The Day After

I hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy. Hope you all had a VERY merry Christmas!! Although I love the excitement and busy-ness of Christmas Day, I think my favorite day of the year is actually the day AFTER Christmas. We can sleep in, stay in our jammies all day, and PLAY!! Even though I'm one who likes things organized and put away, I like to leave Christmas presents under the tree for a week - that way we can pull out something to play with and then "clean up" by shoving it back under the tree!

We had a great holiday. Grandma spent the night at Mom's on Christmas Eve, so we went to Mom's for dinner after Quentin got off work. Mom just makes everything so special - her house was decorated so cute, she made a yummy dinner with everyone's favorites, and it just felt so festive. There's just something about my mom - she just makes everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Right before we left, we did our tradition of reading "The Night Before Christmas" story - but this time instead of Quentin reading it to our girls, Kiera was the one who read it to everyone!

That night, Quentin and I stayed up till 2:30 finishing the wrapping and getting things ready. Kiera woke everyone up at 7:45 on Christmas morning and we checked to see if Santa had come. Wow - he sure did!! Besides the mound of presents we had for each other and the ones Santa left, Santa also left a huge surprise in the garage - a playhouse that will be a big project in the springtime. The girls were SOOO excited! Mom came over for a few minutes in the late morning, then we went to her house to do presents with her and Grandma. Then from there we went to Corbin and Nikki's for dinner and to celebrate with the Stephens family. While we were there a snowstorm blew in - big time. We left at 10:00, and our usual 45-minute drive took nearly 1 1/2 hours. None of the roads were plowed and there were lots of slide-offs on the side of the road. We took it easy, the girls fell asleep, and we listened to Christmas music while we marveled at the serene night. Ahhh....

I love the time between the holidays (a time for a messy house and lots of playing). Then when January hits, I get in the mood for a "naked house" and to take down the cluttery Christmas decorations and clean and organize the house from top to bottom, inside and out. I also look forward to January because it's a "hibernation month" - a perfect time for reading, scrapbooking, watching movies, puttering...my favorite things!!

Remember

Last night we joined the other family members of the Elders Quorum presidency for a Family Home Evening (even though it was Tuesday). None of my pictures turned out because it was too dark, but it was a memorable evening. We drove to the end of the street where it's a dead end, then carefully drove through the snow on a single-lane road till we reached our destination - a small barn that houses a few horses and some chickens. The owner of the barn (who actually was the original owner of our house) had arranged bales of hay in a circle for our seating. We sang songs, told stories, enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies, and read the story of the birth of the Savior in the Bible. It was peaceful and humbling to realize that it was a similar setting (though not as cold!) of where Jesus was born. It really helped us remember what Christmas is all about.... I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Candlelight Christmas

Last night we went to This is the Place's Candlelight Christmas. Quentin got free tickets from work and we had planned about 4 times to go this month but things kept popping up. But we finally got to go last night, and I'll tell ya - it really helped get us in the Christmas spirit. And it's something we would like to go to each year. It was magical! We bundled up in blankets and took a train ride around the whole park, stopped off at Brigham Young's house for hot cider, listened to a quartet playing music, listened to roaming carolers, warmed our hands by an open fire, saw some "real live" reindeer, visited Father Christmas, made Christmas decorations by candlelight (cinnamon sachets and wooden gingerbread ornaments), wrote letters to Santa and delivered them to a "magic chimmney," and met lots of "pioneer people" who wished us a "Happy Christmas to Ya!" So charming!

'Tis the Season!

Yesterday we went to Quentin's brother Chris and Wendy's house near Tremonton for their annual Christmas party. It is always so fun to hang out at their "party house" - they are always such welcoming hosts and have such fun activities planned. We had lunch, rode around on their 4-wheelers in the snow, had storytime with Uncle Dallin, watched the game, and had brownies and banana splits. The highlights were Wendy's adorable photo ornaments (she made 120 of them for friends and family!), the DVD Wendy made with pictures of everyone, and (of course) Santa's surprise visit! (It's strange - Santa looks a lot like Uncle Chris!!) He had a present for everyone! Wow! Thanks, Chris and Wendy, for creating such sweet memories for our families!

