Christmas

As usual, everyone was spoiled to a ridiculous degree. Kolton got his helicopter, Xiana and Ekco both got their coveted tablets, and Ekco made off with enough loot to get the cosplay she wanted (but didn't end up getting... boy am I relieved we didn't get it). I got a helicopter for Brian too, but he felt to sick to fly it until the following day.  He never left the bed all of Christmas.   It was a quiet Christmas without most of the grand kids due to sickness and custody arrangements.  Again, I hope our children were able to enjoy what, for me, was one of my saddest days in this life.  I'm grateful that at least we've now made it through the first of all the major holidays without dad.  I'm grateful, too, that we had somewhere to stay with kind and generous hosts and excellent food, company, and distractions.  Here's to next year! :0

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.