This year it took me a little longer to get into the Christmas season. Perhaps it was because our water heater died the day after Thanksgiving causing a flood and postponing Christmas festivities for a couple of weeks until we replaced the carpet in our house. Perhaps it was the sudden business I delved into for Parent Council (the PTO group for Jackson's school) right before the holidays. Either way, the "bug" bit me a little late this year.
Matt and I have been married for 12 years, and yet I still feel that we're still deciding what Christmas traditions we are going to carry on year after year. Sometimes it's difficult for me to let go of my childhood traditions, and other times, I find I'm trying too hard to start new ones. This year I started really thinking about what Christmas is to me.
In no particular order, other than the way they come to me as I compose this post, here is my list.
1. Christmas is snow.
There just has to be snow to be a real Christmas for me. This year it finally looks like it's going to be a White Christmas, which makes my heart leap with joy.
2. Christmas is decorating Gingerbread Men, Women, Children, Trees, etc.
I've done posts before about our decorating festivities, but it just isn't Christmas until we paint cookies. I use a different recipe than my grandmother did for the cookies, but I use her frosting recipe. As a girl, we hung them on the tree and waited to eat them until after Christmas (no, it's not gross, they're like ginger snaps). We take our decorating seriously. It's always so much fun. The thing is, though, I feel like we always need a crowd because that's how it was when I was young. The entire family gathered around our table (how 10 of us did it, I don't know) and decorated our hearts out. Jackson doesn't care for the decorating part, he just loves the candy.
3. Christmas is Christmas lights.
This means we drive around looking at lights, and we hang lights on our house. We were late getting our lights up again this year, but we have them! Jackson was the director -- told Matt where to put lights, and Matt was the assistant. Just as in real life, the director burned out faster than the assistant did. As a girl, we drove around Panaca looking at all the lights, and now Matt and I take the boys around town and to the neighboring cities to look at lights.
4. Christmas is singing Christmas carols.
When I was little, we'd gather around the piano as my mother played the carols, and we sang. We sang primary songs, hymns, and the traditional carols. I love to play Christmas music, and so I start playing on Thanksgiving Day, if not sooner. At our house, we sing carols on Christmas Eve. I'm excited because this year, Jackson can play at least two different Christmas songs for us!
So, I think I'm going to post more later. This post is now getting lengthy, and I have so much more to share, but I'll continue it more as they come to me.
On the spur of the moment, we decided to hike the Y to watch the fireworks on Saturday. Jackson was so excited, he practically ran up the mountain. I, on the other hand, took my time and enjoyed the shade a while.
Yeah, I made him look into the sun for a picture.
Jackson enjoyed making his mother crazy nervous by hiking/climbing all over the "Y."
There's the temple!
And to prove that I was there and made it, here's my self-portrait. Yes, my face was really that red, and yes, I realize just how lovely I look. In good news, it only took me 45 minutes this time to hike the 1.06 miles. Last time, it took me 55 minutes. If you want to remember that post, it's here: Tough Enough
We enjoyed watching the sunset while waiting for the fireworks.
We sat for an hour and a half before the show started, and Jackson got tired and was ready to go home, but we waited it out and watched the fireworks. It was pretty neat to watch them from so high up.
And now we're all so tired from such a long day! (I would post a picture of my husband asleep on the couch, but he wouldn't really appreciate it.)
A few weeks ago when Jackson was really struggling, Matt promised Jackson that they would do something special together, just the two of them, if Jackson could "be happy for Mommy" that day. Well, that day didn't go so well. A few days later, however, we ran errands and took him everywhere, and he was so good. As we thanked him for being so good, he spoke up, "Dad, remember something special?" How could we not reward him then?
Matt had a great idea to take him ice skating since he'd never been. Matt invited me along, but since I don't have great skating ankles (they turn in all the time), I decided to go and be the videographer/photographer. It sure was fun to see Jackson's abilities improve over two hours. I guess we just need to keep taking him.
We gathered in the living room and let Dad lead out. After all, it was Matt's night for the lesson for Family Home Evening. He'd asked Jackson for some ideas, and after some "concurring," Jackson said, "I want to build a ship."
Before we even got started, Jackson ran to his room and grabbed the jump rope we used for the iron rod a few weeks ago. Matt was so great. We did an iron rod lesson first by turning off the lights and following it to the "trees of life" on our computer screen.
When Matt did take over, he open the Book of Mormon and read a verse about Nephi being commanded to build a boat (what we've been reading). Then he had Jackson find the Liahona, the big clear glitter ball we have. Of course, Jackson couldn't believe the blanket was wood or the ball was the Liahona. . .but we tried.