Christmas Craziness

Yesterday Kiera and Makenna had their school Christmas programs - Makenna's started at 2:30 and Kiera's started at 2:40. Hmmm. I still haven't figured out how to be at 2 different places at the same time. Thank goodness Granny was there to help be the "other parent!" She went to Kiera's talent show (where Kiera hula-hooped!) and took pictures for me. I went to Makenna's Christmas program and got to Kiera's as soon as we could. Crazy.

Last night, my mom treated Quentin and me to a date!! She offered us tickets to Rodgers Memorial Theater and even babysat for us (thanks Mom!) This has been kind of strange for us - Quentin and I have had 3 dates in 3 weeks! Wow!

Kiera was so stoked yesterday. Apparently her class got to write letters to Santa Claus, and yesterday they each received a letter from an elf! Kiera's was from Ella the Elf, and her penmanship was so fancy - lots of swirls and hearts for each dot. Kiera just couldn't believe it - what a treasure!

Quentin's Birthday - Part 2

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting my next post, since I promised an update on how Quentin's birthday celebration went yesterday. It was, well, interesting to say the least. It started out okay - I made poppy seed muffins for breakfast (Quentin's favorite), we dropped Kiera off to school and then we took Kasidee in for a checkup at the dentist. When we got back, Mom came over to visit and Quentin got lots of phone calls. Then, just as we were about to leave to do something fun, we heard Kasidee screaming and Makenna had a horrified look on her face. Apparently Makenna and Kasidee were playing "doctor" and Makenna was checking Kasidee's ears with...a toothpick. Aahhhh! No blood, and the screaming soon stopped, but we called the doctor and couldn't get in for an hour. So we waited and worried, then took her in to the doctor (no damage, thank goodness, except to Makenna's little soul - she was terrified that she had hurt Kasidee). Then on to pick Kiera up from school. We were looking forward to finally having some fun. Quentin chose to go to Game Crazy and we spent over an hour there. I hate that place, but I have to admit it wasn't so bad yesterday. They had an awesome sale and we were able to save about $70 on some Wii games (plus while I was waiting I answered a survey that an old lady was doing and scored a $10 gift card to Game Crazy. Yahoo!) Then Quentin suggested we go to Gardner Village. I thought he was just saying that for me since I love that place, but he really wanted to go and look. So off to Gardner Village to browse at some stores and check out the little Elf displays they have. It was bitter cold, so we didn't stay too long. Then we hopped in the car, got french fries at McDonalds for the girls and went to Cafe Rio for some yummy dinner. When we got home, we planned on watching "Horton Hears a Who" but it was getting late and we decided to save it for another day. Whew!

Happy Birthday Quentin!

Happy 33rd birthday to Quentin today! Yipee! He was supposed to work today (bummer). He has used up all his sick time and vacation time, but his manager tempted him yesterday by telling him he could take the day off without pay. Although "Responsible Quentin" kept telling me that he would work because we really needed the money, I figured he would cave. And I'm glad he decided to take the day off. He's so sweet to schedule the girls' birthdays, my birthday, and our anniversary off, but getting time off in December is hard for him and he never complains. But today he's off! I'll have to post more about how we will celebrate! Happy birthday, Quentin!

Lights

Last night, sort of on the spur of the moment, we got the girls all ready for bed, loaded up the car with slippers and blankets, and took a drive to see the little light display in Layton Park (you just drive around and look). The girls loved it. And I'll tell ya, there's nothing that brings the Christmas mood quite like a huge lit-up pink elephant or fire-breathing dragon. Hmmm....

