Merry Christmas!

Here are the cute monkies last Sunday. I think they are all pretty excited for Christmas in a few days...Yeah for the holidays. We are having SO much fun together.

1st Annual "Mini" Vacation to Downtown SLC

Thanks to some friends and family for a great idea for a new tradition! We decided this was a great year to start some new traditions with our kids, all on our own...We had a great time together. Earlier in the week we planned ahead to do a little service (remember our homeless kits) well, I can't remember if I mentioned why we did them, but we brought them with us downtown to pass them out. Knowing we'd have better chances to bless their lives. So when the kids arrived home from school on Friday we packed the car and off we left. Our first stop was to Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mary's house. They were SO kind to be totally inconvenienced to watch baby Ben. As fun as he is, this wasn't the trip for him...being cold and up really late. So we left him behind. We missed him but didn't miss him enough to wish we brought him. (Really other than in the family picture, that made me sad!)

First stop our hotel. This was awesome. We picked this hotel for a few reasons. One, price. Two, right next to the Trax station (this pleased the boys greatly!), Three, an indoor pool, Four, an amazing breakfast buffet. Pretty much it was "SUPER FANCY" - that was in the eyes of Alayna. It was just perfect for all of our needs.

You would think they had never been in a hotel before. The three monkies were in HEAVEN.

Caleb thought the coolest thing was that they had remotes just like us.
I wish I knew what this face of Jake's was about...Either way it shows their excitement level. For these initial moments made the entire vacation worth it!

I surprised them with new pajamas. They thought this present. An early Christmas present was pretty awesome.

I also gave them "Mini M&M's" because this was a "mini" vacation. Mini in family size, mini in distance, and mini in time.

They loved it.

As you can imagine this was Caleb's absolute favorite spot to spend his time. One of my favorite lines from Alayna was, "Why would anyone need to spend the night in the "Grand America" because this is really fancy, because it not only has a fridge in the bathroom but a phone too!" Hysterical.

Off to catch the train!

Cute wintry dressed kids. 

 

Well our dinner plans were kinda foiled because of the delay in driving through Sandy to drop Ben off...(WOW talk about a busy city and traffic. Note to self, never live there or drive through there during rush hour!) So we gave their kids their choice and get this at the food court at City Creek. Alayna said, "Oh, really, anywhere...How about we can get my 4th Happy Meal from McDonald's!" (That's not bad for kids growing up in American right...the 4th Happy Meal! I think I'm just too cheap...and it kinda grosses me out, just a little...okay a lot!) Why not. I didn't have to eat it. Jared and I went for the Red Iguana. Yum.

Off to Macy's candy windows. 

The happy family. Finally enjoying the Temple Square lights. 

Jake being Santa. Our walk around Temple Square wasn't quite what it  normally is. The children were so excited about passing out there homeless kits we would walk through, then walk out on the the streets. Then walk back in. I'll explain more in detail about how wonderful of an experience it was.

 

From Alayna's perspective...

She was so darling all night. She was so ooey gooey with love. 

The kids found Santa out in front of our hotel.

  Caleb was in heaven!  

 Oh, this would be Jared's dream...a mini fridge filled with drinks.

Hands down delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel!

