MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Somehow, I just didn't manage to get unpacked, prepare for Christmas, organize a youth activity, celebrate Trent's birthday and get a Christmas card out this year. I hope you understand.

We wish ALL of you a very,

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!With Love,

The Lonestar Langfords

No need to dream . . .

Snow is falling all around,

On the housetop on the ground,

Snow is falling on my nose,

On my hands and feet and toes- are FROZEN!

Christmas Eve the snow began to fall and fell all through the night. It was our Christmas wish come true. Apparently, it hasn't snowed at Christmastime for at least 13 years. The kids bundled up and braved the cold- jumping on the trampoline, making tracks around the yard, forming snow angels, and of course, creating a snowman. After their little bodies were frozen solid, they would come inside to warm themselves by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

Trent is not sure about snow yet.
Making tracks as the snow began to fall.

Jumping, well rather, sliding and falling all over the trampoline as the snow came falling down.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

No Room at the Inn

For December, I was designated to put together a Christmas youth activity. After researching online I found an idea that thrilled and moved me, entitled, " No Room at the Inn." Though I was worried about being able to organize the logistics, I decided to try.

The general idea is the youth are told they are going to spread Christmas cheer to some neighbors which have been asked to turn them away. After being rejected several times, the youth are taken to a home where the nativity is set up, welcomed, listed to a song about having no room in the inn, and then given a brief message about making room in our hearts for the Savior. Of course, hot chocolate and treats are served afterwards.

The Sunday before the Beehives came over and helped me prepare batches of chocolate chip cookies- at least 150. Those were arranged on plates, covered with tissue paper and tied up with a bow as a thank you for those families who would reject us.

The youth arrived and were anxious to spread Christmas cheer through caroling and treats. When the first mother turned us away claiming she didn't have time and was watching a movie with her daughter, the youth were stunned. We crossed the street and tried another neighbor, who came to the door, turned on the light, peeked through the side blinds, and waved us away, indicating we needed to leave. The youth were deflated and a little hurt now. The leaders tried to be encouraging and suggested we go to a member home who had just moved. As the youth piled in the car, they complained, saying how ridiculous it was people didn't have just a few minutes to listen, and how could they refuse cookies? They were certain the third house would be willing to listen. When we were turned away at the third house, the youth were deflated and confused. How could this be?

I offered that we try my home, and as we approached, there were Mary and Joseph, cradling baby Jesus in a handmade manger, surrounded by hay with and angel singing and giving praises. The scene was moving and tender. My heart was softened because my husband had sacrificed precious time to build a manger and even though his time was short, had patiently allowed Tyler to help him. He had also found hay at the Christmas tree farm and loaded in his truck for us to use. My original cast members for Mary and Joseph had called in sick and my children volunteered as I walked out the door to leave for the activity. They found the costumes and props all on their own and waited in the freezing weather for us to arrive.

After witnessing the nativity, we stepped into the warmth inside and listened as the music group Eclipse sang, " that night there was no room in the inn, this night may there be room within, within our hearts, for Him." After which our YW president delivered and instructive message about making room in our lives, and time for the Savior. That night, I felt as if the spirit of Christmas blessed our home.

Our Nativity

Christmas Concerts

In the Langford home, Christmas music is played the day after Thanksgiving because in my opinion it carries the meaning and joy of Christmas. When I hear Trent singing, "Glory, glory Hallelujah, Angels sing from on high!" I know at his tender age he has captured the joy of Christmas.

All of the children performed with their school choirs at the performing arts center and it was refreshing to hear songs about Jesus sung by public school children. A feat no longer heard in California. Kaylee also performed at the Great Wolf Lodge and all around Trophy Club as well as with her choir. Music filled our home!

We were asked to share a musical number at the Ward Christmas party and so we put together " Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby"- a fun, latin-rhythmed tune. All of the children sang as well as Greg- I accompanied them on the piano. Because we were all performing we decided to record ourselves beforehand at home. What a disaster- though its hilarious footage to watch. As soon as I upload it off the camera, I'll post it on Youtube. The footage contains: all of us missing our cues, singing off-key, Trent sneaking away to find a recorder and playing so loud no one can hear themselves and then kids dropping like flies as he whacked them with it. Disastrous and hilairously funny.

Kaylee and I were able to share a violin and piano duet for the sacrament program and we enjoyed practicing and preparing for that. She has almost learned vibrato- which is a huge step for a violinist.

We have played Christmas music non-stop on our ipod and loved singing the songs that make Christmas feel like Christmas.

Megan's 1 st grade performance

Tyler entering stage for 2nd grade performance. He chose to wear his Santa hat!

Kaylee's 5th grade performance

Our little stars and the performing arts center.

3 EARS old

Beach boy Trent

Our comic relief: TRENT

Enjoying some of his favorite donuts with chocolate frosting and sprinkles on top.

