Christmas Newsletter 2011

Last December we moved into a new home and didn’t find time to do much Christmasy stuff other than unpack boxes and rearrange things.

This year we wanted you to know we are still

alive and well.

Tyler moved from house project to yard project this year. He attempted to tackle the entire acre in one season. I can’t speak for him, but I’m exhausted.

I (Missy) completed my first half marathon this summer and am looking forward to another one next year.

Kiersten became a guppy in the big pond and participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), almost achieving her goal of writing 50,000 words in a month. Maybe one day she’ll let me read it?

Erik has been involved with Lego League where he gets to play with legos and program robots. He thinks he might want to be an AWESOME engineer one day.

Nate mentioned the other day that he doesn’t want to ever go to juvie (juvenile detention). Now how did he know to call it that? He’s also my biggest assistant in the kitchen and competed in his first kid triathlon.

Ash has fully utilized the monkey bars in our yard. You should just see her hands – very gymnastical in appearance. Blisters abound.

Alex is loved, loved, and loved even more. He is our 18-month-old ball of energy who loves trains and organizing my spice cabinet.

12 Days of Christmas

My little secret elves.

Got a surprise themselves.

For as many years as I can remember our family has done the 12 Days of Christmas for another family but have never had the tables turned on us.

This year the kids were all excited to restart our tradition (we took last year off due to moving), but when it came to the sneaking, it was like pulling teeth. I don't blame them, because I don't like doing it either. However, we got the job done and on the last night . . .

Nate came running back to the van all excited about the envelope he found on the front porch.

They left a note "To: Secret Elves" with a cute little poem informing us to come back a couple of nights later for a gift on their front porch.

A knock at the door fills hearts with delight

A gift left behind, givers gone in the night

Smiling faces on children Secret Elves never see

Bright eyes full of wonder, pink cheeks shining with glee

To be givers not takers this lessons been taught

Christmas spirit burns bright and burn out it shall not

To Special Elves, we offer our most humble thanks

And with your elf blessings next year we'll join in your ranks

Should the Elves sneak back up on the 15th they will find

A small gift from the ..., for you've been way too kind

So THANK YOU we shout for the whole world to hear

Merry Christmas from Lake Point and Happy New Year!

In my children's eyes all those nights of sneaking made it worth it, not only for the gift but for the difference they made in someone's Christmas.

Got to love Christmas time!

A builder or a wrecker?

I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.
With a ho-heave-ho and lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
As the men you’d hire if you had to build?”
He gave me a laugh and said, “No indeed!
Just common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two
What builders have taken a year to do.”
And I tho’t to myself as I went my way,
Which of these two roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds by a well-made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?

– Unknown

Lunar eclipse

I was headed to the temple this morning around 7 am. As I pulled out of the driveway I looked at the moon and thought, "That sure looks different." I was down the street before I realized I was looking at a lunar eclipse that was almost over. I turned back around and headed home to show my boys who were awake.

It was totally awesome as Erik would say.

I'm so glad I got to see it.

And also that I got to share it with my boys.

This is a photo taken at Arches. It is the moon I saw, not the picture I took.

Red Sea

I've hit one of those Red Sea moments in my life where I don't see a way through.

But the Lord knows the way through.

And I have to remember that and have faith and not fear.

Because fear is such a powerful tool the adversary has up his sleeve.

Faith and fear cannot coexist.

Just like light and dark.

God will fight my battles.

He will part that Red Sea.

I know He will.

I just have to stand "still" for a moment.

And remember Who's in charge.

An evolving Nativity

I set up our nativity with the pieces all proportionately placed on the table.

Several hours later I came back to find this:

I guess Ashlyn decided no one could really see the baby Jesus. I like how she turned the baby Jesus so he is looking toward his mother. Very sweet!

Then for Family Home Evening I gave a lesson on the wisemen and the gifts they brought (my kids learned through the scriptures that the number three is just a myth; we really don't know how many there were). We discussed gold, frankincense, and myrrh and their symbolic meanings.

The next morning I found my nativity set had been tampered with again.

And I like the changes.

What do you get when you take your car to the mechanic?

An afternoon chat with Grandma.

