Christmas Day 2010

They really were excited, but Steve made them sing, "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" before they could come downstairs. Meanie!

Emma got a version of an American girl doll complete with a wardrobe containing 3 outfits, an ipod, and primping tools.

Lizzie got a version of an American Girl Doll, too, named Katelyn who loves to ice skate. She had to have blonde hair and blue eyes--just like Lizzie.

The boys wanted Steve to try the ripstick. He did better than I! I couldn't figure it out, but Evan took only a few seconds and he was riding it all around my hardwood floors for the entire Christmas break.

Evan got a camera! It's been fun to watch him use photography as a medium to express his creativity. Nearly everyday he is organizing a shot that makes him look like he's got a Harry Potter wand with a light on the end (Luminos!) or a plasma ball (from Sorcerer's Apprentice) floating in between his hands. Pretty creative kid!

Carter received an Ipod shuffle, which he listens to regularly and sings to at the top of his lungs. He hits notes, just not all the right ones. :)

Braxton got quite a few clothing items, since he's grown out of everything from last year. His only requests were Rick Riordan's "Lost Hero" book and Star Wars Force Unleashed II Wii game. He was pretty happy with Christmas this year. Our Grandma Bird did well sending all the kids BYU shirts.

Grandma & Grandpa Alleman got Emma a Justin Beiber CD. She loves it! I catch her singing and dancing on top of her bed all the time. Her brothers, on the other hand, think it's the worst gift anyone could have given to her. :) I'm glad her room gives her "sanctuary" protection.

We got this new game, which has been a lot of fun to play. While the girls were napping, we gathered the boys and had a ball. Some of us had to act out some things that put the rest of us in stitches. Carter had "Goof" written on his forehead in red lipstick and had to keep his mouth open for 2 turns in order to advance to the next round.

I was bustin' a move, showing off my breakdance moves for 45 seconds. I discovered that I still can do the worm (only backwards) and I've definitely still got "it."

Christmas night we have a tradition of sleeping under the Christmas tree lights in our sleeping bags, listening to one last Christmas story, and talking about our favorites during the season. I love this tradition and look forward to it nearly as much as Christmas morning.

This was my view behind the tree as I sat on the couch reading a story to the kids. Aren't those icicles gorgeous?

Another great Christmas!

December celebrations

This December was full of life, traditions, and juggling--of schedules. Luckily, a chunk of my shopping was taken care of on Black Friday and then over the internet. The singing/performing group I belong to, Friends in Harmony, had a full schedule this year with 15 performances. I also got to sing with a few of them in church, our Christmas Relief Society meeting, and at a Hula dance recital. I got to learn "Silent Night" in Hawaiian...something I never have even dreamed of.

Emma and Lizzie had been attending Hula classes for 6 weeks before their recital. They danced to "Pearly Shells", "Silent Night", and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They were so cute! This night definitely brought a unique flair to our holiday celebration.

Emma has turned out to be quite the performer and loves to show anyone and everyone all of her moves.

Lizzie really got into the songs with her facial expressions, but because I wasn't allowed to record it on video or my camera, this is all I could get after it was finished. She loved being able to dance with Emma.

Here are the children at our church Christmas party. The theme was "Who's Angel are You Going to Be?" The activities committee had each family in the ward read the book, Christmas Jars, and then collect their own change in a jar and give it away to someone in need (just like the book). It was a really nice evening.

Evan changed his request to Santa at the party--one week before Christmas.

Lizzie loved Santa this year!

Carter and Santa were actually teasing each other. Carter's asking for the moon (a cell phone) and Santa's telling him he should work on asking for bigger muscles so that the girls will answer when he calls on that phone. Thanks a bunch, Santa.

Isn't the marriage of the flavors chocolate & peppermint just divine?!

I love it in any shape or form. Peppermint ice cream in hot chocolate is the perfect night cap for me.

I have some of the greatest kids in my Primary! We had a lot of fun acting out the nativity in sharing time and remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

I have to get a picture of my kids every year in their Sunday best in front of my tree. They are my angels and my Christmas gifts.

