Signs of Christmas

Working Together to Get the Job Done

Our dishwasher is on the verge of giving out. Though my first reaction to run out and buy a new dishwasher I decided to sit back and embrace the art of washing dishes by hand. We have noticed that not having a dishwasher does have its perks, washing dishes is a good way to have the kids work together and helping out around the house. And from the pictures we can see that though Madeline and Spencer seem to like pushing each others buttons, they really can work together and they can do so happily. Maybe the family that does dishes together stays together. I don't know, but when the finances allow I will be the first one in line getting a dishwasher. Modern conveniences does have its place. I just might not tell the kids that the dishwasher works.

Always Be Prepared

A scout is always prepared for anything.

Christmas Advent

On December 1 we start our families Christmas countdown. The kids were all giddy with excitement when I brought out the advent box. This was also the first year that Spencer got into the whole advent activity and understood what the box means. Of course Christmas is just around the corner and I haven't posted about our activities, life around here has been busy and I find myself living in my car or at the school with Madeline. It has been a juggling act to do our activities every night with getting the kids fed and ready for bed for school, but we have made it work and I am glad. There has been such a feeling of excitement in our family and it isn't the greedy kind of joy of what am I getting. Instead, it is the pure excitement that this season brings. I have enjoyed all the family time too; spending time with the kids enjoying things that they enjoy always brings us closer as a family. There are times that doing an activity every night is hard, but the magic that fills are home is worth all the time and effort it takes. I love how our focus isn't on the material aspect Christmas brings out, but our focus instead is on the true meaning of Christmas- family, love, time, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Having this focus is the greatest gift I as a parent could give my children. Who knew so much magic could be held in a little advent box.

So far this year we have done:

1. Lego Christmas trees

2. Smores in the fireplace

3. Decorate the Christmas Tree

4. First Presidency Christmas Devotional with Pumpkin Pie

5. Christmas Stories and Hot Chocolate

6. Play around of Monopoly

7. Watch Charlie Brown Christmas with Christmas Cookies

8. Sleep Under the Christmas Tree

9. Decorate the outside of the house with lights

10. Homemade Christmas ornament with paper mache

11. Eating dinner at I-hop

12. Foam ornaments

13. Popsicle tree ornaments

14. Popsicle snowflake ornaments

All of these activities have been fun and has shown me that it is the simple things in life that bring us joy and bond us together as a family.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving this year we went to Oklahoma and spent it with Grant's cousin Darrell and his family. We left Thanksgiving morning had a picnic just just inside the border of Oklahoma and made it to Darrell's house around 2:00 that afternoon. Thanksgiving dinner wasn't planned until 5:00 that evening so Grant and Darrell went to Darrell's rental house and fixed somethings up before he sold it. The kids all played together picking up right where they left off, and Staci and I chatted for a bit. As time got closer for the big meal Kylie(?) became fussy and so I was blessed with holding her and giving her lots of attention and that was a lot of fun. Our Turkey dinner was simple and perfect. They had invited another family over to enjoy the big day. After dinner and before pie all the adults played a few round of games. Pie was equally as delicious as the dinner and after everything was all said and done the boys (Grant, Darrell, Anthony, and Joseph) open up Epic Duals (a star wars game) and began an intense battle. On Friday we did a little bit and I mean little Black Friday shopping after all the intense shoppers were taking their naps and then Grant along with Anthony and Joseph helped Darrell some more on the house while we hung out and played. After dinner that night Staci and I went out for girls night at the yogurt shop. Saturday it started out with cold rain but there was still plenty of work to be done on the house. While they were working on the house the kids played and during quiet time Staci and I looked at houses in New Jersey - that is where they are moving to this summer. :( The kids were getting kind of stir crazy so when the Daddy's came home from working they took all the kids to the lake to walk around and throw rocks in the water. I held and played some more with Kylie while Staci finished a scripture bag for Jessica. That evening Staci and Darrell surprised Grant and I with a date. So Grant and I went out for dinner and after dinner I needed a new pair of shoes so we went and did that as well. When we got back it was Darrell and Staci's turn for their date. After sacrament meeting on Sunday we headed back home to Texas. It was a nice trip and I loved how simple yet fun the holiday was.