Random Events in December

12/3 - Heather and Kelly enjoyed a Daddy-Daughter date together.

12/6 to 12/10 - Jenna was Student of the Week in her class, and Linny was one of the things she took to school to share.

12/7 - Heather went with the shorter hairstyle at the salon.

12/11 - During Michelle's visit, we notice how many trees in my area actually turn color. Why haven't we noticed this before? Because they don't do it in September/October as they do in other parts of the USA.

12/11 - After a trip to visit Auntie Marlene and Uncle Vic, we showed the kids where we grew up and went to school. Then we remembered how close we were to the Chicken Pie Shop and decided to stop and have an early dinner. It hasn't changed at all, and it's been 25 years since I last ate there.

Christmas Gifts

While browsing blogs last week, I came across a post from a woman who has five children and many gifts to buy. I love how she goes about her gift buying and thought you might enjoy this. She buys presents for her children using the following guide:

Something to wear

Something to read

Something they want

And something they need

Eclipse DVD Party #1

The Southern CA Twilightmoms who were able to, got together tonight in Los Angeles for a DVD party. Mary, Sarah, Charlotte and I hosted the party at the cute church coffee shop where Mary works. We had some great food, great decor, an awesome gift exchange, and a great time watching the movie together on a big screen.

Some of our table decor and pretty food...

Mary, Me and Sarah...

All the TMs and friends who were able to make it...

Alex, Charlotte, Sarah and Me preparing to watch the movie...

The huge screen in the church's sanctuary...

These get togethers are so much fun. Our love of the books is what brought so many of us together. The movies are nice, but the stories and the friendships are what we really love.

Changing Beds

Saturday is bed changing day around here. In order to inspire some kind of work ethic in my children, I have them strip their beds. There are so many animals and blankets on these beds that it is a good "job" for them. I then make the beds (bunk) and have the girls re-decorate them. This all sound nifty, no?

I might as well just say, "Go play with your linens." This is, after all, what ends up happening. I don't remember having this much fun changing my bed.

Missing Those Family Gatherings

My girls asked me a couple of Thanksgivings ago, "Who is coming to Thanksgiving dinner?" It occurred to me that they had never, in their young lives, spent a holiday not surrounded by family. It was a bit of a blow to them the first year that it was just the four of us and Grandpa Ron. Last year we extended our family to include our dear friends and neighbors, the Holbrook family, and we experienced that excitement of waiting for everyone to arrive. There is something about that isn't there? I am so thankful that we are still able to have my dad as our guests. Guests and holidays just go together.

I was talking to a friend the other day about family gatherings and some of the challenges that occur when families get together. We all have those experiences. However, I couldn't help but recall that there was a time when I thought that our family gatherings would be forever occasions. I now see that what I thought would go on and on, didn't. Who knew that deeply rooted California families would relocate out-of-state? Who knew that grandparents would pass on three years in a row leaving a small empty space each year following when we gathered? Those big, fun, crazy family gatherings don't go on forever, and I find myself missing them very much today. If there were any words of wisdom for me to leave for my children it would be to appreciate each moment and each occasion while they are there to enjoy. They just don't go on forever the way your heart wishes they would.

Christmas Eve Nativity with the cousins - 2002 & 2004

Post holiday lunch at Ruby's with the Crane's and Palmatiers - 2003

Thanksgiving Day with all of Melissa's extended family - 2004

Christmas Eve at Uncle Chuck and Aunt Kathy's house - 2004

Christmas dinner - Grandma & Grandpa Pete, Grandpa Ron, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Beth - 2004

Tiddlywinks with Grandpa Pete - Christmas 2005

Reading With Grandma Pete - Christmas 2005

Thanksgiving in New Mexico with Michelle and Shane - 2008

Gobble, Gobble

Grandpa was here for Thanksgiving dinner. Kelly did the awesome turkey and homemade stuffing that he does so well. Just before dinner we listened to President Monson's conference talk on gratitude. The story of the family who had hardly anything for Thanksgiving dinner sparked my husband's creativity, and we prepared ahead of time to have an oil lamp ready to use. After watching/listening to the talk, we lit the oil lamp and sat down to dinner. It was pretty dark as you can see...

We opted for a little light after a few minutes, but the girls got the message and point of being grateful for what we have. If you'd like to read this talk titled, The Divine Gift of Gratitude, you can find it here. If you would like to watch/listen, you can use the link here. The story is near the end, but the rest of his words are definitely worth the time.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We miss our extended family more than we can say and think of you fondly and with loads of love.

Special Persons Day

Grandpa Ron drove down to attend Special Persons Day at school. Grandpa Ron has been the only grandparent able to attend this event since Heather started Kindergarten. It is a special time, and the girls love that they have a grandpa they can have come to share the experience as they honor him as their very own "special person".

Heather and the cheerleaders open the festivities.

Jenna finishing up a special card for Grandpa.

Grandpa visiting Jenna's classroom.

Heather presenting Grandpa with her Special Person writing assignment.