Christmas Was Good To Us!!

I know that most of you like us, had a crazy and fun Christmas. That's why you haven't been blogging. Too busy enjoying the time.

We had an enjoyable Christmas. Luckily Mike had from Sunday to Friday off from work, so we were able to enjoy a lot of time together. On Christmas Eve we went around to look at the lights, then came home and had Hot Cocoa and watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert on PBS. Owen was pretty cute. When we looked at lights he said "wow" a lot. It was pretty cute. Then he was so excited to open his Christmas PJ's. What a cutie.

On Christmas we got up and Owen had to come into our room until we were ready to go downstairs. He was ok with that because it just seemed like any other day to him. When we got ready to go downstairs I said "Let's go see what Santa brought!" He got so excited as he headed to the door. When he was halfway down the stairs he could see his new "bike." He had a lot of fun opening his gifts, and ours, and playing with all his new toys. Thanks so much to Grandma and Grandpa for the new rocking horse, to Micah for the Dr.'s kit, to Grandma and Grandpa Pierson for the train, and to Treyson for the puzzles. Owen hasn't touched his old toys for a couple of days. On Christmas it was 58 degrees outside and so we were able to let Owen go outside on his bike. Finally a couple of days later he's learned how to pedal. By summertime he'll be a pro. We also were able to have the Missionaries over for dinner and enjoyed having their company. The day went by so fast and its a little sad that its over. Oh well, time to get ready for next year!

Hope you all had a super Christmas.

Love Ra

Christmas Tag (warning- not for the "believers")

I've been tagged by my sister, and it looked pretty fun. Here goes

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Definitely Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane!
Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree?
Why of course he wraps them, I even got a banana chair wrapped once.
Colored lights on tree or white?
White, and a lot. I mean a lot. Our tree has probably close to 1500 on it.
When do you put your decorations up?
About Thanksgiving, but sometimes earlier. Mike and I really love Christmas so our decorations usually are put up any time in November. I still haven't put them out before the stores though.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
I love Turkey. I would have it many times a year if you could find it and for cheap.
Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I think the year that Jeff was gone on his mission and we sent him a holiday tape of us singing. I will never, ever, forget that. Jeff, if you still have that, I would love a copy. Just for the sake of listening to it one more time. I won't ever forget dad singing the line of "5 golden rings."
Also, the time that we did the 12 days of Christmas. I always hid behind the tree while Jeff or one of the older sibling ran the Christmas gifts, but I will never, ever forget that feeling. I keep thinking about doing it each year, but usually on the 20th of December.
Oh, and the year Steph and I sat in the back of my parents car and sang along to the music as we went to see the lights on Christmas Eve. Walking in a Winter Wonderland... Walking in a Winter Wonderland. You can sing that line over and over for a very long time.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think I was a late bloomer, but I don't exactly remember when. I just remember always fighting with the kids in elementary school. I just knew Santa was real.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yep. We do Christmas PJ's at my house and open them on Christmas Eve and wear them to bed. Fun!
How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
We collect Christmas Ornaments everywhere we go. It's a variety of ornaments. Some from when we were kids, a lot from the places we've been, and also it's a tradition of ours to get each other a Christmas ornament each year. This year we've collected ornaments from Niagara Falls, from D.C. and because it's been all about Elmo for Owen this year, there is an Elmo ornament also.
Snow! Love it or Dread it? I would Love it, however Virginia doesn't get that much, and hardly ever before Christmas. We're supposed to get a few flakes tonight, but it won't even make it to the ground. It will probably be middle of January before we really see an accumulation, but it hardly ever lasts more than a few days.
Can you ice skate? Sort of... I've only been a couple of times, but I think I did pretty well.
Do you remember your favorite gift? Some of my favorite was the doll cradle dad built, my doll diaper bag, my Samantha doll. All when I was young. Since I've been married, I really appreciate my Scriptures with my name on it.
What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being able to talk to my family. Also seeing the joy on everyones face when they open the unexpected presents. I also love thinking about Christmas's past.
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
I think I really love Ho Ho Ho cake. Although I haven't had it for awhile. That reminds me. maybe I should find the recipe.
What is your favorite tradition?
I think all the ones I've done with my husband, and the ones I've continued from my childhood. I really like the Christmas Advent calendars, stories, our collection of ornaments, Christmas PJ's, going to see the Christmas lights. And recently all of the Christmas parties. We had one this year, and maybe we might continue that tradition.
Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? Most of the time giving, unless its not a surprise. I love seeing the look on my husbands face when its unexpected. I also love looking at Owen when he opens a gift he really wants. Oh what fun.
What is your favorite Christmas Song?
My favorite song is from Michael McLean's forgotten carols. I think its called "Arise." It's #11 on the CD if you have it. I listen to it all year round. Not to Christmasy, but really a reminder about Christs birth and his mission.
Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
I like candy canes. Especially in Hot Chocolate. But I don't really like to eat the cheap ones unless they're in my Hot Chocolate.
Ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so... I've probably thought about it, but got rid of it by way of the trash. Or Salvation Army.
Tag Time....
I tag Sandi, Becky, Becca, Grandma B., and Bryan.