Tyler's uncle is our trusty mechanic who happens to do his repairs at Grandma's house. This time we needed our rear brake pads replaced. So while he worked Grandma and I talked.

She told me how her testimony was strengthened. She had always known the gospel was right and true growing up, "But you know how everyone needs to find out for themselves at some point." She had just been called into the young women program and was on a hike during girls camp when they went on ahead and she sat down on a rock and said a short prayer asking Heavenly Father to strengthen her testimony, to make it stronger.

Her thoughts immediately after that were that she needed to study more, especially the scriptures. She recounted to me how that one thought has made a huge difference in her life and how her testimony grew to become her own, not something she leaned on others for anymore.

[T]he moment you begin a serious study of the [scriptures], [y]ou will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path. The scriptures are called "the words of life" (see D&C 84:85). . . . When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.

--Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1986

Telephone hymn

Otherwise know as "Where Can I Turn for Peace?", one of my favorites.

My sister in law mentioned this hymn in a blog post and it brought back a memory from our days in downtown Salt Lake (seems like I'm remembering that place a lot lately).

Our LDS bishop was Bishop Meredith, husband to Jolene Meredith, composer of the song "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"

For Relief Society one Sunday she told of her experience in co writing that song with Emma Lou Thayne. Sometime in the '70s, she and Emma were asked to compose a song for the general board meetings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One day Emma called her to discuss the assignment and Jolene happened to be in her music room by her piano. Emma said a few lines of how the song should go and Jolene plucked it out on the piano.

This is how a very rough version of that song was first written . . . over the telephone.

Superman's Mom

I came across this painting by Liz Lemon Swindle and loved it.

 It reminded me of my three boys and how much they need their mom,

especially this little guy right now.

Over the past two days Alex has grown up a lot.

First, he lost his binky, his one and only binky (that disgustingly enough Nathan used), right at bedtime.

We searched high and low and could not find it.

Much to my dismay it was time to take it away and I settled in for a long night.

He cried an hour the first night, twenty minutes at nap time,

five minutes the second night, and a few minutes at nap time today.

He's gone two days without it.

Second, he got an official haircut.

That definitely turned him into a little boy.

Third, I sat him at the computer and let him play his first computer game.

I loved listening to him squeal in delight.

Fourth, he actually tried mimicking words. We asked him to say Alex and he tried.

Fifth, he got to sit in a booster seat at Arby's instead of the high chair.

Sixth, he sat through an entire reading of Cows Can't Fly, his favorite book, without trying to turn the pages or bustling off to some other activity after two pages.

 Even big boys need their mom once in awhile, especially on this particular day by the looks of it.

Superman's Mom

Last week I fought a dragon strong

Then climbed a castle wall.

Too bad I fell from off the roof

Mom´s flowers broke my fall.

Then yesterday, I sailed to sea

The pirates at the door.

Too bad the tub was just too small

To keep the ocean off the floor.

Today, I launched a rocket to

The moon for mom to see.

Too bad the wheel came flying off

And so I skinned my knee.

But mom was there to pick me up

And make me feel alright.

Then send me out to save the world

And put my cape on tight.

Someday I´ll grow and fly away

Little doesn´t last for long.

But when I´m big I won´t forget

Even Superman Needs a Mom.

Everything pumpkin

Kiersten is wondering what's gotten into me. Tonight I made pumpkin pancakes for dinner. Pumpkin has definitely been a recurring theme in my fall baking. And I'm not even a huge pumpkin fan. But in a week all that pumpkin is going to get waylaid by peppermint and chocolate.

So far I've made

• pumpkin bread
• pumpkin cookies
• pumpkin muffins
• a pumpkin dessert
• pumpkin pancakes

And I'm sure there's a pumpkin pie in the near future for Thanksgiving.

I have to say the muffins were so simple and the pancakes were scrumptious. 

Pumpkin Muffins

1 box spice cake mix

15 oz. pumpkin

1 c. chocolate chips

Combine everything and fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. 
 
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 c. flour
3 T. brown sugar
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. all spice
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
1 c. pumpkin
2 eggs
2 T. oil

Combine dry ingredients and mix. Add buttermilk, pumpkin, eggs, and oil until combined. Lightly butter griddle and brown on both sides. Serve with butter, maple syrup, and/or nuts.

