The Making of the Gingerbread House

Okay, I am such a perfectionist that I wanted to make a Gingerbread House by scratch every year but instead it never happened. So last year, when I had a one month old baby, my husband brought home a $10 kit from Costco. At first, I wasn't happy about it. However, it was so easy and just as fun, so we decided to do that again this year. PS- Can you tell I was a little bored, waiting for the house to be put together??

Family Christmas Letter 2006

Dear Family and Friends, December 2006

We began our year (January 1), with Karina Loren’s blessing. Because Karina (barely 1) is so loved, she never gets a nap! But she returns the admiration, as she insists that she gets to do all that her sisters do, like twirling around our living room to music. Also, she loves to be held by adults because she doesn’t want to miss a thing! She loves to go back and forth, back and forth between different adult’s arms. Her favorite thing of all though, is eating!! I am frequently shocked by just how much she eats, for her age.

Tierra Alaine, 2, is finally speaking sentences and she loves to sing songs. “Rosie, Rosie” and “Monkey Jump Bed” are two of her favorites. She also loves to whisper secrets and loves to be called a big girl. She can already empty the dishwasher all by herself. She has such a sweet spirit and lots of love, which she freely gives to everyone. When she is around, you can count on lots of snuggles and kisses. The other day, she pointed to a picture and said, “Girl, child of God.” It was a special moment.

Sariah Lynn, is our spunky 5 yr. old. Last week, she did a snow angel in her Sunday dress (without a coat!) She sure keeps us laughing! Last month, she found a record and said, “Look Riana, a really big CD!” She is also very close to the spirit. Earlier this year, she said, “I feel the spirit and it’s hugging us.” How sweet! Sariah kept busy this summer with Swimming Lessons and Soccer— she scored two goals! This fall, she is doing Homeschooling Co-op, Pre-Piano Classes, Clogging, and Preschool Co-op.

Riana Joye, 6, grew up a lot this year!! She learned to tie shoes, ride a 2-wheeler, and read verses in the Book of Mormon. She lost two teeth and will lose her two front teeth maybe by Christmas. Being the oldest, she is a natural leader. During our Family Reunion Disney Parade, the Toy Story song came on, she shouted, “Now let the Toy Story people go in front.” It was so cute! She is keeping busy with Swimming, Soccer, Pre-Piano Classes, Clogging, HS Co-op, and WAVA (K-12 curriculum.)

Grant has had a busy year. He spent 1 week in Dallas, 1 in Chicago, and 2 in Anaheim, all preparing for a promotion to Vaccine Specialist. But he made it up to me with some special dates: Real Madrid Soccer Game, 2 Seahawk’s Games, Tacoma Symphony, etc. We also moved to Lacey (most central for his territory.) And he squeezed in his new calling as Young Men’s 1st Coun. (including hiking adventures,) a fishing trip, his soccer team, sang at 3 firesides, and is currently singing in an Opera--"Amahl and the Night Visitors" (pictured above.)

I, Angela, have had a stressful year. I home-schooled, taught at Co-op, did my calling as Activity Days leader, sold one house, moved into the other, and was hospitalized (only overnight) for an abscess on my tonsils. To keep from getting any sicker, I did some things for myself—dates with my hubby (minus the kids), tried out for American Idol, joined Curves (Women’s workout place), joined a Women’s Soccer Team, and Grant hired me a maid (she comes twice a month and it helps so much!!)

As a family, we had lots of fun—with trips to the Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, a ferry ride to tour the Space Needle, and a Mt. Rainier hike. We also traveled all over Washington for a Brother’s Graduation, Nephew’s Baptism, a Family Reunion, a work trip/vacation to Semiahmoo, and even into Oregon for a neice’s blessing. The only sad news was that both our kitties ran away, even though we did all that we could to try to adjust them to the new house. But all in all, we have had a very blessed year! Happy Holidays to all!

Lots of love, Grant, Angela, Riana, Sariah, Tierra, and Karina

The Christmas Tree-- It was all meant to be!