Then we acted it out. Matt pulled out our "pretend wood" (a blanket) and put it in between the couch and the coffee table, and we got in the boat. Jackson sat in front and told us which way the Liahona directed us to go and we went that way (leaned into it). We found the promised land and rejoiced.
In a sudden turn of events, Jackson jumped up with the ball and told us we had to find the "gold in the night." He cradled the ball in his hands and led us into the dark kitchen. Matt grabbed the flashlight to lead the way. Jackson took us downstairs and walked through the room until he spotted the vacuum. Immediately, he turned around and took us back upstairs. "Run, we don't want the vacuum to clean us up!"
When we got upstairs, Jackson tossed the ball on the couch and said, "Lead da hona right here!" and then announced, "We didn't find the gold," and then he ran to his room and grabbed a gold medal that he'd gotten from some birthday party and went and threw it in the kitchen somewhere. He turned back to us and said, "Now we have to find the gold."
Again, he led us downstairs and to the vacuum, where we turned around and went straight back upstairs. In the kitchen he reached on top of the microwave and shouted, "Aha! Here it is!"
We returned to the living room and closed the lesson. We sang his favorite song, "I Love to See the Temple," and he wanted to help me play the piano. We played together for the first verse, and then I went and sat down for the closing prayer. He looked at us from the piano and said, "and now the second." Matt and I sang the second verse while Jackson played. It was quite the version, and since my voice really follows notes that are played, I sounded terrific, as you can imagine.
These are the Family Home Evenings that I just love. We had a blast. Now if only I could remember to turn on the video camera. . .
"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you." F. Enzio Busche
Here's another thought, but this is mine, and I thunk it while listening to Matt and Jackson play tonight. If you're going to set up a picnic in your living room, beware of trolls. They tend to take your plastic food and throw it around the room and just mess up your picnic. Then they wake you up with a spray bottle of water when you're napping after filling your belly with good food. (Of course, trolls do get good hints from their mommies.) Here's a picture of a troll, so you'll recognize one when you see it:
Note: This troll has since lost a few more teeth, picture is not completely accurate.
I'm sorry for how heavy the previous post was. I'm really okay, and I wrote that post when I was still so emotional about everything. I'm really fine. I promise.
So, it's time for a very happy post. I have a list of "happy" songs -- the ones that just make me smile when I listen to them and help me find my happy place. "Pop Goes My Heart" is one of them -- thanks to my beloved Natalie! Jackson has this song/video down! I recorded the video of Jackson back in January, but it still makes me happy to watch it.
You may want to watch the original video first, just to refresh your mind, and then watch Jackson's below it so you can see how well he can imitate the moves.
And since this time, we have initiated the Pajama Dance Party at our house. Many nights during the week between 7:00 and 8:00 you can catch us doing our crazy dance moves. We may not appear on "So You Think You Can Dance," but we do know how to have a good time!
Our first Christmas with Matt's family I learned about the Snow Dance tradition. This was something Matt's younger sisters had created after he'd moved out of the house because they wanted a white Christmas every year, so they would do a snow dance. I'm not sure if they started some secret alliance, but if so, could you please stop dancing? We have more snow than we need. Here's an example of what it first looked like when it snowed just before Christmas (it doesn't look much different now because it hasn't warmed up since the second snowfall to melt):
I believe that winter means you have to have snow, and I love how pretty everything is covered in white, except for the streets and my driveway. I do not like driving in snow at all.
On the up side of things, we LOVE to go sledding every year. There's a local place where you have to pay, but really only $2 a person ($10 a family) is a great price. They groom the hill, pack the snow, and make walking paths. It's fantastic. The best part is Jackson loves it. He'll even sled down the hill by himself.
On Christmas Eve we took Matt's brothers and their wives sledding. Of course, this wasn't the greatest experience because it was 40 degrees outside and all the snow was melting. We did find a hill nearby that was still "working" for us. Our usual place was closed because the snow was too soft. We even tried a few "tricks." (FYI, that really loud -almost annoying- giggly laugh is me. . .every time I hear it, I swear I'm listening to my younger brother. We have the exact giggle/laugh thing going on.)
We had fun, but Jackson was definitely disappointed, and we realized we needed a better sled than the ones we owned (the green one in the top picture that Matt is sitting on - didn't go anywhere.). We promised him that we'd go sledding as soon as it snowed again.
He didn't have to wait long. A week later, the snow dumped again (and it's still here, by the way). Matt had the day off (the day before New Year's Eve), and Matt and I decided to surprise Jackson. We secretly packed up all of our snow stuff in the car and told Jackson we were going to run errands. He announced, "After we get home, I want to play in the snow." Matt and I smiled and winked at each other.
