Tradition

Right now there are 7 little bodies running around our house. Because it's Christmas break, we invited our friends over to play. Oh goodness, it's noisy. But the kids are having a great time, and I'm so happy to hear sounds of playing together nicely. I've chosen to ignore a good portion of what is happening so I can take a minute to blog. Houses can be cleaned, right?

I've been thinking lately about Christmas traditions. I've gone from the participant to the instigator, and I want my kids to enjoy family traditions that are meaningful. That's my job now. With little kids, I feel like our traditions are still evolving, and I'm sure they'll continue to change as our lives change. Anyone have any fun traditions?

Here's one of ours:
The making of gingerbread cookies.

Oh yum. I'll put the recipe at the end here because before I had these, I was always like, "yeah, gingerbread cookies are okay" to "Oh baby! These just became my favorite cookie!" I'm sad to report that some went to Nick's work, some went in the freezer for Santa (because it's his favorite cookie too) and the rest are gone. We downed them all. I'd like to blame the kids for this, but I had more than my fair share and I know it.

By the way, speaking of tradition, my favorite was as follows: For Christmas Eve, we'd always do a program with singing and playing games and such. Afterwards, we'd go out to the calf shed (or sometimes the straw barn) where we'd take a seat on straw bales that had been previously arranged. My dad would read Luke 2 via flashlight. It was usually bitterly cold, but that's not what I remember. I remember stars shining and cows lowing, and thinking that where we were was not so far off from how the Savior started His life here on earth. It was humbling, and I felt the Spirit there. As I remember, we only did this a few years in a row, but that is what has stuck with me most. Thanks, mom and dad, for having meaningful traditions.

And, here is my newborn babe (who is not so much a newborn anymore):

Did you notice those chubby cheeks? She's still not 'big', but she's getting a little deliciously chunky!

Gingerbread Cookies

1 c shortening

1 c sugar

1 egg

1 c molasses

2 Tbsp vinegar

5 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cloves

Whip shortening and sugar. Add egg, molasses, and vinegar. Combine well. Add dry ingredients. Chill dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut out. Cook on greased sheet at 375 for 6 minutes. Cool and decorate.

A Ride on a Donkey

I had to get a photo of this: The girls were playing they were Mary and Joseph. Maren (Mary) had a baby doll zipped up in her jammies (if you look closely you might just see that "baby bump") and of course had to have a veil for her head (is that what you call it?). She was riding the "donkey" and Ellie (Joseph) was pulling her around the room. I love it.

Here the kids are enjoying treats after Family Home Evening last night. You may think that they are all ready for bed, but really, we stayed in our jammies all day long. They got baths and fresh jammies after this photo was taken. I love not having a schedule.

This morning Lainey had her two month check-up. If anyone cares, she is now just over 10 lbs and 22.5 inches long. Okay, I gotta go. Gingerbread cookies are calling my name.

Snow

It snowed here the other day. Not much, mind you, but enough to make one little girl and one little boy pretty happy. I know, I'm not such a great mother, sending my one-year-old out in the snow in his jammies. Don't you worry, folks, he was out for like, 5 minutes and he didn't care at all that he didn't have boots, or mittens, or a hat. He got so excited though. Do you see his hands? Whenever he gets all excited about something, he pulls his hands up like so and wiggles his fingers. He had a big grin for that entire 5 minutes.

Eating snow, exhibit A.

Exhibit B.

And Exhibit C. I love a good snowstorm, especially when I can sit from the safety of my home and watch it from the window. I hope we have a white Christmas.

Oh, my sweet baby. She's snuggly and warm and smells like milk. And, she slept until 5 this morning when I woke her up begging her to relieve me.

I told Maren to make her smile. This isn't exactly what I had in mind.

This girl doesn't get enough cover time on our blog lately. She sang in the school's Christmas program today and did a wonderful job. People have told me that kids change once they are going to school, and it is so true. She seems to be three years older all of a sudden. She plays with friends, reads books, and is such a help to Mom and Dad. We love our Ellie Belle

This Is Christmas

A whole bunch of holiday-ness going on here. On Saturday, we went to see my nephew perform with his school choir at Temple Square. Because it was in the afternoon, the lights weren't on yet, however, we knew it would be jam-packed come dark, so we made the most of the sunlight and saw my favorite parts of Temple Square while it was nice and quiet. The reflecting pool: And the Christus:

I have really good memories of this room. I remember the awe of this giant statue of my Savior and I especially remember feeling the Spirit testifying to me that this is truely the Reason for the Season. I hope my kids feel that too.

