Christmas

We have really had a great few weeks. We went to a Christmas party and had a white elephant gift exchange. It was fun. We ended up bringing a toilet seat (used), but we really wrapped it up pretty. We also had a good dinner and talked. The kids had a great time, too.

We went to the Dells for a few days. We went with our friends the Coles. We had a really great time. We stayed at the Wilderness Resort, and we really enjoyed ourselves. They have three different waterparks. One of them has rides for a little bit older kids. One of them, was called the hurricane. It was really fun. We went to another one that was like a beach sort of. It had a couple of tube rides that were pretty fun. Then, it had a really big wave pool and an area for the kids to play. There was a giant area for people to sit on lounge chairs and get a suntan (we might have if there hadn't been snow on the roof. It was really nice though. The kids enjoyed themselves a little bit. Kara and Sethy were a little under the weather, but they still seemed to have fun. We did end up leaving a little bit early to take them back to the room. The last day (Christmas Eve) we went to the last waterpark. There was a really fun pool for kids (it had a bunch of slides for kids Kara and Matt's age. Then, there was a splash pool that Kara, Lindsay and Seth played in for a long time. The water was really a great temp at this pool. Then, there was a nice wave pool at this waterpark, too. It was really fun.

Christmas Eve, we acted out the Nativity. Kara was Elizabeth, Lindsay was Mary, I was Joseph, Brian was the narrator, Matthew was a wiseman, and Seth was a lamb (because he was wondering around everywhere:).

Kara as ElizabethMary/Lindsay visiting Elizabeth
Elizabeth has her baby. Mary ready to have her baby with no room at the inn. Baby Jesus is born and laid in his manger. Lamb grazing in the field. Another shot of the cute lambs legs.

The wise man giving baby Jesus a gift.
Here are the Christmas Eve Pajamas. Then, we made cookies for Santa and the kids played Guess Who (a gift from Granpa Warnick- Thanks Grandpa and Althea).

I guess this one wasn't actually taken Christmas Eve, but pretend it was because that is what we did. They have been playing Guess Who a lot.

The kids actually went to sleep super duper fast. I think they must have all been asleep within 10 or 15 minutes. We must have really worn them out at the waterparks. I know I was tired. I was just sure Matthew was going to have trouble falling asleep, but no, I think he was asleep first. It must be a record, and maybe all time, not just a Christmas Eve one.

Christmas morning came, and we opened our presents. The kids were super cute. They were so happy to open their presents. We had a great time all day playing all the different games we had. In fact, we had a great time all weekend playing games. We've played Guess Who, Life, Raving Rabbids (Rayman) and Guitar Hero. It has been fun. Seth mostly just went around playing with whatever the other kids left lying around. Here are some pictures and maybe a video clip or two. OK, I'll post the pictures later. It isn't working right now.

December Festivities

This is going to be a quickie. Here is what we've been up to the past few weeks. Brian finished his finals (hurray, hurray, hurray). He has a month off before his next round of classes begins. We are now ready for Christmas. The kids are so excited. We just told them today that we are going to the Dells. Matthew was sooooo super excited, he jumped up and down and said, "yes, yes, yes." I guess that is how we are all feeling. It will be nice to have a break. It is also super duper cold here, so it will be nice to be in a warm indoor water park and pretend we live somewhere warm enough to swim at this time when it is subzero outside. I love the Dells. (Thanks Ellie and Rob and Family).

Matthew and Kara had their school holiday sing. Here are a couple of pictures. They did a really good job. I love to go see them in school with their teachers and friends. It makes me happy to see them happy.

Here is Matthew (second child in line) walking into the gym.

Matthew is here singing in the top second from the left.

Here is Kara in front. They were singing a snow pants song. It was cute. Some of the kids got to model their snow pants.

In this song, Kara's class got to ring bells. They were excited about that. I don't know if I mention enough how grateful I am that Kara like school. What a difference from last year. She really really loves school.

The kids are really really excited for Christmas. I am really excited, too. I love Christmas. I am looking forward to the vacation.

Here is one last clip of the present the kids picked out for Seth. It is the funnest present ever. I could stay wrapped and still be a great gift.