I love, love, love doing my girls' hair. Emma and Lizzie got to have a star and a Christmas tree made out of their hair for the last 2 days of school. Too fun!

We were invited by Steve's friend, Ron Dodd, to participate in the Staff of Life Christmas service project again this year. People have been donating food and toys over the last month. He then organizes it in a warehouse somewhere, picks up a bunch of produce & perishables, and then has families, neighbors, etc. come to help. When you arrive, you receive a sheet with the name, phone number and address of a family on it, how many children are in the house, and a list of items you are to gather. You then choose a toy for each child and have it wrapped. We loaded all of the stuff in our car and headed out to a neighboring town to deliver it. Our family had decided to also give our Christmas jar to our family. I'm so glad we did. When we arrived, we discovered that the phone was disconnected. So, Steve did a door approach & explained who we were and why we were there. Upon looking in, he saw 10 children living in this little 2 or 3 bedroom house. Our paper had one child 10 years old listed, so there was a communication breakdown. When I took up the jar of money, a child started jumping up and down and chanting, "Money, money, money!" I told her what it was and when I gave it to her, we both had tears in our eyes and she gave me a huge hug. The amount of food we had delivered was not enough for a house of 12 people, so we called Brother Dodd and told him this family's situation. The elders were able to follow up and take additional supplies. I'm so grateful we had this opportunity to serve and share on Christmas. My family (despite fighting a horrible snowstorm home) came away feeling the spirit of Christmas this night.

OK. Last year, the kids made darling tye-dye t-shirts with snowmen on them and had a great time. This year, a friend of mine and I decided to try something new. We were trying to create pictures on our shirts using sponges and bleach. None of them turned out except for Braxton's, but the kids all had fun playing and attempting our craft.

BASS PRO SHOPS

Last year, we had a great time going to Bass Pro Shops to visit Santa and hang out. The kids really wanted Steve to join us this year, though, so that he could meet the real Santa. After much pleading and knocking on his office door, he gave in. Upon arrival, we were given a ticket for 2 hours later to see Santa at 8:00pm! Typically, Steve would have turned and walked away, but we made the best of it, decorated our cookies, played all of the fishing and hunting games we could handle, and went to dinner at Potbellys. We made out with a great family photo with Santa (Steve calls it our white trash Christmas shot--it's my 1st picture on this post) and Santa told the kids that Steve was on his naughty list. This little tidbit of info has laced its way into many conversations and given the girls a lot to tease Steve about. They think they are pretty funny.

Emma's making sure Santa knows she wants an American Girl doll and a camera.

Evan's trying to shoot his deer. He's lucky they don't move.


On Christmas eve, we woke up to BEAUTIFUL snow!

I made all of the kids go outside to enjoy it. Here's Braxton trying to use his weight to pack down a trail for the sleds.

December had been so busy, I hadn't had time to do sugar cookies with the kids yet, so that was one of our fun things to do on Christmas Eve! They didn't get frosted until Christmas Day because...

One of Carter's friends got baptized! We were excited to go support Harrison and his decision to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Later that evening, our wonderful friends, the Stradlings, invited us over for pizza (their Christmas Eve tradition) and the nativity.

Hailey was Samuel the Lamanite and she never got hit by the arrows/marshmallows!

Carter was a wise man. Doesn't this picture capture him looking for the star?

Emma took her role as Mary VERY seriously.

Here we are! Because Steve's on the naughty list, he got to be the donkey.

For Christmas Eve, the kids usually open a new pair of pajamas or slippers or something of that sort. This year (because mom can't find where she "safely stored" her box of hats and scarves) they all got new winter hats!

Christmas Eve morning, Braxton noticed we had 4 Santa hats and asked if we could get more so that everyone could have one and no one would feel left out. He really wanted a picture of everyone in their hats looking festive and ready for what was to come. I love him!

Steve's 40 and feeling it!

Steve turned 40 on December 3rd. He did not really want any kind of celebration. We assigned the cruise as his big gift and party, but the kids had to do something. I made a very poor batch of BYU mint brownies and had plain vanilla ice cream, so he didn't feel too special. :) The girls made up for it, though, by making up songs for him and giving him kisses.

