Christmas 2009

This year was our first in our 10 years of married life that we spent Christmas eve and morning on our own. Brandon won't admit it to anyone else, but we both enjoyed just our little family. Getting the kids to bed was easier, as was crowd control in the morning. Plus, it was fun to enjoy each of the kids and their excitement at the pace they were setting. Being far from our own parents and families, somehow we lucked out to be included with Jared and Janet and theirs for a few holiday festivities. Last minute preparations was more than I could handle and Janet saved us by feeding us every night the week of Christmas and even Christmas morning. I had grand plans for a fancy dinner for the kids, but never found the time amongst all the chaos. I've decided I'm going to have to reschedule that event for a year when I do not have a newborn or toddler.

At the onset of the school break, we sat down as a family and wrote a list of what we wanted to do, creating traditions along the way. I got so caught up in marking items off the list, I haven't had time to relax. I don't know what possessed me to think we had to get everything done in one week before we hit the road to make our rounds to the families in Utah and Idaho. I didn't comprehend we could continue with activities while visiting family. Needless to say, I'm worn out and next year RELAXING will be on the list. :) But for this year, this was the list. Skiing, looking at Christmas lights, making cookies/candy, neighbor gifts, movie at the theatre, late night movie at home, ice skating, write down testimonies, read Christmas Stories, secret basket, give gift to Santa to give to another boy/girl, and fancy dinner.

Here's some photos of the season. The Sunday before Christmas we were miraculously ready in time to take pictures before church.


When Christmas morning came, Drew was up at 1:30 AM. He got stuck in between his and Corbin's beds and was crying he had to go potty. After that he was in our bed. Most nights either he or Corbin or both end up in our bed. So it was no surprise that Corbin was next at 4:00 AM. Problem was once he remembered it was Christmas and found all of Santa's goodies in the family room, he was WIDE AWAKE. We forced him back asleep - in our bed - and tolerated the wakings again at 5:00 and 5:30, asking if it was time yet. At 6:00 the boys were finally asleep and Brandon's alarm went off. I about kicked him! (Of course Brandon slept through all the night wakings.) However, Jake woke within minutes of the alarm and so the day started.

The kids had a blast playing with everything Santa brought them. Audrey couldn't believe Santa got her a bunkbed for her American Girl. It even has a closet to hang up clothes at the end. Which of course was full by the end of the day.


Corbin was less enthused with the big shiny bike as he was with the remote control helicopter. Apparently Santa brought him one last year at grandma's house and it broke. The week of Christmas he happened to find the remote control and it had a phone number on the back. He propped it up to the phone base and dialed the number against his mother's wishes. Brandon had told him that was the phone number to Santa's workshop. I don't even know what the recording said. But Corbin could hardly believe Santa had brought him another one. His phone call must have worked.


Drew spent all morning on his new roller coaster. Everyone learned real fast not to get in the path of the Drewster. After a little while he grew bored of the seated car and maneuvered his new Spiderman scooter on top of the track. Funny thing was until he learned to balance, he ride only a few feet and then bail, throwing the scooter to one side while he jumped off the other.



Finally, it was no surprise that Jake's favorite Christmas gift was wrapping paper. The noise, the texture, the taste...he just couldn't get enough of it.

Christmas Stockings

Some things in life are meant to be. And when you know that…it is such a great feeling. Whether life’s turn of events were expected or not, you learn to accept or reject and then make the most of it. William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.”

My cousin recently posted an entry on her blog about her "opportunity" of infertility. I know they have struggled, but that doesn’t lessen her positive outlook she has chosen to take. I respect her determination to never give up. And being that we are related, I’m going to credit that strength to our grandparents, Dave and Arlene Bishop. They definitely taught their posterity to be hard workers, be positive, serve the Lord, and never give up!

