Spooner Lake

Last Saturday, the EQ had an activity. SLEDDING! The snow was really packed and we had a couple of injuries but we also had a LOT of fun.

This is Emily, our neighbor, and her boys.

Sweet Miss M.

The boys are back!

Kirsten, Miss Snowbunny.

Me with my little ones and Miss Raquel.

Jenni and the girls.

Brandon and F.

K, Emma, and Kirsten.

My cute sledder.

The boys took Brandon out as they came down the hill.

Brenden and Connor.

The boys....A, Tanner, Kobey, and Oakley.

Science Fair

Ice Cream Meltdown. Does ice cream stay colder longer when mixed in regular salt or rock salt. This was K's question. She researched, calculated, and ate lots of homemade ice cream. Way to go, K! Great project.

Birthday Boy!

F wanted a Star Wars Birthday Party. So I made all his friends a Lightsaber, we played Star Wars Bingo, Saved Princess Leia and Queen Amidala from the Emperor and Jaba the Hut, and practiced using 'the force'. By the end of the party, each Padawan became a Jedi Knight. They have some serious skills. What a fun party!

Happy Birthday

Today my baby turns 4! Sometimes he seems so much older than 4. F is such a joy to have in our family. He can say the funniest things that make us all laugh...then wonder...'Where does he come up with that?'

Today after swim, we went to Dairy Queen to get him an ice cream cake! We are so excited to eat it. While we waited we ate DQ lunch. Their chicken strips are soo good. After F was done, he got to pick an ice cream treat. He chose a Strawberry dipped Dilly Bar. So good. He let me eat half...because he said he was done.

Tonight we will celebrate as a family. He can't wait to open his presents. Then tomorrow is his 'Friends' party. He is so excited!

We love you, F. Happy Birthday, Fudder Beans!

SWIM

We tried to sign F up for baseball...but he was too young, again. And he has no desire to play soccer...so we signed him up for swim lessons! He was way excited. And I got excited when I realized that it would be during the day and not during after school sports and madness! Hurray. F learned how to float on his back and use his arms and legs to move through the water. He really enjoyed showing me that he could walk to the 'deep' end and look, 'No hands!' What a cutie. Love you, F.

Friday is was a pretty day so I took the kids to the park with friends to play. They had fun kicking the soccer ball around and playing tag. The girls were playing something that looked like house but with tons of sticks! What fun.

I spent most of the day trying to get rid of spyware, malware, and trojans. Luckily my knight is shining armor came to my rescue. Thanks, honey!

And lastly, M and F are feeling so much better. I kept M home from school on Tuesday and ventured out...because I couldn't stand being home one more day. Well I paid for it. We were checking out and M starts walking away from me. I called to her but she kept walking. 'Is she delirious?' I thought. I called again and she spun around with her hand over her mouth and her cheeks puffed out. The cashier said, 'Oh! Just go!' So we ran to the bathroom and she threw up. Poor little girl. I felt terrible. But she's doing much better now.

FOUR

Four simple directions.
1. Go to your computer 'photos' file.
2. Click on the fourth file you see.
3. Choose the fourth picture in that file.
4. Journal about that picture...who, what, where, when, and why.

Here's mine.

We took a trip with Aunt Leah to check out her new school summer of 2005. Utah State College. Go Aggies! I was having fun with my (new) camera and wanted to see what kind of closeups I could produce. This is A. He was 5 and was so cute! And that smile is contagious. He's grown a bit now and sometimes I wish he were still a little boy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day was so relaxing. We started our day with pink HEART pancakes, pink eggs, bacon, and cranberry juice. Everything was so yummy. While we finished up our breakfast, we opened our Valentine's mailbox. So many cards and candy from our family. Thanks, Grandmas and Grandpas for sending us your love. We miss you all and hope you know we love you, too!

Brandon stuck to the rules I made for the day...'If it doesn't fit into the mailbox...you can't buy it. Unless it's flowers.' And I got the most beautiful roses. Thanks, hon. I love you!

