New Years Eve...Say hi to 2017!

After Cal's baptism, we headed to Grandma Di & Grandpa Scott's to spend some time with them before we left.  We had a great time hanging out, watching the kids play and talking.  We got back to the Ryerses just in time for some snack foods (traditional Ryerse 7-layer dip, bean chip dip, little smokies, fruit and pop), and we played some games.  One of the games that was a hit was "Beanboozled", which Em picked out.  We bought the jar of jelly beans and there are two jelly beans of each flavor that look the same - but one is good and the other gross.  For example, coconut or rotten milk, blue raspberry or toothpaste.  You have to guess before you try if you think it will be good or gross.  We had some pretty funny reactions.  It seemed Sawyer liked them all, haha!  Then we did our fireworks portion.  We bought a bunch at Costco, and Dave loved lighting them off, like always.  It was a good show!  Then we warmed back up inside, the kids made up some shows, we watched the ball drop (at 10 p.m., midnight ET), and made a bunch of noise with party poppers, confetti guns, and noise makers!  Whoohoo!  It was a fun night.  

It's been a great year; we are so blessed as a family!  So fun to look back on memories made and think of good things to come in the upcoming year!

This year for my resolution, besides the daily/weekly/monthly goals I make for myself, I was thinking about how overall, I need to just be more happy!  I love how little ones can find happiness in the simplest things. And it is contagetous! Lately in the nitty and gritty of every day life, I've not been as happy as I could be...so serious! And so I decided on trying my best to just be a little more happy each day. Even in the mundane moments and while children argue and during the long homework sessions and while staring at the floor that never stays clean more than a few minutes. "Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." Mother Teresa. Here's to keeping it light, smiles, fun, humor and just being happy. Because it's contageous, even in "those" moments. 

Callahan's Baptism

Cal chose to follow the example of our Savior and get baptized and confirmed with the gift of the Holy Ghost.  He was baptized on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the “A Frame” Church in Bountiful.  This was where Daddy was baptized about 25 years ago, and Cal was excited to do it there.  We thought it would be nice to do his baptism while we were down visiting for Christmas since most of the family is in the area. We've been talking about baptism for a long while and have had special family councils with just Cal, and Family Home evenings on baptism to help him prepare.  But he made up a long time ago this is what he wanted to do. He knew it was the right thing and the way to follow Jesus.  

It was a beautiful winter day, snowing lightly and everything looked white, clean and fresh.  We arrived early and Cal was so excited!  He’s been looking forward to this day for a long time.  We took some pictures, greeted family, and then the service began.  He shared his baptism with another little boy from Grandma & Grandpa’s ward, Cooper.  The ward mission leader spoke a bit, then Cooper’s big brother gave a sweet talk about baptism and likened it to riding a bike.  Then Aunt Amy played the violin and Grandma Di played the piano to “Jesus Once Was a Little Child”, Cal’s favorite Primary song.  It was so perfect! Cal was beaming on the front row during this and the talks.  Then Uncle Jeff talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That’s the first person Cal thought of when we were asking him who he wanted on the program.  Jeff did a great job explaining the Holy Ghost – who He is, how He works and what He does in a simple way for the kids and adults.  Then Cooper got baptized first, and Callahan went after him.  Daddy baptized Cal.  The water was warm and Callahan had a big grin on his face after he was lifted out of the water.  The witnesses were Grandpa Scott & Grandpa Dan.  Then the family of the other boy played songs on the piano/violin and cello while the boys were getting ready.  It was beautiful!  The Spirit was so present during the ordinances and service.  Then it was time for Cal to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  In the circle was both Grandpas, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Randy, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Brian, Uncle Todd, Uncle Kolby, Uncle Mark, and Brother Driggs.  Cal thought it was cool so many were able to place their hands on his head and help bless him with this gift.  We talked after about how blessed he is to have many examples around him.  He was blessed with the gift of the Spirit.  Then Daddy blessed him with some other things.  Cal was blessed that he’d remember his baptism day and it would be like an anchor to him.  He was blessed that the energy and enthusiasm he has would be used for good.  He was blessed that because of Cal’s obedience it would be said and known that he keeps the Gospel well.  That he’d figure out his mission in life and his body and spirit would be able to support him in that.  He was blessed to be prepared to receive the Priesthood someday and hold it worthily.  After that, we sang a closing song (I led and Grandma Di played) and the member of the Bishopric talked about what a special day it truly was and how strongly he felt the spirit.  The closing prayer was said by Uncle Jerry and then there were hugs all around, and Cal got some nice gifts, too.  We took a few more pictures after that. 

