Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and other Salutations

Merry Christmas to all! I know it is a little late, but we have been very busy with so much family in Thatcher, AZ! Christmas morning was super with 12 children and 11 adults. The kids were very appreciative of Santa and parental involvement in their Christmas gifting. I think the funnest gift exchange was when we met together later that evening for the cousin/spouse gift exchange. Then there were 16 children and 17 adults in Dawn's front room exchanging gifts from the youngest to the oldest. I don't know how they mixed up my age and put me right before Mike who is 40. Everyone KNOWS I'm only 28! But I took it well and opened my wonderful picture from Ryan along with the cutest snowman family Christmas ornament that I know that Misty found especially for me from the Gingerbread Shoppe the day before.

We had so much fun with the crafting that Mom and Susie had planned. It wasn't called scrap booking but (as Camie put it) "Papering with a Purpose". Whatever you want to call it, I am hooked. Next Badger Mtn. Bazaar I will be having a few more items for sale - paper, gingerbread, vinyl etc. Fun stuff to look forward to!

After our super fun times on Christmas, the next day was more crafting for the girls and golf (0r whatever) for everyone else. Mike and Uncle Don played racquetball. Mike was excited to see what type of player he'd become as Uncle Don has whipped his little rear for the past 25 years. Mike actually beat Uncle Don, but didn't gloat too much about it. I know personally from his behavior (and perma-grin) that he was pleased as punch.

On Thursday we left our great family and traveled with Camie and children to the Grand Canyon. This trip was a little easier for Camie because Mykie was in the car with her kids. Camie was just so impressed that Mykie could anticipate what she needed before she even needed it and that Mykie could occupy her kids so well. We all know that is just Mykie. She makes the world an easier place to be in!

Anyway, the Grand Canyon was great! We had never seen it before (except for Camie) and it was breathtaking. Not only because of it's natural beauty, but because in some places up there it was only 17 degrees. We got some great photos (on my new digital camera), in fact I think I will send a couple of Tyler's shots into GQ magazine!

After the Grand Canyon, we drove into Las Vegas to meet up with Nate and Amber. We took the kids down the strip into Excalibur and New York, New York. What a different world that is. The blatant sex wasn't nearly as bad as when you're there on a weekend, but it is still there. Especially when you see those mobile billboards on the strip. O000, la, la! It gave opportunity to talk to the kids about sin, etc. It was neat to see all the different stuff in the few hotels that we walked through. We didn't make it to the Bellagio for the fountains of water or to Treasure Island to see the ships outside, but we drove by on our way back to our seedy hotel. We got in about 1:30 or so, but I was the only one that slept well. I think I was tired. It takes a lot out of you to sit in the passengers seat for hours upon hours of driving.

The next morning after a quick (or slow) stop at M & M World we headed to Salt Lake City to spend a few more days with Nate and Amber and New Years with them both and Richard and Camie. Again, Camie's return trip was made a little easier with Nanny Mykie in the back and personal driver Tyler in the drivers seat.

It has been a super trip and I am glad that we made it even though we've spent untold hours getting to and from places. The kids have been great for the most part and the company has always been FANTASTIC!

Have a happy day! I know we are!

Look's Like We Made It!

And other 80's tunes or 70's. We've definitely heard a lot of them over the last two days thanks to Sirius radio. We also had some Christmas tunes in there just because "it's the season".

The trip to Utah was only about 10 hours which wasn't nearly as bad as the next day at about 14 hours. We didn't travel that much further mile wise from Utah to Arizona than from Washington to Utah, but we had to go through every little town at about 40-50 miles an hour. Towns like "Many Farms" "Globe" and other ones that definitely were a dot on Map Quest's maps, but flying through, I still don't know what merited a dot for them.

Our night in Utah was spent with my brother and his wonderful family in their new basement. It is AWESOME and was so comfy. The program show we watched was gross, but really realistic in HD (Man VS Wild and the episode was "Bear Eats". It should have been extended to say "bear eats really gross stuff"!)

We are now at Dawn and Bill's great new house in Thatcher, AZ. They are SOOOOOOO nice to accommodate us all. Last night, I asked Dawn how many were in her house and (after doing the math) came up with a total of 26. That doesn't include Grama or Grampa or Susie (she's on bed rest until the baby comes in March). She's so great and so is Bill.

I think we heard one song that basically said the trip there stinks, but it's all worth it when you get the greeting at the front door. That really was so true. Hugs abounded like they were just waiting for us to show up (getting there about 10 pm, they were probably just waiting for us), but as soon as Mike and Tyler walked in, they were dragged into the world of competitive ping pong ball (as a veteran of the Nelson family, I know that is only the beginning of the competitive stuff for the week).