Then we were off cleaning the house and getting the kids to their Valentine's Primary Activity. After the activity and the house was clean...it's amazing how much we can get done with no kids in the house...we were all able to relax. Brandon and I even took a nap. Brandon watched some chic flicks that were on TV...in between his ball games, of course. 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' and 'Along Came Polly'. Too funny...he won't watch them normally if I have the DVD on but he'll watch them to pass the time during a ball game. Love you, babe. This was such a nice way to spend Valentine's Day.

Frog and Toad

Miss M woke up this morning with a book from her classroom entitled 'Days With Frog and Toad. 'This book is sooo funny, Mom.' I had to laugh. I then went into my Craft room and found this...

I showed M and told her that there were 5 books in here all about 'Frog and Toad'. She got so excited and asked if she could take it to school and show her teacher. I just love little readers. They're so excited to read anything they can get their little hands on.

Powder

Soft . Fluffy . White . Powder . Floating . Drifting . Gliding along . Weaving in and out . Making s's in the snow...and I am woken by a painfully raspy cough coming from my youngest child. Oh no! Not today! F woke with a burning fever and the most painful sounding cough.

Today marked the last day for boarding at Mt. Rose. The ski resorts reported 'the biggest snow fall of the season' and 'this weekend will be the best skiing so far this season' and...I missed it! Oh well. Paula assured me that we would go up for $29 Ladies Day.

I was so sad to miss it but glad to be home with F. He was so cute. About every 10 min. he would come up to me...holding his hand over his forehead and ask, 'Do I feel better?' Mostly he didn't. But he has been so good. He wanted to play the Wii this morning but I told him that he needed to relax and take a nap first. So after watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars...he got in bed next to me...yes, I was showered and dressed reading a book...and took a nap. Then he was ready to play the Wii. I read Five Monkeys Wash a Car twice and then relented. He stayed in his pajamas all day and told me, 'If you're sick, you have to stay in your jammies.' So cute.

K and A came home early from snowboarding. They said the wind was so strong at times they couldn't see because it was blowing the powder everywhere. K also told me that while boarding, they got caught in some snow that was up to her thighs! Wow. Paula said once you got of the lift you just stood there because the wind was so strong you couldn't move. Emma was blown backwards and couldn't move forward. Poor Emma. It's tough being so little and light. But they had fun and K bought everyone hot chocolates. She's so sweet.

M had fun at her V-day party and got so much candy. And Grandma Sanchez sent V-day packages that the kids were so excited for they HAD to open them today. They couldn't wait any longer. They loved all their candy and goodies that were inside. Thanks, Mom. You're the best! I did put their envelopes in our V-day mailbox. They have to wait to open those tomorrow. I told M that I would make pink scrambled eggs, pink pancakes, and purple butter for breakfast. She wanted something red but I can't bring myself to make anything red...unless it's juice. That would just be gross looking. We'll see what we come up with tomorrow.

Valentine's

I have to thank Jeanni Jones for these Valentine treats. They were so dang cute that I HAD to make them for Valentine parties! I had to make close to 100 but they turned out so cute and were way easy.

This morning was late start so the girls helped me while A got his V-day bag decorated. Why do I always wait till the last minute? We made pink, purple, and chocolate dipped marshmellows for their classmates, visiting teachees, and friends. I love the variety. I even made 2 with heath bar toppings for Brandon and K. I stuck them in our Valentine's Mailbox. Don't ask me to eat them because I think I have had my fill and never want to eat anymore chocolate for a long time. But they are good.

Ice Skating

Last night we went ice skating for one of the last FREE nights. K, M, and F were so good and had so much fun. I had fun but couldn't get the right setting on my camera...thus I am left with a whole lot of blurry pictures. Nighttime, arena lights, fast moving...is there a setting? I know there is...I just can't ever get it. Oh well. We had lots of fun. F and M borrowed some of Jenni's double bladed skates and did really well. Jumping, running...of course all these things were done while holding onto mom or the wall. K had fun but her skates kept rubbing against a bone in her foot. This is only the second time she's gone skating but also the second time this bone has been hurting her. When you look at her foot she has a really low arch and this bone kind of sticks out. But this is the only time we really notice it. I wonder if we should get it checked out...or just stop ice skating. Thanks, Jenni for helping with M. She just adores you!

