Just Because...

... they feel so true.

Does anyone else feel like 6 minutes is a personal best at their house?  Some days I do!

And I especially loved this one--with my marathon-running-husband...

Can I just count this as a marathon and call it good?

crazy time of year

Life has been beyond busy around these parts.  Like many of you, we've attended our share of Christmas parties.  We kicked it off with our ward Christmas party.  It's the first year that the older boys willingly sat with Santa.  Thank goodness that William did because we finally got to hear what he wanted for Christmas!  (Although it has changed a few times since then.)

Alexander was the only one not exactly thrilled to be sitting with Santa... but he actually warmed up to him after a few seconds.

The primary children performed a few of the Christmas songs they've been learning on Sundays.  James isn't in Primary yet (just a few more weeks!) but he jumped right up there with the rest of the kids... so different from William whom we have to beg to go up!

Alex thought he needed to be up and part of the action too...

William also had a class party at school.  James and Alex always love to come too.  Poor Alex was so tired from lack of naps... we'd been setting up the church building all day (more to come on that.)

Rich and I also attended a progressive dinner with the families from our ward that live in our town which was fun.  And last night we wrapped up the partying with a company Christmas dinner!  Phew!

For at least a week William insisted on wearing his Santa hat to school every day.  "My friends will think I took it from Santa!"  The first day he wore it he was wearing this red shirt.

He then told me that he needed some red pants so he could look like Santa.  Wouldn't that be a sight!

The boys and I stayed busy making Christmas goodies, crafts, and gifts.

And the most exhausting... I had a small part changing a church gym...

Into something worth seeing...

 Earlier this year I was called to be on the Stake Nativity Committee.  We collected somewhere between 300-400 nativities to put on display at the stake center.  It was a huge undertaking and many hours spent over several days setting up, taking down... not to mention the hours put in beforehand!  It turned out wonderfully... but I'm sure glad it's over for this year!

The best part was taking the boys.  They loved looking at all the different nativities... especially the ones from other countries.

The lady in charge of the children's room did a fantastic job.  There were nativities to play with, crafts (which my boys loved, and dress up boxes and a backdrop for the children to wear.  I couldn't get William to wear anything... but the other two loved it.

James wanted to be a shepherd because he got to hold a stick

I've given up on the idea of Christmas cards this year... maybe you'll get one at the beginning of the year.  Then again, maybe not.  Now I have three days to get my grocery shopping done, finish wrapping presents, send one last package, do about a million loads of laundry, and spotlessly clean my house before Christmas (and our guests!) arrive.     Can I get it all done?

Harry Potter

Over 10 years ago I started reading the Harry Potter series with/to my youngest sister.  Every Thanksgiving when I was home from BYU the two of us would go see the latest movie.

I was once in a lecture by Orson Scott Card where he told us that we should all read Harry Potter because it will withstand the test of time.  Our children and grandchildren would be reading Harry Potter--so we might as well see what it's all about.

A "Harry" costume that James pulled together today... he says he wants a real magic wand for Christmas.

Now, I have my own children who are discovering Harry Potter.  They are obsessed with the first movie.... especially James.  He's always wanting to be Harry... especially now that we told him that Harry's middle name is James.  I am always "the girl" and he picks one of his brothers (whoever is around) to be "Weasle-y".  Of course, he's always willing to let William be Harry as well.  I can't wait until they can dive into the books themselves!

Thanksgiving

 We had such a fun Thanksgiving break.  It was wonderful having William home with us!  

Wednesday we pulled out the watercolors... I don't think we've ever done them!  (Sad, I know.)  The boys had a blast making pictures.

Since we weren't celebrating Thanksgiving until Friday (Rich's brother had to work on Thursday) we headed down to Grandma's house anyway.  The cousins had a great time playing and watching shows snuggled up next to Grandpa.

We also took a dip in the hot tub.  James has been begging to go in for sometime now.  It was so cold outside (in the 20s or 30s?) but the hot tub was hot.  The boys had so much fun... it was like a giant bathtub for them.  Lisa and I eventually hopped in as well.

On Friday, our Thanksgiving Day, we had a great time playing outside and munching on veggies while waiting for the feast.  

James had fun climbing the tree.

The grandkids loved jumping on the trampoline.

And then Lisa--the great organizer of children--got the kids to help her gather up the leaves so they could jump in them.  They listened and obeyed everything she told them to do.  Maybe she should move in with us.

Finally, it was time for the feast.  All of the food was super delicious!

William and BenSam insisted on having "turkey on the bone."  Funny kids. 

And we had a special guest during our break.  Wags the dog, William's class "pet" got to join us on all of our adventures.  William even insisted that he bring some play food so that Wags could have a Thanksgiving feast as well.

We are so grateful for family nearby that we can celebrate with.  Now, on to Christmas prep!