Santa Myths

James is a thinker. An analyzer, really. Two years ago, when Elizabeth expressed with excitement that she couldn't wait to see Santa, James replied "Lizzy, you can't see Santa because Santa is nocturnal".
While driving to a party at Jim's work, James revealed his plan to pull off Santa's beard.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because that's what they do in the movies."
"That wouldn't be very nice."
(and we need to better edit the Christmas movies you're watching...)
...
We arrived at the party and as James and Lizzy ran to decorate cookies and win ring tosses and cupcakes, Anna went straight to Santa- and what do you know, it was the real Santa with a real beard! Nevertheless, I warned him of my 6-year-old's ploy. Eventually James took a break from the activities to make a final request to Santa. And ya know, that Jolly Ol' Man pulled on his beard and offered James to give it a tug, too. Yup, he was the real deal!

Last week in school, the first graders held a "Christmas around the world". James came home with interesting facts of various traditions and such. He proceeded to tell me a Greek story of how a bishop, named St. Nicholas, found out about a family in need and dropped gold down the chimney. These coins landed in the daughter's stockings which were hanging by the fireplace to dry, and this is how the tradition of stockings began. "See mom," James reasoned, "Santa is Mormon".
"Oh, why do you say that?"
"Because he was a bishop."
Guess next week we should learn about religions around the world...

Anna was first to join me for breakfast this morning. As I finished reading from my scriptures, I tried explaining to her 2-year-old-mind what I was reading about. it went something like this:
"Nephi was really excited to know when Jesus would be born, but he didn't live near Jesus, and they didn't have phones. So Heavenly Father told him he would put a new, bright star in the sky so that everyone in the world could see it. So when it was night, Nephi looked up in the sky and guess what he saw?!"
Anna beamed and exclaimed "a helicopter!"
We still have 2 more nights to get the facts straight.

Flashback Friday

When Jim and I started dating, I really enjoyed going to the various military functions with him.

I have always loved all things patriotic, and these events are certainly that (albeit a bit goofy with the dead bug, toilet bowl grog and other random traditions). Jim took me to a banquet this past week, and it was just as great as ever. (However, I decided next time I will treat myself to a new dress as the picture above and the picture below are in the same dress, just 11 years and 4 kids later...) And check out my handsome date in the same tux, with many more medals added!
Elizabeth was in heaven "helping" me get ready for a date with my boyfriend.


I always get teary-eyed as the flag is displayed, national anthem sung, and POW tribute is made. We live in a great land.

1/2

Happy 6 months, baby boy.

We absolutely adore you to pieces.

Thanks for being our perfect little guy.

Yeah, just one more year 'til nursery;)!

You better watch out, you better not cry

Meet Mr. Peeps. Arguably the most blogged about elf out there. And for good reason, too. After all, he is basically family- since he's been living with us for weeks now.

Every night he moves to a new location, so as to watch the children and "peep" to Santa all the good and bad.

The kids get a kick out of him! They wake each other up most mornings, so they can discover where Mr. Peeps is perched for the day. Even Anna is good not to touch him and rid him of his magic. Surprisingly James is particularly fun to watch with this new little tradition.

If you want to know more about Mr. Peeps, read on. I have been advised not to Google "mr. peeps" however, I googled Mr. Peeps letter to find his letter and came across some fun blogs as well as an 'elves across the world' site.

side note- I was at TJ Maxx and whaddya know, Mr. Peeps the $20 elf was there too! His wire arms and legs are a must;)

Here is his letter:

Christmas is approaching, and this is the day
Santa has sent Mr. Peeps to your house to stay.
He sent this small elf to your house and mine.
The day after Thanksgiving, He must be on time.
Mr. Peeps has a purpose. His purpose will be,
To whisper to Santa all the good that he sees.
Soon after he gets here, he moves only at night
To high places, low places, he stays in plain sight.
In the kitchen, for instance, he sits high on a shelf.
Mr. Peeps can sit anywhere, for he is an elf.
He holds very still when he thinks you are watching.
His magic is precious, it fades with on touching.
He sits on the tree on Christmas Eve day.
He knows that Santa is soon on his way.
He waits and he waits without making a noise.
He waits until Santa arrives with the toys.
So you better be nice and mind what you say
Because Mr. Peeps will tell Santa when he comes with his sleigh.
Once Christmas is here and Santa has come,
Mr. Peeps must leave, for his job is well done.
But, he will return next year on the very same day,
To watch your behavior as you work and play.
- Sharon Reynolds

Go Sharks!