An Added Ingredient

Okay so this will tell all you bread makers out there just how much I know about making bread! When Brandon and I were first married, he got me a really thick bread recipe book. Half, if not all, the recipes called for gluten. Well, I'd never made gluten before so...away went the book. It became burried in the pile of cookbooks.

For Christmas this past year, I got dough enhancer and Saf-instant yeast. I had a recipe that called for both and I was eager to try it. Who knew that by adding these two special ingredients one could make the perfect bread loaf. I cannot tell you how...bouncy this bread's crust was! I think the technical term is Elasticity. AND it was tasty, too! It tasted homemade...but the durability was like store bought bread. Great for sandwiches! It didn't crumble and was really good toasted.

The recipe called for 10-12 cups of flour and even in my 6 qt. Kitchen Aid it was too much. So next time I will be halving the recipe. I used 3 large bread pans and 1 tiny one. This recipe halved will easily make at least 4 medium loaves. So enough story telling...here's the recipe!

Ann's Best Whole Wheat Bread

5 C. hot tap water

1/4 C. vegetable oil*

2 tbsp. Saf-instant yeast

2 tbsp. gluten or dough enhancer**

1 tbsp. salt

3/4 C. honey
10-12 C. whole wheat flour or 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat

Using a bread mixer: add the water, salt, gluten or dough enhancer, oil, honey, and half the flour. Mix until blended, then add the yeast and the rest of the flour just until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. The dough will be sticky. Be careful not to add too much flour, it will dry out the bread. Cover and let the machine knead for 5 min. Remove dough hook, cover and let rise for 10-15 min. Oil your cutting board and lightly oil your hands. Turn the doiugh out onto the board and divide into loaves. Do not over-work the dough. Let raise once more for 10-15 min. For standard size loaves bake at 350 for 30 min., and small loaves for 22 minutes. Makes five 1lb. loaves.

*Add more if using hard red wheat.

**The gluten or dough enhancer contributes in the bread making process by aiding the development of gluten in the dough which is vital to the elasticity and smooth texture; especially when using older wheat or varieties with less moisture.

Happy Birthday

Today is K's 11th birthday. Last night she had a 'Girls Night Out' with 10 of her girlfriends. They played the candybar game...thank you, Kathryn...made homemade pizzas, decorated cupcakes, and made bracelets. Those girls were so fun to have. They laughed, joked, squealed, and ate a ton! Okay not a ton...but enough. K had so much fun.


She got over $100 including gift cards and is so excited to spend her money. The question is 'WHAT' will she buy. She got a cute pink and red fleece-like blanket and heart pillow, clothes, boots, HSM3 soundtrack, makeup carrier (no, she does not wear makeup), candy, gel candle kit, Cuttlebug die cuts, air spray marker set, pina colada lotion, and chapstick. She was able to eat caramel and chewy candy for the first time in a long while because she got her braces off. But on Tuesday she'll be back to her rules with her retainer.

For dinner she requested meatloaf, mashed potatoes, rolls, and salad. And for dessert...K wanted a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake. Everything was so tasty and we all thanked K for having her birthday so we could enjoy a yummy dinner.

We love you, K. Our family wouldn't be complete without you. Happy Birthday!

Here Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Kennidy was so excited for today. She got her braces off! The orthodontist asked her what color she'd like her retainer to be...and of course if purple is an option she's taking it. We'll get it fitted on Tuesday. Your teeth look beautiful, K!

Snowboarding

So I finally emailed myself a picture of the kids at Mt. Rose. I am scared to take my camera and leave it in the lodge...no lockers. So I have to use my cell phone, then email my pictures.

The kid's snowboarding class started on 'Ponderosa'. They boarded down one part, practicing what turning technique, when A turned to me and said, 'I have to go to the bathroom.' I looked around and thought...'Okay, he could go in the trees or we could try and make it down the mountain.' So I asked him if he could make it down the mountain to use the restrooms. He said, 'Sure.' We're nearly there when he said, 'Mom, I have to go NOW!' Understanding the word 'NOW'...having a weak bladder myself, a whole other story...I tell him, 'Go in those trees!' He went in and couldn't find a hiding place. We argued...there was no one around so it wouldn't matter if he was hidden or not...and I say, 'Just go!' By the time he was finished, his class had caught up with us. One of the other mom's, Jennifer, askes, with a confused look on her face...'Did he make it?' To which I replied, 'Not down the mountain.' She says, 'I love boys. They are so easy!'

