Christmas 2007

The stage is set!

Surveying the gifts! (under the blanket are the bikes!)

Wasting no time getting started!

Jack was as excited about Max's bike as Max was!

Gracie enjoying her traditional breakfast of bran muffins, an orange from Santa, and eggnog! Yummy!

The boys enthralled watching "Transformers"
(they each got a transformer Jack-Optimus Prime? and Max-Bumblebee)

We had a very wonderful Christmas this year! As the kiddies get older, each year brings additional excitement and oh how this season flies by so very quickly. So much to do, I feel like I'm running around non stop all month and then it comes to a haltering stop Christmas morning. Ahhh, Christmas morning. The quiet thrill of Christmas morning. The sweet, sweet smiles and exhilarating laughter and giggles of Christmas morning. And then I realize that what I have put myself through is sooo worth these priceless moments. These moments that seem so plentiful on Christmas day. I relive my own childhood memories and pray that my children will have the same joyous memories as they grow up. I think of my dear family and friends. And of course, I think of my Savior. His birth, life, and death. His example and influence in my life, and most importantly His gift to me. His Atoning Sacrifice. His love I feel every day of my life. My heart is full of love, joy, and gratitude. I hope you had a Christmas of merry moments as well!

I give up

Um, yeah. This is the closest I got to a photo of them in their cute Christmas attire. I got about 15 just like this one before I gave up in a mix of frustration and laughter (only one smiling, two bothering each other, Gracie wanted to hold hands and Jack wanted to put his arm around Max, and Max wanted to be left alone...at least they are all looking at the camera in this pic! ) Oh well. But hey, see those cute matching sweaters? Too cute huh? This year I got matching pajamas for all three of them. Last year I got Gracie an adorable April Cornell petticoat and the boys red flannel classic (GAP) pajamas. Gracie was sad she couldn't match too. I think she needs a little sister. (that wasn't an announcement).

Christmas Reading

Between shopping, wrapping, cleaning, and baking, we've managed to do lots holiday reading! Here are a few books that have found a home on our fireplace the last few weeks.

Walt Disney's Santa's Toy Shop. This is a charming story of the classic tales of Santa. I love the illustrations. very vintage and colorful!

Little Red's Christmas Story by Sarah Ferguson. I love this book! I so want to live at Buttercup Cottage!

Santa's New Suit by Laura Radaer. I have to be talked into reading this one. Need I say more.

A sweet board book about about the true meaning of Christmas. A must read almost every day!

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore ill. by Donald Mills. Of course the ultimate classic read! I love this Illustrator. He really painted Santa's face beautifully.. how I would hope he really looks!!!

The Biggest Best Snowman By Margery Cuyler. The kiddies love this one too. It's about Little "Nell" and her forest friends working together! Soo cute!

Snow by Uri Shulevtz. Cute book about the excitement snow brings to a childs world. Very sweet and again, I love the illustrations!

The Friend. Lots of sweet stories (I swear I get more out of this than the Kiddies~ I get teary reading some of this stuff~ They really know how to get to me)and fun things to do!!

Christmas Shopping

Today we (the kiddies and I) went to the Mall for some last minute gifts. We were at Macey's looking around for something Clay would like. Jack and Grace kept looking at the watches in the glass case. Jack came over to me and said "I think Daddy needs a clock for his arm." Clay and I don't own Watches (we don't see the need for them) so Jack, obviously, didn't know what to call it! I just thought this was a cute way to describe a watch and I don't want to forget these precious moments of motherhood... and... I just had to share!

Oh, and an update on the Santa and Grace Situation... when we were at the mall I suggested that we go sit on Santa's lap. Jack and Max were psyched, of course, and Grace was quite apprehensive with the idea. We got in line and she said "That's not Santa. He doesn't have a red suit on." So I went into this big spill on how it was probably at the cleaners or something because it got dirty somehow.... and he has to have it nice and clean for Christmas Eve! This explanation made sense and was satisfying, but she still refused to sit on his lap.

Johnny Nicholas

The other day I heard Jack talking to Grace about

"Johnny Nicholas".

Gracie didn't know what he was talking about and Jack was getting frustrated. Finally, Jack said

"you know, Santa"!

Then I remembered earlier that day we were listening to the song that starts out "Jolly old St. Nicholas" he must of misunderstood it . I couldn't help but laugh!
Speaking of St Nick, Jack and Max are still firm believers but Gracie, I'm not so sure. This year she has been asking a lot of questions. Like

"how does he fit down the chimney?" and

"how does he see me when I'm sleeping, and how does he know when I'm awake?"

Lots

of things like that. I think she wants to believe but is confused about some of the facts. I'm not prepared to give her explanations. I just have been saying "what do you think?" or "He's Magic" But that just generates more questions. I'm sorry, but it's weird to me to make up lies and exaggerate the whole Santa thing.

How do you answer these questions?

I need help!

My December To Do List!