Homeless Deliveries...Okay, this might get a little mushy, but it was so neat. Honestly, what a great experience. It is amazing how blessed we truly are. WE as a general public have been given so many blessings.We had a great experience handing out our goodie bags. We had many different reactions. "You beautiful children, you have made my night!", "God Bless You", "Thank You", "Look at this!" "Merry Christmas to you and your family". All of the individuals we gave our baggies too, took the time to admire the bags filled with the items. We had one gentlemen who walked back from the corner, sat down and pulled out all the different items. Jake watched him every second. He watched him pull out the gloves and then say, "Mom, he saw the gloves and he doesn't have any, so I bet he's so happy he will now." That same man took the time to pull out and read the message of hope we had printed out. I noticed when he flipped it over he saw the children's drawings and he smiled. A really sweet moment was when one man was playing a Christmas song on his harmonica. The children waited patiently until he was finished and then handed it to him. This man seemed so awe struck that he had been acknowledged. He continued to say "God Bless You children" It was a tender experience because the particular Christmas song he was playing was so sweet it brought the Spirit so strongly as we waited and listened. It was impossible to hold back the tears and to not feel so greatly blessed for all our many blessings. Before we left to return to our hotel, a sweet lady approached us and asked us about our bags. I spoke with her for about 5 minutes about how the idea came about, how I felt moved and inspired to do something. She explained how she is the humanitarian aid specialist in her ward and she will be returning to have her ward and children do this very thing. It was such a good thing to have my children hear her reaction. We were able to explain how by ONE good deed it blesses the life of SO many. That now, OTHER people will go out and do MORE service for those in need. Jake's smile is something I will NEVER forget as I explained that to him. As we returned home from our experiences we took the kids a little night swimming, then it was a late bedtime. As we ended the night we sat on our bed talking about our experiences. It was darling to hear and see our children light up as they spoke. They each have their own tender little feelings. I can't wait as the days go on and they keep talking about. As we are all drifting off to bed, Jake says, "Mom, do you think one year if we save enough money we can pay for one of the homeless people to get a hotel room to sleep in?" I responded, "Yes, Jake one year we can do that." It was a good night.

We were able to deliver all of our bags. We took three bags out the morning we left and found some others. As the morning went on we took time to drive the children by the homeless shelter. We explained to the children that there are people who care so deeply and give of their lives to lighten the loads of the homeless people. This experience of driving the children down the street by the shelter was very difficult for us all. The reality behind them sleeping in their sleeping bags, lining up to receive food and shelter that day, was their reality. I really struggled. I will always remember that our car was silent. Besides the children asking a few brief questions, they were focused on the people. I know our hearts were touched. It's amazing how this short of experience can help you recognize the depth of gratitude for MANY more things we should have. I loved Alayna's prayer tonight as we were back in our home. She expressed great need and concern for the homeless, for her blessings, for the simplest things. I know this experience will be something we will build from and continue to teach our children about others. It's amazing how this original "mini" vacation was to be about going as a little family and seeing the lights. But this vacation was compounded with excitement for the GOOD of others. It's amazing how doing service brings a level of joy that is impossible to reach until you are truly doing as the Savior himself would do. This was a good weekend.

Service Idea & Buddy the Elf

So a few weeks ago I was watching Mormon Times, it's an Sunday Show shown weekly here in Utah. I'm sure you could find it online. Anyways, they have LDS ideas, speakers, stories, etc. It's a quick 30 minute show I record for nights when Jared is at bishopric. Anyways, they had this darling lady on telling ideas on service. I LOVED a few of her ideas. Simple things we can do with our kids to help them think of others. She also mentioned to have them BECOME traditions and that is the secret to having your children become excited and look forward to the holidays. So I took notes, rewatched and decided a few of the ideas would work for us. So this is the first one.

The idea was presented like this. Have you ever been in the car with your children, with no cash, and you see a homeless person on the side of the road. Your heart aches and you wish you could do something. But you don't. Your children don't understand, and you wish you could teach a lesson and you can't. So instead of that experience that we have all too often had. You do this instead....You create baggies filled with anything you'd like to have in them. Treats, a message of hope, pictures, water, etc. Then when you see a homeless person you hand them this bag filled with love and a message. I loved this idea! I knew this was something my children could relate too, (Because just a week ago we had the very experience of not doing anything for the homeless woman on the side of road.)

Here are some of the kids drawings.

Our message of hope. Elder Uchtdorf, The Infinate Power of Hope...look it up it's wonderful.

The kids watching a few mormon messages to reinforce the mini lesson we talked to them about giving to others in need and the knowledge we have of our Savior Jesus Christ. This holiday season we have been thinking and talking more about our Savior and it's been great to see the repeating lessons being taught and to have the children begin to know the answers. These are the "Ahh, this warms my heart moments" as a mother.