Our weather was great which was very different than it was for those traveling on Friday to AZ. That was such a relief because we were also pulling a trailer (6 people in a Pathfinder for 10 + days - please!). Although the weather was good, Mike kindly did ALL the driving (I'm sure Santa will reward him handsomely).

Hopefully, you all have a terrific day today and if you are traveling for the season - juse be thankful that it's not a 24 hour drive with 4 kids in the car! I love the person that invented portable DVD players and earphones. LOVE THEM!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

As many of you know, we are leaving town for Christmas. I decided that our annual family Christmas dinner would be held on Sunday so that we could have some of our family traditions in tact this Christmas season. Christmas dinner is really a repeat of Thanksgiving dinner, but with Christmas napkin rings added. It's great, there is something for everyone and no problems getting anyone around the table. Dessert is a different story. Pumpkin pie is on the menu. Most everyone enjoys it except for Tyler who HATES it and Jeremy that has a goal to try it every time it is baked, but always ends up with just whipped cream on his plate. The person who loves it the most and I mean LOVES it would be Brigam.

I baked pies on Saturday and listened to Brigam talk about having a slice all day. I kept telling him it was for the next day and Christmas dinner. When we were setting the table for the feast, of course Brigam (trying to be nothing but helpful) got out the pie. I had to tell him that was for dessert. It think he felt jipped.

Then, finally, it was pie eating time. We ate at about 1pm and by 8 pm Brigam had had at least 4 pieces. He was laying on my bed with me talking about (what else) having another slice when I said (so maturely I might add), "If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?" To that Brigam stands up on my bed, raises his fists in the air and yells, "I have a wedding to plan." With that he jumps off the bed and runs out the door. What a nut!

The next day after school, I asked him how the wedding went. Without skipping a beat, he said, "Oh, I didn't have a wedding. I just ate the bride and her whole family that came for it."

He is a funny little guy with true love for Pumpkin Pie.

Then we were at the mall (see "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" story) when Brigam sees the mall security guard and asks my why the police is at the mall. I told him that they were looking for him. A long lost cousin of Pumpkin's that was invited to the wedding, had reported Pumpkin and her whole family missing. Brigam tried to tell me that he ate her WHOLE family, but I said that the cousin was very late to the wedding and noticed that no one was there, but pie crust crumbs on the floor. The Police took the missing persons report and now want to question Brigam about the disappearance. He smiled and I thought that was that.

But last night we were at Target and they have store security too. Brigam saw the guy, turned to me with a smile and said, "Mom, he's looking for me too." My 6 year old is on the lamb! Watch out if YOU smell the slightest bit like pumpkin!

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

DISCLAIMER: This is not to be read aloud or by those that can read of elementary age. I truly don't mean to spoil anyone's visions on the guy in red.
On Tuesday of this week, I realized that Brigam had not yet seen the guy in red this year. What was wrong with me? He talks about him all the time. He is counting down the days until Christmas with such vigor! He loves everything about Christmas. He's watched all the cartoon Christmas shows he can get his eyeballs on. I was feeling pretty bad about not having the annual visit to Santa already taken care of. So I decided that even though this week was CRAZY with trying to get all the gifts wrapped and NOT SEEN, the house organized to be left by itself and a family packed and out the door for 10 glorious days in Arizona with family for Christmas - I must take Brigam to see St. Nick even if it was at the mall which is a little bit close to insane, I know.

Brigam knew that after Activity Days on Wednesday we were all heading to the mall. He was so excited about seeing Santa I had to remind him to go back into the house to get his coat and his shoes on so we could go. He was talking all about how he was going to tell Santa that he wanted is own palm pilot for Christmas. I strategically parked close to the Sears store so that there would be as little MallWalking as possible and a pretty straight shot to the "big guy" himself. While we are walking into the mall, Brigam is even squinting his little eyeballs so hard to see if he can make out reindeer and a sleigh on the roof of the Mall.

