It's all fun and games until ...

... someone gets a finger chopped off! Brian has been working diligently in the garage all week on a new book case (pictures will come when project is complete). Needless to say, we have lots of scrap wood hanging around the garage. Brandon and Jon (being the boys they are) decided that they looked like perfect swords. After one unfortunate swat, Jon came down hard with a slice on his pinkie that sent us on a 3 hour adventure to Urgent Care.


After 3 or 4 people looked at it, they decided no stitches would be required, but there was concern about whether it was broken or not. Jon and I went into "deal" mode. If it were broken, he had to have ice cream for dessert. If it wasn't broken, he'd have to settle for Joe Joe's (a peppermint Oreo treat). Either way, he was set. We're still waiting for the Urgent Care folks to call us back on the verdict. Holidays are not good times for medical issues.

Happy New Year to EVERYONE out there in blogville! Be safe and have a wonderful celebration!

Life Lessons on the Trail

I don't think I can express how much I really LOVE the entire Christmas season. With all the exhaustion of the preparation, shopping, cooking, parties, kids' activities, etc. In the end, the significance always outweighs the stress and craziness. I love sharing that sweet holiday spirit with strangers, feeling a sense of commonality. Watching the kids act out the Nativity story. Reading scriptures together and singing hymns. It's such a special time of the year. I love having a home where these things are shared!

A few years ago we started a new tradition of hiking every Christmas Eve day. This serves two purposes. One, it is a completely, uninterrupted family time. There aren't many people on the trails the day before Christmas! And two, the kids are so tired by the end of the day that they have no problem getting to bed and to sleep at a normal hour, even with all the anticipation.

This year we went to Iron Mountain. It was a great hike.

The head of the trail. I love this shot!At the top! We made it!

As we were hiking down Jon and I had an interesting conversation.

J: Mom, do you promise, promise you don't come down stairs and fill up my stocking? (You know it's true when it's a 'promise, promise')
K: Wow, why would you ask that?
J: Cuz lots of kids say their parents are Santa. So, do you promise, promise?
K: What do you think?
J: I don't know. (Frustration now growing) Do you promise, promise?
K: You know, if you really want to know, I'll tell you. Are you sure you are ready to know?
J: Yes!
K: Ok ... (deep breath) I can't promise, promise.
J: (Totally confused) Why not?
K: Think about it a minute and you tell me.
J: Ohhhh! So, is there a real Santa?
K: (stealing a line from Miracle on 34th Street). Santa is a symbol of Christmas giving. Mom and dad have that spirit with us, so we keep the tradition of Santa going. Does it upset you to know?
J: No. It's okay. Wanna run? (and the subject was dropped)

Brandon asked when he was 9. He was not disappointed, rather very excited to be part of the conspiracy. Aubrey has made it clear that she will never ask because she likes believing. Jon didn't seem sad about it. In fact, I think he's in full denial. He still spoke of his Santa gift as if we had never had our conversation. I just think it's fun for them to believe. It's part of the magic that I never had as a kid. I love the game and am glad my kids are players!

Christmas Time is Here ...

Most of you know our street is a fun place to be for the holidays. We have "lookie-loos" starting after Thanksgiving that slowly drive up and down the block to see the abundance in lights and blow up displays.

Brian really seems to dislike blow up displays. If you know him, you know he's not that opinionated. But this is one thing he has pretty much spoken out against and will never be seen on our lawn. So, I had to think of something different. How's this one for a fun holiday scene?! It took me a couple of weeks to finish, and I'm hoping it will last a few years - which will make holiday decorating easy.


For those of you in SD, we are having our 4th annual neighborhood "open house" this Friday night starting at 6:30 pm. That means you can walk, or drive, down the street and examine all the displays, chat with friendly folk, and enjoy treats that are provided by the neighborhood. Hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, etc. One house even provides treats for your dog. It's great fun!

Happy Holiday Fun!

Jon came home from school this week telling us about this funny site. It seemed like a good idea at the time ...

Bring in the Clowns

Here's the house in it's circus-like glory! Nice, eh?! No more critters! Totally worth it!

Though I didn't see it, I hear that Olive Garden was tenting the same week. I can't imagine how much work it takes to get a restaurant ready for this. I was overwhelmed with just our food storage issues! EEKS!

Gab Session!!!

Do you ever just need a girl friend's point of view, but never have a moment to get them all together? This is the joy of blogging, I hope! Here's my dilemma ... HELP!

Brian and I are at a loss of how to do the holiday gift exchange between the two of us. I mean we've only been married 13 years, shouldn't we have this part figured out? It's only come up 13 times. Do you have this problem? All the things he would want are technical and I need him with me to pick the right ones. He's gone so far as to create an Amazon wish list (they have EVERYTHING) so I can just pick things, but still there is no surprise. I am just as picky about my wish list. The thing is, there's no surprise happy look on Christmas morning. I want that for Brian. So .......

What do you do in your family?
What's your spouse gift exchange tradition?

Holiday Treasures

This year's ward ornament exchange was so much fun. There are so many creative and fun sisters in the ward. I was so happy to chat with ladies that I never get to see. That was the best part of the night!!!

A plain tree can become . . . a Victorian girl.

This was the ornament that almost wasn't. I was so insecure about whether it was good enough. In the end I think it came out pretty cute.

Look at all the treasurers I came home with! Except for the one that was so fun it caught my son's eye and he already broke! AUGH! Gotta love those curious ones!