Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends! I am so grateful for the friendships I've rekindled in the blogosphere. I'm grateful for the interest you show (or fake) in me and my family, and I'm so grateful to keep up with yours.

This Christmas is a bit smaller, humbler, and at the same time, more meaningful for us. I'm grateful for a husband who adores me, kids who laugh, squeal and talk my ear off all day long, friends who have become like family, and an extended family who continually amazes me with their constant care.

I'm grateful for Jesus Christ, His life, His love, His example. Though I don't understand all of this gospel I'm a part of, I do know that it brings me an abundance of peace and joy and motivates me to be the best mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, neighbor I can. That little spark it continually kindles tells me I'm in the right place; it pushes me to be better and more like Him. That's how I know it's true.

On my card this year I included part of my favorite scripture: 2 Nephi 2:25 "...and men are that they might have JOY." This year I've realized Joy is nothing the outside world gives me because of fabulous circumstances or just right moments, but Joy what is inside each of us when we chose to look past the tough times and realize LIFE is joy. I'm grateful for mine and everything it includes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

No boogers? Must take picture. And, the LIGHTS!

It's rare that all my boys have clean faces, cute clothes on and hair done all at the same time, so last Sunday when they all looked so handsome I had to get a few shots. I also LOVE their Christmas clothes this year (thanks mom!) On Sunday we also went to see the lights at the Mesa temple. I need to remember to do that earlier in the season...the manger scenes and the Luke II video really helped my kids understand WHY we celebrate right now. It brought Jesus' birth to life. I told them I'd take pictures of them in front of their favorite tree, they bolted around the temple grounds looking for great spots then ended up laying on the ground next to a tiny shrub with yellow lights over and over again. Gotta love kids.

Playing Dress Up and Just Plain Ugly

Mike's work had a formal Christmas party this year. It's so fun to get dressed up, especially when you find an awesome dress for $29.99 and earrings for $6.00--am I bargain or what? I had the idea that I'd spend a few hours pampering myself and getting ready for the night, but who was I kidding? I got ready in 40 minutes, straight hair, Wet n' Wild make-up and all, but I felt like a million bucks with my hot man by my side.

His company put on a great party--first we mingled, ate delicious food, watched a picture slideshow, played a few fun games and danced and danced and danced. Mike and I tore the floor up with our own rendition of "Tootsie Roll," then right after I had a weird allergic reaction and say a quick good-bye before I blew up like an oompah-loompah. 4 Benadryl later, I felt better but passed out on the couch in my formal and red high heels. Poor Mike.

On another note Mike and I got Christmas ugly for our friend's "Yankee Swap." Everyone loved our outfits so much, they want to borrow them next year but we are hanging on tight. Mike looked sick (and not the good sick) in his vest and turtleneck. Throughout the night I kept thinking how grateful I am that my man has style. The scary thing was, he was much too comfortable in that hideous outfit. Almost like he found the skin that fits him just right. I'd better put that turtleneck back in the "Ski stuff" box in our garage that never gets opened.

Gingerbread Time!

We spent last night decorating our Gingerbread train...a tradition our cute Kanenwishers introduced us to. Is there anything better than a Gingerbread kit really? It's so easy and fun and I'm not one bit ashamed of using one. I have to admit though, I spent quite a bit of time telling my kids, "No more candy. Don't put one more of those in your mouth." It didn't work. They ate tons of it...so much that I stuck the train in the garage early this morning before they could ask for a bite.

Parkie also made a cute graham cracker train at his school. James couldn't wait 2 seconds to get his hands on it.

Out of the Mouth of James

The other day, James was freaking out about something to me. Mike answered him and this is how the conversation went:

James: "I'm not talking to you dad."
Mike: "Don't talk to me like that, son."
James: "I'll never be your friend."
Mike: "Let's go for a time out."
James: "You baby."

I was cracking up and Mike thanked me for the support. He just turned 2. Can you imagine him in a few years? When he isn't being super sassy, he's fabulous!

A Cowboy Christmas

Last night our ward had a rockin' Cowboy Christmas party. It wa such a blast, the food was yummy, and the decor was amazing. Tons of work for those who planned it, but so worth it. Santa came, Jace sat on his lap, Parker wouldn't, and James screamed and cried when he saw him, wouldn't sit on his lap, but waited in the line because he was determined to get a candy cane. He got it!

On another note...this morning I told my kids that we were going to help a little 6 year old boy have a good Christmas because he only lived with his dad and they didn't have any money for presents. Jace was so excited, he ran upstairs and got some of his favorite toys and books for the little boy. He even gave him the bell he really liked that grandma just sent him. It was so cute. He's such a good kid and so willing to give.

24 Days Till Christmas Chain

Our tree and the best nativity set for kids.

We were some pretty good elvesJace's great Christmas Program

Santa at the festival of trees.

One of our favorite trees

Candy canes were the highlight

James is NOT amused by Santa

I love Christmas. Always have. One problem...Arizona. It always sneaks up on you because you're playing at the park in 70 degree weather still and supposedly Santa is coming soon. It just doesn't work, but no, I still don't miss the snow, not even in December.

In order to get more into the spirit of things, we made a paper chain and wrote on each link all the fun things we would do each day before Christmas. Here's what's been done so far:

1. Decorate our tree and put up Christmas decorations--nothing fancy, but it's a tree. I love my Little People nativity set. The kids can play with baby Jesus and not break him.

