Christmas Fun

Despite being sick (not the stomach flu for the first year which is cause for celebration) we still managed to squeeze in some fun events.  Our good friends who abandoned us for sunny California came home for Christmas, and we luckily got to see them the day we left for Battle Mountain.  They had a rainbow party, which is totally appropriate for Californians after all. Then, the day following our arrival to Battle Mountain, Debbie kindly got the stuff out for Kolton and Xiana to make graham cracker houses despite having already done it weeks before with the rest of her grand kids.  It was very sweet of her. She's great to give of herself endlessly to make the kids have an enjoyable time.  They were pretty thrilled with it.  That night, on Christmas Eve, we ate a wonderful home cooked Mexican meal at Brittany and Tim's. She and her mom cooked all day, and it was scrumptious.  Due to a nasty cold, it was harder to enjoy than it should have been. Santa Clause made another appearance, and Kolton wasn't shy in telling him, "scuse me, Santa, I want a helicopter."  Later he said to no one in particualar, "well Santa was pretty cool."  Funny kids!  They went to bed early sleeping in their own room and Brian and I slept in the same bed for only the second Christmas Eve since we met.  Although I spent much of the night wrapping presents, constantly fighting back tears because I missed my dad so much.  Christmas has a way of heightening the sense of loss to a degree that's almost unbearable.  It gave me intense compassion for the poor Sandy Hook parents who buried 20 7-year-olds days before Christmas.  I'm sure it was painful even now, a year later.  All in all, it was not the best day of my life. I hope that our children retained the magic of Christmas this year, despite sick parents and a depressed mom.  I doubt they noticed, so long as cousins and presents are involved... that's the stuff memories are made of after all.

Christmas Preview

One of my friends took pictures for us and many other friends for free!  It was so nice, and I' love the way these little shots came out.  Also, we were in and out in like 2 minutes!  It's hard to believe that these little kids won't always be little.

We celebrated Christmas with my mom a bit early because she was heading to Utah and we were heading to Battle Mountain.  She got Xiana this light up lego set that only took me 8 hours to put together :) She got Kolton his own lego set too which he's been proudly playing with since.

Xiana got to have a special part in the choir's Christmas program where she memorized and recited Luke 2 verses 8-12.  She did a spectacular job with her sharp memory. It was darling to see her march up there and tell the story of Jesus' birth.  When we got home, we let them each open another present, mainly because we didn't want to bring the 4-wheeler with us to Battle Mountain. Kolton LOVES it. He rides it all around the house to do anything he needs, including getting his toothbrush.  It's hilarious.  Xiana opened 2500 rubber bands for her loom.  We need to work on learning different types of bracelets.

Kolton was pretty tuckered out....

Then, to our great surprise, Santa Clause showed up at our house!!!  At first, Xiana was a little skeptical saying, "Isn't that Dylan's dad?" I said it didn't look like him to me which comforted her.  Then, I think she was worried that she wasn't getting a tablet because he brought her a paper doll set and Kolton a motorcycle.  I explained this was his pre-Christmas gift which must mean she was a really good girl.  Kolton was stinking darling. He ran to the door saying, "scuse me Santa, I want a helicopter, and a batmobile airplane."  Then, as soon as he got his gift he said, "scuse me Santa, you pwease open this foy me?" It was so thoughtful of Craig Mooney to think of us.  Kolton adores him and spends most of Sacrament on his lap (which makes it so much more enjoyable for me).

The Nutcracker

Last year mom promised the Nutcracker to Xiana.  This year, she made good on her promise and even let me join them.  It was wonderful.  I think we've started a new tradition.  We went to the one at the Pioneer theater because they have the Reno philharmonic for the music.  Xiana was very impressed both by the dancing and by the magic pit of musical instruments. I splurged and bought her a glitter wand that was literally a piece of paper covered in glue and glitter for $8.00.  I think mainly because I always thought dad would be with us, and he certainly would have bought her the wand.  It was a special day.  Even though dad's absence, as usual, was felt. He loved the Nutcracker.  Still, we went to lunch and had a special girl's day.  I'd like to try out the other Nutcrackers here in town too, but it would be hard for me to give up the spectacular music at the theater.

Christmas Tree

When mom and Cami and I went to Time out For Women, there was a sweet speaker who talked about how two years back his wife was on hospice, dying of cancer.  She loved Christmas and it was December, so they wheeled her hospice bed right up to the tree where she stayed through the holidays. He said she loved the presents under the tree, the beautiful ornaments and lights.  A few days after Christmas she left this earth and returned home.  He said the following year he didn't have the heart.  He just couldn't bring himself to get presents, put up a tree, any of the normal holiday traditions.  He was too broken hearted.  Then, he went to a fireside. While there, he felt his wife's spirit overwhelmingly in his presence.  At one point, the song, "I'll be Home For Christmas" was performed and it was as if his wife was right there, talking to him, "I'll be home for Christmas... please have snow and mistletoe... and presents on the tree." He knew then that he needed to put up a tree and, though it was hard, it was a blessing too.  Cami and I had tears streaming down our faces when mom leaned over and said, "I am not putting up a Christmas tree this year." True to her word, she had no interest in Christmas trees, decorations, or any traditions this year.  But... the rest of us went and chopped down a tree the day after Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. Garrett even called it magical.  After we got it home to decorate, mom came over for FHE and watched as we decorated ours.  It was the perfect solution so that she got to enjoy the sentiment without having to do it alone or see the constant reminder of Christmases past and gone now.  I have countless fond memories of cutting down Christmas trees as a child.  I hope my children will too.

Snow Day

Our first snow day. Hopefully it won't be our last.  We certainly could use the moisture.

Kimmies

We went on another tour of kimmies.  Like last time, they loaded us up with free samples, crazy amounts of chocolate rocks, and a great time going through a short, kid friendly tour.

Around the House

We have a lot of trees in our yard.  As a result, we get a lot of leaves in the fall.  The kids had fun playing in the piles that Brian rounded up. We also made a gratitude tree for Thanksgiving FHE and turkeys for playgroup.  The kids love anything crafty.  I hope to be better about making art more available to them... despite the mess.