Christmas 2012

This year was a simple and memorable Christmas. As we have done in years past we talked to the kids about the true meaning of Christmas and had a special lesson about our savior, Jesus Christ. Sometime later we were driving in the car and listening to Christmas music when a song came on singing, "Happy birthday, Jesus." Jaxson says, "Mom, when is Jesus' birthday?" I guess he wasn't really understanding the true meaning of Christmas! After another discussion about it I think Jaxson and Ehlana are finally starting to get it. 

(The Sunday before Christmas.)

Christmas Eve we had our traditional Jesus supper with my family. We eat the food that Jesus ate and talk about His birth and life. Then we read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible and sing carols. The kids actually ate the food this year and enjoyed singing the carols!

Christmas morning the kids woke up early and got into their stockings.  (Santa leaves them at the end of their beds.) We had asked them not to wake us up until 7:30 and so they watched a movie, ate all their candy, and painted and glittered a craft project all over the bathroom before they came and woke us up. We didn't have any super exciting gifts for the kids this year but they were very happy with what they got. 

I married my husband for his many wonderful talents and abilities, photography is not one of them. "I'll just use my phone. It takes better pictures than the camera"....

 (I took this one. The only one that doesn't look like it was taken in 1985.)

We spent the rest of the day with my family having Christmas breakfast, Christmas dinner, opening more gifts, and playing games. The highlight was skyping with my brother, Carl, who is serving a mission in Brazil. It was a relaxing and fun day.

The next day we went to Seattle and bought Steve a "Christmas present." This is one present that we were more excited about than the kids!

Christmas Festivities 2012

 Christmas is almost here and we have been busy getting ready for it! Ehlana is the most excited about it. She is really into her elf on the shelf this year that she got from her cousin, Kate.

 I on the other hand, am not totally into the elf on the shelf considering there have been many mornings when I realize I forgot to "help" the elf and I had to sneak downstairs without getting caught. There have also been a couple times I have remembered in the middle of the night and gotten up to move him. But, Ehlana is very excited about him and loves him dearly. I have finally gotten a system down so I don't have a minor panic attack every morning. She is also very excited about Santa and has about 1,723 questions about him. How did he get here? Where are his reindeer? Why does he wear a red suit? Why does he have a belt? Does Santa know Jesus? For Christmas she wants a dream light pillow pet, a makeup box, and anything she is currently watching a commercial for on TV. 

Last week she had her Christmas preschool program. She did a great job even though she was kind of distracted with all the parents there. 

Jaxson is not as dazzled by Santa this year. He also caught on pretty quick about the elf on the shelf. He is too much of a realist to believe in such stories. He doesn't know what he wants for Christmas, it changes everyday. He likes playing Christmas songs on the piano and having a break from school. 

Jakob is the typical 1 1/2 year old when it comes to Christmas. He loves the tree and all the lights. He hasn't unwrapped any presents yet, but he does rip off the bows and he has chewed quite a few of my little glitter decor balls. Apparently they taste delicious. He didn't like sitting on Santa's lap. At all. But he loves singing Christmas carols and he walks around the house singing Jingle bells. It melts my heart.

The other day he put bubbles on his chin and said, "Ho ho ho!"

As for us grown ups, we went to Steve's work Christmas party at a car museum. It was a pretty fun venue and we got to try the racing simulator.

Earlier this month we had our annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party! It was a small group this year but we had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I only got one picture of the entire night. I am really disappointed that I didn't get a group picture. Or any pictures of the awesome white elephant gifts. They were epic this year! We had a hand made (by Nancy) bright yellow "Obama and Binden 2012" quilt, an intricate shell mirror hand made by the Christensen's grandmother, and two of the weirdest crocheted dolls I have ever seen!

I came up with a memorable and practical gift this year. We ordered a 2013 calendar. Featuring us. And our cat. 

I'm sure you are dying to see all 12 months of us so here they are!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

(My personal favorite)

November

December

We are now officially ready for Christmas Day! 

Warning: Do Not Put Lime-A-Way In Your Eyes

Yesterday was a bad day. At about 9am Jaxson was already off to school I was finishing getting ready for the day while Jakob was toddling around me. I left my bathroom and went to the laundry room to start some laundry and said, "Come on, Jakob." I got the laundry in and as I came out of the laundry room I saw Jakob coming out of my bedroom holding the bottle of Lime-a-way (bathroom cleaner) towards his face, rubbing his eyes and starting to cry. I grabbed him and laid him in my bath tub (pj's and all) and began pouring cold water into his eyes while he's screaming. After a few minutes I got him out, took off his wet clothes, and dried him off. He seemed fine after that. He wasn't crying or rubbing his eyes. I called the doctor's office and they didn't have an appointment until 3pm. I wish I would have been more persistent. I don't think the receptionist understood what I was telling her. I told her I didn't want to wait until 3pm I would just take him to urgent care right then. We got there a little before 10am. I was hoping we would be in and out of there in an hour so I could still volunteer in Jaxson's class at 11:45. Nope. I waited (with two very bored children) for over and hour and a half before we were placed in a room. I had no toys with me. Just a ziplock bag with some stale pretzels and a fruit leather. Once the doctor came in she said he looked good and whatever I did at home had helped. She still wanted to flush his eyes, check the pH balance of his eyes, and check for any scratches or blemishes with a black light. One of the MA's and I had to hold Jakob down while we did all three of the procedures. He was screaming hysterically and I was holding back the tears. His eyes looked fine. His pH was only slightly elevated and the doctor said to watch him close and follow up with my pediatrician in a couple days. We didn't get home until 1pm. We were tired and hungry and glad to be home. My mom took Ehlana for the afternoon and Jakob took a long nap. I was a zombie the rest of the day trying to get things done. Jakob is fine now. I'm so glad it wasn't serious. Steve put baby locks on our bathroom cabinets last night. And now I know what your doctor will do if you put Lime-a-way in your eyes. Trust me. It's not fun.