*make Grandma Peterson's caramels
*watch it's a wonderful life
---have an overnighter in Salt Lake with girlfriends *I'm thinking this isn't going to happen...maybe next year!
*address and mail cards
find misletoe (I think The Flower Basket has some), hang it in my house and kiss under it.
*go to Borders and buy a new Christmas CD
*take the kiddies to Salt Lake Temple to see the Nativity and Lights

Our family at Temple Square! This is where it all began!

This is Max in the visitors center. We were all wandering around looking at the displays downstairs. We turned around and saw little Max trying to catch some Zs. I felt so bad.
*go to a Christmas Concert

Sunday morning my Mom and I went to "The Spoken Word" at the confrence center(I watch this every sunday morning with my family as we eat breakfast). It was sooo fun to be there. It was pretty much exactly like the concerts on Friday and Saturday (after the recording of the spoken word they put on the Concert). Where do I begin to tell you how much I loved listening and watching the "Tabernacle Choir", The "King's Singers," the "Orchestra at Temple Square" in person sitting 14 rows behind the First Presidency of the Church.

The spirit was so strong and I can't tell you in words how it moved me! There is something about music that touches my heart more than anything else. They sang many beautiful songs about the birth of our Savior and threw in a few "Old English" classics ( I can't get enough of songs about "don"ing gay apparel and lads and lasses hailing in the new year! I LOVE IT!)

Oh, and they performed a wonderful arrangement of the Twelve Days of Cristmas" a song that I usually find unbearable to listen to. Even the Uof U Ballet also made a few appearances.

MoTab, Ballet, an Orchestra, and six talented, funny, English guys.

I was in Heaven!

The First Presidency gave the Kings Singers their Geneology as a gift at the end of the concert.

Can you imagine??

*sign up to buy gifts for a needy child
have a romantic, candle lit dinner by the Christmas tree
tell childhood Christmas memories around the fire
*go shopping and out to a festive dinner with Clay one evening
*buy/give the kiddies their Christmas Pajamas for Christmas eve
*put some of my favorite Christmas CDs in the car and sing along with the kids.
*make gingerbread houses~ Clay and Jack made one and Gracie and I made one (and Max just ate a bunch of candy). Can you guess which is which??

*make hot chocolate (& marshmallows) and popcorn and watch the Grinch with the kiddies
*buy/ put a wreath on our front door
*donate canned goods
*give neighbors/friends gifts
*display friend's and family's Christmas cards
*make gingerbread men with friends

make bitsy elf clogs
*figure out what I'm giving Clay for Christmas
*mail out a bunch of gifts
--relax the entire week before Christmas --Yeah right, I wish!

What was I thinking?
*plan a Christmas lesson I will be teaching (the Beehives) on the 23rd ~started!
*go to Melanie's Annual Cookie Exchange Party
*make some realistic resolutions for 2008
*go to Summer's Christmas Party
*crochet Gracie a dress
*go to family Christmas Parties
****take lots of bubble baths
go tubing at rock canyon park

*bake
*bake
*bake

I will put a star by the ones I've finished!

Happy Winter

This

is what we woke up to the first day of

December!

beautiful~ pure~ fluffy~ white~ delight!

We stayed inside all morning and ate apple cinnamon muffins and drank hot chocolate while we watched the snow fall and some occasional cars sliding all over the roads (this is actually quite entertaining). Then we got bundled up and went sledding in our front yard. The kiddies had a lot of fun rediscovering the flurry of winter! The cutest was when Max said with raised eyebrows, "I wuuuuub gwoubs. huh?" (I looooove gloves, huh?).

Go Jazz!

Friday night I was invited to go to the Jazz game with our friends the Heatons! What a night! They have amazing seats (third row!) and we spent all night cheering and laughing! Thank you sooo much Matt and Kirsty for an unforgettable evening!
This is a picture of Kirsty and I! The guy in the background smiling at the camera was so nice (k- and maybe a little creepy).... he gave me a little Jazz ball to take home! I think he wanted me to have something to remember him by!




Here is a picture of Matt and his cute son Michael plotting on how to get one of the players to give them his shoe for a souvenir! (They got one at another game and thought they would try for another!! Sadly it didn't work out in the end this time... maybe next game eh??)



Oh, and Jazz won 99-71 Yay!!!

Thanks again guys... You're awsome!

Thanksgiving '07

My two precious pilgrims

(Isn't Gracie's expression priceless?

She so loves her silly twin brother)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving this year! Clay's Mother, brother, and his family

came down from Boise to spend the weekend with us. I was nice to catch up

with them and let the cousins reunite and renew their friendships!

This year I am grateful for many things, my

*husband

*family

*friends

*freedom

*health

*home

*faith

*mind

*george winston (I'm sooo into him this time of year... especially his December album)

*caramel brownie that I am going to go eat now!