We stopped at a Sporting Goods store to find the sled we wanted. Jackson asked "Where are we?" As we started looking at the sleds, he asked, "Mom, can we get a sled?" When the answer was that this is why we're here, he shrieked, pointed to a sled, and said, "I love that one!" We directed him to a slightly better one, and he had to try it out immediately. Yes, right there in the store. "Let's see it works," he announced as he took the sled and dived on the store floor as if he were going to sled down the hill. Yes, we spent more money than we probably needed, but we picked a sled that would be great. (Rob and Kristin, we had to get one like yours.)
As we stood in line, checking out, Jackson declared in his best two-year old tone (remember he's almost seven), "I want to go change clothes right now!" (Meaning he wanted to play in the snow immediately.) Matt and I just laughed as we told him that's what we're doing. Score one for the parents!
We drove to the usual place, paid our money, rented a sled (so we'd have two), and had a blast for the next two hours sledding down and trekking back up the hill. I'm proud to say that I didn't wipe out once, although I can't say the same for my boys. Jackson toppled several times and even had an AFV moment when a tube with a couple of kids came right his way and he stood like a deer in the headlights staring. At that point, I laughed hysterically and wished we'd brought our camera. (Yeah, I know, I'm a real sympathetic mom.) The next time a tube headed his way, he knew to run out of the way.
Matt's last run was definitely AFV worthy. He sped down on the sled head first, alone. A couple of teenage girls had come to a dead stop halfway down the run in their tube; Jackson and I had just missed them on our run. They couldn't move fast enough, and Matt couldn't steer out of the way, and so he flipped completely over them. I laughed more than I should have.
Sledding is a blast for us. When we finally got home, we noticed that Matt had called four times. Confused, we listened to the message he'd left -- a nice long one. Apparently, while going on his stomach once, his phone dialed home. We could hear him going down the hill and walking back up and getting ready to go again. Hilarious!
*Warning, this is only the beginning of an onslaught of vacation blogs. Read at your own risk.*
Perhaps it's the countless hours and miles I spent riding in a VW van, a 1988 Ford Club Wagon, a '95 For Club Wagon, or the Mercury Sable as a kid, but I love a road trip. Even better, I love to watch the scenery go by. Of course, Western Idaho and Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington look the same and very similar to Nebraska. Okay, there are a few more hills, but not many until you get into Western Washington, but that's why I read the road signs as well. Every state has a way of saying things, and so reading the signs can be hilarious. Sadly, I'm not good at taking pictures or road signs while going over 65 mph in our car.
See what I mean? Here's the first stop we made on our tour, a rest stop in Idaho
We didn't spend a lot of time in Idaho, except to hang out with our great friends, Quinn and Natalie! They were some of our great Settlers of Catan friends during our days at BYU. We sure miss them and had a blast that afternoon, and Jackson loved playing with their very cute kids. Thanks for lunch, you two!
Also, in Idaho, we beheld a very funny scene. Imagine that first picture with a big green spot in the middle, and then call it the "Valley of Paradise." Yeah, you question that name, too? Thought so.
Driving through most of Oregon wasn't much different, except for this short scene:
It was a refreshing stretch of road to see green trees again, but you can still see the yellow.
Oregon's road sign: "Look Twice: Motorcycles are everywhere!" Um. . . we saw ONE motorcycle in the entire state of Oregon, and it was hitching a ride on a trailer. We tried so hard to look twice, even three times, but there just weren't any in the long, yellow grass or in between the trees.
When we finally made it to Western Washington, I found a new love:
Washington has everything I love: green trees, mountains, no need for sprinklers, wild berries, and threats.
Washington's signs don't mess around.
Sign #1: Litter and it will hurt. (Anyone living proof of this?)
Sign #2: Slow down or pay up!
The only drawback to Washington is that no one can guarantee me that I will see the sun nearly enough there.
Yes, we went on Saturday.
No, we didn't catch the matinee.
Yes, we bought popcorn (those kids' snack boxes are great!)
Yes, we enjoyed it.
Yes, Buzz can dance!
No, Jackson could not sit still.
Yes, he told me, "Mom, it's so hard to sit too long."
No, I didn't cry , buuuut
Yes, it took all my will-power NOT to!
And YES, Jackson can do a good impression of Buzz's dancing!
This morning Jackson asked, "Mom do we have Toy Story 3, or not?"
Guess I can add it to the Christmas list!
After a few weeks break, we were finally able to go on another family hike. We picked another easy hike, the Rock Canyon trail. We went later (after noon) because we had so much going on that morning, and so it was pretty warm. We packed a lunch to eat on the trail. Our start wasn't so good. We decided to put Jackson's water bottle in the backpack and it didn't even make in there. It slipped through Matt's fingers and smashed to the ground, cracking the bottle and leaking water all over the parking lot. So, there was one less bottle of water.
