w52: Merry Christmas

December 22-28, 2013

Sunday was the Christmas program at church. It was very nice and spirit filled. There were musical numbers with testimonies of what Christmas means to you in between. Our family was the very first musical number! We sang "The Nativity Song" from the Children's Song book. Sam was gracious enough to play for us. We all sang the first verse, girls the second verse, Spencer the third verse, boys the fourth verse and all together 5th verse. Mainly everyone commented on how cute we all looked and not our singing abilities. ha ha ha

On Christmas Eve we carried on our caroling tradition. I LOVE THIS. This is instant Christmas spirit for me. It brings joy and happiness to both parties instantly. The kids and I met the Spanish Sisters at the church at 12:30 and caroled to 8 families (totaling 3 hours.) Our best yet!

Caroling country style! haha

This is a sweet family we went to for our last stop. Lots of members in our ward are friends with them. A mother of 4 from Mexico whose husband was recently deported. She does not speak English. She works at Jamie's diary to provide a basic living. It was the first time we had met them. We hope that the sisters will be able to start teaching their family soon. Can we do stuff like that everyday???

We came home and got ready for Grandma Renae and Ken's Christmas party at the Grange hall in Vale. For the first time ever they had a talent show after dinner. A lot of the kids performed. Austin and Spencer piano pieces. Emma had choreographed a dance for Ruth, Brooke & herself to "What Child is This?" She started to freak out about the audience and got worked up. Luckily Brooke & Ruth didn't care one way or  another if they did it. I was disappointed that she wouldn't even sit in the front and lead the two girls so they could dance. There is a responsibility to others when you commit to perform with them.

Then Santa came to give the presents from Grandma and Grandpa and we were cleaning up. We got home around 7:30 and I was really pleased with that!

In keeping with another favorite tradition we acted out the nativity. Spencer was Joseph. I was Mary, Jane was baby Jesus, Emma Lynn a Shepard, Ruth the angel, Austin and Sam Wise Men, Lucy a princess (??) and Kurt the narrator.

I'm not sure which side the princess was on because she was very loud, a huge distraction, and constantly giving the wise guys "something to drink..." Mmmmmm

After the nativity the kids opened their new jammies. Big hits all around. The big kids got a couple pair of jammie pants to go with all their random t-shirts. I really like Austin's new shirt.

Jane was happy to go along with all the new-to-her traditions.

 Emma and Ruth did the dance she choreographed but would not perform since he had not seen it.

Don't forget Santa's treats:

We continued with a tradition we started last year due to a house full of company and had all the kids sleep in our room. Its fun to hear everyone excitement and be together. It is definitely something we will continue.

Kids started to arise around 5. We managed to hold them off until 5:45 when they were allowed to wake the younger kids and Sam. We went out to see if Santa came at 6.

He did come! Lucy was mad. She wasn't so concerned that he came and brought presents but that he was gone and she missed him. For the next couple of days when people asked if Santa came she would always reply, "Yes. But I didn't see him!!" I've never had any of the other kids react that way.

 Jane's first Christmas! Santa brought diapers and a moving bead toy.

 Santa brought Spencer Lego Chima sets

 Santa brought Emma Lynn an electronic password journal, special markers and doodle book

 Santa brought Ruth Angelina Ballerina book, mini figures and ballet studio

 

Santa brought Lucy Princess Sophia & her family and a castle.

Santa brought Austin a Lego set, bay blades and napping pals {similar to pillow pets.}

 Santa brought Sam an ipod!

 Kurt's endless cough

 Bay blade battle

 Look what we found in our stockings

As all Christmas' of past the boys are practically silent as Lego heaven madness takes over. Its going to be a sad day for me when they don't want Legos for Christmas.

We paused present opening to skype my parents in Madagascar at 9 am. That was fabulously wonderful. After a yummy breakfast by Kurt we resumed opening in a happy slow and enjoyable fashion.

Best hot chocolate for breakfast ever with a marshmallow chocolate dipped candy cane. Lucy approved.

The boys received pocket knives in their stocking for camping and 72 hour kits. In trying to close the blade Austin split open his hand. In at effort to keep the wound close to heal Kurt doctored him up with blue duct tape. Classic. Austin didn't let that stop him and continued to play and build with his stump.

 Ruth with her life size portrait from Spencer.

 Spencer got a basketball hoop and ball from mom and dad.

 Austin was overjoyed to received his very own Kindle {basic black & white reader} from mom & dad

 Lucy received her own Hello Kitty bride and groom from mom and dad. She was asking for Hello Kitty for Christmas when I remember I HAD a Hello Kitty doll in my trunk. This was given to me by my mom when I got married. Who knew 13 year later I would regift it to my 2 year old. Love it.

 Emma received the much asked for Saige American Girl Doll from mom and dad. She had saved up $30 towards this doll and was so happy to finally receive it!

Ruth also received an American Girl doll from Mom and dad. Marie Grace. She was surprised and excited. The dolls received great attention and devotion. 

 Matching jammies I asked a lady in our ward to make for the girls and their dolls.

 Reading Jane's new book. 

 Jane gave Spencer his very own sack of plastic cups. As you can see he was ecstatic about this. 

"I love cups!" He exclaimed when opening it. 

The bed Emma Lynn made for Saige.

 Kurt had me watch a youtube clip about a "Man Cold." It was quite hilarious. Since he currently as a cold I gave him a bell for his man cold. Since sweatshirt makes it all the more funny!

 Christmas Coma

 The aftermath. It stayed like this for most of the day and it didn't even bother me. Just enjoying the day. It finally got to Kurt at 4:30 and he and Sam cleaned up.

Spencer's completed Lego Chima Tracker from Santa

Spencer went sledding with the DeVos in the afternoon. The rest of us were too lazy to go haha

 The boys flew Spencer's remote control helicopter ALL afternoon. Lots of fun with this

Smoothies from Sam's new blender. Yum

 LOVE these peeps

Reading her new Marie Grace book.

Absorbed in Kindle land

The rest of the day was perfect. It was by far for the most relaxing Christmas I can ready. I pretty much spent the duration of it on the couch. PERFECTION. I was able to skype all my siblings. I watching my kids play happily with their new items with the special magic Christmas brings. I played with them. We read our new books. And I loved on baby Jane. Snacked on delicious food all day and just let life happen without worrying about the daily details. Fabulous.

We were suppose to host the Romans family Christmas party at our house that afternoon but unfortunately EVERYONE was sick. Not exaggerating. Nearly every family had sick members. We were very blessed that only Kurt was sick. Traci decided to postpone her trip to try to avoid the sickness. So the party was rescheduled for New Years Day.

The rest of the week was just as relaxed and low key. By Friday I was over the Christmas tree. It was SO dry. I was ready for it to be out. So we did some deep cleaning, took down Christmas and finished painting the book shelf and window seat project. It is finally finished and I. LOVE. IT! I am sooooo happy with how it turned out. I will have to take some pictures.

 Emma made breakfast all on her own. 

 Fun with new magnifying glasses

 This is how we found the kids after we got home from the temple Friday night. 

 We went over to the DeVos' for home made pizza and lunch 

~~~Romans Reflections~~~
- Emma is spending all her free time on her gift for Jane, she is writing and illustrating a board book
- Austin  practicing Christmas songs for the enjoyment of playing

- When Kurt and I went to the temple on Friday night she asked, "Are you going to marry dad?" "I'm so happy!"
- The kids are obsessed with Google Earth {specifically the boys: Spencer loves the Sydney Opera House.} They ALL love to create word documents. The oldest three each have their own folders full of documents that say "TOOT" followed by 287 exclamation marks.