What I marvel at is that Heavenly Father can teach us so many similar lessons in so many different ways. Our particular “opportunity” shows up in a direct polar opposite. FERTILITY!!! That’s right…let your mind wander and your eyes read faster. We are expecting baby #5 September 4, 2010. Just 15 months after Jake was born. I can’t even TRY to hide this baby. I barely got back to my pre-pregancy weight and fitting a few of my old jeans only to find they didn’t fit the following week. Actually, hiding this one may be the easiest of them all. Everyone can muse that I “just” HAD a baby and my belly should look like that, but I like sharing the excitement that our family is growing.

To answer the looming question…yes, we were trying - that is, after we had the initial wakeup call a couple months ago. We have planned on another child, and thought we would wait longer, but after a series of events, we opted to get the show on the road. We are anxious to have our family complete. Although, I am overwhelmed by the idea of another pregnancy and another child. Many days I feel like I am barely surviving as it is. I have equated the calling of motherhood to one of those church callings that you shake your head and think, "Heavenly Father got this wrong. I am not the person for the job. I can't possibly do what He's asking of me." And yet, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are reassured that God will qualify us to do His work. If we are on His errand, we are entitled to His help. I know I am on God's errand. Left to my own carnal will and desires, our family would have been complete years ago.

It's funny how in the same instant I am scared to death, my heart is full. I couldn’t be happier that we have another little one on the way. My kids are so fun and cute that who wouldn’t want more of them. (Please call me on this when I’m cursing the sight of another diaper, another ruined piece of furniture, another school project, or another child that doesn’t listen to a word I say.)

On Christmas morning, the family found the extra stocking I had set up with the pregnancy test poking out of the top. Of course then I had to explain to my kids what a pregnancy test was. They were disgusted and fascinated at the same time. Later in the day Corbin asked me if I was having triplets. I had to laugh. I told him no. He asked, “twins?” I told him I thought there was only one baby, but would not know for sure until I went to the doctor. He thoughtfully asked, “Would the stick know?”



Truth be told, it’s a miracle we are pregnant, but it’s my feeling that’s what Kate was looking for. A miracle.

I have had several dreams, but until any one of them comes to fruition, it’s hard to trust what’s imaginative and what is inspiration. Kate is a darling little spirit that has been a part of our family for the past 2 ½ years. I have had experience after experience to confirm she is real and can hardly wait to meet her in person. She has become a constant thought and I have already created space for her in our home.

Some question, what if you are not pregnant with a girl? Well then, I return to my opening statement. Some things in life are meant to be. Maybe ALL things are “meant” to be. If we have a boy, he's in great company. But I'm going to need some suggestions for "K" names. :)

Holiday Baking

We had some friends come to visit with three young children whose ages match ours almost perfectly. And considering this was the first day of Christmas break, the kids were giddy to be out of school. It was so cold outside and we had so many little ones, we had to find an indoor activity. And what better activity to take up an ENTIRE day than Sugar Cookies. Making the dough, rolling it out and cutting shapes, cooking, and then decorating. The kids had a great time, but by late afternoon, I didn't care how cold it was outside, they were escorted out to sled on the ice still left on our driveway. Tons of energy and excitement with a healthy dose of sugar made for some wild hoodlums.


I love how Corbin wears his apron but I'm not sure it's doing the job it was designed to do. :)


Drew had the best time playing in the flour. He dumped his entire bowl on top of the dough and let it sift through his fingers.


Here's Audrey and Lexie. They were most intrigued with the decorating part. Audrey has been taking a cake decorating class at school once a week and has gotten pretty good. I should have taken some pictures of her finished cookies.

Upside Down Christmas Tree

I think a post without a picture is not nearly as intriguing. Which is why I think I do not blog as much as my intention holds. I have several posts I want to catch up on, but each of them require me to download pictures off my camera, edit if needed, and then uploaded to blogworld. :) If you blog, you feel my pain and regret.

Well, tonight, I will not disappoint, as I have done my duty to download pics.

I have a friend who shared with me a line from her grandmother's letter she received years ago. I think her grandmother was inspired to pen such wisdom. She said, "Create beauty in life. It will reward you with the joy of living."

