snacking on mini chocolate bars, chips, and candy, none of us really needed cake, but it just wouldn't have felt right to end the day without singing to John and expressing our love for him.  

He's kinda a big deal to us.

I think John should feel flattered that we all chose to dress up on his birthday. we certainly don't do this for anyone else's! ;)

Waterton Fall Walk

We woke up on Thanksgiving day still feeling full from our previous feasting.  

After our company left, Jessica and I considered the cool, quiet day ahead of us and knew there was only one thing we both wanted to do.  

We found a trail in Waterton and attempted to walk off a bit of the turkey dinner we'd so enjoyed.

The colors were stunning.

The temperature was warm.

The park was empty.

We listened to the geese and ducks, watched a bear grazing on a hill (no doubt feasting on whatever was left on the ground before going to sleep for the winter), and paid extra attention to the beauty that comes with the changing of a season.  

I'm convinced that, for me, gratitude is most easily felt when walking in the woods.

Thanksgiving - it was legit

One of my FAVORITE Holidays of the year will always be Thanksgiving. 

I love the crispy colored leaves outside, the chill in the air, the sound of Canadian geese migrating south, the promise of Turkey dinners, time off from work and visits from family.  

This year we invited Rachel, Brent, Ben and Kat down and it made for a great day.  

The fun started when Brent and Rachel showed up in their brand new TESLA!

Say what?

John was beside himself.  

Brent took John and I for a drive out of town so we could both take a turn behind the wheel.  My stomach turned a bit when we tried going 0-100 as fast as possible.  

It is a legit, crazy cool car.  

For the rest of the day (and the one after) whenever I couldn't find John I would go out into the garage and sure enough - there he'd be. 

Just standing there.   Watching it charge.

Ever heard of a charcuterie board?  

It too was legit. 

Crackers, bread, chips, sausage and salami's, cheeses, fruits, oils, and jellies...

It all went along splendidly with the Turkey, stuffing, vegetables, gravy, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.  

One day (and twenty pounds) later we said goodbye to our company, thankful for their visit and determined to enjoy family and our many blessings more.  

This life is legit.  

We are so thankful for all it has brought our way!

A Summer of Yard work -

I have been reflecting today on this place we get to call home. 
We have been here for 5 months now.  Almost half a year.  

When we purchased the home, there was snow on the ground.  By June, the snow was gone, but a healthy field of weeds had taken it's place.  The garden was abundant with weeds and really, the entire back yard seemed to be made up of them.  The grass that did exist was spotted, sparse and on the verge of being completely choked out.  

The size of this yard was a blessing, but we knew we had our work cut out for us.  

Within a week of moving in - we set to work.  

We started on our hands and knees, pulling up each tangly little plant, trying to get the roots too.

I know this yard looks like it is green and lush , but it is ALL weed!   

Like - 80% lush and thriving weed!

It didn't take long to see that if we went about it this way, it would take weeks, maybe even months. 

It was time to bring out the big gun - Grandpa's rototiller. 

We really debated taking the tiller to the remaining remnants of a lawn, but the hope was that if we could tear up the earth and knock the weeds down and then plant new grass, that might give our backyard a fighting chance.

So, we tore up the garden and the lawn.  Planted grass seed.  And then covered it all with a layer of lawn clippings which turned out to be an awesome move.  (Yay, John!)   Within days we saw beautiful, bright green cross poking up through the matted covering.  

It was the most hopeful sight!!!

We had been excited about this little shed that sat at the back corner of our yard.  The previous owners had used it to store their lawnmower etc, but we turned it into a little lounge area for a while, affectionately called The Swamp.  

We tried to make it useful, but as we watched our lawn start to grow, we knew we wanted more SPACE, so this thing just had to go!  

Crazy what a difference that made.  Removing that shed opened up our view and made our yard feel that much bigger!

(John took a break from all the watering to build a new gate for us on one side of the house.  

The goal is to one day be able to update our entire fence!

We are so glad we did not give up on this lawn.  We feel confident that with some extra seeding in the spring, a little bit of love, and a whole lot of vision - we will be able to turn this yard into a real oasis.  It is going to take some time, but we are super excited!