They've got him wrapped around their little fingers, if you can't tell.

If you look at the reactions of my parents and Carter, Emma's original songs had us in stitches. I think it spoke of how when he gets old and dies, she'll take care of her mom for him. Nice. Nothing like a little salt in the wound.

Carter wouldn't give Dad a kiss on the cheek like the girls, this was as close as he got. He knows Dad has a way of tickling relentlessly when you get close for a kiss. (I'm the only one exempt from those surprises.)

Lizzie has a thing for kissing her Dad on his nose. I hope she never grows out of it. :)

I am grateful to be married to this man, even if he is forty. He claims his body feels older than forty, but he still looks good to me. :) I'm proud of all he does for our family. He's a terrific husband and father. I love you Steve!

She's irresistible

Emma had her first experience with love notes last week. She was flattered, but now is embarrassed after her brothers got a hold of the love notes that were placed in her mailbox by a young admirer and became typical ruthless brothers. I don't know who this Jayson is, but I'd really like to meet him. At least I know he's got good taste. He's a little forward, but goes for what he wants and doesn't mince words. Emma will be quite an irresistible catch.................in twenty years! Steve better get that baseball bat ready sooner rather than later. :)

(I will marry you. From: Jayson, To: Emma)

(I will invite you to a romantic dinner. From Jayson, To Emma)

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It's all about remembering all that we are blessed with and getting together with family and friends. This year we were grateful to spend it with my parents. My mother extended her babysitting stay so that we could spend Thanksgiving together. Unfortunately, getting my dad to join us took a lot of prayers. The weather in Utah was treacherous; thus, he had 3 flights cancelled. He joined us Thursday afternoon after 2 days of attempts. We had a lovely dinner and joined up with friends for pie and brownies.

Steve is a great help in the kitchen making sure everything has enough flavor and isn't too healthy. Mmmmm! Next year, Lizzie has requested a charger under her plate. She claims she'll be big enough to handle it.

We love Grandma and Grandpa!

Always ready for fun!

Cruisin' through November

Yes, it's true. We went on another cruise. I can't believe it either. I am still feeling guilty about it, but Steve says it's now a sunk cost and I can't worry about things I can't change. I did have a good time, though. :) Our friends decided to move to Arizona (and are probably happy right now based on our weather), but to have one last hurrah, invited a group of us to go on a cruise to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Isla Roatan, and Belize. Because my selfless mother said yes to babysitting AGAIN, we were on a plane headed for Florida on November 20th.

Shane kept us on our toes.

I loved not making my bed for 7 days, coming to my room and finding chocolate and towel art every evening. Luxury!

I love Formal Night. I get to walk around with this handsome man, who makes me feel beautiful!

This was my favorite excursion...Swimming with the stingrays and snorkeling off of Grand Cayman. The stingrays were a lot more friendly than I was expecting, but an experience I will never forget. My boys would L-O-V-E it!

At Isla Roatan, we docked during a storm. It rained the entire day and night. Most excursions were cancelled, but we still made the most of it by checking out the shops, being sober and crazy, and hanging out by the beach.

Steve and I in front of our Carnival boat at Cozumel.

Steve has a history with the movie, "The Three Amigos." He can quote it from beginning to end and has performed "My Little Buttercup" more than once. He and his business partner have even address letters to each other's call names (Dusty Bottoms). We had to laugh when we saw this bar/restaurant! Definitely a site worth remembering.

After snorkeling around Cozumel, we were taken to this private beach with kayaks, slides, obstacles courses, etc. It was a blast! Again, my kids would have LOVED it!

Our friends...enjoying their cruise. Hee! Hee!:)

We had a friendly game of bean bag toss. The men eventually turned it into an extreme game where they were tossing it under legs, behind the backs, upside down. While playing, we spotted a whale swimming alongside us, which was very exciting!

Overall, we had a great time. The guys became stars in the karaoke room. And we dominated the dance floor. I loved having time to talk to Steve, catch up on sleep, eat hot molten chocolate cake every evening, have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and do it with great friends we adore.