According to Trent he is "3 ears old" today and couldn't wait for his birthday celebration. When Daddy called out, " Dough-eeeee-nuts!" (our nickname for donuts) Trent leaped from bed half awake and raced down the stairs proclaiming, " it's my birthday, it's MY birthday!" Our family tradition is to eat donuts on the birthday morning and give everyone candles to blow out and celebrate. Blowing out the candles is always his favorite pasttime. Generally, he blows them out 30 or 40 times -in one sitting. Tonight we will celebrate with cake and presents, but before we race to the presents I thought I'd share a few snapshots of Trent's personality.

Trent has a love for machines, especially good ones. As I finished vacuuming last night he wrapped his arms around the vacuum, giving it a hug, and declared, " I wub you vacuum." Then he planted a kiss on it. I admit I love my Dyson and it is a beautiful piece of machinery, but I never considered kissing it.

We were a little late for church yesterday so we tried to sneak in quietly to a back row after the Sacrament. Trent, on the other hand, had other plans and marched up to the very front row, climbed upon a bench, and yelled, " Mooooommmm come SIT down! Moooommmm where are YOU?? COME SIT DOWN!" I received many comments that day, thanking heaven that wasn't THEIR child. Well, embarrassing as it was, I still thank heaven he's my child.

After many visits to the paint counter at ACE hardward, Trent learned his Daddy's full name because it was the name our paint colors were stored under and I gave it everytime I visited- which was several times in just a few short days. Hearing Trent say " Gweg-o-ree WangFord" is about the most adorable thing I've ever heard, but the story gets better. At dinner last week, we asked Trent what all of our names were. He began: Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Kaywee Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Meggie Gweg-o-ree Wangford, Tyler Gweg-o-ree Wangford ( at least that One was correct) and Mommy Gweg-o-ree Wangford. What a good laugh!

Trent loves to sing and has an amazing repetoire of songs that he uses quite often. Last night my Beehive girls were over making cookies and before too long Trent was on the upstairs balcony with the bottom half of our music stand as a microphone, serenading these girls! I believe I am in trouble with this one . . .

Some of his favorite things are: water, pizza, jet planes, trains, music (a wide variety of genres), park swings, singing, books, Star Wars, his carseat, Costco berry smoothies, peanut butter pretzels, Little Einsteins, dogs, and Buzz Lightyear.



Whenever Tyler sits down to practice, Trent pulls out his toy guitar, plants himself right next to Tyler and sings along, " Father Abraham had many sons" or "E 2-3-4 F 2-3-4" and sometimes feels it is necessary to correct Tyler - no Tyler not that one!


I can't finish without commenting on his prayers- they melt my heart everyday. He puckers his lips, and presses his eyes shut tight, with his arms folded across his chest while he prays:


Dear Heavenly Father we're grateful that we're together. Please bless that the food (he never finishes this). We know we're not perfect. We're thankful for the Atonement. Please bless that we will be good. In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!!!

Trent is a character and we love him! Happy Birthday Trent!

Living up to her name

Filled with excitement on Halloween eve Megan yanked out her two front teeth and declared herself a real-live jack-o-lantern. This afternoon, two more gaps appeared and she is truly living up to her jack-o-lantern status. She claims Tyler knocked one out while jumping with her on the trampoline and the second one she twisted and pulled on until it wriggled out. ( The blood doesn't bother her one bit. She told me I'd better stay out of the bathroom until she got the blood cleaned up. LOL!) There are more gaps than teeth now!

The best stocking stuffer . . .

I know what I'm going to fill the kids stockings with this year- Costco cups! With the leftover Thanksgiving cups the kids have had hours and days of fun building forts, walls, and castles and then knocking them over to have them make a terrific crashing sound.
Who needs toys????

SOLD!

An unofficial tour of our home-to-be in December. It will be wonderful

to be home for the holidays.

The entrance view from the front door. The dining room is on the left, the office is on the right and the stairs go up at an angle. The living room and kitchen dining area are straight ahead. The entire house will have blinds when we move-in and a different carpet- which we ordered today.

Greg's office- I'm jealous he gets the bookshelves!
The stairs going up on the right-hand side with nooks in the wall.

The dining room that we'll use as a music room. We aren't formal diners.

The downstairs living room that looks out to the backyard and is open to the upstairs with a two story fireplace.

The kitchen- where I spend most of the day! The doorway you see leading off the kitchen area leads to the spare bedroom and bathroom downstairs. The door next the the cabinets is a lovely full-size pantry. To the left of this picture there is an extrance from the garage, a mud room and an exercise room.

A bird's eye view from upstairs.

Another bird's eye view.

The railing from which the bird's eye view is taken. A desk is directly behind this picture. The game room and movie room are off to one side and the bedrooms are on the other.

One of the girl's bedroom with a jack-and-jill bathroom.

Jack and Jill bathroom.

The theater room with Megan and Trent playing ! The theater room has double doors that open off the game room which we'll use as a craft room and family library. We'd like to put some seating and love sacs in the theater room.

The laundry room- the other place I spend most of my time! It has washer/ dryer hook ups and room for a spare fridge and cabinets as well.

The spare bedroom/ guest room/ Grandmas' space downstairs. There is a bathroom off this room and an exercise room down the hall. I didn't have a chance to take pictures of the other kids room or our master bedroom and bath. The kids rooms are upstairs our master suite is downstairs.

