Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was different for our family.  We have always been either with my parents at their home (or cabin) or Darin's parent's home Christmas Eve through Christmas and usually beyond.  We say our Christmas tradition is alternating which family traditions we do!

 However, Mark and his friend Esme were flying in from Korea so this was the first time we had ever stayed in our own home on Christmas Eve!  Added to that, plans were kind of up in the air...if all went well and the plane came in on time we would go celebrate in Salt Lake (since Mark, Esme and my parents were staying at Little America),  if there was a big delay my parents would have dinner at our house with us while waiting for the flight,  if there was a slight delay Mark, Esme and my parents might have dinner with us....or if Mark and Esme were too tired we would just do our own thing.  It's not easy for me to go with the unplanned flow but I did a pretty knock out job of it this time, if I do say so myself. I was ready to make a nice dinner, and ready to run into the city.

While waiting to see what would be we entertained ourselves by delivering treats to neighbors, and gifts to friends.  We walked around the neighborhood because it was fairly warm and of course zero snow. In between deliveries, and receiving deliveries we put together a puzzle.

Miriam went on a Harry Potter binge over the holidays so she spent lots of time reading.

(on book four by now I believe, she just said "oh mom, I feel so bad for Neville"...and I said "just wait honey...just wait, the nerdy earnest ones always turn out great in the end!" )

The flight came in right on schedule!  So wonderful to have Mark with us for awhile, and to meet Esme who is sweet and lovely.  They were in good form so we decided to go with plan A.

 Darin and I took the kids around the Grand American alphabet window display while everyone else checked into their hotel rooms and freshened up.

We looked into where to eat dinner and decided the easiest thing would be to stay where we were so we got a reservation at the Grand Garden Cafe.  Soren took a Christmas Even nap in the lobby while Darin and I participated in one of our favorite pastimes...people watching. The other two played Mine Craft on the Nexus....we were all content and happy.  

The night just kept clipping along like clockwork, because just as the rest of our party was walking over, our reservation was ready...and oh by gosh by golly THE FOOD! I have never eaten at the Grand Buffet so I wasn't prepared for the treat that lay in store for us!

A chocolate bomb the kids enjoyed....

My dessert sampler: creme brulee, pecan pie, and bread pudding with chocolate nutcracker I just had to try. We did get real food too...amazing smoked salmon,  pasta bar, and prime rib with all the fixings...but the kids and I just adore a grand dessert buffet!

If I ever go again I want to get all dressed up fancy, it was fun to see all the Christmas Eve finery. It wouldn't have been great this time though because we had plans to traipse around the city, we jumped on TRAX to see the candy windows and temple square.

It was beautiful and nice to walk off that rich dinner.  By the time we caught TRAX back, the 16 hour flight exhaustion caught up with Mark and Esme so we parted ways in the lobby of Little America.

The kids watched Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas on the way home and we all sang the songs out loud together.

The kids opened Christmas Eve jammies to which Soren said "I was expecting something cooler with a picture of something I like".  I told him some gifts are for his enjoyment and some are for mine because I dearly love seeing my kiddos in snugly Christmas plaid flannel. We read the book "Great Joy" as requested by Miriam.  We have read a few Christmas books each night this month but she reserved this one because it's her all time favorite and the boys obliged.

I am typing this as a windstorm is raging outside, below freezing temps, and a possible power outage at any time....at least the kids are dressed in snugly Christmas plaid flannel jammies! Just one of those things that makes my heart sing.

The Sunday before Christmas

Because Mormons don't go to church on Christmas (unless the holiday falls on Christmas) the Sunday before feels like a holiday within itself.  There was the musical sacrament meeting (M and I sang) and then all the kids received special Christmas lessons and little treats from their teachers.  Because I serve in YW we put on a brunch in one of the other leaders beautifully decorated home.  We spent most of the time eating and talking but did fit in time to read Christmas Day in the Morning (one of my top 5 Christmas books ever!!) and give out a little milk bottle reminding the girls to give of themselves this Christmas.  I think one of the most meaningful things we can do during the holidays is turn off our phones and for one or two entire evenings give the gift of being present for each other.  The gift of willing happy participation...that is the best gift a kid can give, don't you think?

