Dear Christmas Letter readers,

(I know not everyone reads these, I even hear some people have strong negative feelings about the “Christmas Letter” so this is addressed to the ones who actually enjoy this type of stuff)  As we begin this wonderful time of year (ok so it’s only 9 days until Christmas and I just ordered the pictures!)  We want to update you on the events of our family this year (No, not really, just the good stuff & that stuff that makes people think “Oh, what a darling family” or “I'm going to be sick” depending on the readers mood and generosity at the time of reading).  Mark is still a Chemist, Jennie cleaned the house and did the laundry too,  Megan & Camille went to school.  Lydia lives off of cold cereal and pancakes.  We wish you and yours a season filled with family and friends, well, the ones you like of course!

Love, The McLaws Family

That was so fun, and really I can only send it to a few select people but, if you got it I hope you laughed your butt off!

Here is some good stuff, I really have nothing against sharing the bad stuff but I do such a great job of blocking it out and I really don’t want everyone to know that I can lose my temper with the kids,or that they fight, or that Mark sometimes likes the TV more than the family. Ah crap, now you know, but at least I didn’t say anything about the ... Ohhh, so close.

Mark has been busy, he is in demand at work, he is a good supervisor to some, and he can make some at work really mad too, he just tells it how he sees it, always dangerous.  He likes to be busy, it gives him something to complain about, that is not true he rarely complains.  Mark has begun the kitchen remodel this year and it is AWESOME!  

Me, Jennie, I hate this part,  I don’t do anything that sounds dynamic but I like my life (most days).  I like the mom life and I think I do ok at it (most days)  I have served in primary again for the past year and I LOVE IT! I love the book club I go to.  Some favorite books this year “A Christmas Carol”, “Left to Tell”, “Eat,Pray,Love” and  “Twilight”(me & half the world, the female half) I have no memory for the other books but I liked most of them.  I did get to travel to Georgia, met up with my sister and stayed with my favorite Dad’s twin and his family.  I started a blog and am on facebook - big year!  I get giddy over each new thing Mark does for the kitchen and I really do have a wonderful family and beautiful home.  

Megan is 11, She started middle school, continues harp & piano, started violin.  Made the “ high achievement list” her first quarter of middle school - VERY COOL!  Meg is becoming an almost teenager is desires, her christmas wishes included a “chocolate” cell phone and a laptop, “a Mac preferably”  She has a few great friends, Meg, had a surgery, another bone graft - Success!  And the doc also changed her nose a bit too, gave her a little tip, it looks good!  

Camille told me yesterday:  “I need to find my husband” me: “You are 7, how old are you going to be when you get married?” Camille: “18”.  Me: “You will still be in high school, let’s rethink that plan”  Camille: “OK, how old can I be?” Me: “over 20” but you all know I was thinking (50)how much fun this child is going to be if she is already picking out husbands!  Camille is fun, fun, fun!  She can make friends with a shoe and whoever is wearing it!  She started piano and girl scouts.  And she really likes her family,  Her indian name was “She who loves her family”  I was thrilled.  She wants to be like Megan and play piano, harp, and violin.  

Lydia lives up to her middle name “Joy”  Joy, when she sleeps!  She just turned 3 and she likes things her way, I’m going to send her to Burger King!  Lydia started preschool and she likes it, at least she is happy when I pick her up and talks about her friends there.  But as contrary as a three year old can be she tells me “I don’t like preschool.”  She does like her sisters, her friends,Josh, & Myra!  She likes animals, babies, reading, disney princesses, and chocolate!  And she gives amazing tight sueeze hugs that I love!

Alright, there it is, done for another year.  We really do love you immensely and are so grateful for you!  

Lydia knows what the season is all about

 and is doing such beautiful things to remind the rest of us. 

This is her way and I love her for it!

Locks of Love

Our dear Camille is the only one of my girls to have the long hair that I 

just assumed all my girls would have.  I love her hair!  

She rarely lets me do much with it and to brush it is not tons of fun

but the result it beautiful.

I told Camille & Lydia I was taking them for a hair cut.  

Megan told Camille she should donate her hair to "locks of love"

Camille loved the idea and easily parted with the 10" of hair.

I think it hurt me more than her!

