Christmas Eve - Part 1

Christmas Eve... I think it just might be the funnest day of the whole entire year... with the exception of Mother's Day, of course!  My kids woke up with so much excitement that I thought they might burst.  Especially Kyler!  In order to keep the sanity at a reasonable level, we started partying at noon.  We had to keep those kids busy!

Somehow our plastic, dollar store goblets make any celebration extra "sh-mancy" and special.  Since Grandma Stevens hosts a fun Christmas Eve dinner every year, I always try to make a fun, festive lunch.  As you can see, Kyler was really on one that day.  He looks like a mad man in almost every single one of these photos!

  

We have a tradition of everyone one pronouncing a Christmas toast.   Yes, I know this a drinking tradition, but my kids think it's super cool.  They could clink those glasses together all day long!  I think Justin's toast went something like... 

"Here's to a very Merry Chirstmas & Good riddance 2011!"

I concur!

I purposefully planned a "Gingerbread" themed day to go along with the kid's Christmas Eve gift.  I had been saving this kit all month long... they were so happy to finally make it!  (Oh Kyler...)

Next up, gingerbread-shaped sugar cookies for Santa!
 (Ky--you're killing me.)

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed this activity... especially the eating part!

This picture reminds of Grandpa Stevens.

Looks like "frosting love" runs in the family.

After hours of begging, I relented and let the kids open their Christmas Eve jammies at 3:30 p.m.  No, it wasn't even close to dark yet, but I couldn't hold them off any longer.  I was a little nervous that they might not like them, but they were so hyped up, I think I could have given them rags and they would have been thrilled! They love their annual Christmas jams!  Super sad note:  I think this will be the last year for them to have matching pajamas... sniff, sniff.  Kenna's sadly officially in Gymboree's largest size.  BOO HOOOOO!!!  

(Give me a moment.)  

Alright, I'm okay. 

 Now, prepare yourself for a seriously silly P.J. photo shoot:

Are you confused?  They're trying to be gingerbread men.

Ash, however, had no idea what that meant obviously!

Really Kyler?  This could've been the cutest photo ever!  (Sigh.)

I don't know... I think they're excited! 

 

Tune it later for the funniest Christmas Eve Nativity ever. 

Pictures of December

25 days.  That's all we get to pack in all the parties, traditions, worship, and magic of Christmas.  These 25 days always feel like a blur to me... so much to do in not enough time!  Here's a glimpse at our month in pictures.

A miracle happened and we had a spare two minutes before church for a mini photo shoot.  I need to mention that my children's beautiful clothes (from head to toe) were passed down to us from the Magleby family.  They have dressed my children since McKenna's birth.  Their generosity is unbelievable.  Every time we see them, they're giving us boxes of clothes and shoes, toys, food... so much.  We can never re-pay them. They have blessed our life so much.  Thank you Brooke & Brett!

So grown up and so pretty.

 This is her last Christmas in Primary!

Carson's Kindergarten Christmas Party. 

 Ashton went to every station--having the time of his life!

On the last day of school before Christmas vacation, the kids were bursting with Christmas Spirit... so much that Kyler asked to wear an elf hat... very uncharacteristic for his 'cool' persona! 

Carson asked me to paint his shoes black so he looked more like Santa!

9:00 a.m. on the first day of Christmas vacation.  This is my backyard by the way.  We live in the best neighborhood.  This wouldn't be allowed in most subdivisions, but our neighbors are super cool. 

I risked my life to snap this picture with my phone and endured sneers from Santa's elves afterwards!  They aren't too jolly if you don't pay $20 bucks for their photo.  This is also the first time that ALL of my children are in a photo with Santa.  There's usually one child bawling and totally terrified (usually Kyler)--so this was a first!

Letters to Santa--amongst the clothes in Macy's.  

Even with a stupid 5th grade teacher who almost ruined the magic of Christmas, we all still BELIEVE!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,  

Thank you so much for bringing Ashton that new, colorful race track with all of complicated, tiny pieces!  He really loved it... for the first hour.  However, you could really save yourself a lot of time, stress, and money if you would just simply wrap up a kitchen appliance!

Love,

Mom

It Is Finished

I'm a person who makes lists.  I have lists everywhere---in my purse, in my coat pockets, on the fridge...  I think I like making lists... not because they keep me organized... but because I like the feeling of crossing off a task after I complete it.  You can imagine, then, the overwhelming feeling of relief I felt when I tied the last knot on a little project that I've been working on for eight years! 

Behold:  THE STOCKINGS!!   

I stole this tradition of homemade stockings from my sister Lori.  When Justin and I were first married, we spent Christmas Eve in Lori's home.  I watched as Lori's kids lay in front of the fireplace--gazing at the stockings they'd had their entire life--and laugh and fight over why their stocking was the best!  I loved that they loved something their mother had made them... something that would be passed down and remembered forever.  I'm a sucker for all things sentimental--so right then and there--I decided to adopt this tradition.  It seemed like a great idea at the time... But boy, I had no idea how many years that little decision would affect me!!  As I look at these stockings hanging neatly in a row today, I love them.  But in all honesty, I hated those stockings most of the time.  They made me bleed once or twice and swear a few times more than that. They were truly a labor of love, but I can now proudly say:  IT IS FINISHED!  I think each stocking deserves a tribute of their own... 

Justin's:

Mine:

Kenna's:

Ky's:

Carson's:

And, as of December 23rd, Ashton's:

They really love them!  See?

