Home for the Holidays

This was our first Christmas at home with our little family and it ended up being a wonderful day! Church on Sunday was wonderful (great Christmas program Ally) and I (Missi) attempted to sing a solo in sacrament meeting (it has been about 8 years since I have done this and I was terrified). I am just happy I made it through without crying and am even more happy that it is over with.

For Christmas Eve we had the full time missionaries over and started a few new family traditions. We picked up everyone's favorite take-out (Olive Garden, Pick-up-Stix and Taco Bell) and had a random feast while watching "Mr. Kruger's Christmas" and "The Other Wise Man." We read the Christmas story and felt so blessed to have the missionaries over with the spirit that they bring. Rudolph even made a gift drop-off to our house with pajamas for each of us (Angie W- notice that we have the same taste in girl's Christmas pajamas? :)). Dallin left Santa cookies in the shape of Mickey Mouse (definitely my kid) and 9 small carrots...one for each of the reindeer. We had what Dallin calls "a snuggle party" in our room that night (made forts on the floor for the kids) and the kids went to sleep quickly (thank heaven)! Santa made a special stop at our house. He was a little messy with the cookie-eating but very nice to the kids when it came to remembering what they wanted. Dallin is most thrilled with his Nintendo DS games and Spiderman blaster thing (sorry, I'm a girl) and Claire is in love with her new Sleeping Beauty dress. We played all day and had a wonderful dinner down in San Diego with some friends (thank you Lowe and Brundage families). It was a relaxing, wonderful day...hope you all had the same!

Make Room

On Wednesday, we went caroling for mutual. It was set up in advance to have each home visited reject our caroling ("too busy", "had to go to work", "child is hurt", etc.). The youth were shocked that members of our ward would not even take a moment to hear them sing "Away in a Manger." As leaders, we played along being shocked with them at the rejection. We all "gave up" and went back to the Bishop's house for refreshments. When the door was opened, there stood a live nativity of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus (thank you Muir family and baby David for being so good!). Beautiful music was playing in the background and the Spirit was very present. The youth sat in the living room quietly as the Bishop read the account of the Savior's birth in Luke. The comparison was made that just as we were rejected by those we were caroling to, Mary and Joseph were rejected at the inns. This evening was a reminder to never turn the Savior away, to always make room and let Him in.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

(Hymns, 1985, no. 208.)

As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always (Thomas S. Monson).

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Scary Santa

Last night was Dallin's preschool Christmas program (it was outside in his teacher's backyard...gotta love CA). Dallin did such a great job being Frosty the Snowman and he was a very respectful wiseman (I'll have to post more pictures later). I sat and watched my "little boy" be not-so-little as he thanked everyone for coming to the Christmas program and quickly realized that next year it will be a Kindergarden program. The tears started flowing (who me?). I am so proud of my little Dallin and laid in bed with him last night telling him everything I love about him (I think I was feeling guilty for having to leave the program quickly to make it to mutual). He really is an incredible boy!

The tears at the program were not the only ones I shed last night. Peter told me a story that was so funny, it made me cry. At one point while Dallin was performing, Peter held Claire in the back. He walked with her along the side of the house when all of a sudden Peter felt Claire freeze and tense up pushing him to move back. She was breathing heavily, but didn't say a word. Peter looks over in the bush and crouched down hiding is...Santa Claus! He was waiting for his cue to appear in the program and didn't want the kids to see him. Unfortunately, my little Claire is TERRIFIED of Santa Claus so this could possibly be the most devistating point of her life so far. To be on a nice walk with your Daddy and out of no where, the scary man with the beard and extreme outfit is waiting for you in a bush. My poor little girl. I suppose I will never have a picture of her on Santa's lap.