Must record

Friday we went to the Children's Discovery Museum (up at Gateway) with my brother Brian and his adorable wife and boys. While there, my kiddies went to the little grocery store area and started shopping! Gracie was taking it very seriously and continued earnestly putting things (darling, child size, wood and plastic grocery items) in her basket. I went into a little isle that had some things that I didn't think she saw and grabbed some "canned pineapples" ...she loves pineapples. I said "Here Gracie... look at these yummy pineapples!" and put them in her basket. She replied in a very annoyed voice "Mom, no, it's NOT on my list" and quickly put them back on the shelf. This reminded me that I say this to her every time we go the the grocrey store.
she was in charge in this store and loving every minute.
It made me smile.
It was so cute.
Oh how I love you, my Gracie girl!

On my mind

You don't want to miss it!

My friend Molly & a couple of her friends put on this

"Beehive Bazaar"

twice a year and it has never ceased to amaze me!

Delightful, one of a kind, UNIQUE !!

Halloween 2007

Before

After

We have had such a fun month getting ready for Halloween! Clay was a super creepy "mountain man"(Max wouldn't go near him!), I was a "Halloween fairy", Jack was Buzz Lightyear and to a party he also went as a shark (last years costume), Gracie was going to be a fairy but then wanted to be a fish (last years costume) so she wore it to one party, then we found this Bullseye horse and that's what she loved the most, and little Max was absolutely thrilled with his Monkey costume, he's been wearing it for a couple of weeks straight in the afternoons! It's so fun having kids to dress up! I hope you had a great halloween too!

Halloween Parties!

Paityn's Birthday/Halloween Party! This party was soo amazing! Jen(eight months pregnant) did so many fun things! We got to color a pumpkin picture, eat a yummy brunch, listen to Beverly (Paityn's Grandma) read some fun stories and sing songs, go on a hay ride, eat yummy (darling) witch cupcakes, and were sent home with real pumpkins and some fun halloween toys!

(Really, Jen, I don't know how you do it! Thanks- I love you)

We also went to a fun dinner party later that night at my friend Breeann's home! I took some pictures but they came out really dark. On Monday my friend Summer (thanks- I love you too) and I threw a huge halloween bash at our church. It was soo fun and of course the best part was haging out with all of my friends and seeing their kiddies in costumes! I didn't bring my camera to the party because I left the house in such a rush so if anyone out there could e-mail me some to post I would love it!

I made this funky Hallowen tree and put it in our entryway. It was fun looking for ordaments to hang on it throughout October. I found these little painted gourds at a boutique up in salt lake at Jeni B.'s home. She is uber talented and I can't wait for her Christmas show!

I love these Gourds!

They make me so happy!

Fire Station Fieldtrip

I don't think I've ever mentioned the pre-school Jack and Gracie attend. They go to "Rainbow Pre-school" It is taught by Helen Gurley, a woman (retired elementary teacher) that lives in our neighborhood. She has proved to be a wonderful teacher for the twins! They love her so much and are always so excited when it's time to head over there! Today for preschool we visited the fire station down on 3rd south and 7th east. At first I wasn't too thrilled about having to give up my two hours of free time with Max to cart the twins across town for an hour and then back to pre-school for only 30 min. that remained , but now I'm glad I went because I got some cute pictures, it was fun to watch the twins respond to the intresting and fun times at the station, and I actually enjoyed the tour and learned some intresting facts! The twins took the whole trip very seriously. Jack was very serious most of the time, I don't know why but it was cute to watch him really pay attention to every little thing. Gracie was pretty serious too but then she would turn to me and give me an "I am super excited about all this" smile. It was also fun to have Max there and be included with what the twins were doing. He was a very good boy the whole time and wasn't quite sure what the whole thing was about but very intrested in all the sights to see!

(That's Maxwell in the yellow)

It was a good day!

Here's a shout out to the Provo Firemen!

You guys are Awesome! Thank you for all you do!

Autumn

We've been having many good times so far this beautiful autumn season! It's been so nice outside and we have tried to spend a lot of time soaking it all in! Of course I had to make my annual batch of caramel apples! My friend Jen and her adorable Paityn has come over the past couple of years and we make them together! It's a tradition I think will carry on for many years to come! Soooo Very Yummy!

On Conference Sunday, we watched as much conference as the kiddies would allow and then after lunch we went

for a drive up Sundance Canyon. The air was crisp, colors were bright and we were all just happy we were all together to witness the beautiful sights surrounding us! then back home for naps and some peace and quiet for the next session! Yey! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed General Conference. I loved to talk given by Julie B. Beck Mothers Who Know. I needed this talk and every word was both motivating and inspiring to me. I Love Love Loved it! I also Loved Henry B.Eyring's talk O Remember, Remember. All four sessions were just so wonderful!! It was a great weekend.

Today, My sister Jen and I packed up the kiddies and went down to the Vineyard Garden Center and had way more fun than expected. Here are a bunch of pictures from our

"Autumn Day of Fun"