Assorted Christmas Ramblings

Oh, gifts!
I am not liking Christmas this year. Too much pressure. Especially when I hear, "if you aren't going to buy me a real present, then don't buy me anything." My thoughts: You better like this one.

Oh, traditions!
There is 3 gifts I get for my kids every year: church clothes, pajamas, and toothbrushes.

On the Sunday before Christmas, I saw all these little kids running around with gorgeous new dresses. And then it hit me, why is Larissa wearing her Barbie play dress, when all of my kids have fancy matching Christmas dresses and suits under the tree?! My friend suggested that I let my kids open that present before church. GENIUS! Consider this one done for next year.

Then another friend said she opens pajamas on December 1st, so they can wear them all month. Where have I been? These cute winter pajamas aren't going to be good all year.

Am I saving any presents for Christmas? What kind of traditions do you have?

Tree Lights

Grant wouldn't let me boycott Christmas even though Lilly bit through our Christmas tree lights. A little bit of wire nuts and a little bit of kid power, and we were back in business.

Temple Lights

My second trip to the Temple Lights this year, but not as smooth.

However, the hot chocolate sold across the street was a good idea.

First Piano Recital

Earlier this month, Raea had her first piano recital. She did great and had good stage presence.

Slow and accurate.

Christmas List

Ethan and Larissa dictated to Raea their Christmas list. I thought it was interesting that Raea catergorized them, too.

LARISSA:
Games- Sorry Sliders
Toys- Princess Baby Doll, toy penguin

Clothes- Princess underwear, shorts, shirts, shoes, skirts, jeans

Money- $8

Backpacks- Princesses backpack, flower backpack, spider girl backpack

Stuffed Animals- Stuff dog

ETHAN:

Games- Hipo (where they eat it and are furry)
Toys-Batman cave

Money- $80,000

Backpack- spiderman, batman, frog

Clothes- spiderman shirt, jeans, shoes, shorts

RAEA:

Games-wii, monopoly
Toys- Hannah Montana's hair styler, more high school musical dolls

Clothes-Surprise me (5 of each)

Outside Things- like more chalk with 3D glasses, pool toys, a playset

So what about me you are all asking, here is my list:

The double hiking chariott, but since I have 4 kids that can't keep up, I need two.

The double cross country skiing chariott. Again, I will need two. I will also need all the snow gear for me and my kids because even though I love to play in the snow, I don't like to be cold.

Lastly, I would like a 10 day multi-sport vacation trek to Patagonia. I have included the website for your convenience. "We cross the Andes into Chile where we bike, hike and raft in volcano country. A sure highlight is the snow climb to the steaming crater of active Villarrica Volcano. "

I guess more importantly I would like the time, money, and babysitter to help allow me to do this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Soccer 2009

This was Ethan's second soccer season, but his first season with AYSO. Ethan is a magical thinker and had a hard time focusing on the game. However, he loved playing, and he had the world's best coach.

Raea is at such a great age for soccer. She is finally getting the thought process behind the game. She loved playing goalie, but she made me nervous that she was leaving the net open when she would attack just like her aunt. I loved that she was all over the field because, "they weren't passing it to me, so I was just going to go get it."

Say What- Christian Version

I love my kids' preschool. They memorize a scripture each month, and if I have something to do, they can go to the extended lunch group. However, being a Christian/Baptist school brings a whole new set of say-whats.

Jesus is real... just like Santa.
Someone put Jesus in your heart.
You have a black heart if you don't believe in Jesus.
Did you know there is a big book about Jesus?

And my favorite... Larissa asking to sing the prayer.

FHE

"So there was this big tornado. And this little girl got stuck in a big hole, so Jesus came down and saved her. Then a ghost forgot how to fly and fell into a hole, too! So Jesus came down and saved him with his marshmellow. Then that is me jumping with my parachute. I went to the moon to save the balloon."-Ethan on how Jesus helps us and how we can help others

Memory Lane

Grandma O'Haver was my card playing, canasta loving, elephant collecting great grandma.

Alice's resemblance to Larissa in this photo is uncanny. Thanks to my older sister for scanning.

UPDATE: Send any stories about Grandma to azlarsen@cox.net to be included in her memory book. You are officially in the know.

Me, Myself, and Larissa

Almost everyday, someone says that Larissa is just like me. It is true, but as long as there are no surprises, and I give her designated hug time, there is still peace and happiness. I am so glad that we have become friends lately. Dare I say I am learning to love myself.

I am glad this is supposed to be old fashion because they never smile in those pictures.

Her personality is very obvious in this picture.