Christmas Morning

I have to admit that I was really excited for Christmas morning. Emily had asked for a few things like a new trumpet case, and a Dragonology book, and a few other things, but I knew that what she really wanted was a cell phone. She had been hinting for one since school started, but when we would ask her what she wanted for Christmas, it was never on her list. I think because we had convinced her that she would never get one.

In October Ryan and I upgraded our phones and changed carriers. When we did this we also added Emily to our plan. We thought about just giving it to her right away, but after about a minute of thinking that, we decided it would be more fun to torment her a little more with our new phones first. So we did.

We also decided that it would be more fun if we didn't just hand her the phone Christmas morning. So Santa wrote a note and wrapped it up in a pretty box. The note said, "Do you hear what I hear?"

Emily opened the package read the note, and did not really respond to it. I asked her what the note said, and she read it to me just as a Transibirian Christmas tune started playing from somewhere. Emily just sat there and said "That sounds nice." I told her she should go see where it was coming from. She found it pretty quickly tucked in the branches of the tree.

I don't think I have seen Emily that surprised and that excited for a long time. Josh was pretty surprised too.

I am not sure that Emily really knows what happened the rest of the morning, but the rest of the kids all had a good Christmas too.

I was excited for Josh to get his gift, even though I knew he was "planning" on it. I was happy he was getting a DS to replace the pink hand me down DS he had been happily using the last couple of years, and I knew he would be excited.


I was really excited to see Joe open his present. His was the hardest for me not to get out and play with myself prior to Christmas. I am sad I was not in a better place to get a picture of his face when he opened his gift.

This Fall Joe was not sure what he wanted for Christmas and I really didn't have a good idea, so We started looking for ideas together. One day I took him to a toy store near our house (not toys-r-us) and we found the perfect thing. He got a bad guy castle a couple of Christmases ago, and he loves to play with it. But he needed a good guy castle to make the playing even better. The store we went to had a few different castles, and we had fun looking at all of the possibilities.

Joe was a little disappointed when he saw how much things cost, but he didn't realize that Santa has the internet to shop on and can find deals. I told Joe we would keep looking for things he wanted, and maybe we would find something in our price range.

Christmas morning when he found the Castle he was so excited. I think he will have fun with this for a long time.

Last but not least. Little Miss Pink. All Valerie asked for this Christmas was a pink present. Just after Thanksgiving, Grandma Bolander surprised Valerie with a little pink tree she had found while she was out shopping. Valerie loved it. In the day she had it out in the front room, and at night she took it into her room. When we set up our tree and got out the decorations, every decoration that was handed to Valerie went on the little pink tree. After that it stayed in the front room, because when she tried to move it the ornaments fell off.

Santa brought Valerie a present wrapped in pink, and a new pink stroller for her baby. He put her gifts under her pink tree, so she would know they were for her.


Valerie was the hardest for Santa this year, not because he didn't know waht to giver, but because there were so many things he thought she would like. He decided Valerie would enjoy her own castle to play with when Joe got his out. She loves it, and does like to get it out to play castles with her brothers. They don't seem to mind it either. Secretly I think they like having a princess castle in their game.

I think I had the most fun Christmas morning watching the excitement on the kids faces. I am grateful for all that we have been blessed with this year.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Bolander's house. Grandma always sets a beautiful table, and I am sad I did not get a picture of it. Valerie was very happy when she found a pink place setting waiting for her at the table.



The boys were very interested in Grandma's tree and what was underneath it. I caught them pinching a few packages after dinner.


To entertain the kids between activities Grandma had Christmas houses for them to build. The boys had a lot of fun with this.


After dinner it was time for the program. Aunt Tracy and Uncle Gavin were spending Christmas at their home in DC, but thanks to modern technology they joined us for the program.



Emily has been working really hard learning how to play the trumpet in band at school, so for our family's part in the program Emily and Ryan played their trumpets together, and the other kids sang along.

For only playing since September I think Emily played really well.
We always end the program by reading the Christmas story from the scriptures.

Shortly after the program finished the doorbell rang. Once again the Mysterious Stranger had left gifts.



Once everyone was dressed in their new pajamas we got in our cars to look at lights and head home to wait for Santa.

Why Two Year Olds Don't Use Scissors

During all the chaos of getting ready for Christmas, it is normal that a few things you are more careful about during the rest of the year, seem to slip through the cracks a little. Like leaving your wrapping supplies out where your two year old can get them. This was true at our house this year.

On school days the kids are pretty good about getting themselves dressed without too much trouble, but for some reason Sundays are always a little tricky. Maybe it is because there are specific clothes and shoes that need to be worn, but for some reason, that is always the day when someone can't find something, even if we get it all ready the night before. The clothes also have a lot more buttons and things, so while I am getting myself ready I usually have a kid or two asking me to help them with stuff. Ryan is very helpful when he is home, but he is usually already at the church in meetings. So many Sundays I get myself and my family ready not paying too much attention to the little details.