Those who attended Cal’s baptism were: Grandma Sue & Grandpa Dan, Uncle Jeff & Aunt Shirley, Uncle Randy, Uncle Jerry & Aunt Stacy & cousins Tayla, Kaison, Brody, and Sawyer, Uncle Brian, Aunt Julie & Uncle Todd, Grandpa Scott & Grandma Di, Uncle Kolby & Aunt Amy & cousin Boji, Uncle Mark & Aunt Mayela & cousin Amber, Great Grammie and Great Uncle Dave Stoddard. 

Then we went to Chuck-A-Rama for lunch.  This was Cal’s choice…he loves the slushies and pizza and fries.  Haha, a boy’s dream!  We thought it would be good than everyone can get what they want and it was just easy.  It was fun to be with everyone and catch up and be with our family all together one last day. 

When we asked Cal right after what he felt, he said “I felt good!” with the largest grin on his face.  We talked about how everything that feels good and right is from Christ and that’s the Holy Ghost telling him he made the right choice.  We are so proud of Callahan!  He’s such a sweet and Christ-like kid.  He has a very tender heart and is sensitive to other’s feelings.  He has a connection with Heaven, and you can tell it when he prays.  He is so sincere and specific in his prayers.  He teaches us so much already and is in tune with the Spirit and sensitive to it’s whisperings and feelings already.  He is obedient to us and God.  He’s going to do amazing things in his life and we’re thankful he’s taken that step on the road back!  

Our Christmas 2016 - Light the World

“I am the Light of the World”/”Ye are the light of the world”.  This year, our Christmas was all about light.  The Light of Christ, the light we could share with others through the season and the whole year hopefully. I'm thankful for the light that the Savior has brought to my life and how I've seen it in others lives as well!  

We set up our Christmas decorations the day after Christmas.  We got some new lights for the outside of our house that everyone loved.  They are laser lights and are super easy to put up and it made our whole house light up!  The kids were so happy to pull out the decorations.  They loved remembering, setting up nativities, reading Christmas books, and they had a contest to decorate their rooms festively. 

We started doing the “Light The World” countdown calendar that was on Mormon.org.  Each day highlighted a way that the Savior is a light, and ideas of ways we could be lights also like He is.  So we cut out the squares from the calendar and placed them by our Christmas tree on a garland with lights with clothespins.  Each day was an act of service, or learning more about Christ, or a way to become closer to our families or God.  We watched the videos (most days) associated with the theme for the day.  We adapted some to work better for the kids.  Each day when we did one of the suggested activities, we would place it in a little box I wrapped under our tree.  Those were our gifts of Jesus and our way to show our gratitude for all he’s done for us.  The kids were excited about all of the activities we were able to do.  I was thankful for the opportunity to focus on what really mattered most about Christmas.  And I realized that most of the time service and coming closer to the Lord isn’t hard or time consuming, it’s the simple things we do that really matter. 

The kids were also happy to get out Christmas t-shirts and clothes to wear.  Lucy has one that says “Santa Loves Me” but the first time she wore it for the season, she said “This shirt should really say ‘Jesus loves me’ because that’s more true!”  I thought it was sweet!  Cal was excited about his Elf shirt that says “Son of a Nutcracker” and asked to wear it often, Cov loved his Santa shirt and Emma had a Grinch shirt (which is not saying she’s a Grinch, we just love that book). 

I decorated a pretty tree for our living room that matched the décor in it.  It was black, gold & turquoise.  We got some new ribbon and ornaments.  I made a pennant that said “JOY”, which is what Christmas is.  Christ is joy.  I spray painted and glittered some cheap ornaments I got.  I printed out some names of Christ, laminated them and tied bakers twine around them.  I sewed a tree skirt that was burlap and matched the fabric on some of our pillows in our living room.  I love it!  We are going to do another tree next year with all of our other mis-matched ornaments, but this year, we ended up putting them on the backside of the tree, which Emma said was tacky, and it probably was.  But we got the best of both world.  Next year, we’ll get another tree.  Jazzy loved the tree and the ornaments and swatting them around and chewing on the ribbon.  Silly cat!  She also sat right on the same spot under the tree all of the time.  If it wasn’t her, Cov loved taking off the ornaments and playing with them.  He only broke a few, so we tried to super glue and resurrect them and it mostly worked.  One night, as I was making dinner I heard “Goodbye, Christmas tree!” and then a loud crash.  As I rushed in to see what happened (though I knew) I saw Cov looking sheepishly at me.  Oh man, that boy was in trouble!  If that would’ve been it, I wouldn’t have been so mad.  But this came just after he went to the bathroom in the heater vent right next to the toilet, and after he made bird sculptures out of the butter we were going to use to make cookies.  This boy, three is so hard sometimes!  He’s really helping me develop patience right now because some days like that day, I feel like I have none.  I posted it on Facebook and Instagram and so many liked it and appreciated that I shared about the hard and frustrating times, which was quite funny to most, and funny to me a few days later, but so relatable.  Wouldn’t be Christmastime without a disaster or two, haha!  Ironically, one of two ornaments that was broken was his baby one.  The other was one of our gold ones we had tons of.  Karma! 

