Christmas Eve: Progressive Dinner

Every year we do a progressive dinner with the Wood's. This year it landed on Christmas Eve.  We added something to this year's tradition.  At every home we did a little spiritual thought.  We started out at Cory and Kelli's. Kelli made some delicious fruit and veggie kabobs.  Kelli talked about Bells.  She talked about how we usually associate bells with Santa and his slay.  But we should be reminded of the birth of Christ when the bells ring.  She gave everyone a bell and we sang the primary song Christmas Bells.

Next it was on to our home.  I made parmesan chicken and garlic smashed potatoes.  I played that video, real meaning of Christmas.  After wards I had everyone write down what their gift to the Savior would be this coming year.  I opened up my envelope from last year and was surprised to see that I had done what I had written down: Attend the Temple once a Month. 

Our last stop was Mike and Donna's.  Donna had a ridiculous spread of desserts.  Blackberry pie, two chocolate tortes, cheesecake, ice cream, and bowls of candy through out the house.  Donna talked about the Nativity and who would we want to be that sacred night.  I expressed my desire to be an angel in the choir singing His praises.  I'm not good at singing at all.  I still sing in the choir and have had the spirit testify of Jesus Christ while singing.  Brent wanted to be a shephard, Jaren a Wisemen and for some odd reason all the girls wanted to be the baby Jesus.

The very last thing we do is open gifts.  We have to do this last.  If we did it any sooner we'd lose the kids.  It's fun making them wait too.  Everyone was generous to our family, again. 



Aunt Brooke with Isabel.



Mike with Roman.
That dog LOVES Mike.  Probably cuz it's the only time the poor thing gets loads of attention.



Uncle Sean with Hannah.



Kelli and Cory.
Cory, in true Wood fashion, hates taking pictures.



Our Annual picture in front of our tree.



Mike, Donna, Sean and Brooke.



Grace waiting to open the gift that was bigger then her.



Beckham and his 'stach. 
He was disappointed to see such a small gift for him.  Until he opened it up.  The expression on his face was priceless.  Brooke and I got a great laugh out of it.



Annika rocking her beanie.

11th Day

Holly: Reminds us of the crown of thorns that Christ wore.  The berries represent his blood, and the green leaves stand for Eternal Life. 


Activity: Train ride to Salt Lake City

My Mom wanted to take the kids up to Salt Lake to see some window display inside the Grand America Hotel.  We were originally going to drive up.  Then my Dad suggested we take trax.  That way we wouldn't have to worry about traffic or parking.  Brilliant idea.  
It's always a little nerve racking to take 6 kids on any kind of field trip.  I never know what kind of mood any one of my kids will be in.  The slightest ripple from one child can turn into a tsunami with the others.   Today was a good day.  They were awesome on the train ride, to and from Salt Lake.  Jaren felt the need to run ahead in the Hotel, which lead to Grace running after him.  I can't leave the safety of my baby in the hands of my not-so-aware-of-others 13 year old.  I abandoned the others to catch up with Jaren.  I insisted he wait till the others caught up.  We discovered that Hannah and Isabel were lost.  But only for a minute.  By the time we realized they weren't with us they came around the corner.  Luckily, Hannah is calm and logical under pressure which balanced out Isabel's worry.  
The Window Display was AWESOME!!  It was the ABC's of Christmas and throughout the display the kids were able to pick out what each letter of the alphabet represented.  A pastry shop ended the display where they handed out shortbread for each completed ticket.  I'm glad the display was inside.  Two of my kids decided they didn't need coats, or conveniently  "forgot" theirs.  
Definitely  a highlight for me during this Holiday break.




Hannah waiting at the Trax Station.



It was cold!
Their little teeth were chattering!



Look Closely!
You can see the new Draper and Oquirrh Mountain Temples.
I'm sure on a clear day they are both very visible.

Isabel and Grandma

Grace's Big Smile!

 Grace holding her Ticket

It's so hard to take a good photo while eating.
Throughout the display they had some amazing gingerbread houses.



One of my Favorites.



All the kids loved this one.



I dragged the kids out to the court yard to this ginormous tree. There was no getting them to hold still.  They were trying to be ice skaters.




One with Mom.

10th Day

Bells: Ring out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.

Activity: Make Bell ornaments. Surprise visit with Santa.

The bell ornaments didn't turn out like I'd planned.  They were difficult to put together and quite ugly.  Once again, a valiant effort by all to complete them.  Annika had the most difficult time.  Again, cloning not possible.  But an older sister comes in handy.  Thanks to Hannah she was able to finish hers. 

We left the house early to accept an invitation to see Grandpa dressed up as Santa.  It's a good thing we did too.  The freeway began backing up on the ON-RAMP and it took us an HOUR to go ONE MILE!!!  I HATE construction.  Despite the set back, we had a great time getting a photo with Grandpa Santa and drinking hot chocolate and eating donuts and candy canes. 


