Pretty Quiet Christmas Day 2012

Technically this Christmas is our first Christmas home alone since we've become empty nesters. Don't feel sad for us because Larry and I actually enjoy each others company. April invited us over to her house for Christmas Eve dinner and had a delicious Pioneer Woman recipe pot roast, vegetables and bread. I brought over a blackberry, peach pie. The Sister missionaries ate dinner with us too. Good conversation, company and food. After dinner the sisters gave us a spiritual thought and April had a short DVD with pictures of Christ  like a slide show while O Holy Night was being sung. It was beautiful. The reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Savior to reflect on His life and the gift He gave to us when He atoned for our sins.  To share, give and to bless the life of others. As I look back onto the Christmas's we had with our children at home I feel we could have done much better in including more of Christ in Christmas.

Larry and I took Jovie and Ainsley to look at Christmas lights while their momma helped Santa with last minute things to get ready for Christmas. Larry and I took them home and then we got ourselves home. We played some scrabble and I WON! 

 A couple of weeks ago Larry starting ripping out the carpet from downstairs to get it ready to put some wood laminate down. When he started pulling up the carpet I took down our big Christmas tree. This is what our home currently looks like.

I'm not sure where my stocking was at but Santa didn't get it under the tree.

Ruby was the first one to get into her stocking.

One of her favorite things. A twisty chewy beef stick which...

she likes to carry around the house burying it in the chairs, blankets and couches but since our furniture is amiss she found somewhere else to bury it...silly dog. In fact as I'm typing this post she is carrying it around looking for somewhere to bury it. She tried my house coat but i shooed her off.

Our gifts to each other this year was stocking stuffers since we are refinishing the floor. Larry's is on the left, mine on the right. He couldn't fit all that in my stocking though. He found all that stuff at the Country Store which is a consignment store. He bought me a plate from there last year with that pattern on it and so he saw some more and got it for me. Plus cookie cutters like my mom used to have. I also was able to get an 

IPhone 4 for .99. I got Larry his favorite chocolate, a .01 new cell phone, chap stick, key chain flashlight and a watch. As he was opening up his watch the box said Timex and he said you know I'm pretty picky about my watches. I told him then just take it back but when he opened it he loved it. I have been married to the guy for 34 years I should know a little about what he likes. Sheesh! 

The last few Christmases we have treated ourselves to a movie at the theatre. This year we went to Les Miserable. It was really good, I had never seen the movie or play before so I didn't know what to expect. When we got there Larry asked. Did you bring a Kleenex? Of course I didn't but I found out I should have.

A story about forgiveness, love, war and death.

Larry's parents when they found out that our floor was torn up invited us over along with April and her kids  for Christmas dinner. I really appreciated it.

Ainsley was getting an early start on the rolls.

A delicious meal. 

We found a good spot for Papa J. Right in between the 2 girls.

Father and son in good conversation.

Larry and I had the blessing to talk to all of our children and their families this Christmas day. It sounded like they all had a wonderful day with their families. 

Merry Christmas!

2012 Pre Christmas Extra's

A little something extra before Christmas day and I still need to upload the rest of the pictures from my camera onto the computer to finish blogging this year. 

On the 16th of December April was in a choir that was singing in 4 sacrament meetings so Larry and I took Jovie, Ainsley and Asher over to Great Grandpa and Grandma house since it was close to the church and April could come back and forth between meetings to be with her kids. Grandma Johnson surprised Ainlsy and Jovie with cookie dough to make cookies. That was terrific!

I received this cute card on google from Aria with an adorable little elf on it. Cutest little elf I ever saw and I'm happy Aria sent it to me from Hyrum.

Mae and Owen's School Christmas Program 2012

Papa J and I took a short day trip to watch Owen and Mae sing in their program and spend some time with them.

We arrived at their house and set up the concrete hand making. After we set their hands in cement and decorated them we ate a yummy soup that Rachel made for us. We visited awhile and headed out to the Salvation Army where the program was being held.

Mae and Owen were SO cute !

Before the program Owen was very attentive to watching all the kids on the stage running around. He may have even looked a little nervous.

*wink*

Mae before the program. This picture needed some editing and I kept playing with it and I think this make Mae look so much older than her 5 years old. My grand kids are growing up so fast.

