Merry, Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I know we did. The kids were especially good this season. Typically, they get all wired and I have to threaten that Santa's elves are watching. Not so much this year. It kind of flew by. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that they got hyper.

We enjoyed watching Joy to the World after dinner. It brought me back to the year Hailey was born. Although at times, it is hard having a December birthday in our home, I was reminded of how special it was to be pregnant that season. It may sound corny, but I felt a connection to Mary. It was all so real to me. Even though circumstances were vastly different, I felt like I knew what she went through. And as the world celebrated the birth of our savior, we also celebrated the birth of our own child. How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation. That through the birth and atonement of Heavenly Father's son, I can be with my family forever.

The kids were so excited for the gift exchange that night. We draw names and get to make a gift for that person, and they were all anxious to deliver their handmade treasures. Randy made Nathan two new pirate shirts so he could have a rotting supply, and I made Hannah a little fleece jacket and scarf. It kind of fits. Casey made Emma a cuddly soft blanket, and Hailey made Randy a key/wallet/phone. glasses holder. Tyler made Hailey a super fluffy blanket and Hannah made Tyler some fun erasers. Nathan made Casey a pirate ship (he was sure Casey wanted one!) and Emma made me a necklace and bracelet with a locket. In addition to those gifts, some of the kids found things they no longer need that one of their brothers or sisters would like. And you gotta love the coupons good for various acts of service. i can't wait to redeem my 'free load of laundry' coupon. This went on for quite some time. How nice it was to see the kids so excited about the GIVING part of Christmas.

Then all the kids went to sleep willingly. It truly was a Christmas miracle. Randy and I stayed up to wrap presents while we listened to the new CD he got me: "Barenaked for the Holidays".

The kids didn't really wake up until 7:30. And even that was with the older kids waking up the younger ones. And Emma wasn't felling well, so I had to rock her for a while before she fully woke up. Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Cyndi came over like usual to see what Santa brought the kids. For the most part, Santa came through. There were a couple things he didn't bring, but I think he must have had a hard time finding or making some of the more challenging requests. Tyler wanted 17 Eye Spy books, but only got 1 special Christmas one. He doesn't understand that Santa elves have to shop around for certain things they don't make- like books and clothes. But I told him I would keep my eyes out for any new ones.

Randy got a new camping pad so maybe he can actually sleep when he goes camping. I got a gift certificate to the Quilted Bear (guilt-free shopping!) and Casey got a drum set. Hailey got a wool pea coat for church and Tyler got a die-cut machine. Hannah got a Hello Kitty CD player, Nathan got a pirate tent, and Emma got a little doll house. I also made quillos and PJ's for all the kids for their Friday night slumber parties in the basement.

We are definitely spoiled. We really don't NEED anything. How grateful we are for Randy's secure job and our nice home. I hope my kids feel the magic of Christmas and the reason behind all the gifts. And that the greatest gift we ever have or will receive is the gift of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. That through Him, we will have eternal life.

Merry CHRISTmas.

The Family Christmas Letter.....

Merry Christmas!!!

Season's greetings to our friends and family. This year has been full of excitement and adventure for our family.

Randy is still the scoutmaster and hopes to remain so for a very long time. We realized just how much he loves those boys when one passed away in March. It was hard on all of us. Work keeps him busy and I look forward to the day when "things slow down." Although his project was completed on deadline (yay, Randy!) there is never a shortage of work. He continues to be the favorite parent as he takes the kids backpacking, plays 'monster' with them, pitches baseballs, builds snow forts, and jumps them on the trampoline.

Christie found herself in the position of PTA President at the kids' elementary school. It hasn't been too bad (knock on wood) and she really enjoys the people she works with that make her job easier. After a year in the Primary Presidency, Christie is back in the Cub Scouts with Tyler. Once a scouter, always a scouter. But her dream came true when she was asked to be the Assistant Stake Girls' Camp Director. She looks forward to spending a week in the mountains with 150 12-18 year old girls! Blogging, crafts and digital scrapbooking continue to be her creative outlet.

Casey entered the world of junior high. If you are wondering if he enjoys it, the answer is yes- maybe a little too much! ;) He works at home in the morning on his online core classes. Then Christie drives him to school each day for lunch, band, art, and drama. He discovered mountain biking with his dad, and officially joined Randy in scouts. He takes pride in the fact that he is the one and only deacon in our ward. Thus, the president, first counselor, and secretary...by default! He started piano lessons, and loves playing the drums. It seems to have come naturally to hims as he taps on everything constantly and his mom hopes someday it might help provide for him....and somehow make it all worth it!

Hailey is in fifth grade. She loves school as well, and the friends she has there. She is a great babysitter and looks forward to the day people start calling her for jobs. She is full of patience when it comes to her little brothers and sisters and provides her mom with relief on a regular basis. She tried her hand at softball this past spring and found she was quite good at it. It was a tough call when her softball games conflicted with her soccer games. What is a girl to do?

