A Reason

During Christmas time there seems to be more reasons to do things and more meaning behind the things we do.  Reason:  This year we worked on earning straw for Jesus by doing kind deeds for others.  It helped some of us think of others more and some of us were able to count and visually see all that we do for others.  

Reason: I love connecting with old friends through Christmas cards.  Even if it's no more than thinking about them as I address the envelope.  So naturally, if I want to get them I have learned that I have to send them.

 The kids helped me stick on the stamps and put them in the mail.

There's a bit more excitement in the mailbox during December.

And before long, our once bare paper chain is weighed down with all of the Christmas card goodness.

Reason: Dalanie decided that she wanted to be part of the youth choir at the Community Christmas Concert.
We were preg-checking cows the morning of the practice, so I brought her different shoes and a hat.

I thought she was the most adorable girl there.  Something about tousled hair and manure on your pants.

We managed to convince Hudson to sing the night of the concert.  You can see by the look on Dalanie's face that they enjoyed singing.  It was the best part of the evening.  After nearly an hour and a half of kids climbing all over me, complaining about the heat, needing to go to the bathroom, and the closing prayer being sung- I WAS READY TO GO!

 We went up to Idaho Falls (I'm sure we had to go to either Best Buy or Home Depot, so why not drag the family along.)  We had dinner and were buying time until Elsa would arrive at the light show, so we killed time at Orange Leaf.  Delsie does not share well and hi-jacked my ice-cream.  She threatened to do the same thing to my second one.

 We waded through the mud to get see Elsa and get a picture.

Reason:  Amy Jolley (my cross fit coach) chose an insane WOD with nearly 150 pull-ups one day.  We both had blisters before the workout was over.  At first I just thought it was pretty stupid and it hurt like the dickens.  But then I let it be my "Christmas hand."  A reminder of not only the babe in Bethlehem, but of my Savior and Redeemer.  I don't think it was coincidence of the placement of my blister.  It took on greater significance since I was memorizing The Living Christ during the weeks leading up to (and even on) Christmas.

 Ruby and Delsie came down to school to help with Hudson's class party.  They played BINGO.

 And then I did a game where they had to draw on a plate on the top of their head.  They got points for correct placement and connecting lines.  I think it was more fun to watch than to draw.

The kids finally got a chance to meet up with Santa at our ward party a week before Christmas.  He never did ask what they wanted, so Dalanie was a bit worried about Christmas.

After all the festivities, shopping, preparing, and anticipating, Christmas Eve finally rolled around.  Reason:  We had the Jensen's and Grandma and Grandpa Hillman over for dinner and some games.  We had a nice dinner of twice baked potatoes (a tradition from my family dinner on Christmas Eve) and ribs.

We had so much to eat, we forgot to get out Grandma's layered jello.

We played BINGO until every child won something.  Fits on Christmas Eve sure put a damper on the mood.

And then we passed a present game sort of like musical chairs.

Grandma had already done her famous gift exchange during Thanksgiving, so she gave each of the kids a matchbox car and they pushed those all over the dirty floor.

Handmade for the Holidays

My parents were the epitome of hand crafted gifts.  To this day, my most favorite gifts are the ones that they create.  There's just a richness and beauty to handmade that you can't get from a store.  

I dipped spoons in the most lovely mint green for the neighbors gifts.  They turned out better than I expected, which made me absolutely giddy.  After sharing my excitement with Brent for the 100th time of the day, he just laughed and said something to the affect that" simply dipping a spoon handle in the paint makes you feel so accomplished and I just think you're capable of so much more."

I recreated some snowmen bowls I saw with some wooden bowls that the girls and I thrifted.  Besides the fact that I couldn't find any food safe sealer, they were fun to make.  Ruby wanted to help but only ended up smearing some of the still-wet eyes.

I was catching up on office work one day, so Ruby got her craft on.  She created such

adorable things that she shared with some of the elderly when we made our visits.