As the little ones Owen's age came walking in Owen kept blowing in and out like he was trying not to be nervous. It was adorable.

The antlers didn't stay on too long but when your that cute you don't need distractions on your head. I love his soft curls.

Owen did such a great job. He stayed with his class and participated. Loved it.

Mae's group was adorable and she sang her little heart out.

In the finale everyone got to wear antlers. Mae looks so pretty in whatever she is wearing.

Refreshments! Who wants hot chocolate whenever you can have marshmallows?

Family picture time in front of the tree!

Papa J, me (grandma J), Mae and Owen

Sean's parents were there too so both sets of grandparents attended. Leslie and I were trying to give Owen a kiss on each cheek and he wasn't to sure about that.

Sean, Rachel, Mae and Owen. Good looking family I would say.

As we were leaving the building Owen sat in a chair and started patting it for me to sit down by him so of course I did. I love this picture if me and him.

I enjoy spending time with my family and making memories even if it's a few hours at a time.

Family History Sealings

One of the special things that I did over Christmathanks weekend is attend the temple and be proxy for our ancestors to be sealed as families. The spirit could be felt and I'm sure happiness and joy was felt on the other side of the veil as well as ours.

Larry, David, Michael and Emma.

Me (Linda) and Misty

Joy!

Thanks to April for watching all the kids! Next time...

Christmathanks 2012

Our annual Christmathanks on Thanksgiving was a day to remember as usual. We loved having all those that could make it be there. We missed those who weren't there. A day full of family, presents, food and fun along with Papa J teaching Gabe and Nathan some crazy stuff.

The day dawns bright and early after just a few hours of sleep for me. 

I have a couple of times previously read a Christmas book to the kids on Christmathanks Eve. I'm still debating whether to make it a tradition.

The tree after putting the stockings under. It was getting so late and Jovie was too excited to fall asleep so I had her help me put the presents under the tree and then I had to wait until she fell asleep before I could fill the stockings. The grandchildren know that the goodies in the stocking are from Papa J and me so it really isn't any big secret but it's so fun to be surprised.

This year we did things a bit different. As usual whenever you get up you can get into your stockings but this year we waited awhile to open presents. Rachel and Sean went on a run, Papa J and David picked up the missionaries and went golfing. Michael and Emma were staying at April's house so we waited for that household to get here. So it was basically a slow lazy morning. We had a late morning buffet breakfast of  scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, muffins and juice.

After breakfast we opened up gifts.

Hyrum is loving Yo Gaba Gaba.

Rachel set up a mini salon and started painting fingernails. The little ones were really pampered.

Ainsley so pretty!

Aria's turn.

Mae

Clara

Jovie

A game of scrabble needs to be played when the family is together at some point with who ever. The some point is while the girls were getting their fingernails painted the some with is the Elders, April and Larry.

Oh! Can't forget Asher.

Gabe was getting a little bored and so when the scrabble game was over Papa J started trying to think of something to do with the boys. I mentioned going on a walk but OOOOOHHHHHH no he decided to  teach the boys how to start fires in the house. Misty (his mom) is looking on not even minding. Of course it's not her house that will be burnt down.

Why not learn how to make a fire starter to help start the fire faster. I don't think Gabe is bored any more.

Fire starting in the house is starting to draw a crowd. David (dad) and Nathan want in on the action.

Dinner time! Kids table.

Adult table.

Dig in!

Our first annual talent show was held that evening after dinner was cleaned up and we rested a bit. I loved seeing the performances that were given from singing to dancing.

Owen played the piano for us.

Mae showed us some ballet moves that she has learned.

Gabe played for us very well.

April, Jovie and Ainsley sang baby it's cold outside. Beautiful!

Aria is also taking lessons from Misty to learn to play. Lovely.

Clara showed us some ballet and tap dancing. It was so cute to see these little ones share their gifts, talents and the things they enjoy doing.

Nathan played some music on his french horn.

    He played really well. 

Time to just get some boogie on. Everyone (except the missionaries) joined in on the impromptu dance.

Owen has got some moves.

Owen and Ainsley are not only cousins but good friends and are snuggled up on the couch to watch a movie.

I love the smile on Ethan's face all wrapped up in his quillow I made him.

A wonderful Christmathanks again this year. Until next Christmathanks.

Merry Christmathanks to you!...