White Christmas

Plenty of snow in Utah this year - at least for us out of towners.

We drove up to Erik's parents' house on Christmas Eve day -

we were blessed to have the kids sleep most of the way.

The kids (and Erik) did a little Christmas Eve

decorating of gingerbread cookies.

Since Grandpa made it a contest, there was a lot of

concentrated effort going on.

Rebekah even mastered her Dad's signature Swedish flag design.

James was quite generous with all of the frosting that Farmor made.

(See cookies below).

Christmas morning came bright and early (3 a.m. to be exact)

with all the kids awake and giggling (except for Christine the teenager,

who stayed fast asleep). We shooed the kids out of our room,

so they retreated to the boys' room for an hour's worth of giggling

and game playing (they couldn't go upstairs because Aunt Serianna

was on the couch, guarding the Christmas tree).

Somehow they managed to fall back asleep,

and didn't wake back up until it was nearly 9 a.m.

Santa somehow found us, and the kids seem thrilled with what they got.

It always cracks me up to see what the younger kids are thrilled with;

James for instance, is proudly showing off his instructions.

We actually celebrated Christmas a little early,

so that we didn't have to lug everything up to Utah.

We spent some time with Grandma Sandy, Danielle & Lauren

before heading over to my parents' house for a pre-Christmas dinner.

The kids were all excited to go to Utah for Christmas,

but weren't too keen on missing Grandma's Christmas Day dinner.

Thanks Mom, for humoring us, and having us over before we left.

The kids were pretty excited about opening some of their Christmas presents early.

Lots of smiles and bright red punch mustaches.

It was 2 Merry Christmases indeed.

Following the Star to Bethlehem

Our stake put on a wonderful event called "Remembering Christ at Christmas." They had a live nativity, musical performances, a room full nativities - all kinds, crafts for the kids, and scones and hot chocolate.

James and Joseph made some great "wise guys."

Christine, may or may not be taller than me, but just so you know, she was wearing some massive heals that night, while Rebekah and I sported flats.

And since Erik's rarely home on Sundays, we took the opportunity to get a picture of him and the boys in their suits.

Run, Run Reindeer

Today was our annual Reindeer Run at school.

As all of the kids have had colds this week,

running fast and strong today wasn't quite going to happen.

After watching Rebekah and the other 7th graders race,

Jalen Andrew decided to get into the action as well,

and proceeded to run, and run, and run.

I swear he did about 5 laps before I finally had to drag him

off the field so that the 6th graders could run.

Joseph came in with the front pack of 4th grade runners,

but his talent is in sprinting, not so much long distance running -

his poor asthmatic lungs just can't take that long distance business.

Maybe James is a better sprinter too, because he started out

in the top 5, held it there for awhile, and then crossed the finish line as the caboose.

All the first graders received a little medal,

which he proudly showed me, announcing that he made 6th place.

(Wink. Smile. Okay.)

I noticed today, as he stood next to all the other 1st graders,

just how much shorter he really is; the top of his head came to the shoulders

of the shortest person in the group.

We'll keep feeding him and watering him though, and see what happens!

After each race we watched, Jalen Andrew would take to the field

and start running again. He ran and ran and ran.

For the younger grades, Coach Latting commentated for the runners,

to help keep their morale up. After 1st grade ran,

Jalen Andrew again took to the field, this time he started at the start line,

and completed the same course (about a 1/4 mile) that the bigger kids had just run.

We didn't tape the whole run, but if you listen you can hear Coach Latting

commentating for Jalen Andrew, and then watch at the end

as he blows past those who are trying to put a "medal" around his neck.

He didn't do it for the glory - he did it simply for the "run" of it.

And after it was all said and done, he finally tuckered out.

Good job running everyone! And way to be good sports!

Acting Up

Today, Joseph impersonated the ghostly man of

Jacob Marley in his class' play of A Christmas Carol.

He did a great job (and even put a little attitude in his voice)

that's what I would tell him to do as we practiced,

instead of using his normally sweet voice.

He made a great ghost,

and did a good job memorizing his lines.

*****

This week, Christine auditioned for the spring musical at school,

and earned herself a spot with the ensemble -

she'll be both singing and dancing.

The musical will be Once Upon a Mattress.

Santa Lucia

(James' coloring page)

We were asked to host the annual Santa Lucia gathering this year,

and in so doing, I have a greater appreciation for those who host

it year after year.

We learned a little in the process,

and had a good time.

One of my favorite parts

was coloring Swedish pictures with the kids,

and helping them make Swedish heart decorations.

We missed having Christine with us,

as she had a color guard competition.

The rest of the kids were good sports,

and donned their Santa Lucia attire,

yet another year.

What a great bunch of Swedes!

It was nap time (or past it) for Jalen Andrew,

so he wasn't too humored by the whole parade.

Thank goodness for big sisters!

Rebekah, your help was appreciated more than you know.

Star Boys - Look at them shine!

*****

Christine joined us after our Santa Lucia fest,

and accompanied us to our ward Christmas party.

