Merry Christmas!

We wish you 4 readers a very Merry Christmas! 

We did celebrate Christmas even though the gift from us, my parents, and Santa was a trip to Disneyland. I had to work Christmas Eve. However, thanks to the magic of Chritmas, our census was low and staffing was high enough that I was able to go home shortly after midnight. I was the most senior staff member working and so was the one chosen. I still only got about 4 hours of sleep between going to bed around 2:00 and feeding Thomas. However, it was better than no sleep! 

We got dressed and had breakfast before opening presents. I like people looking presentable. Plus, some people (cough, Peter) are intolerable before breakfast. Almost everything the kids opened was from Scott's parents. The other things were a necessity (like a coat) or from the ward toy swap (which equals free). 

A few days later, we went to my extended family Christmas party. The kids got to sit on Santa's lap. They all got a box of Lucky Charms and were ecstatic! Richard also performed in the talent show for the first time. I was proud to hear him do well.

Santa informed me he gave me one instead of two babies for Christmas. How very thoughtful!

Icky Sticky Stuff

Have you seen Winnie the Pooh? Remember the line "Yuck! That icky, sticky stuff is only fit for heffalumps and woozles." Yeah, that's what Thomas thought of rice cereal. He's still not putting on weight very quickly, and so we thought we'd try rice cereal to bulk him up. This was shortly before Christmas. The first bite created a sour face. 

After the second bite, Thomas was outright furious! 

Thomas 1. Parents 0.

So, we tried again with just applesauce. Rice cereal is bland, right? (Cause, he's in the land of bold flavors with breast milk...) We thought we'd try something tastier to see if he'd like it better. The pictures don't show it, but he responded the same.

Thomas 2. Parents 0.

We've tried frequently since then. The score?

Thomas approx 20.  Parents, maybe .5

Christmas Dance Recital

It's strange to see my little girls with make up and curled hair! Even this very second Audrey said, "Mom, who is that?" When I said it was her, she said, "It doesn't look like me!"

Right after the finishing touches were applied. The teacher wanted green eye shadow. Not my idea.

Marie did a great job considering her age and coordination. You could tell she's not as able as the older girls in her class, but she sure tried! I thought she was adorable. Scott had a hard time finding her to take pictures, because she didn't look like what he's used to.

Audrey also did a fabulous job! She's making great progress!

Gingerbread Train

The kids and I made a gingerbread train. This year, I made the gingerbread from scratch as opposed to buying a kit from the store. It was SO MUCH TASTIER! Why have I waited for so long to make it myself?! I have little self control around baked goods, but this really pushed my will power. Oh, it was also nice to actually use candy we like instead of cheap, hard candy. 

What we got for Christmas

We surprised our kids with a trip to Disneyland for Christmas. We went 10 days before Christmas to beat the heavy crowds. We picked up Richard and Audrey from school with the car packed. They had no idea we were going anywhere until we picked them up. We didn't confirm where we were going until they actually saw the signs for Disneyland. We had a great time!

Marie and Peter loved the Winnie the Pooh ride and the "crazy driver" ride (otherwise known as Autopia.) Richard and Audrey loved Soarin'. Richard loved the new Star Tours. They haven't stopped talking about our trip and play "Disneyland."

You've had a birthday, shout hooray!

I had a birthday! I'm older and wiser. My parents were wonderful and volunteered to take the kids to Carls' Jr so Scott and I could go out to eat at a "big kid" restaurant in peace. My dad told the kids Scott and I were going to a "vegetable restaurant" so they wouldn't get jealous.

My mom made an apple cinnamon cheesecake per my request. My mom doesn't believe in making your own birthday cake and so made one for me.

I had phone calls from all my siblings on my birthday. Then, my parents, my sister's family, my sister, and, of course, my own kids and husband there to eat cake with me.