Christmas 2009

As Christmas neared, Reagan convinced us after looking at last year's scrap book that "it just isn't Christmas if we don't see the temple lights." This little Christmas tradition began long before she was born, so of course Jason and I had to agree. Then, it was off to Mesa on the 23rd to see the lights! We had a great time. The kids were amazed by the "statues" they have on the temple grounds and we were amazed at their reverence and awe.

Cute family! (Travis was watching all the missionaries as they walked by...)

Families Are Forever!

The Reason...

Wise men still seek him...

Christmas Eve brought lots of fun activities! My parents spent the day with us--the men out side cooking some awesome eats (Jason made brisqute that was to die for!) while the women and children held down the house. My mom thought it would be fun for the kids to pass the day doing fun Christmas activities...decorating cookies--great idea....red frosting--not such a good idea! It was everywhere, but the kids had a blast decorating their own cookies so I guess it was worth the mess!I think they ate as much as they decorated! Travis even managed to dump a whole jar of cookie goodies onto 1 cookie! Hope Santa enjoys it!Christmas Eve night followed family tradition as we made our way to Solomon to Papa and Joy's for their annual party. We ate lots of yummy mexican food and then Santa and Mrs. Claus came by to for one last visit before the big night. Reagan and Travis were excited to see them, as were all the Larson cousins. The party also had a spiritual side--we heard a story about the shephards and then as the scriptural story of Jesus's birth was read, the cousins came out in their Nativity costumes. They all love dressing up! It definitely is the highlight of the party for all!Then, it was off to bed...because Santa was on his way!

HE CAME>> AND LEFT TOYS! The kids were thrilled with their gifts!My family came to enjoy the chaos with us. Even Kaela was in a festive spirit.Reagan loved her new "Rock Star" gifts from Travis!The kids got lots of fun presents--among the favorites were Buzz Light Year and the Princess and the Frog. Check out those excited Christmas morning faces! There is one picture missing though...the one of me riding my new mountain bike through the house before the kids got up! (Guess I'll have to get a copy of one from my dad!) Too fun--I love my Santa and his gifts too!

After Christmas fun has included enjoying ipod listening and easy bake cookies!Reagan and Travis have truly been enjoying their "haul" since Christmas. Reagan's break was spent playing and play some more! Travis loved having his big sister home for a few days too!Hope your season was as Merry and Bright as ours was!

(The moon on Christmas night!)

'Tis The Season

'Tis the season...to be busy, merry, and bright! Well, busy anyways! The days are passing quickly and Christmas will soon be here, but we are ready... Reagan and I are jamming out to Christmas carols and Travis is learning to sing and made up his own version of " Fa La La La La La"--too funny! The "stockings" are hung, our tree (artificial for the first time ever!) is decorated, the presents are all bought and wrapped, and we are enjoying the Christmas season!

Last week, we had our Ward Christmas party. (sorry...forgot the camera...) It was great food and and a fun time to just sit and talk with friends.
Next, was the ED Christmas party. It was great--the providers do it for us and this year it was in Artesia again. The kids loved getting to play with friends and talking with Santa.

Travis didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but he wanted a candy cane and present really bad. So, he surpised me and climbed right up on Santa's lap and said "Cheese!" Too cute! This week was Reagan's school music program. Can you spot her with Nana's antlers on? She loves to sing and was so excited for her program! (She spent the night before it vomiting over and over again, but she conviced herself and me that she was better and off to the program she went...and felt great luckily!) She sang Up on The Roof Top, A Spanish Christmas Song, and Away in a Manger with all the 1st graders. They also did a few numbers with the rest of the school K-2. Most songs had dancing numbers or kids playing instruments. Our music teacher Ms. Lawson does a fantastic job!

First grade:

All the singers: (that would fit in the pic anyways!)

Reagan singing loudly as usual...

The cute child Nativity during the Finale....

Next, was Reagan's Dance Recital on Friday. She danced to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. She did a great job and the show as fun to watch. My favorite of course was the end...it is always a form of the Nativity. After the Nativity movie by the Church with Breath of Heaven dubbed over it, the big girls danced to He Lives. It really was beautiful! What a cutie! No more pics MOM!

Just Rockin!Confusion or concentration???
Yeah! All finished! Good job Reagan!

Busy as we are, I have enjoyed getting my part of the YW lesson ready for this Sunday...studying talks and scriptures and trying to remember to focus on what Christmas truly is all about-- The Spirit of Chirst. May we all have the pure joy of Christmas in our hearts this season!

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.....

1st--My birthday...it was even on the 1st! Yep another one came and went, but I've decided I'm never getting older...I'll just be 30 forever in case anyone is wondering!

