Christmas 2011

Christmas was different this year because my whole extended family all moved away a few months ago.  It's been a hard adjustment.  I knew that I could still 'create' a magical Christmas for the kids without the extended family around, but for me and Jason things might feel a bit lonely. I am super happy to say, now that all is said and done, that Jason and I had a wonderful Christmas, as did the kids.

First of all, Jackson came for 10 days!  He is my little little brother. We all LOVE him, and haven't seen him in awhile.

Jackson holding a plate of his favorite -Raspberry Jam Filled Cookies.

 I feel pretty safe in saying that my kids adore him too.  In this picture Jackson is doing work on his computer, but has a separate window open for Bennett to watch "Wallace and Grommit."  After a few days here I overheard Jackson tell my mom on the phone, "I have a new best friend, and his name is Bennett."

I was most worried about Christmas Eve.  Jason was going to be working till late, and that was normally the part that we went to "Grandma and Grandpa's" house for.  Jason was able to leave work at 10 am and surprise us all!  We had a wonderful, spirit filled Christmas Eve.

One thing that really put me in a good mood was waking up to the excitement of the kids - especially Harrison.

We ate yummy food.

We drank yummy, homemade custard Egg Nog - Grandma Ritz's recipe.

We made Egg Nog Mustaches and Beards. Jason is good at leading the way.

The kids opened new Jammies.

The kids changed into their new jammies, and we took a family picture.

(Thank you Jackson:)

 This wasn't the best shot of most of us, but I LOVE Maxwell and Harrison hugging in the front!

Then, Jason read us Luke 2 from the King James version of the Bible, and we had a wonderful discussion with the kids about the birth of Christ.  We then sang Christmas songs.  Harrison and Bennett led the music.

 During Silent Night, Lily and Maxwell stood and did the sign language for it that they learned in school last year.  Jackson said, "Well, I'm glad they've taught you something useful in that place."  He was being totally serious, not sarcastic at all.

After that the kids went to bed, and Santa Claus came.  It was the longest night ever.  I thought all the kids knew the rules, but apparently they should be reminded every year.
Rules -
1. You may not come out of your room till after midnight, and you may look at the tree, and in your stocking, but then you must go back to bed.
2. You may NOT wake any other person; parent or sibling up from peaceful slumber.
3. You may not touch, rearrange, or open any presents until parents are up and it is at least 6 am!

They were up and at it by 12:30!  After Jason went and told them to get back in bed, they did, but were back up by 2 am and after that never went back to bed!  They just hung out in the living room, anxiously awaiting.  They came in every hour to ask if we could get up now.  It was an exhausting night.  At 4:30 they broke a major rule and woke up Bennett! At 5:45 Jason gave in and got up.  That means Bennett and I got up too.  I put our breakfast casserole in the oven, which takes an hour to bake and our orange rolls ready to warm.

We then opened presents.

Bennett was really excited to open his Furr Real Pet, a soft, white Kitty Cat that meows, purrs, and walks.  He carries it all around with him.

 He really wanted it out of the package right away!

Harrison was thrilled to get his police man Lego's set.

 Jason captured the best moments of the morning.  Max is a really fun to watch present opener.  Notice how the paper is flying over his head?

And his big "YAHOO!!!"  He got an attack clone wars shuttle.  I really have no idea what it is.  Good thing Santa does.

















We always get Oranges and Candy Canes in our stockings.

After we opened presents, and ate breakfast, we went to church.  It was just Sacrament meeting, no Sunday School or Primary etc.  The meeting was wonderful and peaceful with lots of Christmas music.  Max fell asleep in the pew, and Bennett was so cranky I had to stay out with him through most of it.  I have NO idea why they were so tired!

After we got home, everyone put their jammies back on, and proceeded to take presents out of packages etc. I love this video of Bennett opening his kitty cat.  He's kinda nervous about it, but ends up kissing it in the end.

  

 Bennett playing with his new airplane.

 Jason setting up Glenn's new Darth Vader alarm clock.

 Lily sketching Harry Potter in her new sketch book.

 Lily and Jackson already to watch a new Harry Potter movie.

Jason helping Harrison with his Police Man Legos.

Uncle Jackson got the kids a new Wii game called Dangerous Hunts.  The boys had SO much fun playing with it over the rest of Christmas break.  But now Max has decided he can't play it anymore, because it scares him too much.  It is a hunting game for big, scary animals like bears and wolves.  It is very intense.  If you don't get them, they will get you!

And that was our Christmas.  Thanks for checking in!

Christmas Time was Here!

December was filled to the brim with love, fun and activities in our home.  That is why I got so behind on this blog.  This post is dedicated to all the miscellaneous adventures that took place over the last month.

