Christmas 2019

I like Christmas being a few days into the break, instead of right away, like it had been the previous recent years. We were able to deliver all of our neighbor and friend gifts (we delivered Yankee candles with the scripture reference from Matthew about being the light of the world) without feeling rushed. Many people loved it and commented on the beauty of it's message and the fragrance of the candles. I thought they went well with the Light the World campaign.

Our family got to work at a food bank on the 19th and prepped bags of potatoes to be handed out, as well as fill the carts that actually went to the people outside waiting for their portion of food. Austin and Erik had gone there for scouts, so they knew what to do and loved the service they gave. We also sang at a nursing home on Sunday, as is our usual caroling tradition with friends from the Ward.

Prepping the potatoes.

Onions.

Packing the carts.

Getting ready to put on the first bag.

Jason and I at the nursing home.

I can't believe how many holiday meals there were at school and work! I got to attend mine and was spoiled. Jason had a few at his work with different divisions. He brought his sweet potato recipe to one, got treated for one, and brought a pizza to the last one, since that's the one that was right before Austin's multi cultural lunch where Jason brought a pot of arroz con gandules to, a typical Puerto Rican dish. I made 2 dozen banana muffins for that as well because Austin loves them and wanted to share them at this event.

The spread at Austin's school.

The pink papers have the recipes on them, including ingredients for allergy purposes.

Meanwhile, Victoria was busy baking and decorating sugar cookies for her orchestra party, cupcakes, for another class, and prepping some cake I took home from work to bring to another. That doesn't even count Erik's second grade party on the last day, for which I only signed up to send in pretzels because I was tired of helping prep all the other food for everywhere else!

Speaking of food prep, Jason really impressed our friends with an authentic Puerto Rican meal on Christmas Eve. They are the McEwen family who we used to always trade off Thanksgiving dinner with when Erik was little and before he was born. They moved to China with Ford, where Kayla is from, then moved back again. We're getting back into eating with our "holiday family". Jason made a delicious pork tenderloin, arroz con gandules, pan de agua (I guess I made that), tostones, coquito (PR egg nog), and the dressing for the salad that Kayla brought the veggies for so we could make this PR salad with cabbage, green onions, radishes, tomatoes, and avocado. I made a flan.

I got these Christmas dishes last year from a swap meet, for free! Victoria and Karissa set the table.

Dinner!

We feasted, then played the Tommy Right game with candy, acted out the Nativity, and played another fun game. After they left, we watched the BYU game. Luckily, most of the presents were already wrapped!

Nativity. Jason was the narrator.

7:00 seemed early on Christmas! But that's when we told the kids they could wake us at. We looked at the stocking gifts, opened presents, ate gingerbread pancakes with oranges, and sausage and bacon. We talked on the phone with family members, the kids played, and we went on a walk in downtown Plymouth because it was 50 degrees! When we returned the kids watched The Polar Express and Jason and I prepped an easy meal of Swedish meatballs, wings, baked potatoes, and salad. When we were done with dinner, our friends the Steinegels, who moved here over the summer from Florida, came over for dessert and games. Their oldest daughter is serving a mission in Russia and just arrived there last week. They have twin girls who just turned 14 and another girl who's almost 12. So we had a great time with all the girl chatter.

Christmas morning.

Erik loves to read these books!

Exchanging secret Santa gifts. Jason gave to Victoria.

I gave to Karissa.

On our walk in front of a cute home that's been made into a little shop.

The best part of all, besides spending time with our friends and each other, was reading about Jesus' mission and purpose here on Earth. I always enjoy reading the story of His birth, but I put some thought into it further than that. I also loved watching the new Nativity video put out by the church. It helps me gain a greater view into how it might have been. Christmas day is one day, but it's nice to have the Spirit of Christ with us always.

Merry Christmas!❤️

Well Earned!

Austin worked really hard the past 6 months, and especially the past couple of months, to earn his Webelos and Arrow of Light for Cub Scouts. I don't think he's going to continue on when the church separates from the scouting program in January, but hopefully, he can learn and grow from the new program as much as he has from his few years in cub scouts.

Last night was a "small in quantity, but large in quality" awards ceremony for the last few in his troop that stuck in there and earned about as much as Austin did. In fact, all three boys were in the same carpool together and we moms worked hard to get them to scouts where they worked really hard with their amazing and dedicated leaders. Jason helped keep Austin focused on it at home, so it was a team effort!

Here's what he earned last night (this was all completed in the last month):
Art Explosion
Cast Iron Chef
Duty to God and You
Duty to God in Action
First Responder
Outdoor Adventure
Religious Emblem

Phew! We're so proud of him and his accomplishments!!

Owen, Peter, and Austin

Looking at an original arrow from a Native American.

Pinning on his Arrow of Light and Webelos pins on me. 

Getting ready to walk across the "bridge".

The awards he earned. 

Way to go Austin!!