After a half an hour, we stopped and ate lunch in the trees. (Let me clarify that statement, a half an hour's hike with a kid doesn't mean we were hiking the entire time. It includes crossing a stream, stopping at each hill of rocks for him to climb and each "cave" in the rock face for him to explore.) While eating lunch, Jackson looked at Matt and said kindly, "Dad. . ." and then changed his mind, "Oh, wait," looked at me, and yelled, "Mom, you broke my water bottle!" Actually, Child, no, I didn't. Your father did, but it doesn't matter. Honestly, I had to laugh because he sounded so funny sounding so authoritative. Within minutes, by accident, Jackson knocked over my water bottle, dumping half of the remaining water on the ground. So, by the time lunch was over, the water remaining in Matt's water bottle told us that we shouldn't hike any further up the trail and that we should go back to the car. Well, we enjoyed what we could do, anyway.
What do you do when you don't want to join the massive crowds at the campgrounds for Memorial Day? Well, you have a camp-out in your backyard, of course! I can hear you Boy Scouts and Outdoors Junkies now, "That's not a real camp-out. That's a cop-out." Well, I will prove you wrong! You can have a real camp-out in your yard, and this is how:
1. Set up a tent. You can tell who did all of the work by the pictures that I'm posting. What, you don't believe me? Yeah, well, Jackson doesn't mind pictures as much as Matt does, and I did help a little bit.
2. Make sure you have a fire pit to safely build a fire in your backyard. Let your wife attempt to build and light the fire three times before you intervene and show her that she really has forgotten all of her "fire" skills that she learned as a teenager at Young Women's camp.
3. Roast marshmallows. Make sure Jackson actually tries one that is roasted to perfection, not one that is just warmed by the fire without a hint of color change. (Matt is the ultimate marshmallow toaster -- I burn mine)
4. Sing campfire songs and tell stories. If you don't know any, let Jackson make one up for you.
5. No camp-out is complete without dancing around the fire!
6. Take a hike around the block.
7. Tell a scary bed time story like "The Three Little Pigs." Be sure to use a scary voice for the Big Bad Wolf.
8. Sleep on an air mattress -- what? You don't do that on a real camp-out? We always do!
9. Wake up at 4:45 a.m. to the "sweet" sounds of the birds in the morning. Then realize you really have to go to the bathroom, and you're freezing! ("If I go inside, I'm not coming back out." Those were the words I muttered to Matt at that painful hour.)
10. Give up and take everyone inside to actually get at least 2 hours of restful sleep.
I feel privileged that last week for my parents' 40th anniversary they came to visit ME! Okay, I give in, they came to see all of their grandkids that were up here that week (my brother lives in the area and my SIL was down from Wyoming with two of her girls, and of course, there's Jackson). Why not catch as many as you can when you can, right?
Seriously, though, I love them. My parents have done so much for me, and I'm so glad that we have such a good relationship. They are so supportive of their children and grandchildren. They worry about us, like any parent would, but their love is unconditional and always has been. Besides that, when we get together with them, we always have a blast and a good laugh! One of the nights they were here, my brother and his family came over and we all had a BBQ in our backyard, ate s'mores, and played Loaded Questions (got some of our best laughs during that game).
Jackson even got Matt, Aimee, and Ken to play "Mother, May I" with him. The crew roasting their "mallows."This picture's just for you, Ken: Aimee, Ken, and my parents showing us how to enjoy a s'more:
Congrats, Mom and Dad! You made it to 40 years. Thanks for being great examples and showing us that it can be done. Love you!
This was our first Birth Mother's Walk that we attended. We were a little late, but we didn't miss out on any of the activities. Some things we learned while we were there:
1. Every kid loves a parachute! (Jackson is the kid with the blue hat.)
2. Jackson is not afraid of Cougars -- especially if you are the BYU mascot, Cosmo.
3. Jackson considered it a Birth Mother Run. I should have worn my jogging shoes; Jackson wanted to run around the track. He only took breaks when we diverted his attention and made him do something else for a few minutes.
4. The candy launcher isn't as exciting when there is a track to race around. A handful of Smarties was enough for Jackson.
5. Everyone knows that it doesn't matter that there is no prize for winning, what the age bracket is for the race, how many kids you trip over, or where the finish line is, as long as you run further and longer than the other kids, you win.
(Jackson ended up running with two different age groups of kids, neither was his own. He didn't care, he just wanted to race!)
6. Cosmo cheats!
7. We really hope that next year we will have our own Birth Mother's name to actually put on our labels. We walked for our future birth mother, and for all the birth mothers that I've met over the last year.
8. Finally, the only way to get Jackson to look remotely happy in a picture these days is to say that we can take a silly picture, and I need to work on my silly face.