The kids were excited to write their Christmas letters to Santa and also go visit him!  Cov was not feeling well for a couple of weeks so he decided not to go sit on his lap because "I don't want to get Santa sick!" he said.  He was kind of bummed.  But it was thoughtful of him to think of Santa.  Lucy loved visiting with Santa and Mrs. Clause, and Cal wanted to as well!  Emma said she'd sit out with Cov so he didn't feel bad. These kids are working themselves onto the Nice list!  At least Cov and Em got to enjoy the yummy cookies and cider!

We had Christmas concerts for the kids.  Cal & Lucy’s grades performed together, along with the first graders.  Lucy especially was excited to get all dressed up.  Cal's favorite song was "Everlasting Fruit Cake" and Lucy liked "Snowpants" best.  Emma made her debut in her first band concert.  They played three Christmas songs with the sixth grade band, and they sounded great!  They also got to be in the chorus for the play, which called "Christmas in the West", an old western Christmas comedy. The sixth graders act in it and the 5th graders sing all of the songs.  Em really enjoyed that and is looking forward to doing the acting next year.  We also had our concert for the Prairie Symphonette.  For being such a small town, we have a lot of participation and talent here.  I've loved playing my flute and piccolo with them.  We played some great music.  I enjoyed performing "Christmas Around the World", "Christmas at the Movies" and "Nutcracker", of course.  The day after, our conductor texted me and told me how much positive feedback he got on my playing.  That made me feel good!  Can't wait to keep playing with the group!

I made some Christmas crafts, which was fun.  Some I did on my own and some at our Relief Society activity.  The activity was great!  We had a lunch, a small program, made these wood signs (I loved how everyone’s turned out so different), bath salts, and a candle holder.  And we had a cookie exchange and I made my mom’s candy cane cookies.  And we got some personalized wooden spoons.  I made a new snow globe (our nativity for this year), a Christmas pillow and a pom pom garland, too.  I love crafting for Christmas, makes me happy!  

We had fun putting together gifts.  For Dave's admin team (all women here), we did tropical lotions with a note that said "I wanted to send you to Hawaii to thank you for all you do, but since my budget wouldn't allow for it, hope this will do!  Mele Kelikemaka!" and we did life saver books for all of the other employees that said "You're a real life saver!  Thank you!"  For the kids teachers, we did soaps with ornaments the kids made.  For the cousins, we made sleeping bags for their stuffed animals and the kids picked out a beanie boo for each of the cousins.  I never got a picture before, but the kids helped sew them and design them and they were so excited about it and the cousins loved them!  We also made a snow globe for Mark & Mayela, since we had them this year, and it turned out way cool but it started leaking bad and we couldn't fix it so we didn't end up giving that to them.  

Cov loved all of the mommy preschools on Christmas themes.  He especially loved the Santa mask we made and this reindeer, he played with it so much!

Emma and I were invited and able to go Christmas caroling with the Cole family, the local music teacher Matt Goettle, some high school seniors/kids returning from college for the season and a few others.  We visited shut-ins and elderly and some other families we knew could use some holiday cheer.  It was so fun!  I haven’t gone caroling like that in years and even though I had been sick, it was just what I needed.  I love how the spirit of music lifts and gladdens hearts.

We had our annual Christmas concert at the Nursing Home.  The Coles and Anderburg’s helped us out.  The kids played the piano and sang, Ivy played her violin, we sang songs together, and I played the flute and a duet of “Sleigh Ride” with Sherie.  Then we took around snowman cupcakes to the residents and visited with them.   They also gave us a plate of goodies and a card.  We are planning on going in more in the new year to do activities to these amazing people. We always love this tradition and I'm glad the kids are warming up and getting more used to the "really old grandma's and grandpas".  I never take pictures though, but I really should.  