I finally participated in a cookie exchange.  We had one with Power of Moms and I made these thumbprint cookies.  

One of my many batches of peanut brittle.

Some friends and family got these growth chart rulers.  Mom made me one and it has been so fun to watch the kids grow.  I like that they're cute enough to make part of your decor.

Ruby was bit by the wrapping bug.  She didn't have many gifts to wrap, so she just started wrapping wrapping paper to give to everyone. 

Here's one of her famous 'april fools' gifts.  They were much more fun for her to wrap than they are to open.

Dalanie and I decided to make t-shirt scarves for her friends.  They were pretty simple: cutting, braiding, and tying.  No sewing at all!  It was really hard for her to settle on a giving list.  I made her whittle it down to seven but in the end it grew to over twelve.  

We ended up making them for Ruby's friends to.  It's fun to see the little girls wearing them.

Marsha taught Dalanie and me how to hand crochet scarves.  They whip up really fast.  In fact, Dalanie made three Christmas Eve morning.  Overall, I think she made five to give away.

I can't take any credit for this last one (besides coming up with the idea and printing off the pattern.)  Brent and Hudson were busy little elves Christmas Eve day working on this labor of love for Dalanie.  It is a bunk bed for her dolls.  The construction impressed my parents with all of the pocket hole joints.  Hudson made several trips back and forth to the shop getting it made and painted.  It made my heart swell up seeing him trudging through the snow on Christmas day, carrying his project that he made to give to his sister.  So selfless and so genuine.  I hope he'll always remember the Spirit of Giving.

Sunday's Christmas Best

I vowed to get pictures of the kids all dressed up before church.  I cannot tell you how many times I think I'll catch them after church and it never happens.  They are less cooperative after church.  Our bedroom wall serves as the best backdrop.  I love dressing my girls up in matching dresses.  It's getting increasingly difficult with the sizes we have to span, so online shopping from China produced these dresses.

I wanted a family picture, but knew my arm wasn't long enough for a family selfie.  We grabbed Michalyn Jolley in the hall at church and had her snap this of us.  I'm so glad we did, even though I felt a little silly.

Cooking Up Some Christmas

Ruby added a new twist to watching cookies bake when she started doing push ups.  I turned the oven light on for her and before I knew it, she was down on her hands and feet.  And then of course, Delsie had to get in on the action.

It wouldn't be Christmas without spending some time in the kitchen together, making some of our favorite treats.  When the kids are dressed the part, they become such good helpers.  This year I had each child in charge of one of the treats.  Dalanie helped me measure out ingredients and grease the pan for peanut brittle.  We made 6 batches of peanut brittle throughout the season.  It's my favorite Christmas candy.

 Ruby let everyone help her dip pretzels and sprinkle them with crushed peppermint.

 Some gingerbread came to life.

 Hudson decided to make the peanut butter cups into squares.  They were a hit and the first thing gone.  I think it has to do with the small pan size.

 Dalanie headed up the almond joy crew.  It's a simple recipe using butter, marshmallows, and coconut for the centers.  Instead of dipping them, we just piped chocolate over the tops.  It was quick and clean and absolutely scrumptious.

 Primary teachers, employees, and a few special neighbors got a box of our treats.

I like to reminisce about my days in the candy shop when we're cooking ups sweets.  Although to really get the feel, we should make some fudge.  To be honest, I haven't made fudge since leaving the candy shop.

Christmas Recital

Now that the kids are taking music and piano lessons, I wanted to give them an opportunity to share their talents.  JeraLin was also interested, so we joined forces to put on a Christmas recital.  Dalanie helped me cut the invitations and label them.

Next we decided to hand deliver them.  It was fun for me to sit in the car and watch the kids go up and into homes that they have frequented over the years.  They know the homes you just knock and walk in and ones you wait for the dog to be tied up before going in.  

 How blessed we are to have so many elderly to visit.

