...Jason's squad took Christmas to the Gutierrez family. This is the family that Jason helped at shop with a cop. They were in such need that Jason presented the idea to his squad to each take a member of the family and buy them gifts and a dinner for Christmas. The squad was very willing to contribute. Jason's dad came dressed as Santa and surprised the family. I went so that I could translate. It was such a fun experience! The girls were so cute and respectful. The mom was sweet and very appreciative.
Lluvia gave Jason a letter before he left. She made him a friendship bracelet and wrote the following:
Other people were excited to see Santa out and about. At a stop light, the people in the car next to us kept looking over at us. Then we both put our windows down and they said, "Hi Santa!" and yelled something about being good. When we came out of the apartment after delivering the gifts, the kids in the bottom apartment somehow saw us and all crowded at their door to yell at Santa. "We love you Santa," the kept shouting as we got in the car. It was really cute. Since we had Santa with us, we decided to stop by the Riner's house on the way home. The kids loved it!
The Buchannans were also at the Riners for a game night - Spencer Buchannan, Carson and Sophie Buchannan, Cade (amber's nephew), Santa, Paxton Riner, Taya Riner
...we went to Mattawa for Christmas Eve. We at a great lunch and then gathered to do the gifts. We did the kids first so that they didn't have to wait very long. Then they go play while the adults exchange their gifts. We do a favorites exchange between the adults. They guys exchange the the girls exchange. I have to say that that is the highlight for me. Its' so fun to think of what I will give and to see what everyone else includes in theirs. We draw names as couples and then exchange for those that won't be back on Christmas.
My sister bought this new dice game called Tenzie. Several different groups formed to play throughout the day. Very fun and fast moving game. Each person gets a different colored set of 10 die. Then, on go, you roll over and over until all of them are the same number. The first one to get them all yells "Tenzie!" So fun because the kids can play, and do it on their own. There are different variations for the adults to keep it interesting.
Checking out their loot from their goody bags from their Aunt Cherice (pictured in the back with my mom) and their Aunt Shelly.
...Christmas day was a blast! Paul was up at 6:30 and we told him to go back to bed. I think we made it to 7:00 before we had to roll out and get going. Santa finally brought the gift that the kids have been waiting a long time for. They got a wii u.
Our traditional setting out of the shoes for Santa.
Our tree all decorated and ready for the kids. Santa has come and gone.
Emma couldn't believe it - finally! The long awaited wii.
Ready to unwrap the big one. What could it be? Notice Emma's face in the background. She opened her package and saw that it was a Wii U before the others did and we told her to hold off until the others were done with this one. She could barely contain her excitement.
It's a TV! How exciting!
This is what Christmas is all about.
Yay! More fusion beads! We'll have plenty for 2014.
Oh, this is a good one!
Jackpot! - only...Emma has a hand in her face.
Ticket to Ride! Yes! After playing this game with the Lowe's in Arizona, Paul was strongly urging us to buy the game because it was so fun. It wasn't until we got closer to Christmas that Jason was saying the same thing. So we got it. And it was on sale.
What could it be? Ooooo, I think I see...
A set of Paula Dean RED pots and pans. I was in need of new ones. I don't care that they're necessarily Paula Dean, I just like the red color. Fantastic!
I got him. He thought he was getting a brown box. Oh no. Psych!
He really got a new blanket for our bed...that actually didn't work out and we had to send back. Now he has the money to do with as he pleases. Best thing about this year and buying gifts for Jason, I totally surprised him. I listened to the inadvertant hints he left me as he talked about the things he wanted to buy and I acted on it for Christmas. Score one for Cindy! I haven't always been the best with gifts for Jason. Everything that he has wanted is a specific tool that requires him to pick it out himself. There's not much surprise in that.
Lainey is ready for her hot chocolate. Grandma Erickson made these Christmas place mats and gave each of the kids a mug with hot chocolate. Lainey was so excited she climbed up and sat down to wait, even though it would be a while until she would get hot chocolate. Haha!
*We went over to Grandma and Grandpa Erickson's for Christmas dinner. Jason was supposed to be able to hang out with us on Christmas day even though he was on shift, but he got a call and had to leave. The call involved two adults - male and female - fighting over the fact that they didn't get each other more gifts. Crazies! After dinner we visited and played a game of Apples to Apples.
Lainey showing off the cute tutu she got from Grandma Erickson.
...we finally made it to see the Senske lights. We were not disappointed. Jason had to work that night, but he met us there to say hello for a bit.
...Emma and I got a spectacular show Tuesday evening as we went to piano lessons. We were running late, but we pulled over anyway to get a picture.Such a simple way for us to know that God is over all and watches us from above. He sends us these beautiful sunsets/sunrises to let us know that he cares.