*I added mini chocolate chips as they were cooking. I also ate mine with whipped cream, slivered almonds, and a drizzle of a maple cream sauce that was so GOOD!

Maple Cream Sauce
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
5 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp light corn syrup

Combine all ingredients in a heavy sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened and reduced by about 1/3 (about 15 minutes). Chill.

New calling

I haven't even lived in this ward a year and I'm on my third calling since March.

Yesterday I was released from Wolf scout leader and Primary teacher and called as the Primary chorister, and I'm a little excited about it. Crazy because I know what goes into being the chorister every week. You have to be on your toes every minute. But another crazy thing is our Primary program is this Sunday. The previous chorister has kindly said she will lead the songs for the program. I felt like I would have been stealing her thunder since she has taught them all year and she thought she'd be stepping on my toes since it is my calling now. I'm afraid I don't know the songs well enough and could see disaster waiting to happen.

Someone has told me that the chorister is the gospel doctrine teacher of Primary. And you know what, I think they are right. No one remembers the sharing times that were given but you certainly do remember the songs that were taught and sung. Music is a powerful medium.

Oh, I've got some fun things planned for December.

Got invited to a fancy shmancy dinner

Remember those Young Men/Young Women etiquette dinners? Remember how you were supposed to learn which fork to use first, whose cup was whose, and what to do if you didn't want the wine? Well Tyler and I were invited by a good friend who is the treasurer to attend one of those dinners for the Catholic Community Services where they honor those individuals who help provide for those in need across Utah. The CCS Humanitarian Awards were hosted at the Little America hotel where individual dinners were priced at $150. I wish I had a brought a camera to get a photo of the entire table spread. I think I counted 4 different cups . . . wine, water, juice, coffee. I imagined setting this type of table at home and then imagined all the spills and chaos of who took who's fork. Ya, not going to happen at my house.

We were seated among celebrities. I call them celebrities because they're people you recognize on TV and think you'll never see in person. Carole Mikita was the emcee. Nadine Wimmer was there. We saw Scott Layden of the Utah Jazz (Tyler thought he was taller in person) and President M. Russell Ballard and Bishop H. David Burton of the LDS Church. Tyler tells me President Jeffrey R. Holland was also present. Jon Huntsman was absent but his Karen wife accepted their award. Reverend John C. Wester and Pamela Atkinson of the Catholic Church were on the program.

The people, the food, the setting all made me wish I had paid better attention during those etiquette meals. Right from the start I broke a rule and began eating before our host had begun. Immediately after my first bite Carole Mikita announced we would have a prayer and then commence eating. Oops!!

The food was delicious and the company was great. And it brought back a memory of a time when Tyler and I were living in downtown Salt Lake. Our ward was asked to bring in a meal to a church and help serve the homeless. We weren't asked to drop off a meal but we were to sit and eat with these people who had no home for whatever reason. I remember eating with a lady and her 2 small children. I don't remember their circumstances but I recall feeling bad for them and their situation. Sitting at dinner last night made me think that it was probably the Catholic Community Services that solicited those meals. I love how both the LDS and Catholic faiths work together to help alleviate suffering and try to bring a some happiness into the lives of people who don't have a lot to hope for.

Some of those honorees last night have devoted their entire lives to helping others. Granted they are Catholic Sisters who aren't raising children going in a million directions, but I have been blessed with so much and know I can step up my game where it comes to giving of myself a little more.

"We make a living by what we get,

but we make a life by what we give."

-- Sir Winston Churchill

Playing dress up

Kiersten and her friends
They decided to raid the Halloween box one afternoon.

A ward Halloween party
I should have gotten a picture of myself since I NEVER dress up. Not that I did this year either, but it was a costume I had been waiting years to use after seeing my neighbor in Magna use it. I wrote numbers 1 through 35 on dot stickers and stuck them all over myself. No one knew what I was until they asked, and then I told them I was someone they could "count on." Ha, ha. Pretty clever.

