Holiday update--just my meandering thoughts!

Here it is January 15th and I haven't wrote for a while. I have been busy--but actually I am just a slacker.

Christmas was wonderful. No I didn't finish all 4 quilts, so I still have 1 1/2 to go! But hey, it was a nice attempt. My kids didn't seem to mind that we cut back a little this year. Zadie was the cutest. Every time she opened a package she would say "That is just what I wanted!" We did some sledding, lots of eating and just spending time as a family. Nick had many days off (from the 23rd to the beginning of the year) so it was nice to just be! My favorite Christmas memory was on Christmas Eve when our kids dressed up and reinacted THE Christmas Story...so fun, Karee was the angel, Zadie was Mary and Cole was Joseph. He also doubled as a shepherd. Nick, Porter and I showed up as the 3 wisemen. If I can find my camera I just might post a picture--I think it is LOST! Yeiks! I might just have to go buy a new one!

Nick and I had our 13th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Isn't that amazing that Nick has put up with me for that long? He is a wonderful guy. I am grateful for how hard working and down to earth he is. He loves the Lord and serves Him with all his heart and he loves me and the kids...what more could a woman ask for? Oh, he loves his motorcycles too--but hey, every guys got to have a hobby, right? He gave me a new video camera! I am excited but still need to take some time to figure it all out.

Karee and Zadie had a dance recital (on Dec. 17th) and if I can find a picture of them I will post it here later. They both did awesome! It amazed me at how grown up my Karee is. I had tears welling up in my eyes...note, I didn't cry, but it was such a neat moment. She is still so petite--but wow, she did great. Zadie was cute too and made us laugh. It was fun to watch them perform. Nick captured it all on video--can't wait to show the Grandparents!

We went to Salt Lake to be with the Madsen Family for our annual NEW YEAR'S celebration...soooo much fun. David & Michelle and their kids are great. IT was a great time. (Thanks Madsen Family!!) Our kids are already looking forward to East Canyon with them in February. It is so fun to have some friends that share our values and that we LOVE just like Family.

Christmas Story time!

Hey, one tradition that we do with our kids is to read a different story book each night up until Christmas. Then on the 24th we read "The Night Before Christmas" and last but not least is the ACTUAL Christmas story in the bible. We got off to a slow start this year and we are already behind; so last night we read 3 books. It about killed Porter--who wanted to go check out the football scores--but it is still fun for most of them. I used to wrap up the books and put numbers on them--until the books were almost torn into--so now I just set them in a big pile under the Christmas tree...it is still just as fun. The kids have their favorites, and I get to add one or two new books each year. I had board books that were short when they were little--but as they have gotten bigger I have had to swap some of them out. It is a fun tradition--one I suggest every family start. Happy reading!

Cole's favorite:"Mooseltoe"
Karee's favorite: "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree"
Zadie's favorite: "The Littlest Angel"
Andrea's favorite: "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" (makes me cry every time)
Porter's favorite: anything short
Nick's favorite: The Christmas story in the bible; not shocking!

We have many good one's--but if any of you have a favorite, please let me know so that we can try it out!

My Project--continued!

Okay, this weekend I finished Porter's quilt. I was unable to keep it a secret--so he has seen it...but I am happy to report that one rag quilt is done, now just 3 more to go before Christmas! I am showing a picture of the underside of the quilt because I still have to wash and dry it before the quilt will actually rag. Let me tell you, if any of you ever make a twin size rag quilt or larger--you must invest in spring action loaded rag scissors! They are wonderful. Worth every penny.

I was a little afraid of one of the prints in the quilt the yellowish one; I was unsure if it actually blended into the grays and blues of the overall quilt, but those are Porter's favorite squares--so I guess if he is happy then so am I! It ended up being 60x90 and looks great on his bed. We will make some matching curtains for his room--but that will have to be after Christmas!

Now just 3 more to cut and sew!

Piano Recital

My three older kids played in their annual Christmas recital at the Piano Gallery in Orem. It was held on Saturday night, Karee's birthday. Karee was a good sport when Sister Sullivan (Kathy) the piano teacher played a rockin' rendition of Happy Birthday to her and had the whole audience sing to her. I was on my own, as Nick was a little under the weather--but it was a good time and we video taped it for daddy and the grandparents who weren't able to make it.

Porter was a little nervous. He is still not in love with the fact that I "make" him take piano. But, he is actually getting quite good and is playing Hymns out of the hymnal now. Karee is a natural and doesn't ever see to get nervous or crack under pressure. I think she really loves to play the piano and just loves music in general. Cole is also doing well. He sometimes throws a fit, but sometimes he can't pass the piano by with out pounding a Christmas song or 10 little Indians. He did well also. It is neat to see my kids growing in their skills and talents. Maybe someday all that forcing and coercing them to practice will pay off!

Happy Birthday Karee!

Karee had her birthday this past Saturday. It is hard to believe that she is 10 already. Karee is a sweet and thoughtful girl. She is quite a big help to me and a whole lot of fun. She love to craft, help with treats and do anything creative. She has been collecting some small nativity sets for the past few years and was able to add one more to her collection this year. She wanted "4 layer" for her birthday cake, which is technically just a dessert--but lots of chocolate, so who cares right? I had forgot to buy the #10 candle so she got the number 8 and two ones. Lame I know, but we had so much going on; and Karee was a great sport about it! She is a great sport about many things. She even missed a family Christmas Party the night of her birthday (Dad was a little under

An evening with Janice Kapp Perry

On Tuesday night Karee and I attended a guest lecture at Reagan Academy (the charter school our kids go to) where Janice Kapp Perry came and spoke. It was quite a thrill to listen to her speak, sing and share the Spirit with us. I have been a big fan for years, and I love to play and listen to her music. We had her autograph our "Sing a Song of Christmas" cantata that she wrote for the Utah Valley Children's chior. I don't know if any of you remember, but Karee sang in that chior and all the different parts were written by Sister Perry. We sing the songs on the CD every Christmas!

Anyhow, she and her husband Doug were there and told how music has blessed their lives. She shared many experiences from her life. We loved hearing about their mission to Santiago Chile. They have been back for a few years and are serving in a Spanish branch in Provo. It was truly uplifting. I mean--here we were in a school, and she had us all singing a medely of primary songs with her! She truly has a gift and talent.

Sister Perry talked about having a dream and working towards that dream. She shared with us how she feared singing in public, public speaking and the actual story aobut how she became a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Chior. One of the most amazing stories that touched my heart was one about how she and her husband were in a head on collision in Provo Canyon several years ago. She had sever injuries and pain in her back and couldn't even lie flat when they took her in the ambulance. When she arrived at the hospital they told her that they would have to do an x-ray where she would have to lie flat for 1/2 hour. She was terrified, and had never in her life experienced that much pain. That was when she prayed and as they did the x-ray the words to her song "A Child's Prayer" came into her mind..."Pray he is there; Speak, he is listening. You are his child; His love now surrounds you." She told us that with those words she was able to get through that difficult time.

It was a very neat experience and I just had to share!

My new project!

About a month ago I decide to make each of the kids a quilt for Christmas! I know, nothing like last minute ambition. So, here I go. I don't know that I will finish all 4 before Christmas...but I am going to make a good effort. Porters' is a rag quilt and it is laid out in squares all over my sewing room floor. I hope to be done with his before this weekend. Wish me luck!

Here is a picture of all the batting squares. I'll post an after picture when I am done. Not easy to keep it a secret--but he hasn't seen it yet!