Anyway the short cut is darling and shows off her dimples so good!

I am so pleased with Camille.  She is happy, generous, and kind.

She thinks of ways to help those around her be happy.

I love her laugh!  So, long or short hair doesn't matter.  I love this girl 

I am so happy she is mine!

See what I mean about the dimples?

False alarm!

Nope, the rodent has not reproduced!  Megan and her friend Alex are very disappointed and eager to get Max & Hershey back together again.  It is a bummer but really I can wait for the skitter scatter of hamster feet!

This is Megan's hamster "Hershey"
Looks like an innocent creature doesn't it!
Megan has a story to share. Keep Reading!

"Love at First Sight" by: Megan McLaws

It only took a few hours of being together. Exactly one week ago tonight while celebrating
Lydia's 3rd birthday (happy birthday Lydia) two hamsters fulfilled the great quest of all God's creatures to multiply and replenish the earth, with hamsters. Max came for a visit with his owner Alex. Alex and I made a mega lego arena for the two hamsters. Before we knew it they were mating and there was nothing we could do to stop them. And chances are if you put a male and a female hamsters together you will get baby hamsters.
This is the end of the story for now but stay tuned and if you want a hampsters let me know!
THE END

Happy BirthdayS!

Birthday girl and picture coach!

"Your tilting the camera!"

Happy Birthday to US! 

Fall is the season for birthdays in this house.

Mark, Lydia and I all have our big days within a few weeks.

I made Mark an "ugly cake"  it tasted amazing good!

I told Mark to buy me a cake - Maybe next year they will make me one!

I love Lydia's cake!  I used marshmallow fluff mixed with

powered sugar for the ribbon - it was so fun and the first time

I ever purchased the strange sticky white stuff - my kids now want

peanut butter and fluff sandwiches - sorry, it just grosses me out!

Here's the pics!

Princess Lydia

Perfect Package birthday cake

She is telling people she is 10! - She's 3!

Mark with ugly cake and beautiful girls!

Halloween Pics

It's not that I don't love my kids or the pumpkins they carved but it's just that Mark was so anxious to go out trick-or-treating that I didn't get enough pictures of the kids.  

Megan is a Spy, Camille is a she-devil, Lydia is Sleeping Beauty, Mark is dressed in work gear for a "clean room" (looks more like toxic room gear to me).  I am a scarecrow complements  of Lydia's preschool teachers - I said I liked the costumes and they gave them to me (Mark & I had a costume party to go to)- I know I'm a cheater and I love it!  We had a great on and are making an visit to the dentist tomorrow to re-cement  Camille's spacers - darn stupid dot candy!  FYI Megan is planning to be a toilet paper roll next year - Mark can be a big terd!

Migration

Fall is fantastic full of color, crisp weather and time for a change.  I personally think the birds have the best idea and each year I am filled with envy as I watch them pass by over head on their way to warmer climates.  How great would it be, like your own personal climate control! 

I believe if I ever do get to join the birds it will be in retirement years,  something to look forward to!  My style will be West Yellowstone, Montana in the summer and southern Utah in the winter months!  For now I will just watch knowing I get the joy of another New York winter!

Happy Fall Y'all

Here's are some pics from the annual/mandatory fall trip to a farm in upstate NY

Megan with one of her favorite little people!

The new boyfriend, seems like a bit of a stuffed shirt to me!

Old farm equipment + pumpkins = photo opportunity

Can you guess what she is saying?

Farmer Camille is not pleased with how her crops are doing!

I just love this picture of Lydia's friend!

Have a beautiful season full of color, fun,
cider donuts and lots of happy moments!

BOO!

Preschool

Lydia goes to Preschool now - it is a glorious thing for 5 hours a week and she loves it.
Here's a picture of her ready for the first day and some of our apple picking field trip. She loved the hayride best and laughed happily most of the way through it. She skipped excitedly to pick out a pumpkin too. It's a joy to be with her!

Nerd Herd

Poindexter

"Hummm, this is very interesting - when you add substance "A" to
the liquid of substance "B" you will get oozy-gooey-grossy stuffy!"

IT BURNS, IT BURNS!!!!!

Mark hopes to have them follow in his footsteps!

