Christmas Time

We had so much FUN this Christmas! The Friday before, we headed to town to visit family. It was pretty crazy, but we LOVE seeing all our family!

While at my parents, we went to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and heard beautiful music, played games like Little White Lies and this other game about useless information. For example, "In 2006, how many brand new SUV's were sold?" And then you have to guess. I put 3,000. Try 3,000,000. Boy was I WAY off! Mom made yummy ham, funeral potatoes, and rolls. I loved it! Later, we saw The Princess and the Frog - which scared Mercedes and Christina pretty bad "'cause of those bad monsters." To make up for it, we went to Arctic Circle after and let them play and eat. Spencer even went and ate with us. I'm glad he decided to grace us with his presence, hehehe... (I think the last time I went out to eat and Spencer was there, he was flirting with girls on the other side of the restaurant. I'm not lying. We were at one wall, and they were clear across the room at the other wall. They even gave him their phone numbers, which a waiter eagerly handed him! Can you believe that)!?!

With Jake's family, we had a couple Christmas parties which were fun. At the Adult Christmas Party we ate Sour Bratten, which I don't know how to spell, homemade noodles and rolls, Green Bean Casserole, and this Fuchsia cabbage stuff. It's all German. I thought last years was weird, so I only ate noodles and UN-Sour Bratten. (Sour Bratten is meat soaked in vinager for about five days. It's zippy, and that's a BIG understatement). Supposedly, this years wasn't as bad as last year's. I can't say for certain 'cause I didn't try it. Maybe I'll give it a shot next year...

We had lots of fun with everyone!

And guess what?! Melanie and Doug so graciously gave us their extra camera. So, I have pictures to share! But we'll have to wait until I have time to add them. Love to you all!

December's Visiting Teaching Message

Good morning, good morning. It's great to stay up late. Good morning, good morning to you, and you, and you! This is a link to the Visiting Teaching message for December. It was so wonderful, I had to share it with everyone! Enjoy!

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=9e7b26a816c25210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Potty Training Again

Good Morning Everyone! It is such a lovely day outside...freezing cold, but nice and crisp. Boy am I grateful for a home that keeps me warm and out of the cold. Today is a good day! I can finely slip away from Alex for a few minutes to write a little. We have been potty training this week. Christina did AWESOME!!! Not one single accident. She's amazing! Alex is doing great too! He's already peed in the potty three times this morning, and it's barely eight o'clock! WOW!

Potty training Alex was a spontaneously inspired answer to prayer. After our last attempt to potty train Christina I just didn't know what to do. She was so beyond being ready. But, she did it this time, and didn't even realize it! No trauma involved. What a big girl! And, extra bonus for me...Alex will be potty trained too!

Being a mommy is exhausting work, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I absolutely love my kids!

Family Gatherings and a Tangent

Hello everyone! I just thought I'd make a little post since two of the kids are sleeping, Jake's out playing basketball, and I haven't written here for awhile.

Thanksgiving was lots of fun! My parents and brother came and we enjoyed the day with Grandma and Grandpa Simmonds, Dan and Kristy, and all of Dan's family. They are so funny! My parents stayed through the weekend and we had a small birthday party for Mercedes. You should have heard Christina when she saw the doll my dad bought Mercedes. She was ecstatic! All her squealing and the animation as she exclaimed "Preautiful! Spencer, come and see!" And patted the doll's head through its package.

We just returned from our ward Christmas party. Each family was supposed to bring a gift in a jar. We ate soup, salad, and cake. I made my peanut butter bunt cake all topped with peanut butter glaze and drizzled with melted chocolate. I am proud to say that it was one of the very first deserts cut and eaten entirely. Honestly, I was just glad it was eaten. I was beginning to gain a complex. Every time I make something for a ward party, I come home with 98 percent of it. If Jake makes something, it's gobbled up! What's that all about?!

After dinner, we listened to the story of Penny's Christmas Jar, sang carols, watched the children do the story of the Nativity - Mercedes was a "moo cow" with Tessa - and Santa came too. (Of course). In the end, every family was able to pick a jar to take home. It was a good evening, except I did something I was a little embarrassed about - which is most certainly not easy for me.

There is an older gentleman in the ward named Garth Leishman. He is so sweet. The second Sunday we were her, I had Mercedes and Christina at church all by myself. It had been a crazy day, and Christina had finely fallen asleep in my arms. When church was over, I had to get Mercedes from nursery, but with no free hands I was a little worried about what to do. Bro. Leishman took Christina in his arms and just held her for me, rocking her to keep her a sleep. It was wonderful help. (We have amazing people in our ward family).

So anyway, back to the embarrassment. I was helping clean up after the Christmas party. Just clearing tables with some of the other people and Bro. Leishman came over to change the garbage bags out. Ellis, one of Jake's scouts, and I helped him and went back to clearing tables. Then I turned around and saw Bro. Leishman switching out another garbage sack. Instantly, I'm thinking "Oh, there's Garth again." But what came out of my mouth was "Man, you're all over those garbage bags Leish! Garth. Brother. Leishman. Sorry" as my voice stuttered, fading with the realization that just out of respect, I never call him anything but Brother Leishman, except in my head - then he's just Garth.

When I said it, his face lit up with a huge grin. Maybe it was some nickname he had growing up. Maybe he thought my mumbling was funny. I don't know. What I do know is I've got to be more careful about respecting my elders.

Oh, and I read the Twilight series in nine days. After 2444 pages, my brain is mush. Absolute mush!