We were so lucky to have Brian's parents come visit us this past weekend. Dad T had to do some training in Menomonee Falls for work, so Mom T decided to come with him. We had a good time with them.

Friday Kara really wanted to go to school. Matthew decided to stay home with Grandma. I am so glad that Kara really loves school. What a blessed change from last year. My little girl is growing up.

After Kara got home from school, we went to McDonald's for lunch. We had a great time. It is a newly remodelled one. It had a basketball game, an airhockey table, slides, a skateboarding game computerized game and a stationary bike computerized game. It is nice and it doesn't smell like stinky feet.

Friday night, we went to IHOP. Matthew was excited that they now offer Nutella crepes. They were pretty good. Here are a couple of pictures.
I think that in this next picture Kara looks really pretty. Not that Seth and Grandma and Grandpa aren't good looking/cute as well, but it is an especially cute one of Kara.

Here are the blobs on the couch. In the mornings, it is cold, so the kids huddle on the couch (which is the coldest place in the house, but that is where they go. They are cuties. I did have a change in heart and turn the heat up to 68 from 63 while Mom T was here, but tonight, it goes back down. I figure, that with our uninsulated house, I am always cold anyway, so I might as well turn the thermostat down and at least be cold and saving money. We were glad they braved the cold and came to visit us. Here are our cuties on the couch.

Brian has been super busy. Next week is finals week. He had to work on his finance final while his parents were here. He'll be busy every evening this week, but by Friday he'll be done for a month. Hurray. It will be nice having him around. We will have work to do around home, but at least he'll be around to help (or I mean really do the work mostly by himself. ha ha ha)

Well, my thought for the week (not that I have a thought every week, but I have had this thought on my mind). I have been a bit stressed with my Dad's health being so up-in-the-air. I was talking to my Mom about how, I think when I stress it is a lack of faith (I might have mentioned this before). But, last weekend, we went to our friend's daughter's baptism (Faye Cole), and they showed a bit of the Testiments movie. There was a clip that showed the man bringing his son who has an evil spirit to Jesus. He wanted Christ to heal him. (In Mark 9:23) "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (9:24)And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." What an honest humble answer. I too do believe, but

I think sometimes it is not my lack of will or desire to believe and be firm in the faith, a lack of strength. I am also reminded of the scriptures in Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Lately, in my moments of lack of faith (aka stressed out so I am not thinking logically, but emotionally) I have been asking Heavenly Father to please "help thou mine unbelief." I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, and is aware of me and my family. He is blessing us all so much. The Holy Ghost really is a comforter, and a powerful one. I guess I should say that in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Again, my prayers are with my Mom and Dad and family right now. I just hope things work out how Heavenly Father wants them too.

Thanksgiving and Lindsay's haircut

This week was a really nice week. I always love to have a week where the kids get to stay home for a few extra days.

I don't remember if it was Monday or Tuesday, but I cut Lindsay's hair. She has been asking me to cut it short for quite awhile now, and our friend Gracie just got her hair cut short, and it looked really cute, so we went for it. It was really a quick haircut. Here are some pictures of it.

She is such a fun girl. She really is pleased with having short hair. I am glad, because it is pretty short, but she loves it.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had some of our friends (the Cole family, the Vernon family, and the Boome family) come over. The kids really enjoyed playing outside, inside and the Wii. We had great food that all turned out yummy. We also had plenty of pie. It was so fun to have people over. I should really do it more often.

I am so thankful for such good friends. I am thankful for a warm house. I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful for such a loving Father in heaven who has blessed my family so much, especially lately. I am really amazed at the love I have felt the past few months as my parents have been going through this trial. I really have a testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of all of us, and that he will take care of us. I am really grateful for the knowledge I have that families are eternal, and that my mom and dad will be together forever. I am so grateful for a father who lives such a good life and has been such a good example to me. I am grateful for a mother who relies so much on her faith and is a great example to me.

Last week, my dad went on hospice home care. He really doesn't want to go to the hospital anymore (I don't think he ever really wanted to), and since the cancer has returned and there is nothing to be done for it, they are just going to let him have his way. He will be home. Please keep him, and especially my mother in your prayers as they go through this huge transition.