8 days of Christmas

Isn't it ironic how when you have the most memories to write down, you don't have the time to write them all down. I've accepted this as a basic truth as the Holidays have quickly closed in on me. There have been so many times I have thought, "I need to make sure that gets recorded on the blog", and I now I won't even scratch the surface on writing them all of down. So here are my "8 days of Christmas"!

Monday night we spent with Ben's parents and sisters, Amber and Krista. We met for dinner at Top Shelf (a Mexican restaurant close by) and then went to look at Christmas lights. There is a house nearby who goes all out. They have it set up where you can park and walk around their yard and they have a popcorn machine going for "their guests". Sometimes Santa is there, but this time we missed him:( The kids still had a great time.

Tuesday I finally committed to baking. It has been haunting me on my "to do" list, being pushed over day to day for a few weeks now! It was my Mom's day off, so I figured I could enlist her help. I went simple this year, Almond and Peppermint Bark and Peanut Butter Cup cookies, one of the family favorites. I put together 20 containers....whew!!! After dinner, we took the kids and we delivered them to families in the ward, who we hadn't already received a gift from us. The kids had a great time taking turns delivering them. We were glad they were excited to do it, since it was a little chilly that night!

Wednesday Ethan had his Christmas "party" at preschool. We basically showed up to help them decorate an ice cream cone like a Christmas tree and Nutter Butters like snowmen. It was a very cute idea, I think I will do that next year w/ the kids. He had a hard time icing the "tree" but he had a great time decorating the whole thing with M&M's, his VERY favorite candy! After school, the kids had a late piano practice w/ some of the other students to prepare for their recital. After that practice, it was determined that Boston and his friend Thomas were not allowed to sit next to one another at the recital. LOL Ok I just realized they had their practice on Tuesday...that's what happens when I get behind on things. Wednesday night we capitalized on the Soft Opening of Jumba Juice. They were giving out free drinks from 4-6, on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Of course, we went both nights. Ben can't ever pass up a good deal. In fact, he spent about 20 minutes calling different families in the ward to let them know. We saw several people from the ward while we were there. I don't' think anyone in our family will be wanting a Jumba Juice for a few weeks!! Wednesday night was the joint Young Men and Young Women activity. They used the firetruck, that brought Santa in at the Ward Party, to carry a trailer (with hay of course) for Christmas Caroling. Erin brought her two oldest girls and I brought Aubrie. They had a good time and so did the youth. The 12 year old boys were a little troublesome, giving me a glimpse of what I'm hoping I won't have to deal with in 6 years! Our first stop was Ben's parents (who are now in our ward). Aubrie was so excited, jumping off the trailer and running into Aunt Amber's arms. Too bad I forgot my camera:( Our youth are so spoiled! I'm glad I can be a part of it! Hee Hee!:) Later that night Krista and Amber came over for cards.

Thursday I had to finish up some Christmas shopping. I usually NEVER put my shopping off to the last minute, b/c procrastination gives me panick attacks! But my Dad called and said he was coming for Christmas, so I had to run and get him some gifts. Then to top things off, Lorraine's gift wasn't working. I made her a huge clock and the time piece was broken. So I had to run and get her something else. Luckily I found a beautiful Star Diamond Pendant for a GREAT price! Mother-in-laws are sooooo hard to shop for. Anyone else agree? Luckily there were no crowds at Kohls (that's where we went), but things were still CRAZY! I had all the kids w/ me and both Aubrie and Ethan wanted to push Sophia in the cart. Of course, I wasn't about to let Ethan push Sophia! Things got a little dramatic, until I told him he could push Boston in a cart. Luckily Boston was a good sport about it! As soon as we got that figure out, they all had to go to the bathroom. After that, Ethan started pushing Boston all crazy, and as Aubrie was looking at Ethan and yelling at him to stop she wasn't paying attention to where she was pushing Sophia. Sophia was holding on to the front bar of the cart, and Aubrie pushed her right into a center display, crushing one of her fingers. Sophia started to wail and then Aubrie started to cry hysterically b/c she hurt her. I then told everyone we should just go home and asked them to take the carts back. Then Boston and Ethan started fighting over who was going to do that. I sure gave everyone in the store a good show! Amazingly, I somehow regained control and walked out of there with all the Christmas presents I needed! Whew! That night we did our grocery shopping for Christmas dinner. Walmart was a MADHOUSE!! Luckily Ben was with me so we were able to divide and conquer....although sometimes I think the kids do better when it's just me. Why is that? Ben mainly comes in handy with loading up the car and bringing the groceries in the house!!

Friday was probably the craziest day of them all! It started off normal, getting the kids off to school. The only difference was that I had to make sure Aubrie's hair was "performance" ready for her recital. They were able to have a few hours at their school Christmas parties before we had to pull them out for the recital (their school was the only one in session for that day!). Both Aubrie and Boston did a great job!! Neither one missed a single note and their timing was awesome. Finally they were able to see the "fruits of their labor" ! After their recital Ben went golfing w/ his Dad and a friend from the ward, while me and the kids hung out at home. We then went to see the new National Treasure Movie, "Book of Secrets" w/ the kids (minus Sophia) and Ben's parents and sisters. It was VERY good. We saw several people in the ward there. We Mormons can't resist a GREAT Disney family film! After the movie, Krista came over and we (minus all the kids) watched Disturbia. It was a great scary movie, but I have realized I am getting too sensitive to scary movies. Even "I Am Legend" was too much for me. I have always liked a good scary flick....what's happening to me?!