Erik's Baptism

We're so proud of Erik, like really proud and impressed! A couple of years ago he said a few times that he didn't want to get baptized. I didn't make a big deal about it, but I knew it was mostly because he doesn't like a lot of positive attention directed at him, which is weird, I know, but he just doesn't. He likes doing what's right, but no big exclamations of "nice job" or "way to go Erik!" Him standing in a font with a bunch of people smiling at him, eyes full of love and joy, isn't what he prefers.

Over the summer, when his friend Noah was baptized, he said,"When I get baptized..." I don't actually remember what he said, but I did focus on the fact that he wanted to be baptized.

When he came downstairs in his suit before going to the church, he gave me a look with his eyes and body language that said, don't. say. anything. I had already warned everyone else not to comment on his nice suit or appearance, so it went over pretty well. I had also informed him that we were going to take a lot of pictures of him, people were going to congratulate him, and he was going to have to smile and thank those who came up to him.

Victoria and my mom gave the talks and he was very attentive to them and reverent. Karissa and Grandpa Jim gave the prayers and Grandpa Jim and Austin were the witnesses. It was so cool having Austin as a witness and he took his responsibility very seriously. He also folded the programs and cut the brownies that we served with milk for the refreshment.

Erik gave handshakes and hugs to the men in the circle when he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also stood reverently in church the next day when we recognized him as the newest member of the church. All these things are milestones for him!!

One more milestone I need to mention. I realized that I forgot to mention his food progress in his birthday post and the Thanksgiving one. A few months ago, he decided he didn't want to drink warm white milk anymore and that I could recycle his special cups. He has only had milk here and there since then. This is the first time in his life he hasn't relied only on milk for nutrition. I mentioned that he ate 10 chicken nuggets on his birthday, I believe, but I neglected to say that this was the first Thanksgiving that he sat at the table with us and ate food from the meal. Ok, it was only about 10 rolls with butter, plus some apple slices, but it's progress!!!

Our neighbor Ms. Barb came, plus a lot of other dear friends from our Ward and the other Ward in our area.

Holiday Joy

With Thanksgiving being so late this year, it felt like Christmas was creeping in a little earlier so everyone would be ready for this busy time of year. It feels like Thanksgiving was weeks ago, not just last week!

My mom and Jim are here and arrived Thanksgiving Day to feast with us. Victoria had her first experience driving to the airport to pick them up. Luckily, everywhere, except the airport, was pretty empty, so the roads were nice and easy. The sister missionaries joined us for dinner as well and made a nice addition with the sweet message they shared and the spirit they brought in. After they left, we played a fun new game and watched a movie together. Some of my favorite things to do with my family!

Food prep

Chowing down!

Grandpa had to pretend to be a baby in the game!!

Erik doing Yoga with Grandma.

The next morning, my mom and I went to a High Fit class that my friends teach at the church. I usually can't go because of work, but was so excited to participate in it that day! It was a good and hard work out! We saw Frozen II later that day, after running some errands and doing some Christmas decorating. Throw in a football game and a bridal shower, and the day was done!

Jason finished the basement cupboards!!!!

Victoria cut Karissa's hair and I supervised...

Projects with Grandpa.

Erik really was snuggly, but he had to make a face here!

It was their 22 wedding anniversary!

Saturday, Jason and I went to the temple. The girls were with friends, so the boys got to play games and walk to the Dollar Tree with Grandma and Grandpa. They loved that! We did more decorating and the last of the yard work, along with another football game!

After a somewhat restful Sunday, it was back to the grind, with even more push than normal with it being the first week of December. Besides dance class, piano lessons, and scouts, Karissa performed in the Holiday Orchestra concert, which Victoria could have participated in too, but had the Tree Lighting at the Summit to perform at for dance. We both had talked to her orchestra teacher about her missing this big event (she's first chair violin now) and she said that since her dance performance was also a big event and there wasn't a way out of it, that she would let her do an alternate assignment instead. We love Mrs. DePentu!!

Tap dance

Jazz dance

Kick line

Getting warmed up.

Karissa did wonderfully at the concert and Victoria was awesome in the dance performance! Austin and Erik even got to play a few games at the tree lighting and visit with the Grinch!

The next night, we went to the tree lighting in downtown Plymouth, right near where I work. Karissa's choir sang carols there. The rest of us enjoyed listening to her group sing, as well as many others, along with some musicians play guitar, sax, trumpet, and other brass instruments. There was a free trolley ride in from different locations, free hot chocolate and a craft in the Sun and Snow store. The Grinch, some elves, and Santa himself were walking around greeting everyone and handing out candy canes. The lights were beautiful and there was the annual Christmas tree fest to look at as well. We saw two of my students and one of Austin's teacher's from 3rd grade. It was a very magical night!

The trolley

Aboard the trolley.

Singing carols.

Elves and reindeer. We did see Santa too, but mostly talked to him and I didn't even think to snap a picture because he was so interesting to talk to! He really did a good job walking around and talking with all the kids.