On some level, I think each of us do just that. But sometimes someone's else's beauty is worth sharing because it will reward many!!! My Aunt Janet has several gifts and talents, one of which is decorating. When she redecorated her living room last year, she lost her Christmas tree spot. So, this year, she created a new one...from the ceiling.


After scouring the valley for a pre-lit tree that did not hinge, she found one that she was able to mount with one heavy duty hooked screw. Fortunately, the ceiling already had a rope light installed, which meant an outlet was available for the tree lights. I think she did a great job.

This is the chandelier above the dining room table. The picture does not do it justice. I love that is looks like another inventive version of a Christmas tree.


And finally, the "manly" additions would not be without some festive decor. When my Uncle Jared and cousin Tyson sent home SEVERAL animals from their African Safari hunt, Aunt Janet made the best of it and hung those heads with pride. :) Pumba takes his post as the welcoming committee near the front door. And at this time of year? The mounts receive a wreath while a red Santa hat adorns the ugly toughed-skinned, hairy headed warthog. Too bad I don't have a picture of that! Then again, this post is about beauty. :)

Audrey's Baptism

Audrey is 8!!! For members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, eight-years old is a big deal. If the child so chooses, they are baptized and become a member of the church. Audrey has long awaited this day, and because of a family reunion in September that conflicted with the first Sunday of the month and then General Conference, held the first weekend in October, she waited an extra five weeks! October 10th was the big day.

She was supported by so many family and friends, it was great. One of the advantages of living so far away, is when they come for an event, they usually stay a few days. We had fun going to the Moon Farm, and then eating yummy food with the soon-to-be famous chef's of GW's Chophouse.



However, there was a slight flaw with so much play the night before and day of the baptism. Audrey was so exhuasted she fell asleep during the baptismal program. Brandon said she took a short nap in the car on the way to the church, and then she fell asleep again during the last talk. It should be a weekend to remember. Here's Audrey with Brandon following the baptism.


Now, given this is such a big event, I of course wanted lots of pictures, in EVERY scenario. But, I'm still shaking my head how crazy the weekend was. Trying to entertain, cook, and get a housefull of people (mostly kids) showered, dressed, and to the church on time was a bit much for me.

I really wanted a good one of Audrey and her brothers. She is a great big sister to them and loves and adores each one of them. (In typical sibling fashion, she has a love/hate relationship with her next of kin, Corbin, but deep down, I know she loves him. :) They all look up to her and most days will do what she wants them too. Even if it means dressing up in princess outfits. So, you can understand my sadness with a slight tinge of humor when I look at these pictures. I know I'm not alone when it comes to failed pictures. I couldn't find the boys outfits that I had specifically bought for the event until Sunday, at the end of the long weekend, when my kids were tired and less than cooperative. Not only was Jake fussy and Drew crying, refusing to be a part of the show, but Audrey looks like she barely got out of bed and didn't get her hair done.



Thanks for photo editing programs, we got a good picture of the family following the baptism on Saturday. We were fighting the sun and shadows so Corbin got a new head to make this picture "perfect."


I never did get a picture that turned out of just Brandon and I with Audrey, me with Audrey, or even a group shot, but here are a few photos with others that love her and made the trip out to help make this event special for her.

Her best friend Grace Garn from American Fork, UT.

Her cousins from Idaho that drove with Grandma and Grandpa to be there for her. Kaden, Hallie, Audrey, and Sicileigh.

Her favorite babysitter of all time, Carrie Helland from American Fork, UT.

Parents, Maternal Great Grandparents (Dave and Lana Bishop) and Maternal Grandparents (Dell & Anna Williams)

Grandma and Grandpa Sam from Burley, Idaho, Uncle Jared and Aunt Janet from Grand Junction, CO, and Grandpa and Grandma Anna from Fallon, NV.

And finally, the cutest picture if you ask me. Grandma and Grandpa Sam look so proud, and Audrey looks like she feels special, as she should. She is such a wonderful part of our family. She and I commiserate sometimes because we are both the oldest and with that brings certain responsibilities, but I am so proud of her and the choices she is making. She is growing up to be a beautiful individual. I love you Audrey!