I do believe I took a nap that Sunday....that right there is a celebration for my soul!

Then we tackled those Rudolph themed gingerbread houses I have been storing for a year.

These next two pictures were just on my camera, taken sometime this month....

and because I know those chubby little feet won't be dangling beneath the chair forever I decided to include them.  Soren, with bed-head, wearing hand-me-down pj's Grandpa brought back from his trip to China.

Christmas Concerts

This has been our year of Christmas concerts!

There are always cute kid concerts this time of year, but this year we attended more professional music and dance concerts than I ever have before! I LOVED it.

It started when we won the lottery for the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert.

Now, you have to understand that I am not a fan of the massive conference center when it is full (Music and the Spoken Word is fantastic because only one section is open). I just feel trapped and uncomfortable there, and have no desire to go to general conference or big shows...but when I saw that the Sesame Street Muppets were coming I was absolutely in.  Sesame Street people are my people! I grew up watching the show nearly every morning all the way through high school.  Soren watches them even now, and we watch the first Sesame Street Christmas special every Christmas.  I love the whole idea and concept of Sesame Street.

The concert didn't disappoint! It was funny, and sweet, with so much action (I wasn't expecting all the dancing and gymnastics). Santino Fontana was fantastic, but he was at his best when interacting with the Muppets.  I adored every minute of it, fell in love with the Muppets all over again. 

Our other concerts without photos:

So You Think You Can Dance Tour 

*Miriam earned the money last summer and bought tickets in September...she has been waiting for months to see this! It didn't disappoint.  She and I had a wonderful time.

The Lower Lights

*tickets given to me by my friend Erin....amazing, so good I would pay my own $ to see them again.

The Messiah

*I performed with our stake and was blown away by the talent I am surrounded with; full string quartet, a trumpeter, clarinetist, soloists...it was an overwhelming experience.

Colonial Christmas

*Miriam's 5th grade Christmas concert, I cried of course, I love the song "Simple Gifts" and "Irish Blessing". I think I want to add "Simple Gifts" to our Christmas song tradition.

Our Ward Christmas Program

*I sing in our ward choir which is such a privilege.  I just go to glean knowledge and be exposed to beautiful classical music. I don't pretend that I am needed (always more than enough strong altos) but they make me feel wanted.  Miriam sang a verse solo for one of the choir songs "One Small Babe" and then sang in the children's choir. Again, full string quartet, and flutist.

I am a Christmas purest...no Christmas music till after Thanksgiving is allowed at our house (except for one occasion when Miriam was feeling wistful the Sunday before Thanksgiving).  However, since November 28th it's been Bing Crosby or Tom Petty Holiday Pandora stations and FM 100 24/7!

Back to Mumford & Sons and Band of Horses to get me through January.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2014

The one weekend...before Thanksgiving, when we got a bit of snow.

Come on Snow!! I am not jazzed about rain at Christmas.

Anyway....Thanksgiving 2014

It was just us plus Grandma and Grandpa this year...

so we got most of the rolls...and cinnomon rolls the next day.

It was a simple, sweet day.  We put together puzzles, watched movies, showed gratitude by feasting, and then ran to a local park to take a Christmas card photo.

We only got 6 photos before the camera battery died so luckily one worked out!

The next day the kiddos crafted with Grandpa.  They made fun glass pendants for themselves and to give to others.  I took the kids to a trampoline park to pass the time until Drewes cousins made it up.

and then it was 100% cousin time until we had to tear them apart!

I REALLY want to quote some Salt N' Pepa "Mighty Good Man" right about now. Darin was never a fan so I will try to refrain....but it is going through my mind as I type.