So after our lessons and lunch, we hit the slopes again. By this time it's snowing a bit harder. The kids are having fun with the powder but it's a lot different to snowboard in. Falling is a huge part of our day. Our friends talk us into going up to 'Around the World'. So we head up the long lift to the top of the mountain. We get to the top and down the first steep part and guess who has to go to the bathroom again? Okay it's snowing and there are people all around us. I tell A to just go in the trees and to make it quick. I was getting cold. Seriously 15 min. later, he's finally ready to go. I thought I was going to freeze! He couldn't find a place...then he had to put his gloves back on...then he had to strap himself in...oh my gosh! I was trying so hard to be patient, all the while saying, 'Please hurry, A. I am really cold and it's snowing harder up here.' We get going and he can't turn...almost runs into a tree...isn't moving because there were flat parts and he didn't have enough speed to begin with. 'Oh, it's gonna be a long way down', I think. Then we get to one of the last really steep parts. Crazy steep. I felt like I was looking off a cliff steep.

So we're standing there debating whether to take this steep part or a more windy part that leads us back to this slope. While I was waiting for A to decide...we saw a little boy and his dad start down the steep part. He was 3 and his dad was holding onto him with 'reins'. They get to just about the end when the little boy skis into his dad, knocking them both over, and knocking one ski off his dad's boot. The dad got the boy up but before he could grab the 'reins', the little boy starts skiing down the hill. The father yells frantically, 'STOP, JEREMY, STOP! STOP, STOP, JEREMY!' The little boy keeps going...not fully aware that his dad isn't directly behind him. 'STOP, JEREMY, STOP!' pleads the dad. Finally, what seemed to be more than a few seconds...the little boy falls backwards and slides down the hill. His father has gotten his ski on and is by his son's side in a matter of seconds. As we stood at the top of the hill motionless...I could hear that sweet father ask if his son was okay. He was so tender with him. He said, 'Did I scare you?' 'Yes,' wimpered the boy. 'I'm so sorry. I couldn't grab the reins fast enough and off you went all on your own. I was scared and didn't know what else to do but to yell, STOP.'

Finally, A and I got to where they were sitting and I if they were okay. I asked the little boy how old he was. When he told me he was 3...I told him that I had a son who was 3. I also told him that he was an excellent skier and that he stopped really well. I asked the dad if he was okay too. I don't think I have ever heard panic for the safety of a child in a father's voice like I did in his. I was so glad that they were okay.

I don't have any cool or insightful analogy for this experience...I am sure if I thought about it I could totally come up with something that relates to our Heavenly Father. And one day I will...I just thought how tender that sweet father was to his son. I could totally tell that he truly loved him. There are good people all around us. People who love their families and want them to be happy.

We made it down the hill...eventually...but that father's love stuck with me and helped me to be more patient with A. Because I love him...it shouldn't matter how long it takes us to get down the hill...what matters is that we make it together. I love you, A. I may get super frustrated with you at times...but that will NEVER change how much I love you.

Just here.

Somedays I get online and think...I should post something. But what? I don't have any pictures to show or stories to tell. We're...Just Here. Living as everyday. I do laundry, pick up after kids, cook meals, practice the piano, email, read blogs, get dressed, take showers, eat, run errands...live.

Friday was another fun day of snowboarding. We actually made it up the lifts this time. I ran into A once then decided to keep an empty lift between his and Brady's chair and mine. One boy in our group broke his collar bone and 3 girls sprained their wrists. Including a girl K was boarding with. I was so glad when I saw her on a snowmobile in perfect condition. She jumped off and said, 'Jessie hurt her wrist.' I was so glad is wasn't K. I do wish it would snow! It's all ice up there and it's not fun when you fall.

Saturday Brandon took the two little ones to the park to play. He coached the YM basketball team...only 2 boys showed up so they scrimmaged. He likes it a lot better that way. K had a friend come over to play and I cleaned house and folded laundry.