How has the economy affected you?

Well, it has finally hit us, in a profound way. I knew it would some time, but I was hoping that we could some how come through it without any damage. Michael still has his job, so for that we are thankful. However, we've received a bit of bad news. No overtime allowed anymore. Michael usually goes to work early as encouraged by his boss, but that will soon be a thing of the past. We found out, he cannot work anything over his scheduled 12 hours. If he goes to work early, that's his time, and he won't be paid. All the classes he used to take on his days off will now have to be scheduled for during work. He may occasionally get some overtime by others requesting it, but none of this volunteering to work anymore. This is going to be really strange. Ever since Michael has started working, he has at least gotten 15 hours of overtime per pay period. Now he will only get 4 hours of overtime per pay period. (Because he's scheduled for that much.) Wow what a change this will be. Of course I'm still very happy he has a job, it has definitely got me thinking what we can do to scale back our bills and everything. I thought we have done pretty well on that aspect, but there needs to be more done, or we're going to be in trouble. Oh lets hope that things will get better. So, what kinds of things have you all done to cut back? Any tips or tricks?
I can't help but think this might be a good thing though. I'm looking forward to a little more time with my husband home. Plus it might help us to be a little more thrifty, and more cautious with our money. That's probably a lesson we've needed to learn a long time ago. Anyway, thanks so much for your comments. I would love to hear all you've done.

Busy, Busy!

As everyone else, our Christmas season has been filled with the endlessness of being busy. This last weekend we had our ward Christmas party. I volunteered to make all of the rolls, which turned out pretty good, but it kept my pretty busy for 3 days. The party was a success though. We had a great meal, a short program, an activity for the primary children, and of course Santa Clause. Owen didn't like that part at all! Santa came in the door with a Ho, Ho, Ho, and from that point forward, until he left the building, Owen clung on to me, put his head in my shirt and cried. He may not weigh as much as he once did, but after awhile he sure gets heavy. Oh my gosh! It was kind of funny. Then on this last Monday we had a cookie exchange at our house. It was a lot of fun. There were kids everywhere. We made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate, and then thumbprints to share. It was a lot of fun. We sure tired at the end of the day, and my stomach felt a little queasy from all the sugar, but it was a lot of fun . Now I'm busy getting ready for the next couple of weeks in primary. Staffing changes, Christmas gifts and the upcoming year. Crazy time. I think I'd rather be busy than not though. Anyway, I hope all of you are having a great Christmas season. We love you and are thinking of you.

It's still a girl!

People have been asking if we're sure its a girl. Well, we had another ultrasound on tuesday, and yes we're sure. Still a girl. We've also given into the pink at the stores. Here are a couple of the things I've bought.

The generosity of a stranger

Today I went to the grocery store to get a few things. Just as we went up to the check out line another couple came too. We both waited for each other to get in line, not trying to shove. The other couple just kindly said, "you're here with a little one, please go first." Owen was being good, but I said Thank you and began to unload my items. Owen struck up a conversation with them as we were waiting. They asked Owen if he liked shopping. I was still unloading my things when I turned around to see a dollar in Owen's hand. Of course I immediately took it and gave it back. The older couple wouldn't take it. Owen took it again to only try and give it back just like mommy had. I had no choice but to accept in the end and say thank you. So here's to the generous couple in the grocery store. Thanks so much for being kind... Just because... It's nice to witness that every once in awhile and be reminded to be kind to others also. Thanks

The Tale of the Christmas Tree

This previous Sunday we began decorating our Christmas tree. We got it up, got all the lights and had just finished putting on all the ornaments. We decided to put the train underneath. Mike crawled underneath to put the track together when we heard a loud crack. The tree started to tip towards me. Mike and I both grabbed for it and caught it before it could fall. We had to take all of the ornaments down and lay the tree flat on the ground. The stand couldn't be saved, and we thought we were going to have to buy a new "fake" tree. Luckily, after some hunting, we were able to find an artificial tree stand at Lowes. Once again, the tree looks beautiful. What an adventure.