Tis the Season

I write this on Dec 23, it is quiet through out the house, all are asleep.  Scott, Jordan, and Nathan (Jordan's friend and our adopted son we like to take with us on our outings) went skiing today at Dodge Ridge.  It was a perfect day-- lots of snow, not a lot of people, Scott said "Epic" would describe the day.  He may have pictures-- but as I said, he is in bed.  Maybe,  he will post and comment on them himself.    

Twas the Day before Christmas Eve and all through the house it smells of Christmas abound, however as I sit with my lap top tapping away, my nose smells through the spices and evergreen and picks up on the stinky litter box.  A shot of our reality--   

December 6

We have Gingerbread houses to be made and frosting to be eaten.

And some Frosting to go here too.

December 13

Wazzles, woozles and gazoos.  Lets go play with the drums in Best Buy.

Oh can I do it too?

Chance shouldn't have all the fun.

December 14

Our Pixie strikes!   An anonymous family from church who brings us 3 gifts before Christmas.  We get yummy treats ... and also a Christmas Tree in a Box-- a crafty item that includes origami.  How did they know Chance LOVES that.   

December 19

Time to make our traditional Monkey bread for Chance's holiday party.

Why stress-- that is not what Christmas is for.  Just butter up some frozen bread dough and throw it in the Bundt pan.  Too bad I forgot to take a picture, but it looked just like the real thing.  Chance said it tasted like the real thing also.   Here is to traditions and not creating stress!

December 22

And over the hills and through the overpass we went.  To Grandma Ellen's and Grandpa Gordon's home we go.  We went to the Castle Air Museum and saw a B-52 (so, so massively big) and many other newer and older military aircraft.  They were in a field of Christmas lights.  We also think we met the "real" Santa-- he has a real beard!  And he was pretty chubby too!

I put on Grandma's wig for kicks

What do you think?

And look at that tree- beautiful!

See the snow-- that is a tradition I got from her

Two boys a lounging!

And a coin collection book from Grandma, also good for hiding behind.

Oh, and the joys of an older sibling tickling you!

And to the Post Office we will go; don't forget Costco too for one of those fancy new phones!

Good thing my grandson can set them up for me!

Then it's back to the overpass and over the hills-- too far to go to make it to my bed!

December 23

They went skiing and we went to Denny's for breakfast!   A little holiday celebration for Chance and I.  He thinks it is special-- because we never eat out for breakfast.  It is.  I like talking to him.

  On December 7,  Chance wrote this letter to Santa.   He sealed it up in an envelope without letting any of us see it.  He gave it to Santa on his first visit.  I had to track down that Santa so I could get a picture of the letter.  The first two sentences read... "Dear Santa,  Some kids in class think you are not real.  I know you are real."  Then he tells he him all he wants for Christmas.

At our home we Believe-- we believe in the spirit of Santa Claus.  And we all visit him, we give toys and gifts in his behalf-- to Toys for Tots, to various gift funds at school and at church.   We give the service of our time.  We spread goodness, joy, and love.

Santa at our Realtor's Toys for Tots Drive

Our Ward's Breakfast with Santa

For our Christmas Eve day-- I am simplifying by spreading our traditions out.   We plan to have our dinner around 4 pm (we do not do a big dinner on Christmas).  We then have plenty of time to do our traditional drive around looking at Christmas lights, read the "Night before Christmas" and "The First Christmas Story" from the scriptures.  

That is my plan,  Stan!