We took Trax (the highlight of the trip if you ask my girls) to the Gateway where we enjoyed window shopping. Everyone needs a pair of cheek-warmers:

We also got an ornament to add to our collection. Yes, it's a donut, folks. We are big fans.

We did get to see Temple Square all lit-up too. We walked back through on the way to our cars. It was such a nice, non-stressful trip! Thanks to my brother's family who we got to spend the day with. We sure love you guys! All my kids are there, you just can't see some of them. Lainey was quite content all bundled up in my coat. She slept through the entire thing. Everett finally crashed out too.

On to more. The boy really likes egg nog. Nick is so pleased.

We decorated our gingerbread house. Great entertainment for all.

Oh, it looks pretty :) I think the kids have all the candy picked off of it this morning.

Oh, and one more thing. Lainey is two months now. We sure like having her around.

She reminds me a whole lot of her biggest sister, especially in this dress that Ellie wore. She's sleeping 6 to 7 hours at night too. Good girl.

Blessed

Little Lainey was given a name and a blessing yesterday (non-LDS? That means that at church on Sunday her dad was joined by a circle of priesthood holders and he announced her name - to be put on the records of the church, and also given a blessing. Hers included a blessing of health, faith, family, etc.) It was a beautiful day. We are so grateful for our wonderfully supportive family members who came to share it with us. Here is the star of the event:

Lainey started smiling yesterday (she must have enjoyed the day too). Look, here's proof:

What a sweet babe.

These kids love their Grandpa, is there any doubt? Now if only they didn't love him so hard. Also this weekend, we had our ward party (Polar Express theme - in pajamas) where we had a guest appearance by the jolly man himself! The girls were a little apprehensive and refused to sit on his lap (don't really blame them, actually). They told him what they wanted from a safe distance (Ellie, a bunk bed; Maren, a Barbie car). Everett had his eye on Santa's candy canes the entire time.

Balance Act

Yesterday I went all out for dinner. I started preparations in the early afternoon and come dinner time we had delicious steaming potato soup in freshly made bread bowls. It was so yummy. And I'd say, well worth the time it took to make them. I enjoyed my time in the kitchen, hands covered in bread dough and timers beeping. I enjoy cooking (most of the time) and I felt like I was doing a service to my family - providing healthy, homemade cooking.

Of course, as rosy as this sounds, it's not all that you think. This came at a price. Everett was extremely upset that I was paying attention to the bread dough and not to him. He was whining and crying and hanging on my leg (I've already covered that one, it's my favorite thing). Lainey wanted to be held constantly, even as she slept, and the girls were fairly occuppied with a friend, but it was still very noisy and chaotic. All of this turned this momma into a monster. I was frustrated and banned kids from the kitchen (and not in the nicest way). I yelled at kids and kept saying to Everett, "What do you want?" I knew exactly what that sweet boy wanted. He wanted a momma and that was more than this momma could give at the moment. The time between 5 and 6 is the most difficult of the day, hands down. That is dinner prep time and my kids seem to sense that mom is trying to get something done, and they just go crazy. They want my undivided attention, now. And Lainey always wants to be held that time of the day (thank goodness for the Baby Bjorn). Perhaps that is why moms turn to frozen dinners and take-out. It would be so much easier. I realized last night that I need more balance in my life. My kids need me to strike a balance too. I want homemade, quality meals, but I'm not a chef. I'm a mom. How do I find a balance between all that needs to be done?

Deep thoughts. I've become quite the philosopher lately.

Unrelated to bread bowls and screaming kids, Lainey has a stocking:

Holy cow. We have six stockings on our fireplace. SIX. It still blows my mind.

The color is wonky on this photo, sorry. We met a new, sweet cousin a few days ago. These girls are 6 weeks apart.

Everett and his cousin (aka partner in crime) came to "love" Lainey (or poke her eyes out, you be the judge).

My favorite corner of our house:

I'll get off the computer now. I have about 20 things to 'balance' right now. Hmm. Come to think of it, my kids didn't even eat my soup and bread last night.