Ethan and one of his friends, Andrew (Thomas's brother..see above) at the kids piano recital!

Saturday Aubrie went to The Nutcracker with Ben's Mom and the Sister-in-laws. They said she kept them entertained, jabbering on about anything and everything. That is my Aubrie..the jabber jaw! Boston had a fun time at a Birthday party for one of his school mates. It was held at one of those "Soft Play" centers. The place is about 20 minutes from here, so Ben just took him and got some shopping done while I worked on my YW lesson. Luckily I was able to finish it up before my Dad arrived, around 2:30. Then I took my Dad out to get some shopping done...ARGH....it was a MADHOUSE!! On the way home I made my life easier and picked up Sonic. Then I made a gingerbread house with the kids. Boston made a small gingerbread house at school and he said, "Mom my gingerbread house can be like the playhouse to the big one"!

Sunday morning was crazy as usual...I can't wait for the new block...11:30!! Luckily Ben's parents went early, since the girls are in town, and saved us a seat! Sophia did alright, until the last 10 minutes, so I was able to enjoy most of the Christmas Sacrament Program. Aubrie was a little upset b/c she went to one of the practices for the Christmas Program and so she thought she was going to be singing. Things were too crazy for me, and I feel bad leaving Ben with all the kids during sacrament, especially with Sophia being so demanding, so I stopped going. Aubrie was a little crushed when the the little kids had their singing part. I ended up doing my lesson on the Three Wise Men and the Star. I talked about the guiding stars in our life that can lead us back to the Savior. It was a good lesson for me. Funny how that always works out! Sunday afternoon my brother Joe cam over to visit. He ended up staying for dinner and then we played a little Guitar Hero and visited. After Joe left and the kids were in bed, Ben's sisters came over for some games. We had so much fun! We played Scattegories, Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture, Scene It? the Second Edition, Ultimate Spoons (my new favorite), and finished with some good old fashion Hide and Go Seek! The first time I crammed myself under Ben's Bathroom sink. I was so uncomfortable. They couldn't find me fast enough!! Finally, I started making noises to help them out. Another time I hid in the Linen Closet, and they couldn't find me, again. I was much more comfortable wedged between blankets instead of towels and Ben's mouth wash, etc, so I waited a bit longer before I made noises. All those games made me feel like a college kid again, except when I pulled something in my leg as I was leaping over Amanda for a spoon! I had pain all night, and realized that I wasn't as young as I used to be. We didn't finish games until 1:45. Amazingly I haven't been tired all day!!!

Today started off like the Movie "Jingle All the Way". Boston has been wanting a Nintendo DS for Christmas, and Ben has been putting off getting it for him. Well today he realized why I kept harping on him to get it. I spent all morning calling stores to see if they had it. I was to the point of tears, knowing how much Boston deserved it...being he is so good and it was the ONLY thing he really has asked for! Luckily Costco came through for us, at a HEFTY price. I guess Ben had to learn the hard way! After we got that resolved, I sang (Christmas songs ) as I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped (sound familiar?). It is very unlike me (seems to be a theme this year) to not wrap my gifts as soon as I buy them. It was quite overwhelming to have so many things to wrap. So, unlike me, I wasn't enjoying the wrapping and my wrapping wasn't as artistic as I like to make it!! After all my wrapping, I played outside with the kids until it was time for our Christmas Eve plans. We started our evening taping Ethan "reading" his "Cookie" book. He has the thing memorized to a "T". The first time he did it Aubrie was in awe, thinking he learned to read. Anyway, it's really cute to watch. Then we recorded the kids singing Christmas Songs. After that we watched the church DVD "Finding Faith in Christ". I then gave a condensed version of my lesson on the Wise Men. After that, the kids made cookies while Ben went to pick up the Pizza (my new Christmas Eve dinner tradition I have decided to start!:). After pizza, we let the kids open up their Christmas PJ's. After baths, we made reindeer food and they spread it out on the lawn. Ethan dumped his bag in one spot, Aubrie quickly ran around the lawn and dumped her's in several spots. Then there was Boston, slowly and methodically sprinkling the lawn a little at a time. When Aubrie caught on to what he was doing she said, "How did he think of doing that? Boston is so smart!" After reindeer food, we prepared Santa's plate. Then Boston said, " Don't' you think Santa will get a tummy ache?", referring to all the cookies he would be eating. I told him that was smart thinking and asked him if we should leave him an apple. Now there is one sugar cookie, an apple and 9 carrot sticks...for the reindeer, on the plate! The kids then wrote a letter to Santa, and then wrote their Service gifts. These are like "service coupons" that they put in one another's stockings. After they got everything ready, Ben's family came over for dessert. Now they are gone and we are watching our all time favorite Christmas movie, "Christmas Vacation"! All the gifts are wrapped, whew!, the house is clean and now all I have to do is fill the stockings and eat the food on Santa's plate:) Hope that I get some good rest so I can enjoy tomorrow. I can't believe another Christmas is almost past! What a wonderful season. I love how it softens every one's heart to serve and show compassion and love. If only this spirit could always remain all year! One day:)!!!! Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!

Boston's teacher was so great with the Christmas Holiday. Boston came home everyday for the past week and a half with some Christmas art project. Here they all are!

Aubries gift to me, that she made at school!!

What happens in this family when you aren't reverent during sacrament prayers! Boston got them, too! Sweet boy did them first thing when he got home. I cut his in half!!!