Avoiding Winter Doldrums!

Jan 30, 2011

Dear Family,

Happy New Year! And to keep your year exciting, we've decided to share our top 5 ways to stave off the winter doldrums:

#5-Have a Party! We have 2 birthdays this month: Brian turned 41 (got a dehydrator, some basketball shorts, and a special edition of McCollough's 1776, and Anne made it to 3 (all of her birthdays seem somewhat miraculous so far!). 

We've eliminated milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, nuts, and most recently, corn and sugar from her diet, so for a cake? A Mouse (adapted from a “Bunny Salad” from the Priday cookbook) made from half a pear, kiwis, raisins, and fruit leather. She was THRILLED, and kept calling it her cake (thank goodness). Though she still looks awful (is the food even working???), she was blessed to have a “good day” on her birthday, and even 2 more after that, so we were grateful she could enjoy some special time.

Though she still looks awful (is the food even working???), she was blessed to have a “good day” on her birthday, and even 2 more after that, so we were grateful she could enjoy some special time. She loved getting her doll crib and high chair. She found them in the back of the van (I bought them from someone on KSL), and was excited to help me get them out, but I told her they were a surprise for her birthday, so for 2 weeks, she'd keep saying, “Almost my BOODday and my KIBB!” Some surprise!--she didn't seem to mind, though. She also got some Little Pets from G&G, a princess show (Beauty and the Beast), and a few days later, a ballet tutu from G&G M (made by Carrie!!). Such fun! I've had my own little parties too—w/ a day to go visit w/ Amanda (and commiserate over our struggling 3yr olds!!), and bookclub here at the house. We also celebrated that Cosmo is now a happy outdoor cat again! by getting her a collar and laser-engraved tag! Hip Hooray for 9 Lives!

#4-Get Braces! (or as Anne seems to see it, JEWELRY for the teeth!). Maddie did a great job on her first talk last Sunday (on “Having a Christ-Centered Home”). Anne was so excited to see Maddie's mouth, and next thing we knew, was searching the halls of the orthodontist for her own! Maddie now has an “expander” running between her top molars, that we have to turn w/ a little key to keep growing. In just a couple of weeks, it's created a good gap in her front teeth, so that the Dr can now surgically bring down her canines stuck in the roof of her mouth! She's a great sport!! (not crying at every new development like I would!) and is surprised it doesn't hurt more—she just needs a little more ice cream now and again.

#3-Get a makeover! (or give one to yourself) We're painfully aware of how sad Anne looks w/ her dreaded eczema, but add her own makeup to the picture, and we realize things could be worse!! She LOVES putting on eyeshadow and lipstick, and Mom is wishing her makeup drawer were a little higher off the ground. We took her to another homeopathic Dr. this last week, and are trying a few new attempts. She meanwhile, keeps being a good sport through all of this, and gives Mom more practice at being easy going about schedule changes—even middle of the night ones!

#2-Play Peekaboo! Lucy is at SUCH a fun stage—we keep thinking it can't get any better than this, and then she adds to her fun repertoire things like folding her arms for the prayer w/ all of us, 

waving “Bye” as Dad leaves for work (and saying, “BYE-DA!!”), and quite adorably, playing peekaboo. You know she's good, when she can melt her 11 year-old brother, who's always telling her how unbelievably cute and delicious she is.

1-Get a New Hobby to go w/ the New Year! Brian's been doing origami at night w/ a new book he got, and he's been putting his dehydrator to good use, making delicious beef jerky!--He's even working on a batch right now that we can take on our trip to GA this# week!! Family is the best! We've had some good visits w/ Nate and Stacey the last couple of weeks, just dropping by here and there, and Brian spoke so well today w/ the rest of the bishopric, on Facing our Homes Towards the Temple. It is the 24^th anniversary for when his Mom died today, so he had very tender feelings to share. He also included the experience of dropping me off @ G&G Priday's house at the end of a semester while we were dating. On the way, he was still in turmoil of whether or not to move to SLC for the next term, where his seminary classes were. We had only had 1 or 2 dates, and he would've been gone when I got back. After just having dinner w/ G&G, and feeling the spirit in that home, (which he said was so like the temple), he thought if I came from that kind of a family, it may be worth commuting for a while. Sure enough, he was still in Provo when I got back (much to my surprise!), and look at all that has come from that! I had forgotten the timing to some of those things, and it was quite a reminder of the impact our homes can have! Even with the bumps in the road (or maybe because of them), we are SO blessed, and I am regularly overwhelmed at the abundance of joy our little family has. It is exciting to think what this new year can bring—I am having a new appreciating for January—which has dragged along in the past. After the busyness of the holidays, it is nice to have an empty month with the full 31 days, and so nice to have a fresh start—the hope of spring really does feel around the corner—even as we shiver! Have a great week! Love, The Duncan's

Christmas

The children w/ their gingerbread houses (and Anne w/ her self-done eye shadow)

and no, the glue gun did not deter them from eating!