Sunday started off with early morning mtgs. I went into YW for the 3rd hour. I am in charge of 'Transitioning YW into RS'...and if any of you YW leaders have any good ideas of what works in your ward, I could really use some. There were only 2 YW this week and a brand new presidency. I felt out of place. It will get better with time.

Monday Brandon went golfing with Wayne at noon and the kids and I just hung around the house all day. We got a bid for our fence that fell down right before Christmas from our wind storm. For FHE we took the kids into Carson to Borders so they could use their gift cards they got from Christmas (thanks for the idea, Lisa). A got an Indiana Jones book, M got a book about night animals, and F got a Star Wars book. They had a hard time finding books for only $6.00. I might have to increase the amount next year. But they enjoyed picking out their own books. Then we used our Papa Murphy's gift certificates for dinner (thanks to Melissa, Roman, Tatiana, and Asher). We got 2 large pepperoni pizzas, cheese bread, and cookie dough. Yummy! So activity and dinner were FREE! Oh what fun.

Tuesday I learned how to imput VT stats into the computer at church. Thanks, Shana. Bought ink for my printer...why are they always so expensive? Shopped for K's birthday coming up and passed up some great sales on shirts at Old Navy. Brandon would be so proud of me. I walked around the store with 4 in my hand...then after finding nothing but jeans for K...I put my shirts back on the rack. Kind of depressing.

And today...preschool for F and I went off to volunteer at the elementary school. The copy machine was Out of Order and so there was very little I could do. Finally I just left and played Mrs. Pacman on my phone while I waited for preschool to end. I cleaned my room, made my bed, picked up around the house, and made dinner. I practiced piano and watch a DVD that K made for Brandon and me for Christmas. She's so creative. Loved the DVD. Thanks, K. I have a RS mtg tonight, cub scouts for A, and then it's back home for bed. Unless Knight Rider is on.

So nothing fun or exciting to report. We're just here.

Having faith...

Last Tuesday night I got an email from my Visiting Teacher. They just found out that their 14yr. old daughter, Devree, has a brain tumor. The following Thursday, they headed out to Palo Alto to a Children's Hospital for surgery on Monday. Our amazing ward had a week and a halves worth of meals, transportation, and babysitting set up for their remaining children, 3 boys, in less than 24 hours.

Monday morning came...

Todd blogs...

It has taken awhile to get started with the surgery. We are in the waiting room for surgery, and there is a 60 inch screen on the wall with surgery numbers on it. Our number has been showing that Devree is prepared for surgery...

There are actually to anesthesiologists assigned to Devree’s team. She told us that Devree was cute as she fell asleep. She told them that she couldn’t feel the anesthesia at all, and then her eyes closed.Everything is going well. The report is that they didn’t scrub down and get ready for surgery until 10:30 AM. Dr. Edwards has another brilliant doctor from Switzerland working with him today. This other doctor works with Dr. Edwards occasionally on difficult cases. ... it is wonderful to have 2 brilliant doctors working on our precious Devree. We don’t expect to have any further information until after 2:00 PM our time...

This is a waiting nightmare! We got up at 4:30 so we could be here at 6 am. They didn't even call her till almost 8 am and then they decided to have her do another MRI...

Okay it is almost 2:30 and the nurse finally came in and said that Devree did fine (meaning anethesia is okay for Devree) and the procedure is done and now it will be 1 1/2 hours for the doctor to close and then he will come and talk to us. A few MAJOR questions we will ask. First "Were you able to get all of the tumor?" Second "Is the tumor cancerous?" The nurse said that a frozen peice of the tumor was taken and tested. This is just a preliminary test. The results conclusively will not be for 5 DAYS!!!...

In this hospital they don’t use the words, “Bad News”. They say, “Good News and Other News”. Well, we have “Good News”, and we have “Other News”.The surgery was successful. They were able to remove the tumor. However, the “Other News” is that there were pieces of the tumor that were connected to critical nerves that Devree needs. They also found another nodule, that was far enough away from the hole that they were operating through, that they could not remove it.

The tumor was cancerous and malignant, but we don’t know what kind of cancer it is at this time. We should know what kind of cancer it is within 48 hours. A board of Oncologists will meet on Friday to talk about Devree’s cancer. They will develop a treatment plan at that time.We know that you all care deeply about us, but we are taking a little time to digest this news...

