New Year

The new year brings with it a slew of birthdays. My little boy, E turned 5. I can't believe he'll be in Kindergarten next year! He had the best 2 parties ever (well, one was fun, the other began in tragedy). He invited his 5 favorite friends (don't feel left-out if your kid wasn't invited, I could only have 5 since it was a hot tub party and he chose his friends all by himself! :) Anyways- it was truly a boy's party. We made "Ninja Zhu Zhu Pets" out of Twinkies, frosting, and candy... I was expecting them to actually take time on their hamster twinkies, but the boys were done in about 2.5 minutes! Then it was on the present opening which was a blur of wrapping paper, toys flying, and kids going "oooohhh!!!!"... that took about 3 minutes, tops. Then they were throwing off their shirts and running out to the hot tub!!!! It was the easiest party ever. I sat in the warm kitchen watching the kids while they grabbed all of the toys from the chest outside and went wild in the hot tub. They were so cute and just loved every second of it. Those kids played in the hot tub for over an hour. Then we called them in and had twinkies and ice cream.

On Saturday we celebrated with family. It began in pain, though, as E excitedly ran outside to see if anyone was here yet, he slammed the door on his middle finger and it swelled up and turned black! It was so bad! We actually ended up taking him to the ER Sunday night so they could pop a hole in his fingernail to release the fluid build up. It was hurting so bad he couldn't sleep! As soon as the hot metal thingy touched his swollen finger, there was instant relief. Gross, but true. Then we had to take him on Monday night to the Urgent Care to get the kid on an antibiotic because it looks infected now. (Your welcome! :) I also made a pretty cool Bakugan cake. I know, I know, Bakugans and battle hamsters- were do they come up with this stuff?! But hey, he loves it!

Anyways, Ebear is 5. He is huge, solid, crazy, fun, and has really turned around with his little sister. he's started to like to take care of her and is letting her get away with stuff, which has been so nice for me! Those guys are so competitive! E's favorite things now are Legos, Ninja Zhu Zhu pets, sourdough toast, listening to me read Narnia (we're reading "The Magician's Nephew"- the first book, so good!), and riding his bike. He has started reading lessons with me and is really smart, thank goodness because I only have a good 15 minutes to sit down with him and have him concentrate, then he's done. He sure is a special kid, I love him so much!

Christmas

I have a sick little boy today, so it's been a day of kids watching cartoons and me getting stuff done. I usually don't let the kids watch tv during the week, only weekends- but when they're sick they get to do whatever makes them happy and less whiny! I've been downloading all of my pictures and videos from Christmas and the new year. I always try to get my home videos onto DVD soon after I take them so we can watch them. The kids love watching "family home bideos" on Sundays.

Our Christmas was really fantastic. My Mom, Dad, and 17 yr old bro Cordell flew out from Virginia and stayed over a week. My sister, her hubby and 3 kids came out from Utah as well and we had a full house! Each day we did something fun, like ice skate, go to the Jelly Belly Factory, and we also went to our newly renovated art museum, which was fabulous! It would have been a lot more enjoyable if the kids could handle it for more than an hour. :) The girls also were drawn to and grossed out by all of the naked people and just pointed them out to everyone with an "eeewww!!!". Oh well, I remember being shocked by the nudes as a kid. It's pretty surprising. Thankfully at the end of the museum, we hit the modern sculptures and paintings and the kids loved that, they were all very colorful. Cora and I loved the old renaissance paintings and people. It was great going there with my family, I really enjoy doing that kind of stuff when we are together, I feel like I could've spent all day there. Growing up with an artist father, we always made time for the art museum and went a few times a year. When Dave and I lived in North Carolina, we saw the Monet exhibit- wow. Beautiful.

Anyway, Christmas Eve was very special. Me and my Mom and sister spent the day cooking together in the kitchen, which is one of my favorite things we did. I love that time together and missed my other sis, lorel, badly! We had our feast around 3:30 which left plenty of time for walks, vegging out and leftovers the next day. That night my parents made cute little "hobo bags" (handkerchiefs on a stick) filled with the makings for s'mores. We went out to our firepit and enjoyed the s'mores by the fire. We sang Christmas songs and told the story of Christ's birth. The we went inside and watched "The Christmas Story" ("you'll shoot your eye out!")

Christmas morning was fantastic. The kids loved their gifts and were just happy and full of joy. They enjoyed giving eachother the gifts they had picked out from the Dollar Store a few days earlier. I was happy to have many of my family there, but missed my other sibs! My favorite times were after the kids were in bed and we'd stay up and talk and laugh and play games.

