Christmas Eats

It just wouldn't be Christmas without some flour flying in the kitchen. We made our favorite sugar cookie recipe Christmas Eve so Santa would have something to eat. Then Kevin got working on the turkey and the pumpkin pies. Once again my kitchen was a construction zone. But of course it all paid off as we enjoyed a delicious meal Christmas Day.
We got some photos of the kids and their gifts Christmas morning, but they were all taken sideways and I can't get them to turn for the blog. But Kelsey and her prized present turned out. Yes, she got what she wished for: a brand new Mustang. It came with a bow and everything. Too bad she forgot to mention to Santa what size she wished for.
New Year's Eve came around and Kevin was still in the cooking mood (the sugar cookies were all gone by now). He found a great recipe for raised donuts. Mmmnmm! I don't think we need to drive to Krispy Kreme's any more! I think we just found another tradition.

Christmas Preparations

Christmas break has come and gone. Too quickly, I might add. Since the first few days of break was filled with shopping, I hadn't felt much like I was actually home from school yet. I still found myself up early and worn out by 4 p.m, just like a school day. Luckily I got everything done in 3 days and had the rest of the 2 weeks off to rest and enjoy the season with the family. We went as a family 30 minutes away to the Mesa Temple to see the lights. Breanna made us laugh when she saw the neighboring houses and sighed" I wish I lived this close to the Temple!" We reminded her that soon our Gilbert Temple would be built a mile away from our house and we would be this close to the Temple!
The kids also wanted to have their friends over one morning and make crepes for them. Dressed in their jammies, they ate and ate. I think this will become one of our new traditions.

A Day of Thanks

Thanksgiving was not as hilarious as Halloween. But it was restful, for which I am now even more thankful for. Before I worked I didn't really value a holiday the way I do now. Just knowing that the week only had 2.5 teaching days was something to be grateful for. The week before had been quite trying--kids acting crazy, things to be worked out with the staff, parents acting crazy and threatening lawsuits, etc. I even got bit by one of my students and a lovely mouth shaped bruise for a week to remind me of the day's events. (No, I didn't bite him back. He must have been excited about New Moon coming out that day). Thankfully the next week was not only shorter, but better. Kids,staff and parents had calmed down and we were able to do some fun crafts and enjoy the week. This year we are thankful for jobs, our home, each other, our health and our Savior.

Our kids at home were especially excited for Thanksgiving because a). Mom would be home early on Wednesday, and b). Dad makes the best Turkey. Kevin starts the day before soaking the turkey in a brine. Then gets up early the next day to make an herbal seasoning/aromatic stuffing, and then slow cooks it all day. It must have paid off because sadly, there were no left overs this year. Good thing Christmas is around the corner and we can do it all again!

Howl-a-ween!

Halloween was pretty scary this year. At least that is what everyone thought about our costumes. Usually Kevin and I don't dress up. But we got invited to a costume party and had to rummage around the house for something suitable. The party rules were that we could not spend any money on a costume. Luckily we had some items that we had bought last year at the clearance sale after Halloween for me. I was a lovely gypsy/pirate with dreadlocks. Kevin, however, was the hit of the party. He pulled out his "Tennessee-teeth" as we now call them, pulled on a flannel shirt, and slung my banjo over his shoulder. (Also note: squirrel-snack in pocket) No one recognized him at first. Then to realize that this country hick was their respected Bishop, was even more hilarious. Thanks to him, we did walk away with 2nd place and a lot of laughs. The kids and the dog were a little leary of us when we got home since none of the kids had seen us dress up and leave. They were a little hesitant to open the door to whomever was playing "Deliverance" on the front porch. . . .

A Needed Break

During Fall Break we decided to head to the hills and get out of town. Kevin has been itching for a vacation since we didn't get to go anywhere this summer. He had quite a week at church and work and was not thrilled with my idea to just hang out at home and relax (so I could get things done). We decided to rent a cabin in Flagstaff and spend time up north. Renting a cabin was a great idea because it was cheaper than 2 hotel rooms, we could cook our own food and the kids had plenty of room to run around. There was a nature preserve nearby that we enjoyed walking around. The kids loved the pine trees and the cool weather.
Sedona's red rocks were breathtaking. We loved hiking in Oak Creek Canyon. The kids also loved riding the Grand Canyon Railway that took us to the Grand Canyon. One of my favorite parts of the trip was horseback riding. Even J got to ride his own horse. He looked so cute and proud in the saddle.
When we got back to town we were greeted by 95 degree weather!! Yikes! The week before we had had a cold spell and now it was heating back up. Oh well. It was a wonderful and definitely needed trip. Now it's back to work!

We're Back!

Okay, so it has been awhile since we have posted anything. I figured today I should at least attempt to catch up --no, there is too much--at least mention some of the things we have been so busy doing lately. With teaching school, kids going to school, church stuff, kid stuff, and everything else we do, some days I wonder why I couldn't wait to be a grown up. But then I look at my kids and take inventory of my life and realize that its because of all the craziness of having a family that makes my life full.

Week in Review #1

 Last week was a whirlwind of activities and traveling.  With the passing of my niece, Merideth, we decided to head up to Logan for the funeral.  I know I didn't write much about the happenings there, but little Merideth was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Valve syndrome, a birth defect.  She was born July 14 and I was able to fly to Logan to meet her (see Lauging in Logan post).  She was such a sweet baby and I could feel her sweet, patient spirit as I held her. She returned to Heavenly Father on July 23, 2009.  There is so much that I could say and not enough room to say it here.  The funeral was beautiful and Diana and Aaron did wonderful jobs on their talks. It was a sad day, but a day of comfort and peace. I am amazed at the power of prayer as I witnessed Diana and Aaron being strengthed by prayers of so many loved ones.

Since returning from Utah we have been going non
stop.  We had one day to wash clothes again and then Kevin, K
C and A headed out to Snowflake, AZ to go to Ward Youth
Conference.  They did baptisms at the Snowflake Temple, stayed in a
cabin, and had a lot of fun.  They came home tired and just in time for
K to wash her clothes again and pack for a trip to Boise to see
Lyrica.  She will be gone for a week and then wash her clothes just in
time for school to start Aug 10.  My district meetings have started as
well and will go through next week.  We finally got to move into our
classrooms, since Centennial Elementary is brand new.  It still has that new school
smell.  Ahhhh.   Its a beautiful school and I am excited to start this
new adventure.