The Sunday before Christmas was no different. I gave Valerie a bath and got her ready for church. When I was blow drying her hair, in between buttoning shirts, and finding socks and shoes, I noticed that the swirly cowlick that she has right in the front of her head was being a little more difficult that morning, but I didn't have time to really mess with it, so I sent her on her way.

I dropped her off at nursery to play and headed to my class. After class I met up with my family in the chapel. I ended up sitting next to my friend Liz, and Valerie came to sit on my lap. When I picked Valerie up Liz asked, "Oh! Did Valerie cut her hair?" I started to say no, but then the morning hair session popped into my head and I then realized why the front was sticking up even more than normal. I turned Valerie so I could really look at her, and it was then that I saw the big chunk of hair that was missing.

I asked her if she cut her hair and she told me that Joe and Josh did it, but when I asked them they had no idea what I was talking about, so I knew it was Valerie. The funny thing is, I have no idea when she did it. I have not found hair anywhere in the house, and because of her cowlick always making her hair a little funny there, It could have been a day or two.

With the cowlick I can comb her hair so it is not too noticeable, but I am glad we have two months before our family picture appointment. I just need to be a little more careful about where we leave the scissors.

Merry Christmas

Dear Friends, and Family,

We hope this Christmas Season finds you all well. We express our love to all of you and want you to know we are grateful for each of you. This year has brought many new challenges and blessings to our family, and we find ourselves humble and grateful for all that we have.

This year started out very bumpy for us, but we end it with a greater understanding of the gospel. We have witnessed miracles in our lives this year and are grateful for the tender mercies that have been granted to us. We have watched the power of the priesthood bless our lives and answers to prayers come. We know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true Church, and we are grateful for a prophet who guides us. We are grateful for the temple, and all of the blessings that come from it. We have come to understand better the difference between wants and needs. We also know that the Lord knows the desires of our hearts, and he loves us, and wants us to be happy.

We hope this Christmas season, that you will remember our Savior Jesus Christ, and know that he knows and loves each and every one of you. We wish you all a very merry Christmas.

With Love,

Ryan, Hillary, and Family

Temple Lights

I love the tradition of going to see the lights at Temple Square. Grandpa Bolander also enjoys going, and we were glad he could join us.

This red tree is Grandpa's favorite.

He loves to stand under it and look at all the lights, because it looks like it goes on forever.

When Valerie saw the pink lights she lit up and said, "Oh look at the pink lights! Pink lights are my favorite!"

The kids really liked the nativities, and they loved the lights. It was pretty crowded, and I was a little worried about loosing one of the kids, but it turned out the only one we lost was Grandpa. Thanks goodness for cell phones so we were able to get back together quickly.


After Temple Square we took Trax over to the Gateway Mall, because Grandpa wanted to show the kids the tree they had there. The tree at the Gateway was very cool. The lights were constantly changing, and the kids loved running around the big tree.


Valerie loved riding the train and cried when we got off. So she was very happy when we got to ride it a second time back to the car.



Temple Square is a cold tradition, but it is always a nice way to stop and think of Christ during the holiday season.

Happy Birthday Matey

To celebrate Joe turning eight we had a pirate party. Joe liked helping me get the party ready. He really liked it when it was time to burn the edges of the paper.




Joe loves pirates, and he makes a pretty good one himself.


His friends soon started arriving dressed in their pirate gear. It was funny to listen to them discuss which pirate they were. Most of them wanted to be Jack Sparrow.



As the guest came I had them pick a bandanna. When everyone had arrived I split them into teams by bandanna color, and the games began. .

Jack, Sam, Josh, Ethan, and Charlie made up the white team.




Hudson, Joe, Max, Aiden, and Cooper were the black.



The first game was a marshmallow cannon battle. After a few minuted of the teams going against each other Grandma Bolander (who was a big help at the party) started calling pirates up to duel.


This was one of the favorite games at the party. the other favorite was the candy bar game. The pirates had fun getting their treasure, and trying to keep it from the other pirates.

Happy Eighth Birthday Captain Joe. We love You!

Do You Believe?

I don't remember exactly when I learned about the "Real Santa," but I do remember that it didn't really change what I thought of Christmas that much. The Christmases where I knew, I just remember feeling loved by my parents, and just as excited Christmas morning to see what was under the tree.

I love Christmas. I love the music, the spirit and the love that comes with it. One of the activities I love the most about Christmas now, is finding the perfect gifts for the people I love, and getting to help Santa out a little.