We took around our neighbor gifts, we made lots of these cupcakes for our neighbors, who thought they were so cute.  We had fun making them.  They were supposed to be caramellow cupcakes, but both batches of the caramel I made for the filling to put inside didn’t turn out…arggh!  So they became chocomallow cupcakes and were fun to make.  Minus the caramel part, crappy recipe.  The kids had fun helping, Cov did most of it with me while the kids were in school. 

We made some other fun snacks and food during the holiday.  Here are a few of our favorites.  

Our gingerbread house was fun.  The kids brainstormed, but Lucy's idea to make a gingerbread house where people are helping each other and "lighting the world" came out on top.  The kids had the gummy characters helping one another - penguins helping each other up who slipped on the ice, a neighbor shoveling snow for another, a snowman bringing a plate of goodies to someone.  Lucy also wrote "Jesus" in big green letters on the side.  It was sweet in more ways than one!

We went to Williston one weekend to go shopping, swim at the hotel and see the drive through lights.  They were impressive and the kids loved them!  

The kids had a little party where they could each invite a couple of friends over.  We took some Christmas pictures, decorated giant gingerbread cookies, played a jingle bell toss game and roll a reindeer, and made little care packages for the homeless.  Lucy had Halle and Kaila over, Cal had Carter (his other friend couldn't make it), and Emma had Joy & Anna (twins) and Leah for the occasion. These kids are so funny and enjoyed it!

We tried to really focus in on Jesus being the Light and reason for Christmas and every day.  One night for family night, talked all about the birth of Jesus and did some activities.  We sang "The Nativity Song" from the children's songbook and gave each person a verse to do the artwork for that verse.  Then we put them together and this is what we came up with.  I think they really felt the Spirit that night. 

The kids were so happy to have Christmas break from school!  The day they were out before we left, we finished up cleaning and packing, and exchanged gifts.  The kids each draw names and were so excited to make gifts for each other.  Cov got felt Paw Patrol puppets that Cal (and I helped) made and loved them!  Lucy got a princess gumball machine Emma bought and a bracelet she made that matched her Christmas dress perfectly.  Cal got a tic tac toe set that Lucy made with care.  And Emma got a water color paint set and artist pad that Cov decorated with foam shapes.  Dave & I got the kids their matching jammies, new Christmas church clothes, a new nativity which was a snow globe I made, and a new book – the Polar Express.  They also opened a few more presents so we’d have less to haul back.  It was so fun to see how excited they were about what they gave instead of what they were getting.  Though Lucy kept exclaiming how much she loved Christmas because of opening the presents and how she couldn’t wait, hehe!

We left on the day before Christmas Eve to head home.  Really, there’s no place like home for the holidays.  We love traveling home to be with loved ones!  We had great weather the first day of travel.  We read Christmas books and did lots of Christmas mad libs and watched Muppet Christmas Carol on the way down.  We stayed in Bozeman for the night.  Christmas Eve we woke up early and excited, ate breakfast at the hotel and got on the road.  We were so happy to arrive in Utah!  It started snowing in the late afternoon and looked so Christmas-ey.  We played a game where I asked kids to find “Christmas Card scenes”.  They liked that.  We were glad to get to Bountiful!  We said hello, dropped off our stuff, and headed to Ogden for Aunt Lois & Uncle Keith’s.  My parents were at Amy & Kolby’s for Christmas.  So it was Keith & Lois, Randy & Ryan, Grammie, Lew & Jo’s family, Christie & Rex, Jessie & Adam & Mark & Mayela.  We caught up a bit, had a ham dinner, and then a program.  Our family did “chin puppets” where we put googly eyes and hair and other props on our chins, covered everything but our chins up and sang some songs.  It was pretty funny.  Dave was the DJ ad Cov and Cal decided last minute they didn’t want to do it.  We had some great stories, played games, some shared other talents, and we played a game with white elephant gifts.  It was great to see our family and be with them!  Then we went over to the Ryerses for Brian’s birthday bash.  The cousins were so happy to be reunited!  We did the piñata, which was a Finding Dory one this time, and was pretty weak.  The kids all loved it and it was hilarious because Cov meant business and knew just what to do and was very precise and hit hard.  We pretty much broke it after each of the kids went once but we let Brian finish it off.  We then sang to him and ate ice cream cake and spice cupcakes.  Then, the cousins headed off and we put the kids to bed.  They were pretty tired, though excited and it was Emma who was asleep first.  They wanted to leave the blinds open so they could hunt for Santa.  Then Dave, Brian, Randy, Ryan (Brian’s best friend) and I went off for our Christmas Eve slurpees and to Walgreens for a few last minute items.  It’s always a fun thing to do.  Then we watched midnight mass and talked until I fell asleep.  Dave put me to bed. 