2nd--A long trip out of town...our first with no kids....5 days of just me and Jason! Flying...which we hadn't done in years even! The trip was fun and adventurous at first, then quiet...and sort of lonely. Quickly, we both missed the kids (I think more than they missed us actually)! We were glad to come home to them, but grateful for a little getaway thanks to my mom!

3rd--Sin City...Las Vegas is just that! At every glance--we were surrounded by a lifestyle that just wasn't ours...from the drinking and smoking to the gambling and scantly clad and fake people, even glutenous food and covetous stores. Lots of the sights at the hotels were amazing, but each day we were grateful to have the escape of our room....above the volcano at The Mirage of course!

Glass blown flowers in a hotel lobby ceiling.

4th--A light in the middle of darkness... the Las Vegas temple. It was good to go there and to feel the peace that only a temple can provide.

5th--"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas--unless it itches." The golden rule I learned in my Emergency Nursing Conference--the real reason for our little trip out of town. It was great to be reminded of why I love my job and why I love the department I work in. I learned lots and was proud to see how my little ER stacks up against others across the nation as I talked to colleagues.

Hmmm....

New Thanksgiving Traditions

We started some new Thanksgiving Traditions this year. My favorite was the Turkey Trot in Pima. Jason and I ran the 5K together. I loved the little brisk morning run and it was cool to have him by my side. It was a bit rough on Jason, but he tried hard and even finished strong--sprinting and beating me across the finish line. What a brat! As we drove away, I coaxed him with a "Now wasn't that fun?" comment. He didn't take the bait though and replied, "The only fun part was spending time with you!" Okay--so Jason didn't enjoy the run, but he did it for me. What a sweet husband!

I think Jason started the next tradition--cooking our own turkey at home. He built a new barbecue and was excited to give it a try. With ours and some friends and family's turkeys--I think he did 6 or so! It was a hit as usual...surprisingly for one friend who said everyone shyed away from the not so turkey looking turkey at first, but once one dared to try it--it was over and the turkey disappeared quickly. Good job Jason!

We finished the day with our normal traditions--eating a beautiful dinner at Grandmother Ford's in Safford with the Larsons and Fords. We were small in number this year, but it was still fun to get together and talk and eat Gram's famous lemon pie! Poor Gram...her turkey wasn't done in time for dinner for the first time in Ford history so we ate a Larson bbq turkey. I felt bad for her but had to laugh--most people have cooking disasters all the time--but not this lady--she's a true Betty Crocker woman!!

No pics while we're eating Mom!

Next, it was on to my sister Tanya's in Thatcher for a Cole feast...as usual there was more food than a person can image or even eat...3 turkeys cooked 3 different ways even! My Aunt and Uncle from Tucson came with their 2 sons. Jake is off to North Carolina next year to play Division 1 baseball--too cool. And Zach is still a musician and hockey player. Reagan and Travis loved the boys attention--and I think the boys loved hanging out with them too.

Last tradition for the day--me off to work.

It was a great day of thankfulness...we are so blessed! We are surrounded by family and friends. We are blessed with a home and stable careers. We are healthy and we have the gospel--a direction to follow in our lives. I am thankful for Thanksgiving and its reminder that we should stop and count our blessings...

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Yes, no matter how old a girl gets--she still just wants to have fun! So lucky me--I got a fun filled weekend "in the big city" without my hubby and kids...something I've never done before....but can't wait to do again!

I went with my 4 sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law to the Valley. First was a relaxing session at the temple with names from Grandma Joy. It was nice to not be in a hurry...and nice to be in the Lord's house. Next, was fish tacos at The Cheese Cake Factory. (They were amazing...I didn't tell Reagan about this part of my trip because I knew she would be jealous--she loves fish tacos almost as much as I do!) Then, a slumber party consisting of 5 grown girls...just having fun, laughing, and talking into the wee hours of the morning at the Goodman condo (so cool; gotta get one of those some day).

Getting up early on Saturday was surprisingly easy since we were all so excited to see NEW MOON! It was awesome...even better than I expected....and yes, I felt like a teenager again as we rushed to get our seats, sprinted to bathroom breaks, and oogled over the hot young boys on the screen. (Shhhh...don't tell my husband!) We finished our fun filled trip with some Christmas shopping and lots more talking.

My fun wasn't over just yet though...since Jason had to work, my little ones spent the weekend in Virden with my parents so when I got home, Jason and I got to go out on A DATE and spend an evening alone together...something we rarely ever do but maybe once or twice a year.

It was fun to be just a girl having fun...it was fun to just be a wife with her husband having fun, but it wasn't fun to be a mom without my kids around --so I went and got them early on Sunday.

It definitely was a weekend of fun times and good memories...I'm looking forward to more times like these in the future...there will be 2 more movies that we'll be dying to see...then we'll have to find another excuse to just get out of town and have some fun!