caught my eye + deals 10.23.26
14 hours ago
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Do Snores Live in Beaver?
When we were in Beaver, I asked Matthew if he would like to sleep with Dad or Heather. His first response was he would like to sleep with dad, then he said, "Actually, do Dad's snores come down here too?" I told him they did, then he said, "I'll sleep with Heather."
Christmas Day
Christmas day is always full of excitement. The kids were kind enough to let us sleep in until 7:00 am then they insisted we get up to open presents. Weeks of searching, buying, shipping, and wrapping come together and it's over in about an hour. Watching the people you love and care about react to the gifts you've chosen makes that hour priceless.
We had a good Christmas. We are very blessed. We were blessed this year to give our kids most of the things they wanted and to be able to help some others do the same for their kids. At Christmastime we become much more aware of the needs of those around us, in fact we seek out people to serve. I had a few people come knock on our door and ask if we knew who needed assistance. It's too bad we don't do that throughout the year--seek out those who might need help. I'm guilty of this and I hope to do better.
After all the gifts were opened, most of the mess was cleaned up, and James and I had had a nap, we had a nice Christmas dinner. We talked about the things we were thankful for and what our favorite gifts were.
It's funny that what I think will be their favorite gift isn't usually the case. Matthew, of course, was thrilled with everything but I think he liked his four-wheeler the best. Savannah's favorite gift was her twin dolls. Heather claims she liked them all the same.
Lindsey chose her Ipod as her favorite and Luke's was the same. James favorite gift was the Star Trek Enterprise Collectible ship I got him. It's always nice when I can find something that he likes that is a complete surprise. I decided boys like toys no matter the age, they just get more expensive as the boy gets older. My favorite gift was the wedding DVD James did along with the many other gifts he and the kids got me.
We ended the day by driving down to Beaver. It worked out great because the kids fell asleep and slept most of the way down there. Luke sat up front with me and we talked a lot of the way down. That in itself was a priceless gift.
We had a good Christmas. We are very blessed. We were blessed this year to give our kids most of the things they wanted and to be able to help some others do the same for their kids. At Christmastime we become much more aware of the needs of those around us, in fact we seek out people to serve. I had a few people come knock on our door and ask if we knew who needed assistance. It's too bad we don't do that throughout the year--seek out those who might need help. I'm guilty of this and I hope to do better.
After all the gifts were opened, most of the mess was cleaned up, and James and I had had a nap, we had a nice Christmas dinner. We talked about the things we were thankful for and what our favorite gifts were.
It's funny that what I think will be their favorite gift isn't usually the case. Matthew, of course, was thrilled with everything but I think he liked his four-wheeler the best. Savannah's favorite gift was her twin dolls. Heather claims she liked them all the same.
Lindsey chose her Ipod as her favorite and Luke's was the same. James favorite gift was the Star Trek Enterprise Collectible ship I got him. It's always nice when I can find something that he likes that is a complete surprise. I decided boys like toys no matter the age, they just get more expensive as the boy gets older. My favorite gift was the wedding DVD James did along with the many other gifts he and the kids got me.
We ended the day by driving down to Beaver. It worked out great because the kids fell asleep and slept most of the way down there. Luke sat up front with me and we talked a lot of the way down. That in itself was a priceless gift.
Christmas Eve
I've decided that I enjoy Christmas Eve a tad bit more than Christmas Day. There is a feeling of anticipation and excitement in the kids which puts them on their best behavior. This year I had most things wrapped and ready to go so I was able to really enjoy the day.
James and I went shopping together in the day. We had a great time together and may start making a tradition of it. James took me to pick up some things that he had in mind for gifts for me and I gave him some input on if I'd like it or not. There was a time when I would be offended that he didn't know me well enough to get the right gift but after years of interesting gifts, I've decided this way is better. We had a great day together shopping and laughing. I think this might become a tradition for us.
As the sun started to set we began the festivities with the kids. We started with the hiding of the pajamas. My kids kept telling me to hide them in hard places but then they complained when they couldn't find them. Everyone seemed to like the pajamas they got. After pajamas we had dinner. I decided to borrow a tradition from Mark and Elizabeth and do soup and smoothies. We usually do a big, fancy dinner but after thinking it through, I decided I'd rather do the dinner on Christmas day when festivities were dying down. The soup and smoothies was a big hit and we'll do that from now on.
Our family gift exchange was next. The kids had drawn names and were supposed to give gifts from the heart--something they make for each other or put extra thought into. Luke gave Lindsey some boxes of Special K (her favorite cereal), and some earrings. Lindsey gave Luke a game that he had said was his favorite. Heather painted a tray for Matthew. The kids had all painted trays to carry food on a few years ago and Matthew didn't have one so Heather painted him one. Savannah picked out a toy for Heather and Matthew did the same for Savannah. James actually came up with the best gift from the heart. He found our Wedding video and had it put onto a DVD. I was really surprised, I thought we had lost that footage when we moved to Utah.
