Christmas 2009

Our Christmas morning didn't turn out as we had planned. Around 4 am Kaleb wandered into our bedroom and said he had thrown up all over his new jammies and in his bed. I got up and got everything cleaned up. By that time, Karmindy was a awake and Mark was holding her. While I was cleaning up the throw up mess, Kaleb said with a twinkle in his eye, "Mom? I saw those presents out there... Can we open them??" I thought, well everyone is up we might as well. The kids had a fun time opening a few presents but clearly were not enjoying things as Mark and I had hoped. We were all tired and ornery, so we decided we would all go back to bed and then get back up and open presents later when we all had a little more sleep. Around 8:30 Kaleb came back to our room and we all got up and opened presents. Kaleb continued to throw up but I think the excitement of opening presents kept him excited and helped him feel better. Gladly he stopped throwing up by that afternoon. We are atributing his throwing up to being so excited and also not eating the best on Christmas eve. Christmas Morning ended up being not to bad and was actually enjoyable besides Kaleb not feeling well.
After presents were opened and everyone was dressed and ready, our friends who had celebrated Christmas eve with us came over for Brunch. We made Crepes with Cream cheese filling and cherries and whip cream. We also had hashbrowns and bacon and O.J. It was a wonderful morning. That night we got back together with friends and had Christmas Dinner. I made a Turkey, sweet potatoes, Turkey gravy, rolls and my friend brought a yummy jello and salad. Eveything was so yummy.

Dee Dee So excited to see what Santa brought her!Kaleb opening up a gift from Santa. I feel bad because I only took a couple of pictures of him. It seemed like whenever I got ready to take a picture of him he would tell me he had to throw up and I had to run for the upchuck bowl and had to put picture of him on the back burner. Hope he will forgive me when he gets older for not having a ton of pictures of him at Christmas time in '09.
Karmindy tackling her present from Santa. She wasn't too interested in opening presents just wanted everyone to open them for her to see what they were and then she was off playing with them.
Karmindy's dolly! She loves this little doll. It came with a stroller, pack n' play and a highchair. It is fun to see her take a liking to girl toys. She is usually so content on playing Cars with her Older Brother.

Santa spoiled us this year. Here is Mark cleaning up the mess. Another big hit with the kids was the kitchen in the background. They have played with that thing since they got it. Best investment ever!!!

Gifts are great but the greatest gift that has been given to us is Our Savior Jesus Christ. How greatful I am for him and all that he has done for me. Another great gift is having wonderful family and dear friends to share our lives with. Whether you are near or far, please know of the love that our family has for each of you! We truly have been blessed in 2009!!

Celebrating Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve we got together with friends who also don't have family really close and celebrated the evening with them. We ordered pizza and had soda and salad for dinner. After dinner, we had the kids reenact the Christmas story with cute Popsicle people that my friend made. After that, the eight of us piled into their Tahoe and we drove to Spanish Fork to see their light festival. They have a city park that is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights and Light Displays. It was a really fun thing to go and do on Christmas eve. While you are driving through the park, they suggest you turn your radio to a specified Christmas station and listen to Christmas Music while driving through the light Displays. The displays were really fun to see. They had several annimated light displays that were my favorite. After we arrived back home we had dessert- berry and banana cream pies.

After our outing with our friends, we did our own family tradition of letting the kids open one present from us. They kids get a pair of new pjs to wear! Kaleb and Karmindy loved their jammies and were so excited to wear them! What fun it is to celebrate Christmas with Children. They are truly so excited and the twinkle in their eyes is priceless.

Christmas Cookies

Kaleb had his heart set on making Christmas cookies this year. (We made two different batches of cookies- first chocolate chip oatmeal and then frosted sugar cookies. We ate all the chocolate chip oatmeal so in the end, the sugar cookies are what we left for Santa.)

When I told him that we could make some cookies he begged for his best friend Matthew to come over to help too. Fortunately, Kaleb's cute little friend was able to join us and we went to work making Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies. The boys' had a fun time and enjoyed mixing the cookies and then scooping out the dough onto the cookie sheets. The three of us have made things together before and I find it is so funny how the two of them love baking things but both of them hate eating what they bake. Silly Boys!

I love their cheesy smiles!What handsome little chefs!

Kaleb's Preschool Christmas Program

On Monday, Mark and I were able to go and watch Kaleb perform in his Preschool Class' Christmas Program. A dear friend watched Karmindy for us so we could go and enjoy Kaleb's performances and not be interrupted by chasing her everywhere. Mark and myself were truly grateful to have the opportunity to spend some one on one time with Kaleb. I really, really love the preschool that we picked for Kaleb to attend this year. They really go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the kids have a positive learning experience. Everyday Kaleb attends preschool, I look forward to hearing about what they did for that day and I also look forward to seeing the cute art projects that he brings home for us to enjoy.

The Christmas Program was darling, each little preschooler was dressed up like Reindeer with Red Noses. Kaleb didn't want his nose painted red but he did wear the antlers!
(I was proud of him for being a good sport and wearing the antlers)

Kaleb and his classmates in their Reindeer Antlers! So Cute!The little boy to Kaleb's left in the orange, brown and white sweater kept giving the thumbs down sign. He didn't want to sing! It was pretty funny!

Singing Jingle bells!

Dad, Kaleb and Mom after the Christmas PerformanceMom with her handsome little man. Yeah, I know. I made him get a picture taken with me and he wanted his antlers off and I wouldn't take them off until we got a picture taken together.
I am such a mean mom! :)
Kaleb with His Teacher Miss Whitney. I love his teacher, such a cute gal and is so good with Kaleb. I want her to teach Karmindy!