Dear Family,
Happy Christmas Time!! Here we are with a new year, and the last day of Christmas break, and just the feeling you get after a perfect meal---good feeling, good taste in your mouth, and a little wondering of how well you'll move once you actually get up and going again.  We've had SUCH a good holiday time together though, and I've loved all the time of not worrying about anything but being together! We've finished 1 1/2 puzzles, made gingerbread houses, played countless games (including TONS on our new Kinect game system), eaten good food, enjoyed phone calls w/ family and time w/ friends, and just enjoyed every day. 

Before Christmas, we finished delivering neighborhood goodies (just goldfish w/ "We FISH you a merry Christmas and a SPLASHY new year"--thanks Jorgensen's for the good and time-saving idea!), and laughed our heads off when we accidentally delivered some, not just to the wrong house, but to TOTAL strangers (yes, even in our small ward boundaries, we still have trouble finding all of the Primary teachers!).   I'm sure they just thought we were strange friendly people.  It was likewise funny (though we weren't laughing too much at the time!) to find Lucy eating her POOP! one day while we had our heads turned for a minute!

Angel Emily talking to shepherds and sheep--Lucy played "sore afraid" very excitedly

Mary and Joseph, and Mary? w/ baby; Maddie and Anne wanted to be Mary, and Anne figured she was so much in the spotlight that no one would notice Maddie, while Maddie pretended Anne wanted to be a shepherd and just couldn't explain herself; Mom was just happy there was no fighting

Nativity: Kennelly family, Spencer, Maddie, & Emily

Brent as Samuel the Lamanite being attacked w/ arrows and lightsabers

I made as much of the food as possible, ahead of time for Christmas Eve, and we had such a feast!! A big turkey, twice baked potatoes, pomegranate and kiwi salad (Christmas colors!!--w/ whipped cream, nuts and oranges), steamed brussel sprouts, homemade rolls, our favorite Cranberry juice w/ tonic water to drink, and a chocolate mint yule log for dessert!  It seemed such a waste to eat alone, so I first invited our sweet Baptist neighbors across the street over to eat w/ us (and act out the nativity, since it IS so much easier w/ more people!), and then asked a family in the ward who we found out would be home alone when they called to see if Spencer could play that afternoon.  The neighbors couldn't come--they were picking up the husband from the airport and his long commute that night, but it was still a fun chance to sit and visit for a few minutes, and I was glad I tried.  It was great to have a full house, and after dinner, I was so glad to find I had a copy of a Nativity program I'd put together years ago, AND more costumes than I even remembered I'd had!! (between moving, apartments, and an unfinished basement, it's been quite a few years since we've been able to find them to pull out!

After the Kennelly's left, (and the cleanup was easy w/ so much extra help!), we all opened some pajamas and got quickly to bed!

Christmas morning was a blast (all the children except Anne and Lucy slept downstairs, so we had to wait for the babies to wake up around 8!).  We had fun opening presents--including the Kinect games (we had thought to get a Wii this year, but were excited for this new version of movement video games!), a new wagon, a big tent, fun movies, and more!

Anne w/ a new dog! and princess gear

Lucy was completely content w/ her candy cane!

And don't forget Happy Cosmo!--our TEMPORARILY indoor cat--who is now walking quite well on all fours.  She has even wandered down the stairs once, but we are trying to keep her to the kitchen/living area until she's well.  She is good at hiding behind the couch or Christmas tree while Lucy is awake, and wandering around more at night

Dad distributing gifts

trying out a "Stop the Leaks" game

Lucy w/ more presents

amid all the gift opening

Anne LOVED this crown and especially earrings from Emily!!

Anne & Lucy enjoying one of many rides in the new wagon!

We had a couple of families join us for gyoza, games, and yummy treats on New Year's Eve--very fun! The little ones had gone to bed earlier, but just as I was climbing into bed, Little Anne came to our door crying w/ her itchy skin---until 4AM, I was rubbing Aquaphor on her feet and knees and hands.  We still keep hoping she'll begin to improve.  We gave her some perscription strength Benadryl last night to help her sleep, but ALL day she's been SO groggy and loopy, so I think we'll either try a lower dose next time, or a different medicine.  It IS encouraging that her sinuses have stayed clearer and healthier this winter, so maybe we're on a right track.  Mostly, I think we'll just have to wait this one out a bit.  Brian's doing his own waiting right now--he's had a lot of pressure at work since one of the 3 partners doesn't think that the work/pay are split fairly, and it's created a bit of tension with everyone while things are a little slow right now.   Even as I write, he's looking at possible prosecution options or other directions he might be able to go.  We'll see how things pan out.  Happy New Year to you all! Love, the Duncan's