This Christmas

Thought I would post some of my favorite pictures of Christmas

I don't think I have ever flown a kite on Christmas before but we did this year. It was in the afternoon. We took all of the kids outside so they could run around a little bit. It was quite windy, perfect for kite flying, so Uncle Jason got out this HUGE kite. The kids and I loved watching him fly it.
Every year on Christmas Eve we act out the story of the Nativity while Grandpa reads it from the Bible. Ella took her role as Mary very seriously. I was surprised at how reverent she was the whole time. I love how she and Baby Jesus (my adorable nephew Brock) are looking at each other.
Another pic of Brock that I love. He is looking up so sweetly.

This is a picture I took of Gordon from the warm comfort of the car while he is out braving the elements to take Christmas goodies to our neighbors.

One of my favorite memories of my mom baking when I was little was licking the bowl or spoons after the mixing was done and the goodies were ready to go in the oven. We all fought over who would get to do it. Love this pic of all the gooey chocolatey goodness on Jace's face.

Dec 12-15

Ella & Santa and the Christmas Party we went to.Journaling about the Christmas Party.

Jace was scared of Santa, as every little kid seems to be at his age.Journaling about the other Christmas Parties we went to and our Sunday.
Pictures from our FHE visit to see the Festival of the Lights in SF and get ice cream afterwards.

More Dec Daily Pages

I was sick this week and so I got behind on my journal pages. Last night, I was able to catch up.

Day 5 is about the lights I hung up in Gordon and Ella's rooms around their beds. They love them and insist that they be turned on every night. To me, lights are part of the magic of Christmas!

Day 6 is about our trip to Festival of the Trees. I always loved going there and seeing all of the beautifully decorated trees and the amazing gingerbread houses so I was excited to take my family for the 1st time this year. They seemed to enjoy it, until Jace couldn 't stand being in the stroller or being carried any longer. We didn't last long after that. It was fun though and hopefully a new tradition for our family.

Day 7 was Sunday so I just journaled about how grateful I am for the gospel and how it helps me refocus and remember the reason for the season.

Monday I went to the Dr. because I was sick but I was very happy that it snowed. Snow is a Christmas must for me. It's just not quite right without it.


Day 9 I wrote about the first Christmas Card we received.


Day 10 talks about how excited Ella is for Christmas this year and how fun that has been to watch.

Day 11 is about the new Christmas music we are enjoying this year. Thanks for looking.

Dec 4

I helped Gordon give a presentation to his class. He had to tell about one of our Christmas traditions so we showed them the photo ornaments that we have made over the years. We made Gordon's ornament for this year in front of the class. Gordon did well, though he gets nervous when speaking in front of groups. We gave them all a Candy Cane off our little tree as a treat.

December Daily Days 2-3

Day 2

Day 3
The journaling says: The dark blur at the bottom of the photo is Jace un-decorating the tree. His favorite decorations are the round balls (thank goodness they are shatterproof). I keep finding them all over the house.

December Daily

Here is the first day of of my December Daily. I got the idea here. I think it will be so fun to look back in years to come and see how we celebrated the season in 2008.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2 Birthdays, Thanksgiving, family in town on both sides, Black Friday, family pictures, a baby blessing, it is a very busy, but happy time of year and the fun has just begun. We are looking forward to snow, yummy treats, twinkly lights, Christmas decorations, holiday music and movies, snuggling up together, playing games with family, celebrating the Savior's birth, sharing in the joy of giving and much much more! It really is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!



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Now playing: Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
via FoxyTunes

Random facts tag

6 Random facts:
1. Link this post to the person who tagged you:
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I think seat warmers are one of the greatest inventions ever. I love them and don't know how I ever survived without them.

2. I always swore I would never marry someone shorter than me, but I did. Never say never. I wouldn't trade him for a million tall guys.

3. I love mysteries and can't seem to get enough of them. I've read so many I should be able to start writing my own, maybe someday.

4. A bad habit I can't seem to break, I bite my nails when I am nervous or bored.

5. I am obsessed with mangoes, Anything mango flavored I have to try.

6. Summer is my favorite season. I love that it doesn't get dark until late and that the nights are warm.

I tag anyone who wants to play along.

Thankful Lists

Last night I thought it would be fun for the kids to make Thankful lists. I thought it was something that they would enjoy looking back on in the future and seeing what they were grateful for at ages 6 and 4. What surprised me was how much they enjoyed the whole thing. They came up with their lists all on their own. Gordon got really into it, about half way through he took over as scribe. He wrote down half of his list, plus all of mine and Keni's. Then he decided he should draw pictures of all of the things on our lists. It was so cute and it kept him occupied for quite awhile. Yeah!

I taped the list that Gordon wrote on the back of this layout. So, we have his handwriting too.

Yesterday morning we woke up to a world of white. Ella wanted to go out and play in the snow as soon as she had eaten breakfast, so we did. Ella and Jace had a wonderful time sledding down the little hill in our front yard. It is the perfect size for little ones. Jace would only go down the hill with me. I tried to get him to do it with Ella but he refused. We went down the hill several times. Jace wouldn't leave his gloves on, so his hands were getting cold. Then he fell into the snow and they got really cold. He was crying so I decided it was time to go in. Ella however, insisted that I make some snowballs with her first. I threw a few snowballs at her, which she liked until one accidentally went down into her coat. Then she started crying too. So, by the time we went into the house both kids were bawling. Oh, well it was fun while it lasted!

P.S. Keni was so scandalized that I had Jace wear Ella's old pink snowsuit that he insisted I buy him a new one today.

Voting and the first snow

I voted today. Yeah for America and our right to vote!
Jace spent quite a bit of time today just looking out the window, watching the snow come down. That's right we had our first snow of the season today. I loved watching Jace and seeing how amazed he was by the snow. Kids remind us what is magical.

Three little Ghosts

Here are my three little ghosts. We tried on our Halloween costumes in preparation for a party tonight. I'm not sure how long the littlest ghost is going to make it though. I knew he would never leave it on if I tried to put it over his head, that's why I decided to try the hat, but he isn't crazy about that either. So, far he isn't sold on being a ghost.

Introducing Samuel Joseph Oldham

Well, my brother finally did it. He finally produced a male heir. After three beautiful little girls he finally got his boy, who is also beautiful. Sam was born on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. He weighed in at 8+ pounds.

He is the 11th grandchild born into the Steve Oldham family, we now have 6 girls and 5 boys. Up until I explained this to Gordon he has been saying that he wants our next baby to be a girl (Yes, I am expecting, due in April!) but after hearing there are more girls than boys in the family he has changed his mind and says he now wants us to have a boy to even things up. He is all about things being orderly, even and fair.

Anyway, I am so excited for Joe and Amy and their new beautiful baby boy. Congrats guys! Love you!

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Now playing: Celine Dion - Beautiful Boy
via FoxyTunes

More Glimpses of Fall

The beautiful fall colors in Covered Bridge.

We took 4 TRUCKLOADS of leaves down to the burn-pile one afternoon. That's a lot of leaves, and of course there are still MORE.
Fresh peach pie that I made myself. It was delish.


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Now playing: Jem - Down To Earth
via FoxyTunes

Fall 2008

Glimpses of our fall so far.


Enjoying the park

Playing in the leaves


Homework