Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve we spend with my sister Gina and her family. Either at my house or hers. This year we had the celebration at my house. We always eat homemade pizza, this is a tradition that Gina and I grew up with, and we have a Christmas Eve program (another Summers tradition). This year I let Brandon put the program together and he did a great job. He and Kenyon both played two songs, my niece Shannon did a power point presentation on the meaning of Christmas (this one made me laugh, we are in a different day and age), Tyler read a poem, Evan read a story and Shaylee, Lauren and Jaron sang "Jingle Bells" (Whitney didn't want to sing with them). Then all the kids participated in the puppet nativity while Tyler read the story.









We then let the kids open one gift each, our kids all get something to do with bedtime. Every year it is different. This year they all got snuggies. I got a snuggie last year for Christmas and my kids drag the thing all over the house, so we decided it was time for them to have their own. They love them and are so happy with them. After all the fun it's time for everyone to clean up and getting ready for bed so Santa can come.

Christmas Fun!

We had a great Christmas season this year. Shaylee had her Christmas dance recital at her studio. She loves dance and it is always fun to see her do one of her favorite things.












Jaron and I also went to Shaylee's class for a fun Christmas party. (no pictures, since I forgot my camera)
We also went to the Festival of Nativities. The kids love to go to this every year. They always get to make a craft and dress up in the fun costumes and play with the little kids nativities. We also got to hear the bell choir which was fabulous!











Another fun thing that we do every year and continued the tradition this year was to go to Peacock Lane with Pete's friend from work, Kimber. It was beautiful as always.











The week before Christmas, I decided to do something Christmas related every day that week. So, we started this by making our annual gingerbread house on Monday. The kids loved putting it together of course. And it turned out super cute.



On Tuesday, we made sugar cookies and then frosted the cookies with our friends, the May's that evening. All I can say about sugar cookies is it is sure fun for the kids, but it wiped me out.







On Wednesday, we headed to the mall to do our Christmas shopping for Pete. We found some great deals and we got him some fun presents. We had a great time and the kids were so good. One of the shop owners told me how amazed she was that all four of my kids were so well behaved. They were really good.

On Thursday, we wrapped our presents for daddy and then the kids wrapped their presents for each other. It was fun to spend time with each one of them as they wrapped their presents.

And then of course the next two days were Christmas Eve and Christmas. I will post about those later!!!

How Did He Get This Old?

My oldest child, Brandon, turned 10 on Sunday December 12th. I can't believe he is ten already! I can't believe it's been ten years since I received the most precious Christmas gift of all... the safe arrival of my baby boy. It was touch and go those first few hours, but he made it and I am grateful every day for Heavenly Father sparing this little boys life.


Brandon at 2 weeks- he was a big boy and could
hold his head up really well



Brandon at Ten!


Brandon on his blessing day



Brandon at 2 months


Brandon at eight months



Brandon at almost 2



Brandon and Kenyon having fun


Brandon in the bumper boats



Brandon at five with his best friend!


He is such a good kid. Here are ten things that I love about Brandon:

• He is easy to be around.
• He does well in school
• He is so helpful and has been great with helping me out during this pregnancy when I have not felt good.
• He is very compassionate and loving
• He is very responsible
• He gets excited easy and is very enthusiastic
• He is best friends with his little brother
• He is so good with Jaron and Shaylee. Jaron adores his Banban!
• He loves to read and is always looking for a good book.
• He has such a sweet smile and disposition

We celebrated most of Brandon's birthday on Saturday, so we could do some fun things with him. We went on the Polar Express in the morning. Then we headed to Fort Vancouver to participate in their Christmas activities. We made bags of potpourri and made our very own wreaths.




It was rainy and cold.

We then headed home for a few hours. Brandon and the kids watched our new Scooby Doo Christmas movie. We then headed to the Hometown Buffet for dinner. Brandon loves the Golden Corral in Utah, so we decided to go to the closest thing we have here in Vancouver. He loved it. They got endless slushies and ice cream and of course all the food they want. Brandon was in heaven. After that meal we were much too full for cake and ice cream, so we waited to do that on Sunday for his real birthday. He opened up about half of his presents. And then played his Wii game before bed. It was a BUSY, but fun day.







On Sunday, we headed to church and then came home and opened the rest of his presents. He and Pete were supposed to sing in the Stake Christmas Devotional, but Pete got sick and was unable to go, so Brandon didn't go either. Instead we watched a Christmas show and then had Brandon's choice for his birthday dinner, Poppy seed chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls and corn. Then we ate cake and ice cream. YUM!!!! I think it was a great birthday and we just love Brandon and are so happy he is in our family!

The Polar Express

Brandon decided for his family birthday this year, he wanted to go on the Polar Express for his big activity. We found room available on a train heading out at 11:30 am on December 11th. We snagged six tickets and waited for the day in great anticipation. We started the morning by giving each of the kids a new set of jammies. They were all so excited and loved getting into warm and cozy jammies for the trip especially since it was cold and rainy outside. We then headed up to Hood River, which is about an hour drive. The ride was going really well until we got to Troutdale, where Shaylee, who was in the very back kept saying she was hot, so we turned down the heat and had her take off her coat. Then she started making gagging noises and I asked her if she was going to throw up, she said yes. So, we switched her and Kenyon, so she was closer to the front of the van and then I gave her a plastic bag. She made it almost to Hood River before she threw up. Most of it made it into the bag, but some did get on her carseat. I was not excited about worrying about puking girl on the train, but at this point there was no turning back.

We boarded the train and excitedly found our seats. From the very beginning of the ride it is very exciting and interactive. They had the Hobo going up and down the aisles yelling funny things, and the cooks handing out Hot Cocoa and molasses cookies. Shaylee didn't drink the cocoa, but couldn't resist the cookies. She had been acting fine since we got out of the car and I figured we might as well let her enjoy the whole experience. They had music playing and the guy on the loudspeaker read us the Polar Express. The conductor came down the aisle and punched everyone's tickets. He was very interactive with the kids and was telling them about his "special snow" from his hole puncher. Then he says you know what happens with the special snow? And he dumps it all on my head! I had LOTS of paper circles in my hair that Shaylee so sweetly spent about ten minutes picking out.










Here he is explaining about his "special snow"


And then it all goes on mom's head



See, funny funny



Shaylee picking it out of mom's hair



The hobo



Then as we got further away from the station and closer to the North Pole the rain changed to snow and the ride became really magical. When we got to the North Pole we saw the buildings where all the toys are made and Santa's house and Santa and his elves waving at us. Then the conductor convinced Santa to come on the train! YEA! He visited each of the kids and Brandon gave him one of our candy cane oreos and he gave each of the kids a silver bell from his sleigh. On the way back to the station we sang Christmas carols and the conductor came and visited us again. It was so fun and the kids were so sad when it ended. Jaron said, "I stay on da twain!" I think that is how all of the kids felt.






Santa Clause even captivates an 8 and 10 year old





Santa Clause is giving the kids their bells




The kids with their bells from Santa










Writing on foggy windows is so much fun!






It was so worth the money and the kids just loved it. The people they have on the train do a great job and it was just so much fun.

Shaylee didn't threw up the rest of the day, so I think she just got carsick.