She's beaming, not because of the gingerbread house,

but because she and the rest of the girls on color guard

will be performing in the Fiesta Bowl Parade!

They won the competition today!!!

Joseph and a bunch of other boys worked hard on their gingerbread house.

Look at all those army guys, especially the ones

falling into the hollowed out cookie tower.

If you look really closely, you'll see army guys bleeding frosting.

Jalen Andrew was petrified of Santa Claus.

The Bishop stepped in to help,

so that I could finally get a picture of Jalen Andrew

and the big jolly man.

(Sorry I caught you with a funny look, honey,

but I had to snap the picture quick before

Jalen Andrew began wailing).

James was jolly on the spot,

followed Santa to his seat,

and became the first to sit on his lap.

*****

After a very full Saturday

(see the above details)

and some emotional exhaustion

(don't worry, I won't explain that one)

I just lacked the energy Saturday night to make the saffron buns,

and besides, the gingerbread cookies weren't decorated either.

We figured Erik had bishopric meetings in the morning anyway,

so we skipped our early morning Santa Lucia tradition.

I felt guilty the rest of the day.

So Sunday afternoon we made saffron buns, and decorated

the very few gingerbread cookies we had.

Then we dressed up, and bearing Swedish meatballs, saffron buns,

gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, we headed to the church,

to interrupt tithing settlement,

and give Erik a little something to eat.

So this year we did things a little different,

but it was still fun.

Wanted: Holiday Happiness

I just saw an ad a moment ago claiming, "Holiday Happiness Guaranteed."

The thought struck me as funny, as the ad was promoting it's store

as having the "perfect" gifts for whoever is on our list.

Frankly, I've had it with stores and shopping, and finding gifts.

I doubt that the store that was promoting "guaranteed happiness"

could actually deliver what is on my Christmas list.

My list you ask?

1) A night when everyone in the house is in bed

(and stays put) by 9:30 p.m.

2) A night when everyone in the family is home for dinner

AND can sit down and enjoy dinner

AND is still home after dinner and can help clean up the kitchen.

3) A night when we can, as a family, sing together,

read scriptures together,

and finish reading Christmas Jars together,

snuggled up close, the Christmas

lights twinkling around us.

4) A day with just a normal load of laundry

(you know - just darks, or just whites,

with no extra sheets/blankets and

without the entire wardrobe of one particular person).

5) A morning when everyone wakes up the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time

I wake them up,

so that we actually have time to make

and eat a nice breakfast instead of just cold cereal.

That being said . . .

I really don't have any room to complain.

Though Erik isn't around too much right now

(Tithing Settlement among other things)

he is HERE, and I do SEE him.

And my kids spend most of their day with these great teachers,

who not only spend their day with my kids and a whole host of other kids,

but then also go home to their own kids, and the laundry,

and the cleaning up of dinner, and the shopping.

Yes, I do recognize how lucky I am right now.

And yet still . . .

I haven't quit looking

for a little Holiday Happiness.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Readin' and Singin'

James, on his own, has made a habit of reading his scriptures each night before going to bed. Always he reads in his closet, and always he reads just before bed. During family scriptures he loves to take his turn reading. He doesn't especially like reading books for enjoyment, and often causes a fuss about having to read his little homework books. When it comes time to read The Book of Mormon as a family, however, he is more than ready. He is good at it too, and reads some really big words without any help from us.

**********

In 2008 we gave the kids the challenge to read The Book of Mormon on their own. Joseph, who was 8 at the time, did a lot of reading, but mostly listened to the scriptures being read on tape as he went to sleep each night. We were so proud of the effort he put in, even if he did sleep through most of the reading. Christine read too, and finished her reading at Girl's Camp. Rebekah dutifully plodded along, but kind of lost her motivation after the other two had finished. At the beginning of this year, we challenged her again to pick up where she had left off, and finish the book. After a lot of effort, she finished her goal today. We took the other kids out to eat at the restaurant of their choice for finishing, so we're looking forward to seeing where Rebekah will choose to go. We're proud of you Rebekah for your commitment and your tenacity! I know that it hasn't been an easy for thing for you, but we're so proud of you for persevering and finishing!

Rebekah's winter band concert was the other night. She looked and sounded beautiful, as always. James fell asleep during the concert, which allowed the rest of us to sit and enjoy it. Jalen Andrew, true to form, entertained all the parents behind us, as he enthusiastically led the music. He was frustrated by the 5th grade beginning band, because their songs were so short. He would just get started leading, when the music would end, and the clapping would begin; he would wrinkle his brow, not sure of what was going on, and would patiently wait for the next song to begin.

********

And as for singing . . . we all know how much Jalen Andrew loves to sing. He sings and directs the music at church, at football games, at band concerts, and during our family devotionals and family home evenings. He's good at it too, and is trying to match his voice to mine as he sings. Well, he did a new one the other day. He took my "to do list" and sang it -over and over and over again - at the top of his lungs. It was way too funny, and we couldn't stop laughing!