GRANITE!!!!

Yes, I love the granite. It is beautiful!
We purchased "UBA-TUBA" granite.
I just like to say the name!
Mark is doing a fantastic job with the cabinets, I am so grateful for his talents!
We have not touched the top cabinets yet. I will quick list the changes
1. New Wood Floor
2. Former Brick Back splash removed - alleluia!
3. Base Cabinet boxes installed with lazy Suzanns in corners
4. New oven installed
5. Pull out trash and recycle bins installed
6. one bank of drawers installed - with soft close - soooo cool!
7. Granite with under mount sink and new faucet

There is a ton more to do but I really think it is very exciting.
Megan likes to blog with me and I asked her if it sounded like I was bragging.
She said it's OK so I trust her!
It's just fun thanks for letting me share.
BTY - the seam was fixed just fine!

Next post - my nerdy bunch!

THE DOOR

Three years ago Mark took down a wall between our kitchen and living room. A few months later I invited 35 people over for Thanksgiving. In setting up the tables and serving area I realized I did not have enough table space to serve from and the kitchen table was in the way. To solve this problem I resorted to the handy "food storage" method of decor! I placed a broken door from the girl's closet onto 8 wheat buckets and thus I created my extended counter top. I had Mark cut the door to size and for almost three years now my family has enjoyed many meals around the door! So, in tribute and gratitude to the door I am sharing a picture of it's final day at use in my home. May it rest in peace. I am sorry that the buckets had already been replaced so you no longer have the full effect. To be continued....stay tuned for the next edition "THE GRANITE"

Dad's in charge of Dinner

I like to believe my husband is a competent father and can handle providing dinner for the family once in a while. My belief has been shattered! CHOCOLATE RATS - really?!

Happy 40th Anniversary

CONGRATULATIONS ON 40TH BEAUTIFUL YEARS!


My parents have done something that seems more of a rarity than the standard. They have truly stayed together through all the good and all the bad. Almost three years ago my Mom came out to visit and help with Lydia's birth. She was here for over two weeks when My Dad come out to see the new baby. And as happy as they both were to see our new bundle of joy it could not compare to how happy they were to see each other. I thought this was so cool, one of the best things in the world for a child to see their parents in love! It is such a comfort to have parents who love each other and who are so committed to their marriage and family that they stayed together even when it seemed things might be better apart. Dad & Mom, THANK YOU! We love you!

The night before

So, I have read many wonderful tributes, memories, thoughts and pondering on my friends blogs and I just haven't got there yet - the whole life on the Internet issue with me but I think tonight a bit of shared rambling would do me good so feel free to listen in if you want.
Megan goes in for a surgery in the morning. This is hardly any thing new for us and in fact the degree and duration of nerves has decreased dramatically over the years. I have found that no matter how often the occurrence the thought and action of seeing your child wheeled off behind the double doors to spend hours literally "under the knife" brings out all the dark corners of uncertainty, fear, panic, and "what ifs" that I can generally keep in the far recesses of my mind.

So, how does a mother do this? I don't know how it works for others but I know for me there have been so many miracles along the way I can only have faith and know that surely God is over all. I want to share some of the miracles. Megan's birth was amazing. I got this email from my Midwife today. I read it to Meg and she said "Thank you"

Dear Megan,You are soooooo special. I remember the day you were born, like it was yesterday. You were beautiful and sweet from the very start. I remember how lovingly your parents brought you into the world and how much love they showed for each other. I didn't even have to help your mother through the contractions, because your Dad was such an awesome coach. They were both so happy to see you. I remember how worried your Dad was when we had to bring you to the hospital. Now look how old you have gotten!Your amazing spirit touched my life forever. Not all babies are born with such a strong spirit. I pray you will do well during your surgery and will be blessed with fast healing. I think you will be pretty popular on your first day of school when you get to tell everyone about your surgery. Please email me a picture.Love,Auntie Liz, your midwife

Megan's first surgery was really a procedure so I went by myself thinking it was no big deal and Mark was off to the "U" with no way to contact him we had just moved from St. George to Murray and I knew no one. Megan came back to me so upset she was just a few months old and I could not console her. A Wonderful women(who was experienced enough to bring her husband) left her child in the care of said husband and sat with Megan and I while a cried my eyes out and until Megan was calm enough and ready to go home. I love the earthly angels that show up right when I need them.

