Now on to Happy New Year!

It snowed and snowed yeterday. it stopped us from going to my sister's in Utah. Bummer. I have to check the weather to see if we can go today.

Yesterday was a great day. The kids were all happy. That made me happy. I was sooo happy. We got a new Popcorn Popper from my mom and microwave popcorn from Dan's mom. So happy. My sister, Margie, gave us scarves, hats, a shirt, a plastic carrot and some "coal" to make smowmen! I love it. Also, some Snow Art stuff. You paint the snow with it. The kids are excited to try it out. Dan's mom gave the kids a snow block maker and a snow ball maker. A form, I guess you would call it. The boys tried that out last night. They work really well. Kristin got a Jewelry Box and the movie "Tinker Bell". She also got a new Scripture Case. Tyler got a Calvin and Hobbes comic book and Legos. Brent got shirts, a soft sweatshirt, speaker wire, a flash drive and legos. Rebekah got a Journal, "Scripture Scouts: The Articles of Faith", A Princess hand held game thing, and some princess crayons. In her stocking she got some Campbell's soup that has Princess shaped noodles--Ariel, Cinderella, a castle, a shoe--She screamed!!!! It was so cute. I hope I got that one recorded. I got a Kitchen Aid mixer and Dan is getting his Baby Grand Piano fixed. We should get that next week on New Year's Eve. That is his Christmas, Birthday, Father's Day, Valentine's Day.... Hopefully, we will have kids starting piano lessons soon.
We had a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy and hash browns. Dan loved that! I took a 3 hour nap. We watched movies and just had a nice relaxing day. We are so grateful Dan has a job and that we are healthy and warm and happy and that we have each other. We hope all of you are happy and healthy as well. Now, let's move on to that Happy New Year!

Hurray for Tyler!

Australian Christmas Bush

Tyler had a two page type written report due yesterday and he did it! It was about Christmas in another country. He chose Australia. There had to be illustrations and everything. He did the research--I just helped here and there. He was so excited to have it done. Success! He had to find a Carol from that country. They have a Aussie version of "12 days of Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" Here is a little of "Jingle Bells"

Dashing through the bush

In a rusty Holden Ute

Kicking up the dust

Esky in the boot

Kelpie by my side

Singing Christmas songs

It's summer time and I am in

My singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Jingle all the way

Christmas in Australia

On a scorching summer's day

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Christmas time is beaut

Oh what fun it is to ride

In a rusty Holden Ute!

And on from there. I thought that was pretty fun. Santa comes on a Surf Board or Boat at the Beach. It is a busy day at the beach and with camping. It reminded me of what our Memorial Day is like (in California, I guess).

The week before the essay was due, he had to memorize the 50 states and capitals. I thought he was going to melt down right in front of my eyes, but he pulled through and got it done and then did a victory dance--which was running down the stairs to turn on the computer and play!

He started Webelos last week and loves that. We haven't worked on the requirements with Scouts, but he loves going and I like that he learns good stuff.

So, hurray for Tyler for getting the job done! Way to slam it!

Let It Snow

The first snowball has been thrown! The ground is covered and it is still snowing. It looks so pretty out there. I will put off thinking about driving in it until I enjoy it a little longer. Brent drove for the first time on Saturday. We purposely put him in Driver's Ed during snow season so that he could learn from the Professional. Thanks to my Hairdresser for the idea.

The dates were all fun last week. Friday night was Dan's work party. Dinner and a bit of dancing. We didn't win any door prizes, but Dan's brother won a Shop Vac and the table centerpiece. Lucky. It was great to get out on the dance floor again. We didn't last nearly as long as we used to at Stake Dances. That was hours of fun. It is always great to dance with my honey. I usually ask him what he wants to be when he grows up because I remember asking him that at a Stake Dance once. Back then he said, "Something with computers because that is the future."

Here are some snow pictures from last year. I believe this was the first Saturday in October. It snowed for hours and the kids had to go out and play in it. This is Kristin and Rebekah with the beginnings of a Snowman.

The Snowman got so big, that Dan had to go help them put it together. And who has time to dress warmly when your kids need you?

Those blue poles in the background are the trampoline poles. We don't use the net, but the poles let us know where the hole is. : )

Well, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas Season! We are eating our Gingerbread House before Christmas instead of after so it is more fresh--Dan made that request.

Who loved their Turkey?

I did! We BBQed and it took an hour and a half too long! So, the family was waiting over at Dan's parent's house while we waited at ours for the turkey. We finally took it out of the BBQ and put it in the oven at the parent's house. But, when it was cooked, boy was it good! Worth the wait.
We don't do the early morning shopping. We enjoy our sleep. Dan put up some drywall in the basement and the kids and I decorated for Christmas. That was great fun. I love Christmas Lights.
Now, it is back to the daily schedual. I am so happy for on-line shopping. I am almost done with my shopping because of it, and I only went into one store.
How about some dates this week? Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we have Christmas Parties or Meetings to go to. love that Christmas Season. This should make up for a few dates we missed over the last couple of months.
Have a great Christmas Season!