For the love of Christmas baking

Christmas just isn't complete without some sort of baking.

When we were with my mom we went the gingerbread route.

To kick up the Christmas spirit we made eggnog frosting to go with it.

It was a fun, festive twist.

Mom, Hallie, and I enjoyed decorating our cookies . . . at first.

Then we really got over it.

We started whining about how many cookies we had yet to decorate.

Then we really got sloppy with our decorating.

And that's when things turned hilarious.

We were so critical of our ugly cookies that we started joking about them.

And before we knew it, we were laughing and couldn't stop!

And Mom had a wierd whistle wheeze when she laughed . . .

and it made us laugh even harder!

And even though we had been fussy moments before, we suddenly all agreed that decorating the cookies was one of our favorite parts of the whole trip -- if not the whole Christmas season.

Christmas, Disney style

You really can't go wrong with Christmas at Disneyland Resort.

One afternoon we were in the mood for Christmas decorations and window shopping.

Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney answered the call.

  

The girls got to drive an old Autotopia car. 

This is the style of cars they had when I was little.

Hallie was awed by the displays at The Lego Store.  Claire was nonplussed.

  

This picture shows how excited our spunky girl was for Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Sweet Claire was so happy one moment . . . and just a couple minutes later . . . not so much.

Regardless of a broken snow globe (Thanks, Hallie) and a whaling toddler (Thanks, Claire),

 we really all had a fantastic, festive time in the end.

The Christmas shopping trip of my dreams

The morning I left for California my mom left a message on my phone that said:

"Rob and Diane can get us into Disneyland tonight to shop with a discount."

WHAT??!!??

I couldn't even believe it.

Sure enough, that very night, our close friends were passing us into Disneyland and telling us magic words:  "50% off!"

Mom and I were beside ourselves with delight.

Shopping.  Together.  Disneyland.  Christmas decorations. Discount.

Heaven!

Our plan of attack was to take pictures of all the things we loved.

Then, we met up with Rob and Diane and had dinner at the Plaza Inn.

Mom and I shared a delicious roast dinner.

And get this . . .

as we shared a red velvet cupcake . . .

the Christmas fireworks started above the lit castle . . .

and I could see it from my restaurant chair.

Things don't get much better for this chick.

  

After great conversation with friends and one huge discount later,

 we were home with Disneyland bags filled with fun surprises.

Talk about a way to start a vacation!

Christmas in California

Who could pass up sharing the joy of Christmas morning with your loved ones?  Even though December 25 was two weeks away we created our own delightful Christmas morning. . . on December 12.  On a clear Sunday, my Grandma Skaggs and Dan and Kaylene came over so we could unwrap gifts together.  John even woke up before 9 am for the occasion.  (Love you, John).  A fun time was had by all.  And though it sounds trite, I realized again it's not about the presents . . . it's about the joy.  It's all about Hallie's exuberant expressions of gratitude.  "Wow!  I LOVE it!"  It's also about Claire tearing the paper only to whisper "baby?" with cautious wonder and then yell "BABY!" once she realized we indeed wrapped a new baby in paper and let her purposefully annihilate that wrap to get to it.  It is about the good feeling you get when Mom admires her apron that you sewed with your own hands (with a lot of help of a Singer machine).  And it's in the fun of observing John pounce to throw away the mess of paper as soon as it hits the ground (just like Dad always did).

Dad supervised.  I can't tell you how much I love that he is in between pictures of Santa.

Don't be jealous of my granny jammies . . . although they are so comfy you really should be.

  

And to think . . . we get to do it all again in less than a week!  

Snapshots of fun from California

The girls were in heaven in the backyard. 

Every day Claire had muddy knees and Hallie had dirt covered toes.

Aunt Kaylene spent hours with the girls.

Grandma and Hallie had a special date.

She took Hallie to the movie Tangled.

They shared popcorn and candy and a drink.

Hallie loved Rapunzel!

We went to the church Christmas party.  This was the ward I grew up in so it was so special to be there.

We also got to hang out with the Campbell's and Webb's -- our very close friends.

Clairey loved snuggling up in blankets on the couch and watching cartoons.

Hallie and Brooklyn (my friend Julie's daughter) modeled Kaylene's handmade head bands.

Kaylene gave me a hair cut.  And my hair will never be that smooth again.  She has a gift.

Kaylene cut Hallie's hair too. 

This was only her second hair cut.

She was so excited that her aunt did it.

We also spent splendid time with Laura, Grandpa Wynn, the Schmidt family, and Grandma Skaggs.

But alas, I didn't take pictures.  Blast!

Thanks for a great time dear family and friends!

A visit with Dad

One of my essential visits while in California for Christmas was my dad's grave site.

I totally looked forward to this and dreaded it at the same time.

My mom lovingly picked out Christmas flowers that she knew Dad would love.

She did perfectly.

As I approached the grave site I felt my emotions knot up in my throat.

They steadily spread and my chest tightened as I stepped closer.

I thought I would burst into tears.

I reached his gravestone and sighed. 

It felt peaceful.

I missed him.

It seemed surreal.

But it felt peaceful.

Look at the surroundings.

When Mom and I selected the grave site, we had already viewed most of the cemetery.

When we stopped at this section we looked at each other and said "This is it."

When we walked to the plot we looked at each other and said "This is it."

When I showed my Dad the pictures of his site (he was at home on hospice) he said "That's nice."

And it is.

It truly is a set apart place.

 And my Mom did an incredible job on his headstone.

She was absolutely inspired.

This is the best tribute to him possible.

Mom brilliantly brought a lifesaver book to share with Dad for Christmas.

Dad was Christmas for all of us.

He always made sure we each had a lifesaver book so we could savor the season.

Claire and Hallie enjoyed being there.  Claire got her knees muddy crawling everywhere.

Hallie danced and ran and collected pine cones for Grandpa.

Clairey danced on Grandpa's grave.

And he would have loved it!

Let me say that there are moments where I feel like I could implode with grief.  Let me also say with the utmost sincerity that because of a loving Savior, that grief subsides and joy can reside.  Sometimes reading a strong statement like someone's belief and love for Jesus Christ makes me feel uncomfortable.  But let me add that I do not say it to show off or make anyone feel uncomfortable.  I'm not better than anyone. But after years of study, personal reflection, and prayer I tell you He lives; and because of Him, Dad lives too.  He doesn't live here where I can hug him. But he lives close by in spirit.  And someday I will hug him again.  And we'll both weep just like I do as I write this.  And I think the Savior will weep too.  Because he loves both of us.  He loves all of us.