One morning, while I was cleaning the kitchen, Harrison and Bennett made a bed in the entryway.  They were camping.  The middle picture is Bennett laughing, not crying.  They played this most of the morning.  They even got dressed here, at their 'campsite.' 

As I mentioned in the previous post, my sister Brooke and her husband came from Australia.  My kids love my sister, but I think they love Mick even more.  He's a really fun guy!  Bennett warmed right up to him.

 

 Bennett has suddenly become really into loving Karl.  Karl doesn't always love Bennett's attention.













In the middle of decking the halls, which took a few days, Harrison showed up as Snow White.  Lily gladly helped him.

 Bennett was kinda jealous and stole the tiara.  He preferred to wear it upside down.

Some funny things Harrison has said recently -
He was helping me clear the table and I said, "Thank you Son."  He answered back with, "Don't call me that or I will banish you!"
Harrison told me, "When I was a baby I was stupid.  And when I was a little kid I was stupid too."  He's not allowed to say the "stupid" word, and I have NO idea why he told me that one night, but it was really funny!

A few days before Christmas Bennett got really sick and was croupy.  We were up with him one night late because he couldn't breathe.  Luckily we have a Nebulizer, but we only had 2 Albuterol treatments left.  So I took him the doc the next morning (December 23) to get a prescription for more.  We then spent the next 5 days giving him several treatments a day.  I am incredibly grateful for this medicine and how much it has helped!

Lily played Potato Heads with Harrison one evening and made a super cute, goofy baby.

Lily helping me make some yummy soup.

 Bennett took full advantage of the carmels being set down at his level.  He poked little holes all over, and licked his little fingers.  I should have made a video because he was saying, "MMmmmmm..." the whole time.

 Two of my girlfriends held a "Christmas Girlfriend's Party."  One of the activities was a White Elephant with fancy desserts on nice dishes/platters.  It was really fun to play!  I brought Raspberry Creme Tarts.  I won a yummy Chocolate and Cream Toffee Dessert in a super awesome bowl! 

Here are some pictures of the other desserts, and some of the 'girlfriends' while we crafted awesome fabric rosette bracelet's.  It was a super fun night!

My little brother Jackson flew in the night of the girlfriend's party.  He decided that Christmas would be more fun with kids, so he came for 10 days and partied with us.  But mostly he was a huge help with sick kids, and especially when I myself became sick.  He was really good doing dishes, taking the dog out for a run, and even making bread to go with dinner!  I feel pretty lucky to have such an awesome brother!

Bennett interested in Jackson's book.  I overheard Jackson telling my mom on the phone that he has a new best friend, and his name is Bennett.

One Sunday evening we went for a short drive to look at Christmas lights.  The kids had a blast (so did the parents).  This is the best house we found.

Harrison playing Mario Kart in a Cowboy Hat.

One evening I found Bennett looking at Christmas books, in a Santa Hat next to the tree.  He did this all on his own.  It was completely adorable.  I am grateful for these little moments that helped Christmas to be more real and peaceful in my life this season.

Bennett was so fussy one afternoon.  Turns out all he wanted was a warm cup of milk, a cookie, a blanket and a pretty Christmas Tree to look at.

We were brave and took the whole family to Glenn's Middle School Band Christmas Concert.  This is his first year playing the trumpet.  He really enjoys it!

Harrison's favorite part was dancing to the Jazz Band.  After their first song he looked at me and said, "Wow!  They're good!"

And now for something crazy, that was not in keeping with simple and peaceful.  We went to the Mall just a few days before Christmas because Harrison really wanted to see Santa.  We've done that before in years past, and it has always been fine.  For some reason the line was way long when we went in the evening.  We came back the next morning and the line was just as long.  Jason and the older kids wanted to just leave.  I did as well, but Harrison was heart broken.  So I stood in line with him while Jason and the older kids wandered around the mall.  After 3 hours of waiting, the 3 younger kids visited with Santa for about 5 minutes, then we came home.  Yeah, I know, really really dumb!  But I am leaving it in the past.

Harrison anxiously waiting for his turn.

While waiting we took the kids into the Disney Store.  My kids love that place, but I don't think we've ever bought anything from there!

 Towards the end of the maze that was the Santa line, there was a fun, crazy mirror that the kids had a lot of fun with.

 Finally, it's OUR turn!!!!

 One night at Family Home Evening, after singing Christmas songs together, Bennett demanded the floor.  He did this a few times before we could get on with the lesson.  It was so cute!

 

 Early in the month Jason and I had to sing at the Festival of Nativities at the Vancouver Stake Center with our Choir.  If you are in the Portland Area, check us out.  Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra

Lily and Harrison came along with us.  Lily also brought her friend Estella.  Their job was to keep him under control while we were singing for an hour in the chapel.  They did a good job.  The kids had a fun time before the singing to look at the nativities and play in the children's hands on area.

And that, in a very large nutshell, was December!