Christmas Surprise

We have a dear neighbor whose 4 boys are grown and she doesn't have any grandkids yet - and since we moved in, she has treated our girls as her own grandkids. She's had them over to decorate cookies, she has lent us books from when she was a kindergarten teacher, and she has embroidered special pillows and blankets for them. Today when she and her husband dropped off some Martha Stewart-esque cookies for Christmas, they also had a special package for the girls - bright, colorful aprons - one for Kiera, one for Makenna, and 2 tiny ones for their dolls! This lady is so kind and so talented - there seriously is nothing she can't do. We're lucky to have her as our friend and neighbor!

Gingerbread Houses

We were bummed about a family party being postponed till next week because of the big snowstorm today, but then we remembered we would be able to make it to do the Lowe's project - wooden gingerbread houses! The girls were so stoked and loved making them. And now they're busy wrapping tiny presents in toilet paper and putting them inside the hinged roof! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

New Beds - Again

After nearly 2 years of thinking about it, and 3 months of waiting, we finally have new bunk beds. Yay! We've needed them for a long time but have been waiting for the right kind and the right price. Kiera has been using the bed I had as a little girl for quite awhile now, but Makenna had still been in her beloved little toddler bed - and has quickly outgrown it. When we originally looked at bunk beds, we thought that we could just use one of the beds for Makenna's "big girl" bed and save the bunk bed option for later - if we ever needed it. But the girls got too excited knowing they could have bunk beds. So we put them up and the girls love 'em. The only downside: they seem monstrous (but at least now there's room for a "reading corner.") And I have no clue how to make a top bunk bed without falling on my head. Oh well. I guess we'll figure that one out. Kiera and Makenna have been so excited about their new beds that they've happily made their beds every day. Wahoo! (P.S. As expected, Kiera got sad when Quentin took down her "old" bed - but she was comforted knowing it can "hang out" in the storage room with her old toddler bed. And one day Kasidee will use it!)

Lunch with the Mayor

Okay, so I have to brag. Yesterday Kiera (along with only 5 other students from our school, one from each grade as well as the principal) got to get out of school and ride in a fire truck to the Farmington City Complex. There, they met a few students from other schools and had lunch with the Mayor of Farmington. Then they got to ride back to school in a police car. Cool, eh? Kiera was nominated by her teacher because (and I quote), "Kiera is kind to everyone, is respectful and polite to everyone, and is always willing to help others." Her teacher later emailed me and wrote, "I chose Kiera because of her kind, sensitive nature. Children are often noticed for grades and academics but I feel those who go out of their way to be kind and thoughtful to others should also be recognized. She is a wonderful little girl. You should be very proud of her." Oh, we are!

Countdown

Well, I guess the countdown to Christmas is officially on. Boy, it sure came fast this year. I'm not sure I'm ready for this. But last night we dug out our little advent calendar, hoping that the "Elves" will fill it each night for a little surprise in the morning. So this morning we checked it out. After reminding the girls that we can only open ONE box each morning, they carefully opened the first box and found a little "Mary" finger puppet. In the excitement, Makenna quickly opened box #2 and pulled out a "Joseph" finger puppet. Kiera and I looked at her incredulously and gasped - "Wait Makenna! You can't do that!" She got a horrified look and ran from the room, sobbing. After much consoling and comforting and assurance that she didn't do anything wrong and that, yes, I'm sure Santa will still think she's a good girl, all is well. I guess we'll just have to skip opening the box tomorrow. Ugh. It's going to be a long month.

Mommy Paradox

The other night my sister-in-law and I went on a "date." It was a long-anticipated evening of no kids and adult conversation. We went to a play at the Hale Center Theater and then grabbed a bite to eat at Costa Vida. It was SOOOO nice to be able to "get away" for a little while. But I have to admit that as I was leaving my house and the girls' noses were pressed against the window, waving goodbye to me, I experienced what I call the "Mommy Paradox." So many times I think to myself, "Oh, I wish I could just have time to myself for once" - and then when I finally get that time to do what I want to do, I start missing my girls! Our "date" was great - it felt so nice to be free for just a little while and to have some good company. But nothing beats being home with my girls (and honey)!