Love, Todd

Everyone,Thank you so much for your support and prayers. We are grateful for the love and support in your words.

Love,The Hamblin's

I can't tell you of all the miracles I have witnessed in the past 5 days since this has happened. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives. I know that He is aware of all of us and the trials we face. He is mindful and merciful. I know that He has the ability to heal Devree. And I have faith that no matter what the out come...that He has a plan for all of us.

I would ask for your prayers in her behalf...prayers of peace and comfort for this sweet, righteous family. They love the Lord and have testimonies built upon a firm foundation. They know the Lord loves them and is mindful of them at this time.

'Be still...and know that I am God' is the scripture that continues to run through my mind.

Snowboarding 101

Every Friday, for the next 6 weeks, K, A, and I will be snowboarding! I am so excited. And after today...so are K and A!

We woke up at 6am...got lunches ready, got dressed, and headed out to catch our bus at 7am. It was dark and cold...and I am not a morning person so once we got on the bus I tried to sleep. This of course didn't happen because who can sleep with a bus full of 4-8 graders? Once everyone was situated we headed up to Mt. Rose.

Once there we had the kids check in and get their lift tickets and rentals. All went smoothly. Then it was time to hit the slopes! Well sort of. All the kids take a 2 hours lesson, break for lunch, then ski for 3-4 hours till their hearts content. So...I went to class with A and K. Our instuctor is from Chile and so with his broken english it was a little hard to understand him. It was more noisy than I expected so that didn't help. A was frustrated with his uncontrollable board and the fact that his leg was hurting. Come to find out that his board was missing a screw...and he was leading with the wrong leg. So I took him back up the rental shop and had them fix it. We came back and he was better. I could tell he was still a little frusterated but I told him to just relax and that this would just take practice. K, on the other hand, was having a great time. She was awesome on the turning drills! By the end, both were having a good time.

Then it was time for lunch.

After lunch, we hit the Flying Jenny. You get on a belt, an escalator without steps, and it takes you to the top of a small run. Very small. Which was what I liked about it. The kids were excited about this. A wasn't sure about the lift at first and he struggled to get on the first time but it only took once for him to figure it out and then had no more problems. When we got to the top...A and K locked their feet in and down we went....with lots of falls. K was so frustrated she began to cry. A took it in stride. He was more frustrated in figuring how to get back up once he'd fallen. By the time we got to the bottom K said she didn't want to snowboard anymore and we just sat at the bottom of the hill while A went up again.

After explaining to her about sticking with it and practice...and lots of deep breathes...she was ready to try again. This time only falling twice. By the 3rd and 4th times down, both A and K were snowboarding straight down the hill! And they had huge SMILES on their faces! I was so happy that they were enjoying themselves. And by the end of the day...they were ready to head home but excited to come back next week!

I wiped out only once. Hard. Mt. Rose hasn't had snow since Christmas so there was a lot of ice. Falling was simply NOT an option. I got to work on my turns and stops and I really enjoyed staying on this little hill all day. We can't wait for next Friday!

I'll have pictures next time.

Gingerbread houses in January

Since A's school class didn't get to have their Christmas party...due to power outage at the school...they did some of their festivities the first day back, after Christmas break. I thought these little gingerbread houses were super cute. He did a great job and everyone was willing to help him eat it. Good job, A!

A New Nephew

We all love this little baby soo much. He is so precious. I wish we lived closer. But Joe has told us that when they move to New Zealand...we can come and visit. Give him lots of kisses for us, Kat and Joe! Love you guys!

Pimp My Ride

Oh how I love this girl. She asked Santa for a Skateboard this year and let me tell you...picking out a girlie one was no easy task. I heard some belly aching from Santa. He finally settled for one and K and I had fun 'Pimping' it. I used vinly for her name, the skull, and flower. She used her new Cuttlekids and did the high heel shoe. Now she's all set to ride.

(Her Gifted and Talented teacher was a World Skater. Professional. Thus the interest in skateboarding.)

Christmas Vacation

We love Christmas time. We love decorating the house, cutting down the tree, drinking hot chocolate, eating goodies, wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music...the list goes on and on.

