The spirit of Christmas.

I have been so busy, it has been difficult for me to get into the spirit of the season. My mother, who I love dearly, decided to start a scrapbook for my father for Christmas. He is 70 years old, and those of you who scrapbook know that trying to do 70 years in a short period of time is asking for trouble. She brought stuff to my house on the 13th of December and it has been madness since. I should be working on it now. Well, among all the madness I did decide to take the girls, with my mothers help to the dollar store. Skye lost a second tooth and had money to buy gifts for her family. It was so fun watching each of my girls pick gifts for their family members. Charli picked a small bowling set for both her Grandpa and Dad, and as we were wrapping them last night she said "These are awesome! They are going to think they are so cool!" I loved seeing how excited they were about their thoughtful gifts. I can't wait to see their reactions when they give them. The funny thing was I took the girls at different times, so they wouldn't see what they got for each other. They both ended up picking the exact same gift for each other, and it wasn't even in the toy area. I thought that was rather interesting. This has been my favorite part of the season, along with the singing of "What Child is this?" in church. How I love that song, and Eva Barnett has such a beautiful voice. I got poor Skye's dress wet from tears.

Cookies

I usually don't mind doing a batch of Christmas sugar cookies, but this year I couldn't find the desire or time. The girls were persistent they needed to make cookies for Santa and I finally caved. They only believe for a short time. It ends up that I am now hosting Christmas for my family because of the bad weather coming. Three big parties within a month, should do me in. So baking found a purpose. I made what I needed and basically let the girls have at it with their baking frenzie, an entire bottle of sprinkles later, we find a plateful of cookies only a magical Santa Claus could eat.

Santa

With Isaac working Graves we literally rarely see him, unless we disturb his sleep. Well, last week we woke him up and headed to see the much anticipated Santa Clause. We took them to the Christmas village in Ogden to see him. It is cute with little village houses filled with holiday delights among an array of Christmas lights. The girls were beside themselves with excitement and could hardly wait to see him. After waiting in line you finally step inside this little house where Santa is. We were going to pay to have their picture taken with him, needless to say they both had complete stage fright. Isaac still placed Charli on his lap against her will. Why? Skye didn't step foot near him until he tried a little charm. Needless to say, no Santa picture this year. They did enjoy some hot cocoa and seeing the Christmas Village. This was our one and only big night out for the holidays.

The busiest time of the year!

I had my mind set well before Thanksgiving that I was going to make this a fun filled Christmas, achieving everything in my hearts desire (which included making a few gifts for my girls). Well, it is the night before Christmas eve, and what was accomplished was minimal. Shopping was done in a timely manner, I hate crowds. I made the mistake of heading to Walmart the Saturday before Thanksgiving, with two children that could be considered a prison sentence. What was I thinking? It took me a week to recover from hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my family. I was all gun ho to get my tree up and start decorating the weekend following Thanksgiving. I do love my home decorated for the holidays, too bad it took me until the 20th to complete. I was hosting Isaac's family Christmas party and figured I should finish what I started.  Well, as you can see my goals were not met, but a lesson has been learned, or should I say relearned, what Christmas is truly about, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Make a Smilebox greeting

She made me do it!

I didn't want to forget this one.

I invited the girls friends over to play last night.  When we were getting all loaded in the car to take them home, Skye thought it was funny to keep honking the horn.  After several honks I told her, "Do not do that again."

We then drove over to their house.  I walked the girls to the door while Skye and Charli waited in the car.  As I am saying our good-byes Skye honks the horn again.  I get to the car and the conversation went as follows:

Me:  "Skye, didn't I tell you not to touch the horn."

Skye: "Charli made me do it!"  (nearly in drama tears)

My mind is processing how a 3 year old makes a 5 year old do something. 

Me: "Skye, no one can make you do anything, you have choices."

Skye: "No, really mom, she made me."

Me:  "How did she make you?"

Skye: "She said she would give me all the shrimp and octopus to eat."

Me:  "You believe that Charli can get you shrimp and octopus?"

Skye: "Well, she said I had too"

Me: "Charli, is that true?"

Charli gives me a devilish snicker and a huge old grin.  This is a great example of the trouble this little girl creates.  Yes, Skye loves octopus and enjoys shrimp, a girl after her daddies own heart, they even enjoy an occasional bowl of menudo (intestine soup) together.

A night away!

This is how Isaac and I spent last night.  So relaxing and fun.  The anniversary inn in Logan has lots of fun new rooms.  This room even had a pool table and motorcycle right in the room.

Counting your "thankful's"

How great is it we have a holiday to celebrate all the wonderful things we are thankful for.  So, I decided to list 11 random "thankful's".

1. Sunsets

2. A husband who works hard to support us.

3. A good nights sleep...thank you tempur-pedic mattress.  I love you.

4. Skye's good health

5. My blendtec blender

6. Rainy days

7.  My two little girls

8. Laughter

9. Columbines

10. Books

11. Wonderful parents

What are you thankful for?

Creativity

Tonight is one of those nights, when my heart is heavy, but of what I am uncertain.  It is times like these that I love to find escape.  I love to run to distant places through music, literature, art...I am always amazed by the power of creativity.  The emotion it both evokes and resolves.  The most awe inspiring example of creativity, our earth.  What an amazing and vast gift we have been given.

Many of you know that my brother Brandon is an artist.  He is fortunate to support his family and make a career of his talent and passion.  Although artwork is best experienced first hand, I loved this more recent piece.  You can see more of his posted work at www.brandoncook.com

It was only a matter of time!

I knew it was only a matter of time before Skye's hair creativity would go too far.  We warned her numerous time to never cut hair with scissors.  Well, her halloween sugar high must have clouded her judgement and she went to town on her and Charli's hair.  I was more upset that she knew better since we have both made it a point to her.  In Skye's words, "You told me a hundred times to never cut hair for real!"  Well, I was actually happy how it turned out for Skye since I have wanted to cut her hair for two years now, but she wouldn't let us, "only trims to help it grow long".  Her hair in the front, does not grow, so thankfully she didn't touch it.  As for Charli...well, the two weeks rule won't be working!

Poor Charli

She went from this

To this

Now this!
                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                   Good thing your hair grows fast! We know it's not your favorite, but the great news is you can see perfectly now, and no more strangers telling you how cute your little bob is!

Halloween memories

2003, Skye's first halloween.  I cannot believe how much growing and changing has taken place over the past 5 years.  It is really heartbreaking.  I am just reminded of how important it is to embrace the now and appreciate today.  I am also reminded of how poor of a job I do in recording the memories.  At the time I think I will never forget, but you do, and I have.

2004, Skye's first "trunk or treat", she could care less about the candy, she was so excited about seeing everyone in their costumes.  She made such a cute little kitty.

2005, I have never known a costume to be as loved as much as this little unicorn.  I remember the day we bought it we were landscaping at our new house and Skye was covered in mud and dirt from head to toe, I thought it would never be white again.  She had the most perfect little gallop to match.  They just grow too fast.

2006, where's a picture?  I distinctly remember taking a picture, but it must be on an undeveloped roll somewhere.  Skye was the unicorn once again, she loved it so much aunt Pam made it a little bigger so she could wear it once again.  The poor costume is so shop worn from being loved.  Charli was a cute little horse, then again in 2007, she even thought about being the same horse for 2008.  She can still zip it up considering it's a size 18 months.  It was so cold this year that the girls went to maybe 4 houses before they decided they wanted to go back home.  It was fun to have their cousins, Ethan and Ayden, join in the fun this year.