Kaleb did a great job singing Christmas Carols, reciting his monthly poem and also did a great job in ringing the bell in one of the songs. What a joy it is to see him grow and learn the past 4 months. He really is a smart little cookie and it is fun to see him absorb everything he learns like a sponge. After the program, we took Kaleb to Arctic Circle for an Ice cream cone and also so he could play at the play place. Another little boy in his class was there as well with his parents and he and Kaleb enjoyed playing together.
It is truly a joy to watch Kaleb grow this past year and we couldn't be prouder parents. He is truly turning into a such a good young man. We love you son and are so proud of you!

Ward Christmas Party!

Last night we took the kids and attended our ward Christmas Party. We had a fun time mingling with our fellow ward members, eating a great dinner of ham, salads, rolls and desserts. It was also fun to see several families in our ward participate in the talent show. After the talent show and singing carols, Santa arrived and all the kids had the chance to go and visit with Santa and tell them their deepest desired Christmas wishes. Kaleb loved sitting on Santas lap. Karmindy did pretty well for being utterly tired(it was way past her bedtime). They were both tickled pink when Santa gave them each a Candy cane for being good. I truly love this time of year and love having the opportunity to see my kids faces light up at the thought of getting to see Santa.

My little Bach and Beethoven

About a week ago, one of my Aunties called me and asked if I would like her old piano. I was thrilled and took her up on her gracious offer. On Friday night, Mark and one of his good buddies drove to her home and picked it up for me. We have only had it a day and I have been sitting down at the piano to play every chance I have gotten! I am so rusty from not having been able to play for several years. I am hoping all that I have learned will come back to me!!

I have also had two little enthusiasts follow my example. Kaleb and Karmindy love it and I have had to keep my eye on them from them pounding on the keys. Kaleb is really taking a liking to it and will sit down and play a jumble of notes and tell me it is one of his preschool songs he is playing for me. I might have to quickly act on this enthusiasm and get him signed up for piano lessons in a few years. I love having music in my home again!!

Gingerbread Houses

On Wednesday this week, I had the chance to go and help out in Kaleb's preschool class. They were making gingerbread houses! He was so excited to do this and also seemed so excited to have his old mom come to his class. I arrived an hour into his class time and immediately one of the little girls in his class came up and gave me a hug. Kaleb liked having mom there to help him. One other parent was there with me and both of us took turns helping all the kids in the class help assist the kids in the frosting portion. We also helped take cup fulls of candy to each child. It was really fun to have this opportunity to help out. I can't wait to help out in Kaleb's Kindergarten class. I might even think about becoming a room mother since I had so much fun helping the kids (especially Kaleb) with their projects. It makes me want to go back to school and become a preschool teacher. I know I would love it!

The magic of Christmas!

I love this time of year.... The music, Santa, giving presents (notice I didn't say receiving them although I do love getting presents -wink, wink.) surprising others with acts of service, giggles from my kids as they get excited about elves watching them to see if they are being good, singing Christmas songs, baking delicious things to eat and share with others, spending time with loved ones and most importantly Christ and his birth.

It has especially been fun to watch my kids get so excited. I have two little Christmas dolls, one of santa and a snowman. Each have legs that retract which can make them big or small in size. Kaleb and Karmindy love to play with them and so I took advantage one day this week to capture some pictures of my little dolls with the Christmas dolls.

My handsome little boy!My pretty girl!I love her dimples!I love how Kaleb is such a good big brother to his little sister. He is very protective of her. In almost every picture I take of them he has his arm around her!

Oh, how I love these two little people. They are truly my everything! The bring such a smile to my face.

Trials and Footprints....

The kids and myself have been so excited for Christmas to get here. We decorated the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving and Kaleb and Karmindy loved hanging ornaments. The funniest part is seeing a bunch of ornaments in one local area on the tree and Mark and I having to distribute them to other parts of the tree. I love watching my kids enjoying themselves and having fun. After going to Karmindy's heart appointment the day before Thanksgiving, I have really been trying to enjoy my kids more and take the time for them. I know that these cute kid stages don't last long and I have found myself trying to take more time then what I usually do by reading that extra book or playing the same game again after playing it several times. It isn't that I didn't take the time before but I try to make more time for my two darlings. I am learning that the little things that bug you are not really important or worth worrying about. All I worry about and want more than anything is both my kids to be healthy and strong. It has weighed so heavily on my heart lately. I try not to have a bad attitude and have pity parties for myself and ask, "Why?" I know that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and I know that he doesn't give us trials because he is mad at us or dislikes us. He gives them to us to make us grow and to help refine us and make us into the person he wants us to become. I recently came across a little quote that I loved and touched my heart one day when I was having a incredible hard day. It said, "Today's trial is tomorrows testimony." I love this quote! It made me stop dead in my tracks and really think about the trials that we face in our daily lives. I can't say that I am grateful for my trials but I know that my Heavenly Father put me on this earth to learn things. In return, by learning the things I need to I can help others around me overcome hardships too! I have decided that Life is really, really hard sometimes and it definitely isn't a cake walk but I know that I can get through everything by turning to my Heavenly Father for help. I know this to be true because I have had many people say to me, "Ashlee, how did you make it through Karmindy's open heart surgery? I couldn't have done that." I look back and realize that the Lord was by my side at all times and he gave me the strength to endure what I was going through. Another poem I love is called Foot prints and gives me great comfort.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

I pray that my Heavenly Father and my brother Jesus Christ will continue to be by my side as our little family continues to go through health problems with our Daughter. I know he is always there for me....