Christmas...........

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. " Clara Ortega

This year was a fabulous Christmas. The festivities began with our family party at my parents house. Everyone arrived late afternoon. Uncle Stu and family, Auntie Mary, Joni and Laurie with kids (Carlos was in Peru), Lindsay and family, Dale and Maggie, Wendy (no Chad, he had to work and Eddie was with his dad), Jenny and family were all there. This year we had a talent show. Danny who is incredibly talented on the guitar played a few Christmas numbers. Mat joined in on his guitar, along with a few others on the bells. (You never can have too many bells at Christmas- this and all the younger kids wanted to play also). Kiara sang, and Channing played the piano also.It was a night full of fun, food, and games. We ended up leaving late and getting home around 11 pm.

Under the tree at our house some elves had left gifts for the boys. They opened them and surprise........ they were new pajamas. They quickly changed and set up sleeping quarters in the office (it's a tradition my brother and sisters had also, something about being all together, and no one getting up before the other Christmas morning). I had to work a 1 am to 7 am shift so shortly after the kids were in bed I was off to work (I knew going into nursing I would have to work holidays, but it didn't make it any easier). The boys had been complaining for weeks that they couldn't open presents until I came home at about 8 in the morning. I came home and much to my surprise everyone was asleep. It didn't last long however, they were up only minutes after I had come in.

We decided to let Ben sleep while we started to open presents, I figured it was going to be a long day for him. Santa was good to the boys this year. They each got a Nintendo DS (well not Ben of course). They got games to go along with them, wii games, DVDs and other things. Ben woke up when we were almost done opening things. He didn't really want anything to do with opening his gifts, he was just excited to be in the room which for weeks prior had been gated off and off limits to him.

We all got ready for the day and headed off to Scott and Robyns for the Scharman gathering. We always enjoy getting together with the whole family. It was nice to see Carolyn in a setting other then the hospital and I know she was really excited to see all the kids. I love Scott and Robyn for opening their home for us, it was beautifully decorated. They have a very long soft comfy couch. Carolyn had her feet up on one end and Amy (who broke her knee) had her feet up on the other end, and there was still room for Chris, Aubreya, mat and I to sit. The food was wonderful, as always, and the kids always have such a fun time in the huge playroom, indoor gym and theater room.

By the time we got home I had been up for over 36 hrs and I went right to sleep. Brett stayed up and played some of the new games with the boys. I love Christmas and all the fun we have together as a small family and with all the extended family.

The boys in their new jammies, Ben was still asleep.

The boys in their jammies after Ben woke up.

The boys in their face masks, no we are not training them for any illegal activities.

Ben finally awake and happy.


















The boys in their new jersey's of their favorite teams.



















Nick, Zachary, and Mat on their DS's while Carolyn takes a nap.

Ben and Brooke playing.

Temple Lights.........

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I remember the first time I saw the lights on Temple Square after moving to Utah, it was like nothing I had seen before. I was filled with the Christmas spirit. Every year since that first one I have tried to go downtown to take in that spirit again. Over the years I have gone with friends, church groups, dates, and family. I have to say that the best times have been with my our kids. Its fun to see them excited, everything is so simple when you're young.

Last Monday we went with some friends for Family Home Evening. Its fun to remind the boys that the temple is a sacred place and that they hopefully will all go there someday (now I'm singing the primary song). It was a cold night,but very fun regardless. We ended the night with hot chocolate of course.

This is all the kidos. Only one girl in the group. (even our friends have mostly boys)

The boys. (We didn't want to get Ben out of the stroller because he then wouldn't go back in)

The boys again. (this is taken from the roof at the Joseph Smith Building)

Nick and Ben

Ben all bundled up!

Winter Drive.....Not so much of Winter!

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

Last Sunday we were sitting around a bit bored, and thought we would go for a ride and get a few pictures of the boys in the mountains. We stopped at the "s-curve" in big cottonwood canyon. There is a small waterfall right off the road there and some fun rocks for the boys to play on. The boys played until it got dark and they got cold. I was hoping to see snow but we never made it high enough in the canyon. No one fell in the river or off a rock, and the snow will come soon enough I guess. Anyway, here are a few pictures of the day.