Another surgery, Megan came out upset once again. She has had 14-16 surgeries, yes I lost count, and she has only come out terrible upset a few times. She was probably around 2 years old and was attempting to rip the IV out of her hand - I think she was successful. She was upset and vocal- all screams and crying and then she just calmed down for not apparent reason. A few days later I was talking with my Grandma or Aunt and they, with other family had set a time to pray for Megan, The time was the exact time that Megan calmed down. I have always been so grateful for the power of prayer and for so many willing to pray for our family.

Just the last surgery in April 2007 Megan was terrified of the mask they put on for her to "Go Under" She remembered it clearly and unpleasantly from a surgery 9 months prior. A friend at church is also an anesthesiologist and he came to the rescue and helped Megan know her options and was very patient with her as she refused to let him place the IV in her arm. Well, he got the job done and it was such a comfort to have him with her for the entire surgery - he's allowed behind those ominous double doors!

The greatest comfort of all comes usually the night before the surgery when Mark and a close family friend have the privilege of giving Megan a blessing. Tonight, once again, I was amazed at the comfort, peace, and assurance that we can have as we ask our Father in Heaven, who loves my daughter, even more than I do, to watch over her, comfort her, to be with her. To have the sure knowledge that He will. There will be many loved ones who get to go beyond those double doors - this time Megan will have another Angel watching over her. My Grandma, I am sure, is much happier to be on that end of things, right in the mist of the action making sure her family is taken care of.

One more miracle, or two, are loving little sisters who see clearly enough to show their love and support. Camille listened in on Meg's blessing - she just wanted to make sure Megan would be OK and Lydia - well she didn't run away from hugs at bedtime tonight!

Megan's 11!

Happy 11th Birthday

Megan!

We love you!

You have wit and humor

just like your Dad,

and you have bizarre

tongue touching nose talents

just like your Mom.

You are amazing, great, wonderful!

Thanks for playing with us!

Love, Your Family

What's up?

So, The summer has been quite busy. I had a friend say how she loves the laziness of summer when there is nothing going on - WHAT?????

June - Trip to Atalanta to celebrate Kara & Jeff's wedding. Aunt Linda was the perfect hostess and I just wish we would have stayed longer! I went solo but met up with my favorite Sister Carrie there.

Next was exciting for Megan - Moving up day. She is officially not a little kid any more - I am not thrilled with the fact that children grow up and one day leave you but there are perks such as emerging babysitting skills so I can play grown up and leave them! And a fun sense of humor - like saying "My dad speaks "sciencess" and I just can't understand him: - whatever language a scientist would speak.

Camille's class had the "Author's Day" party Camille's story was "I like to play with Talia" All about there recess time adventures. She did a great job - no crying or embarrassing family secrets revealed. Some of the boys wrote about their older brothers and throwing them into the dump and being smelly and not getting the smell off even after a bath - it was hilarious!

Mark is no longer the only super hero in the family (Superman, Super Dad, Super-I-Can-Fix-Anything-Man")
We now have "Money Girl" - She can make change for a $20 in the blink of an eye!
And "Bat Girl" She likes purple and can stare you down like no other!

Jellybean the hamster has joined the family.

Megan bought herself a hamster.

Megan, Camille & Lydia all the love the rat.

The cats will just sit on Megan's floor as they stare up at the cage on Meg's dresser - dreaming of lunch!

It has only been lost once so far - pretty good!

Harp Recital & my first digital Scrap page!

So, here is my first digiscrap page! I love it!

Thank you Jen and Thank you Sharon!

And Thank you Megan for the excellent material to work with!

I want to get the video of Meg's recital posted but that hasn't been successful yet.

We do love our little harp player and hope that her sisters will follow - ha, the dreams of parents for their kids - we'll see how that goes!

I think if you click on the picture it will enlarge for you so you can read it - Jen

Daddy's sweet little girl part 1

"Hey, Daddy what's that? It looks good."

"So, do you think you can eat it all by yourself?"
" I really think you may need some help."
"No problem I'm happy to help!"