Annika wrapping the tinsel around the cup.

It was a hot mess.

All the kids with Santa(Grandpa).
Good times, Good memories in the making.



Mrs. Claus



Utter Cuteness.



Gazing out the Window.



My Annika



No visit with Santa is complete without the Candy Canes. 



Sweet Endings.

9th Day

Candy Cane: Represents the shape of the Shepard's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.  The colors symbolize the blood and purity of Christ.

Activity: Festival of Lights
I invited our good friends the Huhtala's over for dinner.  I made pizza and they brought brownies.  After dinner we all piled into the 'Burb and headed down the to Festival of Lights.  It wasn't the same without Brent.  He does a much better job of taking it slow and navigating through the lights.  I did my best and had a great time with the added company.  Afterwards the kids watched the new Shrek movie downstairs while Amy and I watched Eclipse upstairs.  

P.S.
This morning we woke up to a CRAP LOAD of snow.  I thought it snowed a lot yesterday.  Well, I was mistaken.  There was at least a foot of snow just waiting to be shoveled from the driveway.  I sent Jaren off to the bus, anxious for my last day of School before the holiday.  Jaren quickly came back saying the buses were not running and I needed to take him to school.  We got all the way to school to find out it had been cancelled.  I pulled up and called the Elementary school to find out that it was a District wide cancellation.  Merry Christmas to me!!  
I took a deep breath, put my kids to work, and then made the best of it.  We had a good day. 



This was the view out my front door at 7am.



The view out my back door.



Later on in the day.
This is Roman, it's up to his back.  
Notice, he's EATING the snow. Dogs and kids have something in common.



Classic snow pile on top of the railing.



The whole crew ready to pile in the car.



A few trees at the Festival of Lights.
The reason I took this was to capture one of my most favorite things about Christmas and winter.  Lights covered with snow.  For some reason, I love it.  Love how the lights shine through the heavy whiteness and adds a bit of magic to the night.

8th Day

Wisemen: These were men who studied the stars and prophecies looking for signs of God's promised Saviour.  The gifts they brought were prophetic of Christ's life on earth.

Activity: Deliver Goodies!
With Brent gone I knew this was going to be quite the feat.  Life does get easier with older children.  They all helped plate, cover and address each of the goodies for families in the ward.  It was nice.  The kids had a ball piling in the back of the 'Burb, clambering in and out and yelling at Jaren to get back in.  Jaren, being rough and tough teen, decided it was cooler to run along side, ahead, or behind the moving vehicle.  
The evening was going so well, filled with caroling, laughing, of course some bickering(we can't do any activity without a bit of that).  A few other families were going caroling and Jaren wanted to join them, well, along with being rough and tough he went without a coat.  I told him "NO" because of the lack of coat.  He was, once again, very upset with me.  This has been a common, too common, occurrence in our home lately.  It is emotionally draining.  I don't know how parents deal with teens?  I've tried to practice patience.  I'm learning there are varying degrees of patience.  I can see how one can go from very little gray hair, to more then my fair share in so little time.  **sigh**  Just take a deep breath, just take a deep breath.  
 
 

7th Day

Star: God proclaimed his truth in creaton by lighting up the heavens with a star that announced the birth of Christ the King.

Activity: Temple Square

This activity is postponed until next Sunday.  Due to Brent's early departure Monday morning we decided not to go since we'd be coming home late.  Of course I was saddened.  Brent PROMISED to take us next week so I'm holding him to that.

5th and 6th Day

On the 5th day of Christmas we talked about Angels.

Our activity consisted of Pizza and a Movie. We watched Disney's animated A Christmas Carol. It was a pretty good rendition of the classic story. A bit scary for little ones like Grace. Of all the productions of A Christmas Carol my favorite is the one that stars Patrick Stewart (Captain Sean-Luke Picard).


On the 6th day of Christmas we talked about:
Gifts; God sent His son and that's the greatest gift of all.  Gifts also represent the significant gifts of the Magi.  If they don't show our love for our family, they shouldn't be given. 
Last year Brent and I decided to give our kids just 3 gifts each, mirroring the 3 gifts that Christ received.  This has helped us to further center our Christmas on Christ.  I thought at first that our kids would put up a big stink.  I'm proud that my children took the new in stride and understand the significance behind just 3 gifts. 

Activity:  3rd Annual Weiss Bingo!
The evening started off with Dinner at Mi Ranchito in American Fork.  I starved my kids after lunch.  My Dad so generously paid for all of us I wasn't going to have them go on full stomachs.  My strategy worked.  Afterwards we all headed to my parents for bingo.  I love playing bingo, especially when there are so many gifts involved.  At the same time I get major anxiety not getting a bingo and picking that special wrapped, unseen gift.  What if someone else gets what was intended for me.  Ugh!! You never know what your gonna get and it's a little nerve racking!!
My parents are beyond generous and don't have the same philosophy as Brent and I.  There were A LOT of gifts!  They definitely love and spoil their kids and grandkids!