For memory sake, others not pictured but in attendance: Aunt Raelene and Cohen. Uncle Daren, Aunt Amanda, Conner, Hailey, and Kayla. Friends Randy, Char, Grace, Halle, Sadie, and Jane. Cousins Chris, Jess, and Hannah.

Halloween 2009

Here's our clan all decked out in our costumes. Brandon is considered the scrooge of Halloween. But that's o.k. He can take the picture. A couple nights ago we attended the Halloween party and Trunk-or-Treat at our church. We were a half hour late after eating dinner and getting everyone ready. But Brandon and I decided we are doing that next year on purpose. It's all we can take with 1/2 hour party of kids running wild and trick-or-treating before we pile them back into the car to go home.

Drew of course was and continues to be a crackup!!! Sadly I only record a fraction of what he says or does, but he keeps our whole house laughing.

Since he is only 2 1/2 years old, he's still getting into the swing of holidays. He loved the Halloween party. It was utter chaos and right up his alley. At his peak of frenzy, he was running in circles and then flinging himself on the ground to roll around. All of this occurred in the MIDDLE of the cake walk. And of course he insisted that anyone could go and take a cake and why wasn't I helping myself to the over-ladden table? He certainly was.

During the trunk-or-treat, I attempted to walk Drew around to each car, teaching him the traditional "Trick-or-treat", holding out your bag, saying, "Thank You," and then moving on to the next vehicle. As soon as he got ONE piece of candy (a lollipop) he was done. He sat down in his bright yellow fireman costume (on the wet, black, dirty pavement) and opened his new treat. It took a bit to convince him to visit a few more cars, but he did it. He held his pumpkin bag in one hand and licked the lollipop with his other. We never even made it to all the cars. But who was I to argue? I don't want him eating all that junk anyway. I figure what he got was pretty good and should last at least a week.

However, you can only imagine how dissappointed Drew was that his "pumpkin" was empty this afternoon. He has rather enjoyed his sugar loaded diet the last couple days. He has even tried to confiscate Corbin and Audrey's stash (who went around the cars TWICE), but that hasn't gone over well.

So, in Drew's cute little amused voice, he turns to me and says, "I KNOW!!!" "I will be back - just a minute." And then he went and put on his costume and tried to get Corbin to put on his monkey suit so they could go trick-or-treating. For a two-year old it is such simple logic! COSTUMES=CANDY!

Here's the three little posers in all their glory.

















Jake is almost 5 months old. Looks like he's wondering what this costume thing is all about.

Naptime

I don't know what it is about naps. When you are small and HAVE to take a nap, you don't want to. It seems every child goes through a stage where they fight the sleep. Take Drew for instance. Today he insisted he was not tired. He climbed out of his bed, but stopped on the stairs because he knew he was suppose to be taking a nap and thought better of coming all the way downstairs. Me on the other hand, WISHES I could take a nap every day and somehow the sleep evades me. After all, on the rare occasion both boys sleep at the same time, I can either take a moment to get SOMETHING done for the day, or sleep. I guess it's that principle of wanting what you can't have. Drew can't go without and I can't sleep every afternoon. :)

Rejuvenated!

I would imagine that any mom of small children knows how glorious it is to have a day to play...without her little dependents! For whatever reason all the stars aligned and my friend Diana came to visit for a short weekend. And, considering I recently weened Jake, Brandon was able and willing to watch the kids while we pretended we had no other worries or cares in the world. What a great husband!

We went Mountain Biking on two of my favorite trails in Fruita (Kokopelli - Rustlers and 18 Rd - Primecut to Kesler) and then traveled a short distance to Glenwood Springs to hike Hanging Lake and relaxed in the vapor caves. Here's a few photos from the day.








