Wonderful Christmastime Moments

1. Haydyn, Haydyn, Haydyn. I LOVE the sound of her sweet voice. She gets so excited driving past Christmas lights. "Wow!" she yells over and over as her finger points to all the lights.

2. It was like a Normal Rockwell painting. One by one we unwraped pieces of our Christmas village. "Ohhh, look at that one" someone would whisper. After the three small trees and village were all set up together I plugged in the lights. It was like magic to my kids. They were mesmerized by the tiny winter wonderland. It was a perfect Christmas moment.

3. Secret Santas (one in particular) finding ways to provide service for eachother. They do this to earn money to buy the gift they will be giving.

4. The kiddos singing "The Very Best Part of Christmastime."

5. Joyschoolers Caroling at my door. Of course mine was the cutest.

6. Brigham recieving an answer to his letter from Santa in the mail. A surprise to ALL of us. (I Believe!)

7. Feeling so completley overwhelmed by the generosity and love of family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.

Ahhhhh...alone at last.

Thanksgiving was great. We hung out at K & J's with Mom and Dad and T & M. It's so nice hanging with the fam. Especially when there is no drama. Buzz and I used to watch Christmas Vacation every year on Thanksgiving. We have now replaced that with The Polar Express (a little more family worthy). I love this tradition. Nana, Grandad, Aunts, Uncles, cousins. It reaches all of us and everyone likes it.

On Friday Todd was DYING to go camping. Me, not so much. We haven't been able to really go anywhere this year and it's taking it's tole. Anyway, he ended up taking the four older kids to Honeyville in Tom's Motor home. They went swimming in the hot springs pool, ate ramen, and watched movies. In the morning he took them to the aerospace museum. They had a great time (when Todd didn't want to bonk some heads together.)

So that means I was ALONE for 24 hours. Well, Haydyn was here of course. But she doesn't talk back or whine or fight with other kids. Yet. Also K&J and kids came over to do a service project. The project? Cleaning MY house. Oh how I love them. And felt a bit guilty for letting them come. But do you know how nice it is to have the whole main floor perfectly clean all at the same time? It just doesn't happen any more. And the best thing about it? NO ONE to mess it up until the next day. Ahhhhhhh.