A Couch and a Life Lesson

Long story. A couple days ago we decided to finally get rid of our old couch. It's one we got nearly 12 years ago. It wore out so we put a slipcover on it a few years ago, but it was way past its prime. Clear back in May, we got a nice, new cranberry sofa to replace it but we weren't quite sure what to do with the old one, so it sat "temporarily" (for 6 months!) behind our loveseat in the living room. It looked like a redneck seating arrangement. Anyway, there's nothing like having company over that makes you all of a sudden find a good reason to "get 'er done." Since we're hosting Thanksgiving this year, we decided we needed to make our living room look like a real living room again. So it was time for the old couch to go. Quentin and I loaded it on the trailer then loaded the girls in the van for a "D.I. Run." As soon as Kiera and Makenna saw our old couch on the trailer they gasped. "Wait! What are we doing with our couch?!" So we had The Talk - we explained that we have loved that couch but we just don't need it anymore so we'd like to give it to the D.I. so someone who might not even have a couch would be able to get it.... Well, they didn't like that idea. "Why can't we keep it? I could have it when I'm a grown up. We could buy it back." Kiera was in tears, worried that the poor couch would miss us. I knew how she was feeling. As a kid, even though in my mind I knew that THINGS didn't have emotions, I still FELT things FOR them. I remember how hard it was for me when my parents sold our old gray Oldsmobile. I didn't want the car to "feel" abandoned.

I worried that this little couch experience would tramatize the girls. But we all talked about how important it is to take care of the things we have. But it's also important to not hold onto EVERYTHING even if we don't need it anymore. It's good to give to others who may not have the things we do. That evening we watched the movie "Kit Kitteridge," which drove this point home even more. Being a kid and learning these "life lessons" can be tough. But I guess that's what life is all about!

Sleepover!

Last night the girls had their very first "friend sleepover" with their best friends Chloe and Sophie. Kiera's been wanting a sleepover for months but I wasn't sure she was quite old enough yet and frankly I pretty much knew we'd get a phone call in the middle of the night to pick her up (which would be okay). However, the moms talked about making the sleepover idea a reality and for a week the girls giggled at the very thought. Plans weren't "official," but we decided quickly that it would be okay and Chloe and Sophie ended up coming to our house for the night. It was crazy, it was loud, but it was oh, so fun. I couldn't believe how excited the girls were. They goofed around, played Wii Bowling, watched a Strawberry Shortcake video and ate popcorn, made huts, had a pillow fight, read books, brushed teeth and said prayers together and then - lights out. But I didn't hear the giggling stop till nearly 11:30 (sorry, Chloe & Sophie's mom!) Sophie and Kiera slept in Kiera's bed, and Chloe chose to sleep next to the bed on the floor in her sleeping bag. As soon as Makenna got tired, she ditched her sleeping bag and crawled in bed with me (Quentin was over at his brother's house). So all was well and we all got some good sleep till 7:45 when I awoke to lots of giggling. We had waffles for breakfast, played a little, then got things ready to take Chloe and Sophie home. What fun, and what good memories we're making!

ALL 5 GIRLS LOVE TO PLAY TOGETHER!


BRUSHING AND FLOSSING...


PILLOW FIGHT! (No, those aren't feathers flying around - just spots on my camera!)


SECRET HUDDLE


NIGHT NIGHT!

Field Trip

(DON'T YA LOVE HOW FIRST-GRADERS LOVE TO HOLD HANDS WITH THEIR FRIENDS? SO CUTE!)

Thanks to Granny for watching Makenna (AND taking her to preschool) and Kasidee for 5 hours today so I could go with Kiera on her first-grade field trip! We boarded the big yellow school busses and went to the Repertory Dance Theater and watched a dance show then went on a tour at the State Capitol. Both were very interesting and fun, but Kiera liked eating lunch at the park the best!