Our final activity was to watch slideshows of the kids throughout the year. James did a great job putting these together. Kids always like to watch themselves on the big screen. It was fun to relive some of the memories throughout the year. We ended with the movie of the nativity and the kids headed off to bed. James and I tried to get them to watch our wedding but they weren't nearly as interested in it as we were. James and I stayed and watched it together. My how people have changed over the years, including us.
James and I went shopping together in the day. We had a great time together and may start making a tradition of it. James took me to pick up some things that he had in mind for gifts for me and I gave him some input on if I'd like it or not. There was a time when I would be offended that he didn't know me well enough to get the right gift but after years of interesting gifts, I've decided this way is better. We had a great day together shopping and laughing. I think this might become a tradition for us.
As the sun started to set we began the festivities with the kids. We started with the hiding of the pajamas. My kids kept telling me to hide them in hard places but then they complained when they couldn't find them. Everyone seemed to like the pajamas they got. After pajamas we had dinner. I decided to borrow a tradition from Mark and Elizabeth and do soup and smoothies. We usually do a big, fancy dinner but after thinking it through, I decided I'd rather do the dinner on Christmas day when festivities were dying down. The soup and smoothies was a big hit and we'll do that from now on.
Our family gift exchange was next. The kids had drawn names and were supposed to give gifts from the heart--something they make for each other or put extra thought into. Luke gave Lindsey some boxes of Special K (her favorite cereal), and some earrings. Lindsey gave Luke a game that he had said was his favorite. Heather painted a tray for Matthew. The kids had all painted trays to carry food on a few years ago and Matthew didn't have one so Heather painted him one. Savannah picked out a toy for Heather and Matthew did the same for Savannah. James actually came up with the best gift from the heart. He found our Wedding video and had it put onto a DVD. I was really surprised, I thought we had lost that footage when we moved to Utah.
Our final activity was to watch slideshows of the kids throughout the year. James did a great job putting these together. Kids always like to watch themselves on the big screen. It was fun to relive some of the memories throughout the year. We ended with the movie of the nativity and the kids headed off to bed. James and I tried to get them to watch our wedding but they weren't nearly as interested in it as we were. James and I stayed and watched it together. My how people have changed over the years, including us.
Anderson Christmas Party
It was our turn this year to host the Anderson Christmas Party. The big night was held December 21st. We started off with a big Christmas dinner; turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. 
James and I borrowed a couple of tables from the Church making it possible to sit most of the kids together and putting all of the adults together. Dinner always leads into chatting for the adults and playing together for the cousins.
After hanging out for a while, we went down to the theatre room and watched a movie that I had put together about Anderson Christmas traditions. My goal was to get some information about Dan and Marcia and their memories and tie it in with traditions that have been passed down. It didn't come together as I imagined it but I think, in the end, the interviews of Dan and Marcia are fun and priceless.
When the movie was over we moved to the gift giving. We each had a family we had gotten gifts for. Davin and Mary had us. The girls loved the rings they got and the boys were very excited for the marshmallow shooters. Mary gave me a really cute apron and recipe holder. The apron is so cute I hate to wear it and get it dirty.
For dessert I set up the chocolate fountain. This seems to be a great hit with the kids. The girls especially loved it. They had fun congregating around the counter giggling and trying different combinations.
We ended the night with the traditional nativity. The kids dressed up in the costumes that have been passed down from the time their dads were kids. Taylor read the story from the bible as the kids acted it out. We all sang carols at the closing. Making memories with family is part of what makes Christmas so great.
James and I borrowed a couple of tables from the Church making it possible to sit most of the kids together and putting all of the adults together. Dinner always leads into chatting for the adults and playing together for the cousins. 
After hanging out for a while, we went down to the theatre room and watched a movie that I had put together about Anderson Christmas traditions. My goal was to get some information about Dan and Marcia and their memories and tie it in with traditions that have been passed down. It didn't come together as I imagined it but I think, in the end, the interviews of Dan and Marcia are fun and priceless.When the movie was over we moved to the gift giving. We each had a family we had gotten gifts for. Davin and Mary had us. The girls loved the rings they got and the boys were very excited for the marshmallow shooters. Mary gave me a really cute apron and recipe holder. The apron is so cute I hate to wear it and get it dirty.
For dessert I set up the chocolate fountain. This seems to be a great hit with the kids. The girls especially loved it. They had fun congregating around the counter giggling and trying different combinations.
We ended the night with the traditional nativity. The kids dressed up in the costumes that have been passed down from the time their dads were kids. Taylor read the story from the bible as the kids acted it out. We all sang carols at the closing. Making memories with family is part of what makes Christmas so great.
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