James has some good D! I love how Y-Ball matches kids up with color-coordinated wrist bands, so the kids are aware of who they are guarding, rather than huddling around the ball the whole game.

This kid was seriously a punk. He was shoving and handling James the whole game.

But James held his own.

Go Sharks!!! James had great coaches and really enjoyed getting to know other kids. Because he decided late to do basketball, he only knew one other kid. The team was made up of boys from 5 different schools, yet they goofed off and played ball like good buds.

The much anticipated game of the season was his match up against cousin Caleb.

LOVE this smack-talk photo!


Some cheerleaders.

We were sitting on the wrong side of the court to get many action shots from James. But Caleb sure had that ball a lot! What a pro!

Snack day. "Mom, can we please just buy something from the store?" James got his request as we brought individually packaged crackers for nearly $5 and box drinks. Nope- no silly, cheesy, thoughtful homemade treat from us this day!

And the well deserved trophy.

Birthday sister-in-law with 6 month old Joseph and cousin 6 week old Oliver.

Giving Thanks

Grandpa, Grandma and Haley drove up to celebrate Thanksgiving and an anniversary.
We just love getting together with family!

Corbin and Katie cuddle with baby Oliver and Joseph

Chloe and Anna wait for the feast

Uncle Bridger has the distinguished honor of carving Mr. turkey

The girls enjoy their food

while the boys threaten a food fight.

Haley, Carter and Chase snuck up to the adult table.

The kids entertained us with skits and songs.

Joseph preferred Grandpa's entertainment.

Jayden was the designated paper hat folder.

Post-turkey cuddles

While James and Jayden show off their arms,

Caleb prefers to show off his leg.

Thanks for the gingerbread activity, Grandma!

Corbin got all four sides and complete roof up. I was impressed!

decorate a little, eat a little... decorate a little, eat a little...

Family Fun indeed!

Joy of JOYS!

WOW, it WAS easy to move my pictures from the wrong blog over to this one. I tried and tried, but was missing one simple thing. So now I can move on with my blog. Here are the much anticipated (?) Disney pictures!



Overcome with joy, Lizzy requests a picture as we wait for the gates to open.


Mapping out our course for the day.

See that excitement?

With her notebook in hand, Anna gets brave to meet some characters.

We thought it was pretty funny that Pluto held the paper up to his "eyes".

After James was picked to be a Jedi in Training, Lizzy and Anna thought

they wanted to try, too! Sure enough, Elizabeth was also chosen, and there they are- near each other on the floor.

Yeah, Lizzy spent most of the time facing the wrong way...

And needed assistance with her saber...

But boy did she beat Darth Vader!

(with only a few wise cracks from her trainer...)

James got to defeat Darth Mal (?)

Joseph gets a treat

The hour and 1/2 line to meet these 3 princesses was worth the wait, as Elizabeth deemed that her favorite part of the day.

The train was Anna's favorite.

In line for the Matterhorn

James' 2nd favorite ride (but it didn't quite rank on Anna's top 10)

Dang- we tried and tried, but were unsuccessful at pulling out the sword in the stone.

I love the contrast of faces below...

The girls were intrigued by Minnie's house. And couldn't figure out why everything was plastic (not very useful to her...)

My less-than-cooperative group at the end of the day. Note Mickey's Santa cap. This was such a perfect time of year to go to Disneyland. The weather was great, music and atmosphere festive, and the lines were minimal. Usually no more than a 12 minute wait.