A view of the lot from the side.

This concludes our tour. We hope you enjoy it! We likely won't post again until after the move . . .

Decision time . . .

We've been offered a finished home that fell out of escrow and the builders want off their inventory. They've dropped the price, though its still more than our original price on our lot, and offered a 4.5% fixed interest rate on the loan. The lot is bigger in the backyard, very close to a half acre, and there are no neighbors behind this lot. However, it has horrible carpet, a pukey green brown color, that they won't replace. The granite and tile throughout isn't the style I would have picked, though it isn't offensive by any means. On the positive side, it has very nice upgraded wood floors throughout the main downstairs, living, office, and walkway areas. We would lose a month's rent on the rental house because we prepaid and we would have to move again- SOON! However, we would be in our new home for Christmas and we wouldn't have to commute everyday to school and back and the store and back which would save a great deal of time. So we are deciding . . . we'll let you know. We could be closing the end of November.

Comfort and joy!

I woke up with a horrible flu-bug or cold or sinus infection or something yucky on Saturday which progressively got worse Sunday until Monday I was really feeling low. After church a friend let me borrow her Pioneer Woman cookbook and browsing through the pictures stirred up a deep longing for warm, soothing, comfort food. Unfortunatly, all of my Moms are far away as are my friends and family, so if I wanted comfort food, I was going to have to make it myself. Waffling about whether or not I could summon the energy, I found this recipe for cinnamon rolls and I could nearly taste the gooey, cinnamoney, sugary, roll melting in my mouth. Well, that decided it. A few hours later, with the help of my lovely children, our house smelled divine and the fruit of or labor tasted even better. This new recipe is quite easy, loaded with butter and the perfect match of gooey and sweet with not too much bread- and no raisins!!!

We took some to our neighbors to thank them for their kindness. Anyone who is my neighbor will receive these on a regular basis - hint hint: move to TEXAS!

With some to share, and some to freeze, and some to savor now, there was plenty for everyone.

To my duty . . .

Akela, pack, badge, two-finger hand signal and handshake, pledge: I now know what all of these mean, including what the Scout pledge says!

Tyler's excitement and enthusiasm to be a scout shocked me, though I find it so wonderful. I would have had no idea he would count down the days every week until Scouts and would be excited to get decked out in the Scouts uniform. For a boy who doesn't like a lot of layers, and tucking in his shirt, being excited to wear the Scout uniform is nothing short of a miracle. He is so very excited and loves his pack meetings and the impromptu football games before and after. I must never underestimate the need we all have to belong to something and feel like a part of a community, which is exactly what the scouting program offers.

We have read the handbook together and memorized the pledge as a family. The other night we even practiced the frog stand, where you balance all your weight on your arms and lift your legs like a frog. I gained a little too much momentum and I pushed off to lift my legs, rolled over in a somersault and crushed Tyler who was attempting to frog beside me. Scouts are exciting I tell you! Scouts is a bleessing to our family and provides the learning, structure and interaction young boys like Tyler need and crave.

The Buzz

Projects= Mom's homework!

Each student in Kaylee's class had to pick a state and dress up to represent that state with a posterboard of information on the front and back. With the choice of Utah as her state, Kaylee wanted to dress like a bee and unfortunately bee costumes only come in toddler sizes. After a trip to the craft store we decided to sew yellow felt in stripes across a black shirt. We wanted to do wings but it was difficult with the posterboards she had to wear. We transformed an old headband into some attennae by recovering it with black and white ribbon on top with some yellow ric rac for interest and lined with it yellow felt on the inside. Two pipe cleaners with some fuzzies attached to the end became her attennae. We used the same ribbon to hang the posterboard and to decorate we turned little golden glitter bugs into bees. We enjoyed creating together.

The Buzzing Kaylee-bee!

WICKED!

Sweet, innocent, Dorothy was strolling along the gray-toned sidewalk trick-or-treating and collecting quite a basketfull of goodies when . . . .along came greedy, jealous, angry Elpheba, the wickedest witch of the West to steal that basket!
Green with jealousy, she threatened and cursed and created quite a scene which . . .


attracted the attention of the nearby patrolling clone troopers on duty to keep the peace.

They decided to investigate and have a closer look . . .

Elpheba was intimidated by the fierce troopers and decided instead to accept Dorothy's offer to trick-or-treat along with her. Something you'll never see in OZ!

Hop on POP!

Sad Dad,

Bad Had,

What a day Dad had!

Hop, Hop, We like to HOP!

We Like to Hop on Top of POP!
STOP!!! You must not Hop on POP!!!

Puzzle of the day . . .

If you were about to die and you were near a candy store, what candy would you buy???


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Answer: LIFESAVERS! of course

kaylee

Secret Agent

Secret agents come in all shapes and sizes and colors. Recently, we've had several sitings on our property and believe we may have uncovered a secret agent working on a top secret mission. Something in his disguise tipped us off and we have reason to believe our suspicions are correct. Just to be sure we hooked up a hidden camera and these are the pictures we found: We believe his identity may be related to Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. What do you think????