As a parent I try to keep the fun of Christmas alive for my Children.

When I told my kids that we were going to see Santa, they were all excited. All except Emily who asked in her teenage tone, 'Do I have to go?" Of course I made her come, and once we got there she did not complain too much.

I always look forward to this day. I never feel like I can wrap anything until after we have talked to Santa. Usually the kids have figured out what they are going to ask Santa for pretty early, but I always like to get it set in stone. Usually they stick to the item they have told me about, but you never know.

Valerie was more than willing to sit on Santa's lap, but once she got there, she was not sure she liked it. She did however tell him that she wants a pink present for Christmas. I hope she likes what Santa puts inside the pink package.

Josh was very anxious to tell Santa what he wanted, but was a little shy when it came to actually telling him. He did work up the courage though and asked for a D.S.

Joe had a couple of ideas for things to ask for, but in the end I guess he decided having Santa surprise them last year worked out pretty well. So when Santa asked Joe what he wants for Christmas, Joe just said, "Surprise Me!"

Emily really did not want to sit on Santa's lap, and I really only made her come for pictures. We agreed that as long as she smiled in the pictures, she did not have to sit on his lap. He still gave her a candy cane and she happily took it.

I left feeling very pleased with the requests and happy that three of my four children still believe in the magic of Santa. (I really thought Joe had figured it out last year. and maybe he just goes along with it for my sake, but if that is the case he is really good.) Then again a few days later this discussion occurred between the boys.

Josh: Joe do you think Rudolf is real?

Joe: Why Josh?

Josh: Well I think someone just made up the story of Rudolf.

Joe: I think Rudolf is real.

Josh: How come?

Joe: Well Rudolf is in all of the Santa stories, so if Rudolf isn't real, then Santa isn't real.

Josh: Mom is Rudolf real?

The truth is, I do believe in Santa. I believe he is a symbol of hope, love, and generosity. I hope that when my kids discover the "Real Santa" they will feel loved just like I did as a kid.

Grand Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Not only is the food delicious, but we also get to spend the day together with people we love, and focus on the things we are grateful for.

This year we headed back to the Grand America for our meal,

and once again we were not disappointed.

We got a little messy,

had a little fun with our food,

And had a great day together.

The biggest event this Thanksgiving was something that seems simple to most, but to us it has been a long road to, and a huge mile stone for our family. This Thanksgiving was the first time in 2+ years, that we have been able to all fit in our car and drive somewhere together. We pulled up to the Grand America in our new (used) mini van. Because the wait has been so long, this event brought so many feelings of gratitude. I know that the Lord has blessed us.

This Thanksgiving my heart is full of gratitude for all of our many blessings. I am grateful to have family who love and support us, and I am grateful for my children who are such a blessing in our lives. I am grateful for all that we have been blessed with, food to eat, and a home to live in, and the Gospel in our lives.

I hope that this Thanksgiving you also have much to be grateful for.

Thoughts from Joe

Yesterday when I asked Joe if he wanted butter on his sweet potato, he said yes. Then he asked if it was still healthy with butter on it. I told him that for little boys butter is ok because you need a little fat to help your body grow, but that you should not have a lot. Joe then said

"Oh, butter is like candy. It tastes really good, but you can't have a lot of it."

Always Thinking

Saturday we woke up to snow. Not the kind we sometimes get in the fall where it is melted by the end of the day, but a real snowstorm with enough snow to go out and play. Some of the people at our house were not feeling well, so the kids had to entertain themselves in the yard. That didn't seem to bother them. They were just happy to be out in the snow. Including Valerie, who last year didn't really like the cold wet stuff we made her go out in.

She watched her brothers go on their tubes down our little hill, and decided she wanted to try.













So she climbed up to the top of the hill and tried to go down on her bum.

She slowly scooted down the hill, but Joe did not like the dent she made in his path, so he offered to take her down on the tube.

She liked it and wanted to try it by herself. It didn't go very well, and the tube was too big and heavy for her to carry back up the hill.

The wheels in her head were turning and she started heading towards the house saying something about her Dora tube. I told her that we did not have a Dora tube. She looked at me and said "mom, I need my Dora float." I then realized she was talking about her swim tube we got her this summer for the pool.

I didn't think it would work, but I also know my two year old does not give up easily on an idea, so I went and got the tube for her so she could give it a try.

To my surprise it was not too bad. It did not go as fast as the snow tubes, but it got her down the hill and that made her happy.


And she could also carry it up the hill and get on it by herself. Which she happily did quite a few times.


I don't think the Dora tube is going to last us all winter, but I am happy to see that Valerie likes to be out in the snow. Even if it does mean she stops for a snack every now and then.

It also means, if the weather cooperates, we will be able to have a lot of fun in the snow this winter.