We had an adventure this year with our Christmas Tree. At first, we were going to use our fake tree. We put it up, put all of the ornaments and everything on, and then the base broke!! Then tree came tumbling down and right on top of Riana-- Poor girl!! Luckily, nothing broke. So... we took everything off and decided to get a real tree-- which we prefer anyway. We went with our friends, The Sessions Family. And had a great time! Even though it got dark shortly after we got there, we were both able to pick out a tree and in fact, Celeste and I agreed that it was better that way because we were both such perfectionists that we would've been there all night picking out "just the right tree." We both found beautiful trees and for only $20! Then that night, when we went to get a stand for our real tree, we saw that you can buy new stands for your fake tree! Whoops! Our new stand, for our real tree, could hold about 4 quarts of water. Unexpectedly, our tree drank all 4 quarts in about 24-48 hours! Crazy eh? Our tree was left without water and we didn't want to put any ornaments on, if we were going to have to cut the bottom again. So we waited and it was fine. Then the day we decided to decorate the tree, Grant's Dad, Gene, called and said that he was in the area and wanted to stay with us. We were so excited to have him. And we ended up decorating the tree with him. It was so neat! The kids loved having their Grandpa help them and it was just a wonderful memory! He seemed so happy and so I think it will be a wonderful memory for him too! I really think it was meant to be.

Boy's Night Out/Girl's Night Out

So after Thanksgiving Day, Grant and Mark went on an overnight hike up in the snow. Crazy, I know! However, they love to go on their manly hikes. I am fine because I know their are smart about it. Plus, this is their male bonding time. So while they were gone Liz and I were hanging out, and Adrienne and Max came over and we decided to brave it alone to Shari's. We, 3 adults, and all 7 children (seemed more like 15!) went to Shari's. It was a little insane-- Liz and Adrienne's kids took turns crying through dinner and then my kids made up for it with the drama just getting the kids and the food, that they didn't eat, out to the car. Let's just say, we had our hands full. But what better to have your hands full of?? Anyway, it is so hit and miss taking kids out to a restaurant. So, needless to say, we needed a break after that, so when our sweet husbands came home, they watched all the kids and we went to a movie!! The movie wasn't all that great, but the break was!! Notice that the break didn't last, as our hands were full the minute we walked in the door. :) PS- Don't I look totally annoyed in the Shari's pic??

Thanksgiving with my family

We had Thanksgiving this year with my family, which was great. I love my Mom-- especially how she listens to all my stories of life. She is so good about that. Also, each Thanksgiving as I watch her, I continue to be amazed by her self sacrificing for the rest of us. I try to help as much as I can, but it never seems to be enough, compared to all that she does. She burns both ends of the candle, starting Wednesday with shopping, then baking all the pies (everything by scratch.) Then Thursday, she wakes up early to put the Turkey in and continues to serve like crazy all day. She is amazing to me!! Man, I love that woman! I appreciate her more as I am a Mom now too. Anyway, Thanksgiving was a blast. Every single member of my family was there, plus my uncle and aunt and their children. If you are interested, see my sister Elizabeth's blog for more pictures.

Karina's 1st Birthday Party

On Nov. 19, our baby Karina turned 1. It is kind of sad for me. I feel like this year has passed by so fast. I am not ready for her to grow up yet. She is becoming such a big girl and wants to be independent already. She wants to be doing everything that her sisters are doing. Anyway, her birthday was so fun. My Mom, Dad, and brothers Dan, Tom, Joe, and Chris and his family (Mandy, Kaatlin, Nathanael, Seth, and Laurel) came. Also, Grant's sister Jill and her family (Tito, Alexis, Paige, and Kaiti) came. We made Thankful Trees and Edible Turkeys. Also, Karina was born on the day of the Apple Cup and so, her 1st Birthday Party also happened to fall on the day of the Apple Cup. Go Huskies!! Anyway, Karina definitely loved her cake!! Please sir, can I have some more?? Happy Birthday Karina!!

Pacific Science Center

Also in November, we went to the Pacific Science Center with Grant's brother Phil and his wife Michelle and their two boys Tanner and Joshua. Here are some highlights from our visit.

Hands on Children's Museum

In November, we went to the Hands on Children's Museum. We went with our friends Celeste, Trieste, Lily, and Ella. The kids had so much fun!! The funniest part of the day was when we had to walk to the cars in the rain and we all got drenched. But then again, what do you expect? LOL!

Birthday Pictures throughout the Year

Each year, we get our girl's pictures taken for the year when they have a Birthday. This year, we started something new. They get to have a Mommy Daughter Date. This year it included their pictures, Build-A-Bear to get an outfit with their money, then a restaurant where they can order anything they want. It was such a treat! Sariah was planning hers from Feb (Riana's birthday) clear 'til her birthday in June. It was so cute. I loved every minute because I don't get much one-on-one time with them.