Just so happened while I was playing, Brandon had unexpected challenges at work that required him to leave town the next day. Glad I got my break! Since he was driving through Burley, ID, he took Drew with him to spend some time with Grandma. (Remove the two-year old from the mix and that's a break in and of itself!!!) Diana and I took the other kids on the Devil's Kitchen hike in the Colorado National Monument right behind our house.

Audery's 8th Birthday

I think I have mentioned before that every four years I do a big party for the kids’ birthdays. The tradition started when I went all out for Audrey’s 4th birthday and recognized as much fun as that was, I couldn’t keep that standard every year. Besides, at that time, I had TWO children. Because I love to do parties, the fun was more for me than Audrey at that age. Although it’s a lot of work and sometimes stress, it brings me a lot of JOY! Just as someone else enjoys scrapbooking, or canning, or gardening, I enjoy throwing parties. To me, the work is worth it.

This year, Audrey chose a “Fairy” theme. We had a hard time deciding on a date for the party because of Brandon’s work schedule, but with four days notice to invite, create, and decorate, I think the party was a huge success! I wouldn’t have wanted to drag it out over longer anyway. As it was, I probably went overboard. But that’s the fun of it! Audrey commented that her party was like a grown-up party. And when her friends arrived (10 of them) I expected more rambunctious behavior. There’s something to be said for setting the atmosphere. The girls came dressed in fairy or party attire and were in awe of the decorations and food. So much so, I wondered if they were even having a good time they were all so polite and calm. I later heard from the mom’s that they girls loved it!

When you decide to do a party with four days notice, you make invites from what you have. Fortunately my supplies of cards I bought years ago has not yet been depleted. I ripped off the ugly flower sticker and replaced it with the fairy picture on these shiny pink cards with matching envelopes. I found the wording for the invite online.




Audrey and I decorated a pop-up tent to look like a fairy garden. The tent barely fit under our back porch area, but it was too hot in the sun and we needed the shade.

With a few connections, we rounded up gobs of pink, yellow, white, and purple floral décor and Toole. The tent alone took five hours. But decorating was a breeze with Audrey’s excitement and help (And Corbin playing at a friends while the little boys took naps.) I was half tempted to invite some of my friends over for a luncheon the following day, just to enjoy the garden a bit longer. The tent looked nice enough from the outside, but you couldn't fully appreciate the ambiance without going inside.

We set the table with little glass plates and teacups for the tea party and then prepared tea sandwiches, fruit, and fancy raspberry lemonade.

Fortunately, friends and family helped out the morning of when I realized my folly in attempting to decorate flower cupcakes and create a bouquet. Not only did it take much longer to frost the cupcakes than I had time for, but the flowers fell right off the sticks. The “bouquet” ended up being flat.


Gratefully Aunt Janet showed up ½ hour before the party was to start and made all the sandwiches and arranged the fruit and veggies. Audrey thought to cut out the tea sandwiches in the shape of hearts (we didn’t have a flower cut-out).


For the craft activity, I made fairy wings and wands and bought flowers, ribbon, and glitter to decorate with. The wings were a bit of a challenge and left blisters on my fingers, but the girls spent a good portion of the party decorating their fairy paraphernalia.


Plus, these were the party gifts so they got to take them home. For the wings, I bent wire hangers into the shape of wings and then pulled tights over each end, cut the tight leg, and tied a knot. Then I tied on some elastic to be used as the shoulder straps.


We played a few party games, like Fairy, Fairy, Freeze (dance like a fairy until the troll turns off the music and then freeze), Lilypad Add-on (add-on game played on the trampoline), and then a memory game using kitchen items served on a party tray. As prizes for the games, I found these cute glass fairies at the dollar store.


The following day, we had family over for dinner and then cake and ice cream. I borrowed a flower cake pan and had fun making this yummy treat! Audrey's favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate frosting.


Here's the birthday girl wishing all her dreams come true!!!


Hopefully it is an event that Audrey will remember until her next big bash…four years from now. ☺ After a few days of birthday events and a last-minute neighborhood party, I felt like my old self...sore feet and exhausted from entertaining. I loved it.