Christmas 2012

I am pretty sure I have said this every year for the past couple of years, but I think this may have been our best Christmas yet. We did not over-do it, the girls had a particularly longer break from school, Corky had an unusually easy schedule and break from work, and we just enjoyed being together, the 5 of us.

Santa Claus brought the older girls each a pair of roller blades while Janie received a scooter/walker/music maker (what it's really called is still up for debate).  Oh yeah, and Buster got a bone.

I think that I am finally learning that sometimes the best, most memory-filled times, are when things are not overly planned out. I had to laugh Christmas morning when I looked at my living room, at our "simple" Christmas, and it was full of torn wrapping paper and shiny new gifts. We each were beyond spoiled by each other and our families. It was one of the many moments I recognized how blessed we are, and not just because of the presets.

Ralph, our Christmas elf, was able to stay and watch us open our gifts. He also wrote a letter to us that said the girls could give him a hug one last time without him losing his magic, but that night he would be going back to the north pole.

We invited a couple of other families in our ward over for dinner that did not travel for Christmas. We had the most delicious smoked turkey, sides, and desserts. We decided to take a timed photo of the adults just before eating, which is usually never super great. I had to include the picture though because it shows Janie digging right into the Maja Blanca (a filipino dessert brought by our friend Roda, on the left!) 

The Tortosa's (left), Whipples (center), and the Hintons (right)

Snow Fall

*In an effort to get more on top of my journaling, I have decided to not allow myself to feel the pressure of writing down every. little. thing. I found that by becoming overwhelmed and feeling like I would never catch up, it prevented me from writing down even the most important things. Here is the beginning of what will hopefully be more consistency. Whether the quality is good or bad, at least it will be something.

We finally had a snowfall about a week ago. I say finally because my girls have been dying to play. Gracey has checked our home's security panel every single day since being on Christmas break, just hoping (and even praying at night) that it would snow.

Well, her prayers were answered and on December 31, 2012, we all suited up to play in the snow. It took us nearly 30 minutes to bundle up properly and get our boots on before we could go outside. Unfortunately though, Janie really hated her snowsuit. I don't blame her. She reminded me of Randy from "The Christmas Story" movie. She "couldn't put her arms down!"

Christmas Eve 2012

What might have turned into a new Christmas tradition, Corky built the girls the most amazing blanket fort any of us have ever seen. Using the girls bunk beds, chairs, and clothespins, it was like being in a 2-story building!

Using a leftover box, Gracey built a door to the fort that even us parents had to use. That only happened one time. We hated to spoil the fun but us old people don't move like we use to, so that was a challenge.

Beds were made in there

We read our scriptures and Christmas stories in there.

And Buster stood guard....but mainly snoozed in there.

This fort stood the test of time, lasting nearly a week before Corky and I decided we needed our dining room chairs back.