Christmas

Oh how Christmas Eve day can seem like an eternity for excited kids, and just as long for parents that are constantly being asked questions about Santa and how much longer.  To help Dalanie, she wrote down the number of hours before Santa would arrive.  We set the kitchen timer for hour increments, and each time she would hear the beep she would race to cross off a number.

We spent a quiet evening with Grandma and Grandpa Hillman.  The kids each shared a song or two that they had prepared.  Brent read the Christmas story out of the bible and we played a game of memory.

Ruby's Christmas was made as soon as she opened this box.  

Her own baby, and boy is she a responsible mom.  Brent and I babysat several times for her throughout the morning.  She is a good multi-tasker and likes to talk on the phone while she feeds her baby.

It seems like Santa had a little explaining of his own to do.

Dalanie's own bottle of LOVE to serve as a reminder of the love her Mom and Dad have for her.

And since Hudson's dog jumped out of Santa's sleigh, he had to settle for this RC truck.  Later he told Brent, "I thought I really wanted a dog, but this truck is pretty fun.  Santa is pretty smart."

Dalanie was a little somber as we put her to bed on Christmas Eve.  She expressed concern that she might only end up with coal because of her behavior.  She really tries to be good, but sometimes it is really hard for her.  She found some coal in the bottom of her stocking and decided to take it to Burley to share with Grandpa Parish.

The morning slipped away quickly before packing up and heading to Burley for the Wilkins Family Christmas party.  The kids had been asked to help with the nativity.

Ruby couldn't have been more excited about being an angel.  On stage she quietly waved and then sweetly re-clasped her hands.  It was adorable and warranted little chuckles from the audience.

There was the first snow to be sledded in.

iPads to be played with.

Babies were to be held and hoarded.

Hair was to be cut.

Food to be eaten.  Family to be enjoyed.  Sounds like a good Christmas to me.

Lessons on Giving

Prior to Christmas morning, the kids had visited with Santa on several occasions.  Their lists were quite short, but consistent.  Hudson wanted a real cow dog, Dalanie asked for love (and every time, Santa would question 'gloves?') and Ruby wanted a baby.  While there are some expectations on Christmas morning, the kids were equally excited to exchange the gifts that they had carefully selected for family members.  I was involved in taking the kids shopping and it was one of my favorite parts of Christmas, to watch the kids think of others and giving more than their own wants.

Both Hudson and Dalanie brainstormed and compiled lists of ideas.  Then money was counted and withdrawn from savings and lists were quickly revamped.  Each child set their own budget and decided which stores they'd like to shop at.  

It was a no-brainer for Dalanie, she is a converted DI shopper.  After making her selections, it was time for her to pay.  She was deflated when the cashier requested nearly $7.50 which meant she had to hand over her $5 bill.  She hid her head and started to cry, it tore at my heartstrings.  I told her that she could put things back, but deep within her, she wanted to give.  She resolved to work and earn another $5 bill.

Hudson decided to withdraw $30 from his savings account.  Our first stop was at Ross and then on to Target.  I tried to offer suggestions, but ultimately he wanted to hand select every gift.  And for a boy of seven, there are limitless possibilities and so many options.  He would have loved an entire day, but we only had a few hours.  And then he had to carefully balance what he wanted to give with the price range he had established, and that is no easy task.

And by the time it was Ruby's turn, we had nearly ran out of time and I was out of the energy to negotiate in a store with a three year old.  Instead, I set up a little store in the basement and she got to pick gifts for everyone out of my stash of clearance finds.  She was so excited, she couldn't keep a secret from anyone.  

Sledding

At last, enough snow fell on Christmas Eve for the kids to go sledding.  I informed them that I would not be going down any sledding hill in my very pregnant condition.  They said that was fine, I could just pull them to the top.  HA!  Brent took them and I just got to enjoy the entertainment.

They loved being pulled and were out of the sled far more than they were in it.

After awhile of messing around in the yard, they talked Brent into taking them to Pullin' Hill.  In the past, he's avoided it on account that "someone always ends up hurt."

We beat the odds, and everyone came home intact despite some crazy crashes.

After several times down the hill, the run was more dirt than it was snow.

 Not to be outdone, Dalanie had to high-mark Hudson.

Ruby kept me company and locked me out of the car.

Kitchen Goodness

For us, many of the Christmas traditions we enjoy as a family happen in the kitchen.  Gingerbread house decorating is highly anticipated.  This year the kids tried their darnedest to use up their Halloween candy.  That made for some very colorful and adorned houses.  Nik had passed along a tip she had heard, and we "glued" our graham crackers together using melted sugar.  It worked better than cement, the only downfall is that it can leave some nasty burns.

My years in the candy shop were revisited as we made double batches of peanut brittle and English toffee.  How can you go wrong with pounds of butter and an infrared thermometer?

Our sugar cookie making was jump started when our friend and neighbor requested some cookies.  Her husband's health was rapidly deteriorating and she wanted some cookies to have on hand for all of their visitors.

 We had to save a handful for Hudson to decorate once he got home from school.

And lastly, we snuck in some gingerbread men on Christmas Eve.  

 Here is a nice picture of Dalanie's long hair before we had it chopped off.

Christmas Sunday

Hillman Family Christmas 2012

Hudson, my future missionary, 'being large in stature and spirit.'  He is growing into a big boy.  He enjoys interacting with people and is quite a gentleman.  He opens the doors for me and is always looking for ways to help.  On many occasions he will help Ruby put on her shoes as we hurry to get out the door.  He is a self-motivated, dreamer.  I love that he will give me a hug when I come to his class and likes to hold my hand.  He does his best to follow Jesus and treat others kindly.  He makes us proud and tries hard not to disappoint.  He has become Dad's buddy and gets to work and run errands with him.

Dalanie, my mini-me in personality, and mini-Brent as far as looks go.  She is intense and always has to be busy.  It's a full time job to keep her occupied.  She loves projects, challenges, and working hard.  She thrives when being loved and expressing love.  She has become a little finger snapper and letter writer.  She enjoys a competition as long as she is winning.  By the end of the day, she is the first one to bed.

Ruby Dooby, these pictures say a lot of her easy going, happy disposition.  She seems to sense the change in the air, and has become quite adamant about only Mom's help.  She has become the 'bad word' police and often calls me or her siblings out on our language.  She has a way with words and keeps us laughing.  I read the fortune out of her cookie that said, "It's not not the years in your life, but the life in your years that count."  She countered back, "I can't count.  Right, Mom?"  She enjoys dancing/twirling and anything involving her imagination.

School Parties

Ruby rarely gets an invitation to participate in school activities, so she was so excited to get to go make gingerbread men with "Mrs. Harshbarger's"class (she loves to say that name) and Dalanie.

While the men were a baking, we headed down to the music room.  They sang a song about making new friends and all the kids loved shaking hands.  It was fun singing along to the Christmas songs with the excited kids, although it was a bit more like shouting along, especially to "Must Be Santa!"

There was no shortage of frosting or sprinkles.

 For Hudson's party, I took in some Minute to Win It games (from our ugly sweater party.)

 We ended up with a few dizzy kids, but they all really enjoyed the challenge.

So many people got a kick out of my big Santa shirt.  As a matter of fact, I wore it later that day to take Hudson Christmas shopping.  Quite a few people saw it and chuckled to themselves, but even more would make some sort of comment about how they enjoyed it or thought it was great.