Rhodes Bake 'N Serve luncheon and trick-or-treating
Aunt Katie invited us to Rhodes bread where she works in the human resource department. She works for an amazing company. Not only does she have a nice gym with personal trainers and a nutritionist, but a lot of offices either had bike racks with bikes in them or bars in their doorways to do pull ups or a treadmill work station where you can work on the computer as you walk or run. I guess for a food company they're doing their best to keep their employees fit. Their Halloween tradition is to invite all the family members to the building where the kids can trick-or-treat at all the offices (after we were done I saw no point to going out that evening) and then the fed us a most delicious lunch.

Halloween evening
Kiersten = She settled for little red riding hood and obviously didn't put much thought into her costume. I think next year is a party year and no trick-or-treating.
Erik = I can't even begin to describe what he might be. A crazy "flour"?
Nathan = I was happy he decided to be the pirate this year instead of Indiana Jones like he is every year. Notice I said the pirate instead of a pirate. It is definitely one of those revolving costumes that gets handed down through all the kids. In fact I made that cape when I was in college and my roommates and I crashed USU's Halloween Howl as the Five Musketeers.
Ashlyn = A Hawaiian bunny? You'll have to take a look at the pictures above because I apparently forgot to get a picture of her. Too many people going too many directions that night.

Alex = Just a cute little pumpkin. He wouldn't keep that hat on for anything and he wasn't too sure about the candy that was being thrown his way. Next year little buddy.

To finish up our road trip . . .

Fremont Indian Museum/State Park was on our list. I never went there for a field trip, but it sure brought back 2nd grade memories for Katie. This was located right off I-70 and very easy to get to. We did a small hike to look at the pictographs (different from petroglyphs I learned) and the kids even descended into a traditional Fremont Indian home which was basically a hole in the ground. Tyler and I both found it fascinating that their homes were equipped with a second hole for ventilation. Even that many years ago they were concerned with how to get fresh air into their houses.

Our way home took us through Scipio where we had to stop at the Flying J and visit the petting zoo. That's right. There's a petting zoo at the gas station with it's own zebra, bunnies, goats, horses, cows, ostriches, chickens. By this point you know you've over done the trip planning when none of the kids wanted to get out of the van. We made them anyway and Alex was surprisingly not afraid of the animals that were pretty much bigger than him.

Gymnast hands

This picture says it all.

I really should think about putting Ash into gymnastics. She LOVES the monkey bars both at home and at school and she's such a petite thing that I think she could do rather well. 

Oh, but I cringe every time I look at her hands as she asks for a bandaid. You'd think she'd take a break and let those babies heal. But the bandaid is the cure all and she's right back at it.

Still workin' on that summer bucket list

Nate wanted to visit Arches this summer since this is the last time he was there and doesn't remember much:

It never crossed my mind that my parents live close enough to so many wonderful places in central and southern Utah that we could stay at their house and make it a day trip to most places, places I would go to on field trips. I was planning on taking the kids myself until Tyler was able to get work off at the last minute. And then on our way out of town, Aunt Katie decided to tag along. We are so glad she came, grateful dad could come, and happy we have an 8th seat to take extra stowaways.

It's become tradition for Tyler to put together a road trip booklet for the kids to fill out about our destination. This one came with coupons, mazes, mad libs, crosswords, and much more.

I stole this picture from Katie. It pretty much sums up how excited everyone was for a family getaway.

Pine Tree Arch - The only photo of the whole gang. We did a picture swap thing with another family.

Landscape Arch

One tired boy

Sand Dune Arch - Our favorite and one you have to discover in the middle of all that rock.

I don't think I've ever seen so many people there at one time. When we were there many years previous, we were lucky to have one other family come through and take our picture.

Ash even ran into a friend from school, and Alex finally warmed up to the feel of the sand.

Delicate Arch - We decided to do the 1/2 mile hike to the lookout and Alex was determined to walk the entire way, stopping every few feet to lean over the wooden rail and say "Hi" to whatever happened to be out there.

Balanced Rock - On our way out of the park some of the kids wanted to try holding up the rock. I'd say they did a pretty good job!

The weather will be changing soon. I'm so glad we took advantage of the beautiful weather. October is the PERFECT time to go to Arches. It wasn't too hot and I actually enjoyed working on that end-of-season tan.