We've walked in the door and I see that there is actually NO LINE so I quicken my pace and the children in tow follow suit. Then, right when we are weaving our way through the line rope - Brigam asks,

"Mom, is Santa real?"
My immediate thought is - I have a personal moral dilemma that I never thought I would have. See I always wanted to be honest with my kids. One way I decided that I would do that and still have Santa be Santa was that when they asked - I would definitely tell them. It worked great with Tyler. He asked and I told him about the whole "parental involvement" thing. But then I told him that it was not his job or right to tell that to others. It was his right when he was a parent to his kids, but not as a kid to kids. I also told him that now it was his job to help with the "parental involvement" thing of maybe wrapping a few things or helping with that stuff, but most importantly he was to help keep the magic of it alive. I told him that Santa is a symbol of giving for the world. Here is a guy that asks for nothing in return, but he loves everyone in the world and wants to give them a gift. Not just any gift, but the gift that that person really wants or needs. Now Tyler could help in that giving to others.

He was so great! He never said a word to his siblings about his knowledge and even dressed up like Santa one year to entertain the kids. And I think I saw his penmanship displayed in a return response from the guy in red one year as well. He loved the knowledge.

Jeremy on the other hand asked one year and I gave him the same response. However, I must have not been as clear because the next year he asked me again! Funny, funny Bear.

Mykie did the same, but was like Tyler. They have all been great keeping the magic alive for Brigam.

But now Brigam has asked the BIG question and do you know what I said - what my personal moral said? It said a quick, "Yes" and took him to see the guy he'd been talking about all month. Simple and concise and wrong of me? What is wrong with me? I just can't let that baby grow up. I am so sad that this has come up. I fell that Brigam with his MAJOR creative personality just can't be bogged down with such information. Can't I wait to deal with this until at least 3rd grade? The simple truth is I AM A LIAR. I followed through with my plans for 3 kids, but botched it with the 4th. I really think that I just can't stand to see the look of astonishment leave his eyes during the Christmas season. What is a mom to do?

Oh my gosh! It's the dance of the Sugarplum Fairies!

Mykie and I had our annual trip to the Nutcracker on December 8th. It amazes me that she is so enthralled with the performace year after year. I remember the first year that I took her. She was 5 years old and it was our first Christmas in the tri-cities. I really wanted to go to the Nutcracker, but Mike wouldn't go with me. He'd already gone in Utah and told me that seeing a man wearing tights jumping up and down on the stage once was quite enough for him. See what happens when you try to get Mike involved in a little culture? I wonder if he'd only see the performance once if it was football players in tights on the stage? Aren't they already in some pretty funny looking pants or should we call them capris on the field? I guess it's all in the perception.

Anyway, Mykie and I always go out to lunch or dinner first and then we are off to lose ourselves in the beautiful dancing on stage and the music filling our minds. Then we get to listen to the CD afterwards and get lost in our own imagination. It is truly wonderful! I love the Nutcracker with my girl!

How do you spell relief?

Well, I finally have a few minutes to update my blog. Over the past few days I have enjoyed reading some of yours, but haven't had an extra minute to type anything of my own creation. Thanks for urging me on with your writings.

I am finally not as sick as I was. I really had a tough time of it for about 10 days. Two Wednesdays ago I was really down and out. I felt quite yucky on Thursday and to describe my condition - I now know what a stuffed animal feels like all the time. It made me want to grab a knife, head in to Mykie's room and do some seam ripping to aliviate what has to be a very uncomfortable life in her collection of stuffed animals. But I was way too sick to even have the energy to roll out of bed to retrieve a knife. I probably would have been so disoriented having blood rush to my already stuffed head, I wouldn't have known which direction Mykie's room would have been. It probably wouldn't have been a good day for any of us, so I just stayed in my room and tried to breathe through my occational one clear nostril. Sad stuff. My fellow employees and boss lady, Vicky were so nice telling me to stay home and that they didn't want my kind around there. By my craft show on Fri and Sat I was feeling much better, but very weak. On Tuesday this week, Vicky sent me home from work because I couldn't really help anyone workout if I was leaning on the machines my whole shift. I really feel much, much better now.

Poor Brigam and Mykie got sick Wednesday and Thursday. When Brigam woke up on Wednesday and I asked him how he felt, he told me he felt like Jello. I could totally understand the use of a noun as an adjective in that situation. Leave it to Briggy to give me a laugh about almost anything and any situation.

The vinyl machine is almost put to sleep for the year. Monday the 10th will be the last day I take orders for Christmas. I am sure that so many people don't understand how long it takes to "pick" vinyl after it is cut. It is time consuming and bends my back. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy it (can't you tell I LOVE words?), but a bunch at once makes me only have one focus - VINYL. That's ok if you aren't the mother of 4, wife of 1 (sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I had my very own wife, hummmmm), worker of TCCC and maid of the palace, etc. But I am and it is Christmas so I am looking forward to it all.

Well I am off to deliver the remaining orders of vinyl. Enjoy your day!