For English Megan got to do a service project. She chose to make two quilts to donate to Primary Children's through, my sister Laura's, Snug Among Miracles annual blanket drive.
Megan has never really sewn before so it took a lot of patience to get these pinned and sewn together.
Tying the quilts was a new experience as well but I think by the time we were almost done Megan had the hang of it. She did a really good just and was excited to give the quilts away!
As soon as the quilts were finished we took them straight over to Laura's house. We hope that the boy and girl who receive these quilts will feel the love that was put into them. Cassidy has received a few blankets at her stays at the hospital and I think, as a parent, they have brought me the most comfort. I have wrapped myself in them, covered my head and sobbed many a time into those blankets. It brings a lot of peace to know that someone, somewhere cares and hopes that you are comforted. We are so proud of Megan and her desire to do kind things for others!
Decorating the Christmas tree!!
We had a really hard time finding a tree that we liked this year. We drove around to, what seemed like, a zillion Christmas tree lots. You see, we have a small front room and need a skinny, somewhat Charlie Brownish, tree. Finally we went back to the lot we started at and Lorin found a tree that was way too tall but that he could cut a bunch off the bottom. It worked. The kids were disappointed to have to wait until the next day to decorate it but I wasn't going to get into that project at 9:30 PM!
Oh to be a kid again! They were so excited to decorate the tree. It seemed I couldn't get the lights and beads on fast enough. I remember being a child and just laying under the Christmas tree and just staring into the lights and glistening ornaments. It was all so very magical to me.
The finished product! I have a tradition of taking a picture of my kids from Christmas each year and putting it in an ornament frame for the kids so we can remember every Christmas and see how the kids have grown each year. I love it! I am behind a couple years. Ugh! Why can't I keep up?
Oh boy! Logan with Santa at the Ward Christmas party. I think he asked for a D.S. So glad that Santa didn't promise it. You know, the parents have to help Santa fund the gifts he brings? Logan thinks he knows who Santa was. I am pretty sure it was the real Santa or at least a really good Santa helper.
My family has an annual Christmas party. We eat delicious food and the kids put on the Nativity. This year they each had a little part of a poem to read. Loved it!
Logan was a donkey.
Cassidy was a star
Megan was an angel.
We have a tradition that the kids get each other of book. It is so fun for them to get a new one each year and there is no disappointment because you know you are getting a book.
Grandma and Grandpa give the kids new pajamas every year. It is a race to see who can get theirs on the fastest! Holy Cow! These kids are growing up way to fast!
On Christmas Eve we spent the day at home cleaning and cooking. We were so happy to have Lorin's sister Natalie come share Christmas with us! We had dinner by candlelight, a tradition from my childhood. We watched Mr. Krugers Christmas and Charlie Brown's Christmas. We read Christmas stories and sang Christmas carols with Megan and Lorin playing the guitar. The kids got to unwrap whatever was under the tree.
They each got new slippers.
Aunt Natalie with the kids and their new slippers.
We almost forgot to leave a treat for Santa. We didn't have any cookies so we hoped the some gooey Chex mix would do instead. Santa ate it so it must have been ok. Logan had a really hard time going to sleep but he must have because Santa eventually came. Merry Christmas!!!
Christmas morning.
We enjoyed having Sacrament Meeting on Christmas. After Lorin and Natalie then spent 5 hours putting together Logan's new Halo helicopter. It turned out really cool but he has since broken the wings off and lost his two guys. Oh well.
On New Year's Eve we had our party with Lorin's family. We wished that everyone could have been there but understand that it is hard to get away.
On New Year's Eve we had our party with Lorin's family. We wished that everyone could have been there but understand that it is hard to get away.
Lorin's mom started a tradition, I think, 11 years ago where we wrap little gifts and have to take turns guessing what it is. The idea is to find gifts that are really hard to guess by just feeling. Mine were all guessed really easy. I am not as clever as I thought. Lorin's mom also had us all start making scrapbook pages of our family for each year to give to each other. This was our 10th year doing it. My kids love getting out the pages and looking at all the pictures from years past. I think she really was inspired to do this as another way to keep our family close while she isn't with us. Wish she could be here to enjoy all her cute grandkids. I am sure she is allowed to take a peek quite often. I didn't get any pictures but we had a very competitive Wacky Six game going.
Hmmm? What could it be?
Good bye 2011. Hello 2012. May you please be a good year?
I started blogging nearly 4 years ago. And it has been a great outlet for me and a good way for me to journal our family history. After some thought I have decided that I am not going to blog anymore. I feel I need to simplify and remove some little stresses from my life so I can face the big things easier. I know, blogging really isn't a stress but it is always in the back of my mind that I am behind on my blog and need to catch up etc etc etc. So thank you all for the kind comments you have left and for the support you give me and my family everyday. I will still read blogs though!
