Moving On

I never get sentimental about my kids birthdays. Honestly, I'm glad Sam is 4 now! The older they get, the more self-reliant they become (theoretically). He was pretty delighted too - he'd only been counting down since Morgan's birthday in October. 

He has a real love of bowling that he didn't get from me, and that's what he wanted to do for a birthday party. Our bowling alley doesn't have kid ramps, just bumpers, so Sam would push the ball down the lane and wait for a few minutes as it made its painstaking way to the pins.

 

Snow was still a novelty in January - now we are just impatient for it to stop already so our tulips don't die.

While their parents traveled, our New York cousins came to Utah and we got them for a few days. They were so delighted to see each other. This is how they worked out sleeping arrangements - blankets, sleepings bags and pillows piled up on the playroom floor. It's a miracle anyone got any sleep, but they were very pleased with themselves. For some reason, JJ was more than happy to sleep by herself in the basement...

My brother's family also stopped on their way to and from Canada for Christmas for another all-too-brief cousin interaction. Here they are in the family band. Somehow, we received three harmonicas, an accordion, and a duck call for Christmas, all from grownups with really malicious smiles on their faces.

In the latest addition to Morgan's drama, this lovely family portrait. Now that her reading and writing skills are improving, we are treated to all sorts of tender messages. I usually can't help but giggle a little when she stomps up with her declarations, which offends her all the more. I think she expects devastation and tears rather than gleeful picture taking. Being a parent can be the most frustrating and maddening experience, but it's also hilarious.

The Holiday Season

Our first order of business in December was finding the perfect Christmas tree. We got two of the last tree permits for the mountains by Heber, and drove out with the grandparents for the full experience. Of course, with three little kids, we didn't look too far from our campfire, but we still managed to find some pretty nice trees. Somehow, in our 8 years of marriage, I had never been along on the great Christmas tree hunt. Work, school, babies (and maybe a fear of hiking the entire mountain range to satisfy Nana's zeal for the perfect tree...). The kids were in heaven with hot chocolate cooked over the fire, and Far Far spinning doughnuts in the Suburban, and helping with the saw.

 

One tradition I have been part of is attending the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, ever since Erik and I first started dating. Every time we go we remember starting to fall in love listening to Sissel sing. Tickets are wicked hard to come by, but this year my diligence in signing up all my siblings paid off - Erik and three of my family members won the lottery! It was so nice to share tickets with the people who have helped us go in the past. ALTHOUGH. They've got to cut the dancing. It's ridiculous. And seriously, they need to pick songs based on the artist's strengths, not just from the list of Christmas songs they haven't covered yet. Laura Osnes has a beautiful voice but they didn't highlight it very well.

What with the concert and several outings with family and friends, we spent a lot of time at Temple Square over the holidays. It almost reminded us of Disney World - that many people and the magic dissipates. I found myself in a distinctly Scrooge-like mood this Christmas and excessive crowds did not help.

A real highlight of December was the day Morgan decided to run away. We clash on a fairly regular basis, and this day Morgan decided to take drastic action. She threatened and blustered, I watched her pack her two backpacks, but I was still surprised when she actually walked out the door and set off briskly. Once I realized she was nearly out of sight, I got nervous and bundled Sam in the car. Kate was napping and was left behind as Sam and I slowly drove after the runaway. She trudged up the mountain for quite a while, and I realized that she was never going to give up with me behind her - she's equally as stubborn and prideful as I am. So after a half hour or so I pulled over and told her to save the running away for better weather. She agreed to finish her rebellion in the back yard, and she did, with snacks pilfered from my pantry. 

Showing off their Christmas loot. Santa always stuffs underwear in their stockings...

Morgan was thrilled to go the Nutcracker in SLC with Nana the day after Christmas, wearing the dress her other grandma made for her. I love that Morgan is getting old enough to appreciate more mature entertainment.

Hooray! December is over.