A little stocking trivia:

The Hardest Stocking to make:  Kenna's

The Easiest Stocking to make:  Kyler's

My Personal Favorite Stocking:  Kyler's

My Least Favorite Stocking:  Carson's

The Kid's Favorite Stocking:  Ashton's

Stocking Detail I Hated the Most:  Candy Canes & Scarves

Stocking Detail I Enjoyed the Most:  Faces

The Stocking That Took the Longest to Make:  Ashton's... 3 years!!!

If you ever stop by and get a chance to see the famous stockings, please tell me how fabulous they are... even if you are lying.  It makes my tired hands feel better!

He's BAAAAAACK!!

Our kids were delighted beyond measure when we heard a pounding on our door pretty late last week... only to open it up and find our traveling neighborhood Santa!  We love this neighborhood tradition and feel lucky when we land the big guy since their are so many houses in our subdivision and only 25 days in December!  However, we've discovered that this jolly fella is only fun when the lights are on.  Quail Ridge Santa proceeded to make every single one of us jump, gasp, and even scream during his 24-hour stay with us.  It's pretty scary to see the figure of a man in the dark when you're not used to having him there... even if he does have rosy cheeks and a twinkle in his eye!  The lyrics, "He see you when you're sleeping.  He knows when you're awake..." have an all new meaning for me.  Think "Twilight Zone" music or the theme from "Jaws!" It's downright terrifying, I tell you!  It's probably a good thing that he only visits one night a year.

"Although it's been said many times, many ways, SCARY Christmas... to you!!"

The Messiah 2011

The Christmas season doesn't really feel "official" until I get to sing a little Handel!  Perhaps, that's because I've been doing it every December for as long as I can remember.  Yes, last night I watched my Dad direct Pocatello's annual Messiah Sing-in for the 27th time!  My Dad's involvement started long ago when the Messiah was just a Highland Stake fireside where Dad played the viola in the small orchestra.  He then participated as a frequent soloist and eventually became co-director.  Each year this little event grew bigger and bigger--bringing in people of all faiths--until it couldn't be considered a Mormon/Stake event any longer.  Pocatello's Messiah is now held in The Stephen's Art Center, accompanied by a full orchestra, and features over 10 (pretty professional) soloists.  However, regardless of the level of ability, one thing remains the same... this oratorio, which was written in 24 days, is divine.  It's a miracle.  That's all there is to it.  Every time I sing the words--"Wonderful!  Counselor!  The Mighty God!  The Everlasting Father!  The Prince of Peace!"--the Spirit testifies to me that this is true.  It's been a thrill for me as a parent to have my children attend these last few years, watch their grandfather's legacy of service, and be a part of this glorious music!

Justin, Carson, and Ashton were sick last night and stayed home... so that left me sitting between McKenna and Kyler working a little frantically to keep them both on the right page and measure.  But boy, they were troopers.  They both sang the entire thing!  Even Kyler was reaching for the high A's with me!  And the most wonderful part... watching tears stream down McKenna's face during the "Hallelujah Chorus."  At that moment, everything was right in the world.

Also worthy of mention...it was a unique experience to sit in front of my brother-in-law, Mike, last night.  He proceeded to "BAAAAA" in my ear throughout the entire rendition of "All We Like Sheep."  Or how about when my mother proceeded to politely tell that usher that, "No, she would not un-save her seats" because her husband was the head-hauncho after all!  Ah... family.  It's the best!

How do you know that you truly have the greatest Grandfather in the world?... When he fulfills his grandson's wish of climbing to the highest seat in the auditorium even though he's in charge of a million other things! Look close... Grandpa Luke, McKenna, and Kyler are waving from the very top!

Personal note to one of my favorite blog readers:  Thank you, Dad, for your showing us the importance of community, service, sharing our talents... and taking time for what matters most.  Love you more than you'll ever know!--Jodi

Vocal Point Mania

BYU's 9-man a capella group, Vocal Point, just celebrated it's 20th anniversary... and I'm pretty sure we've been going to their concerts for a least 10 of those years!  Justin's brother sang in VP while attending BYU and then became the group's director--so my kids have literally grown up to this music--making their C.D.'s the most played music in our home, falling in love with the ever changing cast of boys, and spitting, spitting, spitting away with the vocal percussion beats.  Oh, the beat boxing... that's another post entirely. It's taken over ALL three of my boys.  Yes, even 2-year-old Ashton walks around all day making gross sounds and spewing saliva like his older brothers.  (It is a boy thing by the way... neither McKenna or I can do it!)  I'll take the spit showers, however, because my children have been very blessed by this group and their music.  The impact has been pretty profound... My kids have been exposed to years of wholesome, uplifting entertainment--a rarity in the world today.  They've learned that developing and sharing talents is "cool"--an especially great lesson for my sons.  And most importantly, they've felt the Spirit as they've listened to VP testify of the Savior through word and song.   And talk about impression... Did I mention that Ashton's first full sentence was: "I want 'We Will Wock You!"  Yep--quite impressionable.

Well, the Vocal Point love was amplified by a million when the group got cast on NBC's reality show, "The Sing Off!"  These college boys who've slept in my home and ate at our table suddenly became famous rock stars.  Every Monday night was an EVENT--filled with screams and cheers... totally unbiased though! 

We just couldn't miss their final concert at BYU before the new semester.  

 Serious fans... and love smitten girls!  Miss Hailey Jo even got a kiss on the cheek from Jake Hunsaker to which she replied, "I'll never wash this cheek again!"  Classic.