Open Hearts

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, 

as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time;

the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, 

when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely,

and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, 

and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 

~Charles Dickens

3rd Day

We put all our Christmas decor up on Monday Night.

Now every time Sofia walks up the stairs.

She exclaims "ooohhh"

So beautiful.
She tells random people at the store,
that we have a Christmas tree.

Noah and her will lie underneath the tree

and stare up into the lights. 

She walks to each little thing and examines it closely.

Her favorites being of course the baby 

on each of our nativities.  

Every time we pass a house with lights,
she yells what colors and yells "It's Spark-a lee"

Noah tell us which are the really good ones.

2 days down

Kersten's family has a tradition that on the day after Thanksgiving

They rent a room at the Plaza hotel.

We eat yummy meats. cheese, crackers and eclairs.

Bundle up really warm.

And then walk around Temple Square

to see all the magical twinkling lights.

There are lots of dark pink, orange and blue mixed with green this year.

I was blessed to walk around with Noah.

His hand in mine.

A couple times he put his hands in my coat pockets for warmth.

He showed me which lights were his favorite.

His face lit up as he saw the temple. 

He marveled at the reflection pond where you can see 

the temple's reflection in the water.

With candles floating all around.

He loved blowing air out so you could see his breath.

And he gave me lots of hugs.

Even though we have done this every year of his life.

I think this year will be one he'll remember.

My boy has an amazing spirit and open heart.

Plus,  he saved his grandparents from a giant man-eating squid.

It was living in their bathtub at the hotel.

First Day of Christmas

I am going to do my best to post a little thought or funny thing every day during December. 
Either a fun story etc.  Just to help keep the Christmas spirit alive in my home and heart. 

A Countdown to Christmas and a New Year

Here is todays:

My favorite picture of Allie this year

My niece Allie came to her mother and said
"Mom, it sure is nice for Jesus to share his birthday with all of us.  We all get presents on his birthday.  What should we get him this year?  Can we make him a cake and take turns blowing out the candles?"

So our new plan is to make a cake on his birthday and decide what gifts we will give him this year.  They will be gifts like making good choices, reading our scriptures,  always saying our prayers.  I think we should put them in a box and open them the  next year on Christmas to see if we do them

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Turkey Day!

 I hope you have a fun filled day of lots of food

good friends, family and warm memories.

and I hope you all take the time to remember all we have to be thankful for

After all that is what this holiday is about.  

As we express our gratitude, 

we must never forget that the highest appreciation

is not to utter words, but to live by them. 

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Guess who lost his first tooth

He lost it on our way up to my family cabin on Friday night Nov 19 and he lost it in the store so we did not have it to put under his pillow.  He was not worried he

Dear Noah,
Congratulations on loosing your first tooth.  On my way to you  I got attacked by bad guys and lost in the snow so sorry it took me until you returned home
Love the Tooth Fairy

He was excited to share with his class monday during smile time.
He is getting so grown up.

Today is my BIrthday

It was a great day.  I got to go to the Brandon Flowers concert on Wednesday.   I saw Harry Potter on Thursday and we went to my family cabin for the weekend.  It was a great 34th birthday.  Noah teased me that I was really old.  I told him that I am the perfect age to be a mom.