Christmas Break in Ohio

We spent the week just relaxing. One day there was freezing rain so the driveway was a sheet of ice. The kids had a blast "skating" and sliding all over. There were a few falls but it was easy entertainment.

We played a lot of games. Some were more intense than others. Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries, Carcassone, Cranium, Waterworks, and a lot of the Wii.

We helped put together a hot air balloon puzzle and played on Grandma and Grandpa's Ipads. We watched grandpa master the art of a fruit ninja. The kids played Moshimonsters on the laptops and we even read some books.

We saw some old friends and were able to catch up (we love the Hunter's). We met some new friends and enjoyed playing games. The Maas family has a baby and during church Lindsey passed her baby, Mitchell Michael, back to let Mackenzie and Alexa hold him. They were in seventh heaven. So when the Maas family came over to play games Mackenzie spent almost the entire time with Mitchell Michael. She is so good with kids. Her face just beamed at getting to have such a rare treat.

We got in some sledding time. The snow wasn't the greatest but it was a good hill. We ate some free Chick-fil-a and watched Tangled at the theater. Loved Tangled. We were planning on leaving Wednesday but we were having so much fun we decided to stay until Saturday. It was great to spend sometime away from home with Grandma and Grandpa.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day the car was loaded and we were on the road at 6:30am. We were on a mission to surprise Grandma and Grandpa Dayton for Christmas. We re watched some of our movies from Christmas Eve and enjoyed the open road. Although I expected no one to be driving that early on Christmas day, we did have some fellow travelers. But we made great time due to fewer automobiles. A nice bonus. At 10:15 we called Gma and Gpa to tell them "Merry Christmas" and to list off the gifts we had been given and then said goodbye because we were going to a movie. Thirty minutes later we pulled into their driveway.

Alexa ran up to the door and rang the doorbell then ran back to these bushes to hide with us.

Grandpa took forever to answer the door. (They were NOT expecting company) We all jumped out and yelled surprise! It was great to see gma and gpa's faces of pure shock. They had no idea. Our surprise was a success and so fun for all of us.

Christmas Eve

We did things a little different this year and I think it was a success. Plus we all enjoyed it. We celebrated Christmas on the 24th. I woke the kids up early and we opened presents. We ate omelets and cinnamon rolls and watched movies all day. Ramona and Beezus, Marmaduke, Toy Story 3, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a great selection of movies. It was great. Mackenzie didn't feel all that great but recovered well. We all wore our Christmas pj's on the 23rd to bed and the kids were super excited about the things they we giving each other. It was a great day.

Gratitude Journal

I was called as the Beehive advisor in October and one of the lessons I taught was on Gratitude. One of the suggestions was to encourage the young women to keep a gratitude journal. I, always getting more from teaching than I give, decided that was a great idea. I started on November 10, 2010. I was amazed at the things I was able to list. My goal was to list at least 5 things every day and I needed to be specific. I'm grateful for friends was not going to cut it, I needed to list which friend and why. What a blessing it has been for me to focus on gratitude. Shortly after starting my gratitude journal we learned that Nathan would be loosing his job at the end of the year. Then we had to put Harley down. I believe that gratitude journal was a tender mercy from the Lord. It has allowed me to spend time each day reflecting on the many things for which I am grateful.
Due to Nathan's job loss we will be having a very different Christmas. I had to tell our kids who Santa really is and although that was a hard conversation, as Mackenzie says, "it's okay." We still believe in the magic that Santa represents and are looking forward to the little things we have taken the time and effort to get for each other. And that is what Christmas is all about.
I'm grateful for this time of year that I've had to reflect upon the greatest gift ever given. My Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for his unconditional love and support as I navigate this earthly journey and for the comfort and support I feel on a daily basis. Gratitude....

Symphonic Band Concert

Alexa is still playing the piano and the trumpet and she is doing such a good job. She is in the highest band in the junior high school and is one of only a few 7th graders in the band, most are 8th graders. She was told that piano practice can count towards her practice requirements so her piano playing has improved as well. Plus she has been motivated by some of my students who play more challenging pieces and she pushes herself to learn to play them as well. She learned Don't Stop Believing by Journey (the Glee version) and Michael Buble's, I just haven't met you yet. Her band preformed for the school's Veteran's Day program and it was awesome. I have a soft spot in my heart for our military and I think the Veteran's Day programs make me the most emotional. Alexa and the other trumpet players were able to play TAPS. I got chills. They also played the Armed Forces Medley and when those veterans in attendance heard their song they were to stand. It was a great program.
She recently had a winter band concert and it was just as cool. I never thought I'd like having her in the band but she loves it and it is really fun to watch and listen to. She has an awesome band director who makes it fun and encourages the kids to do their very best. Band is one of her favorite classes. One of my favorite parts is watching the kids keep rhythm by tapping their toes.
Sunday we had our Young Women in Excellence program at the church and the young women were able to perform. Alexa was going to play the piano but I convinced her she should play the trumpet. She chose Chariots of Fire and we were able to hook her accompanying music up to the sound system. She played it perfectly and I'm sure many wanted to stand up and start running in slow motion:-) I told her I think I was more nervous than she was. She didn't seem nervous. I'm so proud of her. She inspires me to be better in so many ways.

Snow Forts

We had some visitors for the weekend and were lucky enough to get our first real snow fall of the year. Bonus, the kids could play outside all day and be completely entertained. Mackenzie, Dayton and Helena spent hours on this snow fort. They did and awesome job and received all kinds of compliments the following week from passengers on the many buses that drive past our home. This was the perfect snow that had enough moisture in it to allow them to make the fort. They can't wait for more snow.

Christmas Ornament

Each year my parents get a book and an ornament for their grand kids. The ornament ties into the theme of the book and the kids get to open this present right after Thanksgiving. My kids are excited as you can see. This year the book was the Christmas Star and of course star ornaments. I love that the kids can look at the tree and recognize the ornament and what story it belongs with. I love this tradition. I'm going to need a place to store more Christmas books and a bigger tree for the ornaments. What a great reason though!

Mackenzie "11"

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Ohio at Grandma and Grandpa Dayton's house. It was, as always, a blast. We were able to see some of our dearest friends and catch up on the happenings in our lives. I'm so lucky to know and love so many inspiring people.

The day after Thanksgiving was Mackenzie's 11th birthday. She wanted to eat at Quaker Steak and Lube. She loves wings. So we headed over for a late lunch and had lots of yumminess. She was able to pick out a cupcake and didn't hesitate when the waitress showed her the chocolate peanut butter cupcake. No surprise that her birthday cake was a chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake. She LOVES peanut butter. She asked for a loom and wanted grandma to make her a teddy bear. She drew up her ideas and scanned them and emailed her ideas to grandma. She also requested clothes for her bear. Not surprisingly, Grandma made her dreams come true and loves that bear to pieces. Mackenzie was beyond thrilled.

I think the older I get the faster time seems to speed by. Mackenzie has brought so much excitement and happiness into our lives. She is passionate, compassionate, intelligent, beautiful, thoughtful, hardworking, feisty, and determined. I couldn't imagine life without Mackenzie. I have loved the past 11 years and look forward to many more.

Happy Birthday Kenz. I love you!