We spent Christmas in Utah amongst family and friends. We planned on leaving Friday the 19th. We had 100mph winds the night before and at 6:30 am we get a call from the elementary school saying that 'School has been canceled because there is no power in the building.' The kids were so sad. No school Christmas Parties. I was sad for them. Brandon and I took the car into Big O before our trip and came home to pack. After lunch and packing everything we could think of...we were off. 10 hours later we were in snowy Utah.

Saturday was spent getting my hair done, shopping, attending the Salt Lake Temple, and dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. And after waiting for an hour and a half...we were seated and eating yummy salad and sour dough bread.

Sunday was Lyn's 60th birthday. We went to sacrament and enjoyed Christmas music by Rachel and Lyn's choir, took family pictures at the city building, and came home to a party that evening.

Monday was more shopping and dinner with Che and Jessica. You girls crack me up and it was soooo good to see you both. I love you.

Tuesday was snowboarding! Oh I had so much fun. I managed to pull a muscle but it was worth it. I can't wait to go again next Friday!

Wednesday was Christmas Eve Cookies with Grandma Creswell.

Christmas Eve Family Program complete with the Nativity acted out by the kids.

Kathryn's majoring in Recreational Management and taught us some really fun games. 'Picky, Fisty, Flatty, Cutty, Claws' was a favorite for everyone. We also learned 'The Name Game' (aka the Blanket Game) where you have 2 chair facing eachother and a blanket hanging in front of them. With each team behind their chair...you pick who is going to sit in the chair. Without the other team seeing who it is the blanket drops and each team names the person sitting in the chair. Talk about delayed reaction! SO fun. We also played a game where each player takes a piece of Tape about 4 inches long and forming a circle with the sticky side out placing it on their nose. Then they pick a partner and put their heads together, literally, and see who walks away with the other persons tape. You continue until only one person is left with EVERYONES tape. Hilarious game! Next was a Sock game. Everyone sits in a circle and when the leader says 'Go' everyone tries to take off eachothers socks. The object of the game is to keep your socks on. Wrestling is involved. And the last...which is by far the most frustrating and entertaining...was a game involving a chef's hat, apron, oven mitts, 2 butter knives, a set of dice, and a candy bar. The object of the game is to roll the dice and get a double. Where upon you quickly get dressed in the hat, apron, mitts, and knives in hand, and cut the candy bar (with the wrapper still on it) into bite size pieces and eat them. The frustration comes by other players rolling doubles after you've gotten just the hat on...or hat, apron, and mitts on. Everyone's in a circle and rolling the dice as quickly as they can so they can eat the candy bar. So funny to watch!

Thursday was Christmas! The kids woke early, Grandpa Creswell took his traditional Christmas morning shower, the men moved Grandma Creswell's grand piano, and Brandon handed out presents one at a time. Some of us were hopeful that the opening of presents wouldn't last too long because of the number under the tree...but by Christmas Eve there was no such hope. The tree was bombarded with presents. The kids got tons of presents but my favorite were the homemade ones. They were really special. Brandon made K pajama bottoms. I made A a Lego Star Wars Wall Art. K made M and baby blanket, F a water bottle action figure, and A a Volcano fact book. A made Brandon a t-shirt that says 'My Favorite Dad'. M painted me some Christmas Ornaments. And F made M a beautiful bracelet. Brandon got me a new ring! I love it. And I got him a Blue Ray DVD Player. Santa got the kids a Wii with an Indiana Jones Lego game and Mario Cart.

One of the fun things about his Christmas was having a baby in the family. Joseph and Kathryn had baby Shad in November and he was so much fun to play with and hold. M couldn't get enough of him. She was seriously holding him 10 hours a day. She loves him so much. Joseph and Kathryn were really tired one day and so we took Shad so they could sleep. We remember not sleeping with a new baby in the house. We had so much fun with him.

Friday was shopping and out to Emilie's work to hang out. The treats we pigged out on last year...were not FREE this year. We had to pay for them. Good thing we ate lunch before we came. Kathryn taught us a fun game on the pool table and I felt pretty good about myself as I beat her in Ping Pong. This isn't saying much because neither of us are very good. But I still had fun. Leah, Brandon, and I tried to hit a movie late Friday night but no one was home to watch the kids. Guess we'll have to head home Sunday. So we planned to go to the movies Saturday night. We got to the Gateway and they only had one seat left. Bummer. Guess we'll have to head home Monday afternoon.