Tyler is in third grade. It is hard to believe he was baptized this year. It was a memory like no other! We flew the family to Hawaii and he was baptized in the ocean at sunrise! All so grandma and grandpa (who were serving a mission there) wouldn't miss it. ;) He still loves to be creative and dreams of his very own 'craft room' stocked just like mom's. He loves baseball with his dad being the coach and he is an incredible big brother.

Hannah started school all day. Being a night owl, it is all she can do to get there on time. I have driven the kids to school more this year than any other, just so they wouldn't be late. ; ) A puppy joined our family this summer so Hannah (and her dad) could have their fix. The puppy grew fast, and now Hannah wants a little dog. Hmmmm, we'll see. She is a good kid and is nice to her friends and animals. She loves to play with her brothers and sisters and wishes she was the oldest so she could babysit like Hailey. She shares a room with Emma and even picks up after her.

Nathan is in preschool. I have given up the fight of what he'll wear to school. Being the dead of winter, he still wears shorts every day because pants "make him hot like the burning sun." How can I argue with that? He idolizes his big brother, Tyler and wants to do everything just like him. Down to the cereal he eats at breakfast. Nathan loves pirates. He wears the same pirate shirt every day and asks for the same pirate story at bedtime.

Emma is a funny two year old. She can ham it up like the best of 'em! She knows what she wants and has found her place as the baby of the family. Including, but not limited to: staking her claim to what is rightfully hers, keeping up with kids two and three times her size, and giving the best hugs and kisses around. She is still 'momma's girl' and I am enjoying every bit of it.

We hope 2008 has been good for your family and we wish you all the best. May you find peace in the true meaning of Christmas and rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ in the coming year.

Love, Randy, Christie, Casey, Hailey, Tyler, Hannah, Nathan, and Emma.

Happy 11th Birthday, Hailey!

Hailey was tagged a loooong time ago. It was Hailey's birthday a couple days ago, and I decided it's time to quit procrastinating.

Hailey was my little Christmas angel. Her due date was Christmas day, but thankfully, she came 11 days early. She was a good baby from the beginning.

Hailey began writing her own name when she was two years old. She has always been good at school, and everything comes naturally to her. Her teachers always tell me what a joy it is to have her in their class. Always at the top of her class, she really is a great student, helper, and friend.

Hailey is a natural athlete. She definitely gets this from her dad. Everything she tries, she excels in. She picked up the piano easily, too.

Hailey is my right hand. I really don't know what I would do without her. She is the one I can count on to help me. And she is always taking care of her brothers and sisters. When someone is upset, she is the first to help calm them. She plays school with her little brothers and sisters and teaches them.

And almost every night, she lets her little sisters sleep in her room. Even as I type, this is what you see when you walk in her room:

Sometimes she's not sure she likes having so many brothers and sisters, but I know she was sent to our family for a reason. I am so glad Heavenly father sent me my little angel.

I know sometimes, I'm a little too hard on her, and don't tell her how much I appreciate her. So Hailey, always remember I love you. And I don't know what I would ever do without you. Thanks for being you.

I Love You, Hailey!

The Blog Frog

If you take a look on my sidebar...down...there.....you'll see a new widget. It's my Blog Frog. Pretty cool, really. It's another type of site counter, only it tells me who came and where they came from. Through it, I found all sorts of people I am linked to through a second and third generation. In other words, people who are linked to me, and their links. I found blogs of people I went to high school with, and people I knew in college.

Check it out, it's neat-o!

Order Up!

We watched 'Fred Claus' tonight. It was pretty good (OK, the parts that I saw, anyway. I always fall asleep in movies, and it didn't help that I was up until 3 AM working on a Christmas gift.)

So at the end, it was showing everyone opening up their Christmas gifts and everyone was happy.

When it was over Nathan said, "Next year, I'm going to order up a bike!"

My Ethiopian Child

Emma found a box of old baby clothes. She was in heaven given her love of clothes....or rather, her love of CHANGING her clothes! The baby boy romper she has on is size 3-6 months, so that required some help with the snaps. When she put it on, Nathan thought it was a swimsuit. Something about the outfit prompted silly dance of sorts.

The pictures say it all.....what a NUT!

Check out those skinny little legs!

Funny Kids

A while back, when we were at the pumpkin patch, we overheard some people say, "Look over yonder."

Odd, yes. And Casey noticed. He then replied, "Folks don't often say 'over yonder'."

No Casey, people don't. They also don't often use the word 'folks'....

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When we were done making our carmel apples, we each cut a slice and started eating. Nathan was trying to chew, but was having a hard time.

I asked him if it was sticky and he said, "My teeth are magnets!"