2. Be the secret elves...we delivered plates of cookies that said, "We're watching you!" The Elves. My kids loved this; doorbell ditching is always a hit.

3. Went to Jace's Christmas music program. So darn cute, and he was so serious about singing all of his songs just right.

4. Put stamps on Christmas cards. Boring but necessary.

5. Watch a Christmas movie and eat popcorn. Perfect for a night with a babysitter.

6. Go to the Festival of Trees ( a huge disappointment for those of us that grew up in Utah, but it was a great cause and will hopefully catch on here.)

7. Walk around the neighborhood and look at Christmas lights; we've got some pretty good houses around us. I'm feeling a bit scroogish since we don't have lights or any blow up yard ornaments.

8. Talk about Jesus's birth with the nativity.

9. Turn up Christmas songs really loud and dance to them.

Here's why I love this. I'd had it tonight by the time we were supposed to celebrate and Mike is at mutual, so I was hoping my boys would forget. But Jace? Never. So we went to my room and listened to carols really loud and danced around together. That's why I love this chain...I don't want to miss out on any opportunities I have to dance with my kids. Hope you are taking advantage of all the fun that Christmas brings!

I'm Thankful for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays...great food and lots of it, plus happy family all together. But before we got out of town, Parker had a super week with darling Thanksgiving projects and costumes. We are very thankful for a great preschool. On Wednesday, we traveled 6 hours to San Diego where we stayed at my parent's condo but spent all of our time at Mimi and Papa's house. Our kids were dying to see their cousins and we were so happy to be with all of the Romneys again, especially to see Baby Lexi for the first time.
The Thanksgiving meal was tasty, rich and smooth. Each woman brought their favorite recipe and we cooked all morning while the boys got crazy muddy in a flag football game. The effort was worth it because everything turned our just heavenly. The only bummer? The dishwasher at the Romney's house was broken, so it's a good thing the Romney boys know how to wash dishes. Later that night the girls headed out to see Twilight (disappointment) while the boys loaded up the kids for a Madagascar 2 run.

The chefs: Cassy, Baby Lexi, Kelly, Jenni, Marci, me

Even the kids liked the food!

We actually got Parker to eat more than 3 bites.

Best Buddies!

You would think my kids would know by now how to smile and pose for pictures.

A little better, and my hubby sure looks hot in this one!

My cute, cute boys all said they were thankful for mom.

Friday was a lazy day where we all stayed as sedentary as possible so we didn't burn off any Thanksgiving calories. We spend most of the day watching the men watch football, watching the kids chase each other and grazing on leftovers, though we did fit in an enjoyable walk and hike through San Diegito Park where the little ones were in heaven crossing bridges and looking out from towers. We ended the night with a trip to Golden Spoon, because heaven knows we needed to eat again!
Saturday we vowed to get out of the house. But before we did, Jace gave us another classic memory. When his cousin Olivia told him her mom's name was spelled J-E-N-N-I, Jace said, "No, it has to end in either an E or a Y, becaue English words don't end in I." He's taking school pretty seriously these days.
After we settled the disagreement, we headed to Moonlight beach. It's our favorite because it's not too crowded, there is a fun park to play at, bathrooms, plenty of open sand and fire pits. When we got there, our crazy kids headed straight for the water. NUTS! They warmed up in the sand by using boogie boards as sleds down a sand mountain. Then we roasted S'mores, and played a vicious kickball game. Everyone came home exhausted, but happy. That night the adults made a run for it and chowed on dinner at Sammy's and cought a flick. We love being with each other as adults. It's so much fun.

Parker was so proud of himself.

James on his "surfboard."

My kind of sledding.

Sunday came much too quickly. We packed up in the morning and headed off to church, with a short stop at Mimi and Papa's for a quick picture of all the kids in the outifts they had gotten them in Isreal. After church we came home for a lighting fast lunch of my now famous White Bean Chicken Chili (I'll post the recipe below). And off we went with lots of hugs and Jace in tears because he didn't want to leave his cousins. No worries, we'll see them again very soon.

On the way home, Jace gave us another laugh. He fell asleep for the first 2 hours, so at 10 pm he still wasn't tired. He wanted to watch another movie, but I wanted him to try and lay down. He told me, "Actually, I have AZEMA, it's kind of like asthma, but it means that I have a hard time going to sleep, so I need to watch another movie. Yeah, that's what the doctor said, that I have AZEMA. James sometims has it too when he's in Parkie's bed and won't go to sleep." He kills us.

White Bean Chicken Chili:

I like to use a rotisserie chicken. One pulled clean is enough for a triple batch (the Southwest or Barbecue flavored gives it an exra pop). Just one batch is pretty small. I also use more cilantro than it calls for and sometimes more cumin and garlic and a pinch of salt.

1 T oil
1 ½ lbs. of cooked, shredded chicken
¼ c. chopped onion
1 c chicken broth
1 can chopped green chilies
1 can white beans undrained
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cumin
¼ bunch fresh cilantro (chopped)
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes (I don’t usually use these.)

Heat oil and cook onions until translucent, add chicken. Stir in broth, chilies and spices and let simmer 15 minutes. Stir in beans, simmer 5 minutes. Top with cheese, avocados and chips. Makes 4 cups.