We planned it for a Friday afternoon, knowing we would be cutting it close to get the older girls home from gym in time.  Charlotte agreed to bring them home, but nearly made Dalanie and LinLee miss it by running her errands.  Other than that, it was a great event.  Not many people from the ward made it out, but it was a wonderful opportunity for kids to play in front of a crowd.
We also did a little nativity and had most of the younger girls sing and play their bells.

JeraLin put together a beautiful little program.  I was glad she was helping me because it's "her thing."

Joy to the World:  Trent Telford
'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the town,
All the shoppers were busy and bustling around.
Lights were hung and bells were ringing,
Children were filled with excitement and singing.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree:  Hudson Hillman
Jingle Bells:  Dalanie Hillman
Each child made up their own Christmas list
Hoping that not a present was missed.
Jolly Old St. Nicholas:  Abbie Larsen
Jingle Bells:  Kutter Arbon
As Christmas Day began to draw near,
Our busy schedule was too much to bear.
In the chaos of shopping for presents to find,
The Spirit of Christmas was left far behind.
We knew we needed to change our ways
For Christ is the reason for this holiday.
Silent Night:  Ava Newman
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing:  Sage Morris
Away in a Manger:  Linlee Telford
The Christ child was born in a stable bare.
Shepherds and Wisemen gathered there.
Gold and myrrh they brought for the babe.
They followed the star that led the way
The First Noel:  Sage Morris
Nativity (Joyschool Narration)
In a Little Stable:  Dalanie, Ruby, Abbie, Sage, Willow, Ava, Emma, Linlee, and Sadie
Away in a Manger:  Hudson Hillman
Silent Night:  Tyler Telford
God send His Son from Heaven Above
In hopes that we might be filled with his love.
He Sent His Son:  Trent Telford
Let's all remember this Christmas season
To be giving and loving, for Christ is the reason.
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful:  JeraLin Telford
Silent Night:  Abby Shiess 

Frozen Fifth Birthday

In the weeks leading up to Ruby's birthday, she would come up and crawl into bed with me so we could "talk about her birthday."  She wanted nothing other than a Frozen themed party.  One day I noticed the frozen water feature in Idaho Falls and knew it would be the perfect backdrop for Elsa.  We had a cold spell, but things started warming up and I knew we needed to act quickly before our opportunity melted away.  We borrowed Sadie's Elsa dress and had a lot of fun.  It was windy and rainy, but we persevered and got some fun shots.

And since we were already in Idaho Falls, I decided that it would be the perfect chance to spend some one on one time with Ruby.  Sometimes she gets pushed to the side in order to satisfy the needs of my more demanding daughter.  We got some gourmet cupcakes at Love At First Bite, checked out the mini-bazaar, perused the toy store, and ate at Chick-Fil-A.

It must have been exciting and tiring because she fell asleep on the way home.

We celebrated with Grandma/Pa Parish and the Stephens on Saturday. . . 

With the Hillman clan on Sunday. . .

Cinnamon rolls from Hard Times on Monday (her actual birthday). . .

And then again with her friends on Wednesday.

We had the girls come dressed up.  We put on pairs of socks and ice-skated around the kitchen to the Frozen soundtrack.  There was a fair amount of drama and pouting on Ruby's part.  I guess after dreaming of her party for months, she had a good idea of how things should play out.  So when everyone didn't cooperate, she got upset.  Birthday-zilla.  

I talked Ruby into being Anna (in large part because all of the Elsa dresses that were on sale were sold out.)  I think Anna is the prettier of the two sisters anyway.

Pin the nose on Olaf.

She was pretty jazzed with the cupcakes that I whipped up.  

I sure love this girl.

She loves to make drawings and crafts for others.  She is a peacemaker, always compromising to keep the peace.  She is stingy with her kisses, especially to her dad.  She is our family sleepy-head.  It's fun to watch her improve in gymnastics and music.  She is working on learning to read and getting bigger muscles.  She loves to flex and show them off.  She is Delsie's hero!