Christmas with our Little Family

Christmas Eve

Boondocks-
Mat and I lucked out and popped in some tokens on a game that never ends-(the snowmobile game: located in the right front corner of the fun park.) We also played laser tag as a family. I like to think I'm way stealthier than I am and I always get a tad disappointed and surprised in my performance. It doesn't help when Micah stands right behind you and keeps shooting like a pesky insect that won't leave you alone.




-Indian Food (Becket has brains in his hands not good quality Indian food. I didn't want you to be fooled)
-Christmas Eve program with Glen and Pam at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-the candle lighting was spectacular.
-Retiring on the couch to try and catch Santa.






Christmas Day

In my opinion, the best thing about Christmas Day is lounging around the house tinkering with new stuff, trying to figure out how it works. Endless. Oh! And, just the pure excitement in the kids to get us up and get going.






We also saw the movie Frozen and headed up to Honeyville to swim in the hot springs.  We had the whole place to ourselves and the steam gave off this erie coolness.

Birthday and Family Party

The gals took me to the Blue Plate Diner for a birthday breakfast.



Later on we partied! Mat was coming back from St. George from having to work, so I was so excited when he was able to walk in the door, making the party complete.












The Christmas Party always has a talent show planned for anyone willing to share....

Mat rocked the First Noel



Good times. Good food. Too much food. Good family.

The next day, I unfortunately ended up with the flu.  I was hoping for a 24hr bug, but I was lucky enough to have it last an extra 4 days. Definitely the flu. Glad it is gone, and no one else has had it. A Christmas miracle.

Joseph Experiences Sledding

When Paul and Susie traveled to Ethiopia to adopt Abbie and Lincoln, they met Berhane, who was teaching a Relief Society lesson at the local church. Berhane and the Augenstein family had an instant connection and have ever since been family. Since then, Berhane married Joseph. Together they have worked hard for our church in Africa and have recently had the opportunity to study in America. This is Joseph's first time sledding.



Later that night the kids crashed at grandma's house and I had to laugh at the uncomfortable night Becket was going to have trying to sleep.

Christmas in 1:43

The silent pause in the middle of the video was us getting ready for our nerf gun attack on each other per my brother Casey's instructions.

King Size Bed

Merry Christmas Eve! Enjoy the Spirit and your Family.

It's Christmas Movie TIme

Pop the Popcorn
Get your Pj's on
Get  your animals comfy
And push play
Action

Say Nicer Words!

Micah has always been one to always give me sweet little notes and tape them to my wall by my nightstand at night. It makes me smile and her notes are all about, "I love you mom." "Want to play with me tomorrow?" or "You are the best!" and it is always signed "love, Micah" Brings a smile doesn't it?



Well, apparently I ticked her off when I told her to go to bed for the 3rd time THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT and she wasn't happy. She actually startled me the way she came from behind sneaking up on me in the kitchen, which made it even worse.  Disclaimer: At night, parents sometimes want to watch their British shows. The Brits get away with a lot more on TV than Americans do. I don't know what they're going to throw out there and so I get a little mad when the kids come down because I can't screen them from it, especially if I've told them several time to rest their weary eyeballs. Anyway, she went upstairs crying because she couldn't get an elastic for Ears hair (her stuffed dog) and wrote me this little note.



Let this serve as a reminder to us all to use nicer words.



Yes, I did make her cry tears. Did I feel like crying when I first read it? Uh, yeah. But she can be a tad dramatic and persuasive for a first grader---AND should she have been in bed? Yes. And now this note is funny and will serve as a reminder to use nicer words! Thank you for your teachable moment Love, Nicer Words, Micah. Let us all use nicer words. Looks like you got an elasti for Ears ears after all.

Most Awesome Idea for Christmas Gift

Our secretary, Amee, dropped by to give us a family gift. Check it!



Say what?! It's a Cold Stone Par-tay! She had ice cream, frozen berries and cookie dough, which I put in the freezer, but look at all the details. Marble slab, scooper, sundae bowls, waffle bowls. Even cute little tags on the baggies.



She brought it in a cute drawer she refinished too. Yes, we're keeping her!

Teacher Gift

I had my kids make their teacher a gift to say thanks.  I screen printed something about that teacher onto a flour sack towel and had the kids cross stitch around the design.

Becket's teacher-duck dynasty
Gretchen's teacher- rock climbing
Micah's teacher- Boston

They weren't perfect, but I think that's what makes it even better.

Christmas Mix 2013

It's been our tradition since we were Napster lovin', bandwidth hoggin' bootleggers at SUU to compile the best (IOHO) new and alternative Christmas songs. We used to spend days burning them to CD's, making sleeves and mailing them out, at great expense. Well, since we don't own a CD player anymore, except in our cars (which we have yet to use) we will henceforth distribute said playlist by digital download. It can be downloaded by right clicking on this link and choosing "Save Link As" or however that works on your particular computer. It is a .zip file with 23 tracks in some particular order.  We hope you enjoy it.

PS- If you missed last year's mix, it can be downloaded here. The songs are nearly as fresh and always satisfying.

Dear Deer

For a straight two weeks now my house has been the hub for scoping out deer on the nearby mountain. I think next year I'll make them daily refreshments in exchange for some yard work. There's one in that truck now!

Little recipe for Christmas happiness

ingredients:

gingerbread
royal icing
old Halloween candy
Elf the movie

Happy quoting Harrises with gingerbread wafting. I'm home Santa.





Eat one. Place one. Eat one. Place one.  Eat one. Place one.  Eat one. Place one.  Eat one. Place one.













Cheers!

My Personal Body Guard

Becket decided after the primary program that he needed some sunglasses to be a bodyguard.  He's awesome.

Lists

I love that my daughter loves lists just as much as I do! Now on to my lists.

Thanks

We had a quiet Thanksgiving with family.  I was so happy my mom, brother and his wife, and aunt and cousin could come.  We laughed. We ate. We played. And, we caught up.  Thanks for a memorable feast.







The traditional Dixie Salad Preparations