("My man is smooth like Berry, and his voice got bass. A body like Arnold with a Denzel face")

ANYWAY,

Darin is pretty boss.  He set the goal to ride 2000 miles this year, most of them bike commuting to work.  Last Wednesday on his commute home he did it!! This is even more amazing when you realized that he set this goal before being called to jury duty, which wiped out all of June commuting (one of the best weather months to bike in Utah).  These days he is taking off in total darkness in below freezing temps.  

("He keeps me on cloud nine, just like the Temps.  He's not a fake wannabe tryin' to be a pimp"

sorry....I can't help myself.)

Chillin' with the boys on the roof.  While doing some home maintenance (including the removal of the moose weathervane HOORAY!) he let the boys climb up.  The whole family, plus one of Miriam's friends ended up there after awhile.  It was probably one of Bub's lifetime highlights. Next 4th of July, we are totally going up there to watch fireworks (if my nerves can manage it).

I love Halloween, I enjoy dressing up, I really like parties...and I like to talk for hours on end.

Darin doesn't...Halloween is fine, but he could pass on the parties and the talking late into the evening. There's a hard no on the dressing up, but he is so good at it!! He rocked Bob Ross, and helped me pin my hair up for the paintbrush. 

Also, this post will embarrass him but he will put up with it.

"What a mighty mighty good man"

School Pictures

We had Student Educator Parent meetings tonight at the kids' school.  As we sat there with each teacher going over school work and making goals I was almost brought to tears with gratitude.  I felt how sincerely my kids' teachers care about them.  Miriam's teacher spent an hour with us....an hour (!) and it was all positive; praising where she is, but also encouraging her to push herself, always backing her expectations with assurance.  I left the meeting a bit overwhelmed about what is expected, but also grateful the bar is set so high. I know her teacher is using all the best research and resources she has at her disposal to give her students as stellar education.  How do you thank someone for that kind of effort?!

Byron didn't seem to enjoy talking about himself, or his work.  He turned pretty stoic, stared ahead and didn't say much of anything. His teacher was unphased and patient. I could tell she "got" him. She recommended testing him for the gifted program and then followed up with "he may not enjoy that kind of program"....yep she gets him. She knows he is bright even if he doesn't like to share that with others. At times I get frustrated with his hesitance to speak up, and yet I really admire that he doesn't grandstand.  It's a gift to work hard without needing to be praised about it. I wouldn't change him even if I could.

This year's school photos

Byron 1st grade

Favorite book this year - The Hobbit (family read)

Favorite school subjects - Art, computers, and recess

Byron's Reflections entry this year.
He worked hard, and enjoyed coming up with this project.

 Look closely, he is now sporting the quintessential 1st grade grin!
He lost one of his front teeth on Monday.  It fell out while eating pretzels and he swallowed it!
It wasn't funny then, but we can laugh about it today.

Miriam 5th grade
Favorite book this year: Far World Series
Favorite subject: Science

Her Miriam poem:

Miriam
Active, crazy, anxious, curious
Daughter of Elisa and Darin
Lover of ballet, music, and chocolate
Who feels nervous, happy, and excited
Who needs books, cake, and family
Who gives effort, service, and smiles
Who fears scorpions, darkness, and deadlines
Who would like to see Denmark, the Philippines, and South Korea
Resident of Utah USA
Ray

She is pretty self aware I would say.

It's fitting to be filled with such gratitude in the middle of November.  When those old feelings of lack start to descend or I begin to panic with that "fear of missing out" I am going to re-read this post.  My kids feel safe, they feel loved, they are part of a balanced community where both achievement and creativity are encouraged. I feel nothing but abundance and gratitude today.

And seriously, can I ever say "thank you" enough to these women?

Zion Trip for Grown-ups

The Narrows

(most photos taken by our friend Tim Hawkes)

Oscar's for dinner...so good.

Angels Landing

 

 

Ate at a sub par restaurant that evening...but it's a funny story, and the conversation was great.

Beautiful vistas, engaging people, physical exertion, lucious sand = Great memories.

Thanks to my family for watching the kiddos for my bucket list check trip. Especially Julia who watched my kids ON HER BIRTHDAY!! And thanks to Lisa and Craig for the beautiful accomodations.