...Emma and Paul helped make our Relief Society program a success. They sang When Joseph went to Bethlehem. The program as a whole was exceptional. I was not expecting to feel the spirit so strongly, but I was filled; and thankful that I was. They presented a program of The Women in Christ's life. Different people read accounts from the mother of Joseph, the mother of Mary, Mary the mother of Jesus, the wife of a shepherd. Then there were musical numbers to go with them. I read an account from the Innkeepers wife. Not even half way through it, I choked up. I know the accounts weren't real, just s fictional idea of what they might have acted or felt. I felt connected to these women somehow, as I caught a glimpse into what they could have been feeling; what I might have felt had I been there.
...Lainey and I went to Benjamin and Claire's gingerbread man activity at school. Lainey liked decorating one of her own and seeing Ben and Claire.
...I had to make a trip to my favorite store. I guess it was time for Lainey to take a nap because she zonked out in the car and stayed asleep in the cart the whole time I was there. Can you guess where we are?
...Lainey got a hold of my phone; and she figured out the camera. I found these days later. She's an aspiring photographer.
I love this one because so many people take shots this way on purpose to have a new camera angle. Way to go Lainey! (and she didn't even know she was doing it!)
I love this one even though her finger is in front of the lens and it's not very good quality. First it shows her cute little toes. Sigh! So little. So cute. Then it shows the dissaray that seems to appear every day of our living-ness. Lastly it shows her bowls my bowls all in a row because she loves to play with them and can't leave them alone. We love our Lainey.
This girls loves to cross her legs when she's relaxing. As is evidenced in this next picture when she stole my phone and started in on her daily Minion Rush fix without my knowledge. I have since changed my lock sequence on my phone. She's too quick, I tell ya.
...I caught more of Lainey being sneaky, silly, and cute. Since Lainey and I are buddies at home now that the other four are in school, I catch a lot of this. She's pretty easy going and such a fun shopping companion when I run errands.
Here she's sneaking a cookie...
Here she's using my bowl again to cook up something warm for these winter days we're having. It's a very comfy blanket complete with books for a story time cuddle on the couch.
Here she's reading a story to her baby. She had to buckle her up first though. Safety first. She's doing her favorite thing again - reading a story. At preschool she often badgers Miss Amy to let her take a turn reading to the other kids. She sits in the chair at the front of the room, turns the book for them to see, and makes it up as she goes.
On a trip to Costco. I like this one because it seems to capture what it is to be a kid.
...Ben had fun with the new whiteboard markers drawing snowmen.
...we had a special Christmas activity and white elephant gift exchange for the young women. We handed out these cute ornaments as their gift. All three were a hit.
For the Christmas activity we had them sit in a circle with their hands out in front of them. We turned the lights off and we played Mary did you know in the background. Then us leaders worked together to pass items through their hands that would reflect the life of Jesus. We used: a blanket (birth), raffia/straw (birth), gift box (birth-wisemen), bread (ministry-feeding 5,000), coins in a bag (betrayal money), crown (grape vines wrapped into a wreath-crown of thorns), nails (on the cross), vinegar (on the cross), spices (tomb), light (pass a flashlight across their closed eyes - resurrection). Once we were done, we turned the lights on and asked them what they thought as each item passed through their hands. We really felt the spirit as they talked about the items and how they felt; how Christ must have felt; how grateful we are that he died for us. They commented on the sharp points of the nails and how realization dawned that those were driven through Jesus' hands and feet. They commented on the reaction to smelling the vinegar - many coughed and choked. Imagine," said one girl, "if it makes us cough just smelling it, what must the Savior have felt when, in his thirst, that is all they gave him to drink."They commented on the warm blanket and how it corresponded to the song, "Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?" They commented on the brightness of the light that crossed their eyes and how they knew that Christ is the light of the world. Such a special part of our activity.
...we celebrated Emma's 10th birthday. We decided to do it before her birthday so that it wouldn't get too crazy so close to Christmas. We had a great turn out from both sides of our family. I think Emma had a fun time. We had tacos and Mexican hat dance options for dinner and then root beer and sherbert floats.
...we finally got our tree up and the house decorated. I can't say that it's ever a pleasant experience because I'm too uptight with the kids. They just want to help, I know.
...Lainey decided to help me with her laundry. Instead of putting away the folded clothes in her basket, she brought them into my bathroom as I was getting ready and refolded them on the floor. Yes, very helpful.
...we saw Santa at the ward Christmas party. The food they served for dinner was really good. The salad was delicious! I think I ate two or three of the plates set out for the kids plus mine. The kids sang with the primary in the program.
...Jason took Emma out to Subway for a date with dad. They were out shopping together and her birthday is coming up next week. Emma thought it was cool to go out just her and her dad. This was her first time to Subway too. I think she liked it.
...Jason and I went to the Law Enforcement Ball. This is the first year they held the ball and it was supposed to be a thank you for all that the officers in the Tri-Cities area does for the community. They used the set up from the Chamber of Commerce dinner that was held the night before - great decorations, good entertainment, and great food.
It was so much fun! Ok, fun for us in our way. Everyone else was
spending like crazy at the open bar, but we enjoyed the meal, sat by
some good friends (also members), danced a little, and got high on good,
clean fun. You noticed I said that we danced. It was fun to get out on the floor and remember what it was like when we were dating.
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