Saturday was...can't remember...lunch at Panda Express with Tatianna and Asher then bowling with Rachel's brother's family. Fun time. The kids beat all the adults except Aunt Arlene. Next time I'm using the bumpers!

Sunday was church. I saw Sally Alley and chatted for a bit. Leah sang a beautiful 'O Divine Redeemer' that brought me to tears. Movies, treats, and a yummy dinner by Emilie. Complete with her homemade rolls. Thanks, Em!

Monday Leah and I went early to play racquette ball. So fun. I love you, Leah. Thanks for making me workout! And then it was time for a quick shower and head home. We were going to stay for the movie but Brandon and I hate to drive in the dark. It was about 6:30 by the time we got home. We ate dinner, opened presents, and went to bed.

This was a really great holiday. We got so many letters and pictures from friends and family in the mail...one of our favorite things during the season... Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez for all the wonderful gifts you sent us. We are so blessed to have you as part of our family. And thanks to Lyn and Rachel for letting us come for Christmas. We had so much fun with everyone.

The Gift Box

This story is from the New Era Magazine, December 2008. Check it out. Looking for a new way to keep Christ in Christmas? This story does it. We will be adopting this tradition in our house. I loved it and had a good cry. So touching and simple.

Christmas Craft

I have to boast. There are 2 projects that I completed for my kids this year that I am especially proud of and I have to share them. Both my boys are into Star Wars/ Indiana Jones Legos and I wanted to make them something that would be special...and fun.

For F...I made this Indiana Jones I Spy Bag. I love it! I loved it sooo much that I made 2 more for my nephews. I really had a lot of fun making these bags and I really like that I had a theme. That made it both harder and easier to put it together. Thanks to all those cool moms who made these before me and shared their ideas and how-tos on the internet.

For A...I am especially proud. He can't really play with his but this is what I came up with. Star Wars Lego Art for his bedroom. I used my Silhouette for the vinyl lettering 'May the Force be with you' and the lego people are cut out from cardstock. I had so much fun making the headdress for Queen Amidala. I am so happy with how it turned out. And I already know that A will love it...because he found it already. I was hiding it in the corner of our bedroom between the wall and our dresser. It was covered up with the curtain. I don't know how he found it but F said A showed it to him one day. That little stinker. Oh well. He doesn't know it's for him...but really who else could it be for? I'm still proud of it. And am glad A thought it was cool.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

F: Mom, do you know Santa's phone number?

M: Why do you needs Santa's phone number?

F: To tell him to bring me that Star Wars toy I want. Do you have his phone number?

M: Sorry, F. I don't know his phone number.

F: Darn it!

Christmas Programs

A and M had their Christmas Concerts last Thursday. They sang so beautifully. A was peeking over at us to make sure we were watching and did a really good job. And M was so excited and 'nervous', she says, about singing. I got really excited when she told me she was singing 'I Saw Three Ship'...I don't even know if that's the correct title...but...while I was doing her hair she started singing it for me. Super cute.

All this week we have been getting ready for our RS Christmas Program today. We put the finishing touches on the gifts we gave the women in the ward...CD's with inspirational music...and our program brought the spirit and tears of joy for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Music always have a way of doing that. I love to be around women in the gospel...they have such a strong spirit about them. It was wonderful.

Now that these programs are done...I can focus on more projects to complete and stocking stuffers. I fail every year with the stockings. If anyone has any great ideas...please let me know.

December

December brings...lots of projects to start and finish. That is what I have been doing this week. I have so many and still don't have our Christmas letters done. Everything always works out in the end but it's the chaos that surrounds me now. Gifts, projects, decorations, christmas concerts, work parties, church parties, mtgs., emails, blogs...and that's on top of our daily routines. Oooh! Does anyone else feel overwhelmed?

Don't get me wrong, I love December...I just wish I would have done all my projects earlier in the year. I'll make that my goal for next years holiday season. Get all Christmas done by December 1st. Then I can just worry about stockings. Oh that sounds nice.