Busy at work coloring pictures.

 

The kids were ALL over filling the bags with goodies.

Alayna was so sweet. She said while coloring, "Mom, I'm not done yet. I'm really trying to make this picture extra special to bring joy to someone who has very little. I want them to know that I love them and I'm thinking about them, just as Jesus does. It makes me so HAPPY to do things for people who need help." (AHHH, that really great mom feeling!) Seriously, she is one sweet little girl.

Mr. Am I on the Naughty List???

Let me introduce you to Mr. Trouble. Have you ever met him before...Well, this is the situation I was faced RIGHT before our awesome Family Home Evening....Caleb was sent to time out for some unmemorable reason. He had been gone for a LONG time in my room. I got that MOM VIBE that said, it's been TOO LONG for him to be left alone...As I was finishing dinner I sent Jake to see what Caleb was up too. Well, Jake returned saying, "He's laying half on your couch on on the floor saying he can't come out because he's been naughty." Since that was the truth I didn't jump to any alarm that he was doing MORE trouble. Well, time passes, Caleb exits my room and asks all nervous like..."Mom, am I on the naughty list?" In my head I was thinking, "Yes, you are!" But then I explained to him to apologize and something else I'm sure, But dinner needed to go on so we dropped it. Anyways, FHE happens, bedtime happens, etc. I return to my room to start folding laundry (my ongoing battle) and I let out a SCREAM!!! AHHHHH...I FINALLY saw what he was talking about....He had scribbled ALL over my white couch in my room. Go figure he was laying half on it when Jake came in, he was covering it up. Go figure he asked if he was going to be on the naughty list now! Oh, that STINKER!


Because I can't upload a million pictures, up and down, around line after line...was ink. AHHHH all down the seams of the couch. Around my Book of Mormon, my journal was outlined, my papers...This is MY area. It's my  morning routine, scripture study, etc. Seriously...WHY did I leave my pen there...anyways, it was SHOCKING how much he actually colored.

 What a nice little circle he made, just so the pen could fit perfectly inside...he's really good at his shapes, huh??

Well, out comes the BEST product yet...Folex. GO AND GET SOME. I'm sure I've posted my LOVE for it before because it's magic. Seriously, this thing is amazing. It smells like nothing, and it looks like nothing. BUT somehow it works amazing on couches. I went to town. Scrubbing and spraying. It says to use your finger nail around the stains but I went straight for the metal spatula and blotting with a rag... It did wonders...Over time as the Folex dries the ink will disappear...THANKFULLY my dear friend had told me about this before and YES this couch has been colored on before by my sweet Caleb. Just not quite so much as tonight. Either way. It was so relieving to know in that moment of frustration I had a WAY to solve it....Ahh...it's just a good thing that Caleb was SOUND asleep or else he would have had a talking too...

Go buy some today! I'd say it is one of my favorite things....

Buddy our Elf on the Shelf

Oh, and before I forget...Yes, the Elf on the Shelf has arrived at our home. Has he found his way to yours yet? The kids are in HEAVEN with him. It's seriously, adorable. Thanks to my dear visiting teachers who introduced him to us. We are having some real fun with him. Bring on the Holidays!!

My Baby

Ben is one. I seriously can't believe that my baby has grown up. I was feeding him the other day some lunch and I was just one foot away from his cute little face. I decided I wanted to take some photos of this cute face before it keeps changing as he grows up. Seriously, he is so adorable. I know from a mothers eyes we only see the cuteness, but seriously, he's one good little guy.

Happy face.

Just a cutie pie.

He does scream at me. I think he really wanted some more food!

He was interested in what I was eating!

Get me out of here face!

Happy again!

Totally done and frustrated that his bib won't come off!

Can you help me mom??

Mr. Puff Hair Man

His little eyes that just melt me.

His chubby little face that I can kiss and squeeze all the day long.

He always places his little toes around this lip on the high chair. I love it because I often times tickle his little feet. It's adorable.

And his famous mad face! We love this little guy.