Christmas Day was perfect!  We woke up to a new foot or so of snow on the ground, truly a beautiful white Christmas! The kids woke up around 8 – which was late for them on Christmas or any day, so that was nice.  We lined them up on the couch, youngest to oldest like we always do to check and see if Santa had found us.  We did, and the kids were so delighted to find what Santa brought!  Cov’s main present was a Bob the Builder remote control dump truck.  It was big and fun and he loves it!  Lucy got a “red sparkly dress with diamonds” and a pink scooter.  She was so happy, but wondering if she’s get the Monster High doll she’d asked for.  I reminded her there were other people who were giving her presents and so maybe Santa knew someone else would get her that and didn’t want to bring her another.  Callahan got a smart watch, which is on all of the time!  He loves playing the games, using the calculator and running around and exercising.  He also got a Zombie Nerf strike gun.  Emma got a MC3 doll, which is a Barbie basically with science experiment with it and an MP3 player with headphones.  They were all so excited and thankful!  They also enjoyed their stocking stuffers - the Pez dispensers, giant suckers and more.  After we quickly scanned through the presents and tried them out a bit, it was time to get ready for church.  We went to the Bountiful 37th ward, which met with the other ward at 10 a.m.  It was such a nice program!  There was a little bit of speaking, but most of it was music.  The choir was so beautiful!  The Hymn "Once in Royal David's City" really hit me, we don't sing that very much.  I'm thankful Jesus came the way He did, He lived the way He did and He died the way he did, so that I can someday go to the place where He is!  I love Him and testify that he was born, lived on earth, died and was resurrected for us and lives again to bless us and help us and bring us home!

2. He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And his shelter was a stable,

And his cradle was a stall;

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Savior holy.

3. And our eyes at last shall see him,

Through his own redeeming love;

For that child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heav’n above,

And he leads his children on

To the place where he is gone.

 Many of the other churches got cancelled, but I'm glad we got to go.  It was so Spirit filled!  After church, we made breakfast for lunch and made a yummy baked french toast and ham and sausage, potato and egg casseroles.  The other family got there and so we started more fun.  Stacy put together a game "Would you rather... Christmas edition".  It was pretty funny to see what others said and to guess what others would say!  We had lots of giggles, adults and kids alike!

The rest of the Christmas break down in Utah (we stayed for a full week after Christmas) was so great!  We had lots of family time.  We spent Monday hanging out, watching football, shopping, and went on an FHE excursion to the new Cabela's and went to get some food and walk around at Farmington Station.  I didn't take any pictures, but it was such a fun night!  

Tuesday, my parents were back and we had our Christmas party with them.  First we opened presents and gave them the presents from us.  The kids were so excited and loved what they got and gave!  Then, my mom and I planned a little Elf party (she did most of it though) and it was such a riot!  First, we got our Elf names.  Grandma looked up an elf name generator and gave us all name tags with our names for the day.  Then we decorated elf hats she sewed.  They all turned out pretty fun!  We ate lunch next in our new elf swag.  We had spaghetti with sprinkles and maple syrup.  The kids loved that of course, and I'm waiting for them to ask to include sprinkles and syrup in more of our main dish meals.  After that, it was off to Gardner Village to go on an Elf hunt there.  We've gone so many times during Halloween, but never Christmas so it was really fun.  And it was super quiet, not many there at all so it was nice.  After that, we played a game with gum, played a snowball throwing game, did some elf costume designing, played a whisper game, did some snowflakes and finished the night off with a delicious fondue dinner.  It was such a happy day!

 

                                                         

We also got together with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Rich & their kids (except Josiah, who was sick) and had fajitas and Mexican food and then played games.  So great seeing them again and catching up!  We had cousin sleepovers, which were a blast for them.  We took the boys one night and the girls went with Jerry & Stacy.  The boys had a blast!  I took them to Dollar Tree and we got ninja swords, stuff to make boy crafts (like pom pom shooters), boy snacks and other fun activities.  We had some sick kids for some of the days, but were able to get together with some friends, too.  I was able to attend the temple with some friends I had met previously through college and this @bofm365 group I follow on Instagram.  It was so nice, I love the House of the Lord!  And we went to lunch at the temple cafeteria after to catch up/ a few I met for the first time.  We also got together with a few high school friends of mine (some weren't able to come home for the holidays), so that's always fun.  We had breakfast at Stacie & Curtis's home and it was great catching up!  We had a few other plans but had to cancel them due to sick children.  Good times!

What a wonderful Christmas full of light & joy...the light from Christ and others who radiate His light.  May we keep that light bright all year long!