On the way to dinner we stopped at Best Buy to pick up a few things.  Translation: Brent runs in while the rest of us wait in the car.  Boredom quickly sets in.  I took this self portrait while waiting.  Do you love my new hair color?  It's great being a brunette.



Isabel with her Zhu-Zhu pet and present yet to be opened.



The kids are down in the basement.
This year I insisted that I be present when they opened their gifts.  As parents, one of the greatest Joys of Christmas is seeing the excitment in their eyes.



The Adults are upstairs. 



Smiling at the awesome gift I received.



Hannah's reaction to her i-pod was priceless.




Just look at that face!

And for your entertainment, her full reaction captured here:

A post wouldn't be complete without a little Grace cuteness!:

Real Meaning of Christmas

At our Relief Society Christmas Dinner they played this before we went off into the cold cold night. This short video exemplifies what I have been trying to express to my children this Christmas Season. It brought tears to my eyes and I am grateful for the Love that I felt while watching this.

5th Day

Angels: Heralded in the birth of the baby Jesus.

Activity:  Pizza and Movie; Christmas Carol

Since it's Friday I thought it would be fun to watch a Christmas movie together.  We love A Christmas Carol.  It is a tad bit scary in the end when the Ghost of Christmas Future comes.  I think it's scary in almost any version. It has a wonderful message and some day I will read the book.  

The video you see below is for my Mom.  She wanted me to get this on video.  So here you go Mom, your cute grand daughter rocking out to Christmas Music. 
 

P.S. This morning Brent called and informed me that the Provo Tabernacle was on Fire.  I couldn't believe it.  I quickly turned on the T.V. and sure enough, that magnificent and historic building was in flames.  You don't really know how emotionally attached your are to something until it's no longer there.  That was the building I went to for Stake Conference my entire youth.  I remember walking to one particular Conference wearing my first pair of high heels, and my skirt was probably a little too short.  I remember graduating from Seminary in that building.  What a great loss for Utah County, and the State for that matter.  It was one of the oldest buildings in the State.  I haven't driven past it yet.  I'm sure I will very soon, my Mom works right across the street in the City Offices.  I'm sure I will become a little cholked up as I drive by. How can I not with so many wonderful memories attached?

4th Day of Christmas:

Candle:
Our home glows with light this time of your to remind us that Jesus came as the light of the world.

Matt. 5:14-16 ; John 8:12


Activity:
Send out Christmas card

The girls and Beckham all had writers club this afternoon.  They didn't get home until 4:45 which didn't leave much time for signing, stuffing and stamping.  We just got to the signing.  I'll have to do the stuffing and stamping tomorrow morning.  Beckham didn't want to sign him name due to the fight that he had with ice.  The ice won.  Beckham came home with a bloody nose and a very big lip.  Poor guy.  I would have taken a picture but he would have been upset with me. 

2nd & 3rd Day of Christmas

Day 2:
The Poinsettia:

This poinsettia has a lovely history. It was first called the Flower of the Holy Night. A Mexican legend tells of a little boy who had nothing to give the baby Jesus. As he prayed, a flower grew at his feet. He quickly picked it and gave it to Jesus.  The flower was later named after an American Ambassador to Mexico, Poinsett.  He is the one credited for bringing it to the US.

Activity:
Snowballs and Snowflakes!!


The Poinsettia that sits in my kitchen.



I didn't get any photos of the kids folding, cutting, and crying.  Again, there were a few tears involved.  I forget that I cannot clone myself and sit with each child as they attempt the crafts.
Some day they'll be old enough, right? 



The kids had a far better time cutting out snowflakes.



I LOVE how Whimsical they look hanging over the Kitchen table.
I ran out of time last night and had to hang them all this morning.  It was all so tedious, but worth it.  Like my kids.


Day 3:
Wreath: The circle of the wreath is eternal.  No beginning or end.  That is the same as God's love for us.
John 8:12


Activity: Trip to the Temple.
It snowed last night.  Which made our trip to the Temple a little chilly and wet.  I insisted on experiencing the Nativity there with my kids.  What better place to be to remind us of God's Eternal love then going to the Temple and on top of that seeing Baby Jesus.



Provo Temple.
The mountains in the background make this House of the Lord even more magnificent.



Life Size Nativity. 
Hannah pointed out that there is no snow on the baby Jesus.
Notice my baby?  She was NOT happy.



Sitting in wetness to get another blessed photo.
My kids are such good sports!



My FAVORITE of the day.