Our Christmas Program

I was surprised to see a major lack of easy Christmas programs for tonight- so here's the one I put together with only scriptural references- feel free to use it, just change out the names!

The Christmas Story

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold!
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven's all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Nancy: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor in Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Away In a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Brian: And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

“Lullaby”- Azure

Lullaby, lullaby, my little one.
Lullaby, my child so dear.
Thy precious life has just begun
Thy mother holds thee near.

Cora: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Lily: “ Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. “

Lenore: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria...

Chorus:
Gloria, In Excelsius Deo

Shepherd why this jubilee,
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord the newborn king.

Cordell: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Norman: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains

Far, far away on Judea's plains,
Shepherds of old
Heard the joyous strains:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Sweet are these strains
Of redeeming love,
Message of mercy from heaven above:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,

Lord, with the angels
We too would rejoice,
Help us to sing with
The heart and voice:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Dave: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying,

Apollo: ” Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Nancy: And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,” And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. “

Azure: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Norman: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, morr and mountain,
Following yonder Star.

Chorus

O, star of wonder, star of might,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light.

Dave: And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying,

Mirae: “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. “

Cordell: When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Joy to The World:

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Kids are Hilarious!

Here are two weird things the kids have said lately:

#1. Lil said: "Sometimes I feel like my life is a story that a giant is telling an elf somewhere."

Uhhhh.

#2. Today the kids were swinging at the park and Lil said that as she was swinging with her eyes closed she was pretending that there was a big bar in front of her! She would yell out everytime she'd go up as if she were crashing into it. It was pretty fun and I told her that I used to do that, except I'd pretend there was a brick wall in front of me. She thought that was cool.

As I gave a push to E and Norie, E said, "I'm pretending there's a nail with a bomb on it in front of me!"... as if the nail wasn't enough... and then he made a huge explosion sound everytime he swung up! He just took it to the next level of violence. That's my boy. Maybe he should write the 4th "Hunger games" book :).

The Polar Express

My camera is at Nikon getting fixed, so I've been using the ol' Casio. Nice. Ignore the red-eye, etc, but I don't feel like editing pictures. Here is our wonderful little trip on the Polar Express! Liz bought our tickets two months ago because the tickets sell out in the first few hours. I'm glad she did! It was a great little train ride. All of the conductors and train operators were dressed up so nice. The kids all came in their pajamas and there were tap-dancing hot cocoa waitresses, the bum from on top of the train made many many appearances- he was very funny! Everyone got a cookie and hot cocoa (that wasn't exactly like the melted chocolate bars they talk about in the book:). We got to the North Pole and saw Santa and two elves outside of the widow waving, but then we left and Santa disappeared! Lily was heart-broken, she didn't think she's see Santa, but right before we pulled into the Station- Santa came on our car and passed out bells and talked with each of the kids. It was very sweet and special. Santa even whispered to Lily that he thought her bell came off of Rudolph's harness. She was so proud!

Here's the whole gang.

Nora was so precious to watch! She just smiled and looked around and enjoyed everything!

Gma and Gpa with Lil and her cousin Maren

the Lymans

Norie's Best Friend

When E and Lily are at school, 'Tuni comes out to play! Norie sure loves her kitty... and just ignore the huge bruise on her forehead, that's life when you put 27 people (17 of them being under the age of 11) in one snow cabin over Thanksgiving holiday! We've been back for a good week + and it's still going strong.

Arts and Crafts Fair

So many of you know I shared a booth with my friend in the Arts and Crafts Fair here in our historic district. She sells cute hair bows and I thought it might be fun to sell some paintings. This past month I've been painting a lot and trying different styles and things. It's been a lot of fun! My expectations were to sell 2 or 3 paintings and just have a new experience, put my stuff out there and see what would happen. I took over 40 different paintings that were pretty fun (and took some old ones that have been in my garage for years) and ended up selling over 25! It was awesome! My sister-in-law Liz came over the night before and helped me price them out and Dave built two awesome super-sturdy lattice thingys to show off all of the paintings.

We woke up at 6:15 Saturday morning, were out the door by 6:45 and set up. The fair was from 8-4 and there was a really great turn out! It was fun to be a part of everything. I didn't sell anything for the first 2 1/2 hours and so I took my easel out and started painting. Jeff and Steph and Liz and Maren stopped by! I ended up steadily selling paintings the rest of the day! I even had one lady take the two she bought up to her friend who owns one of the stores on the street, "Not Too Shabby" who may want to start buying from me! So, it was a good time, my feet are tired but I now have some fun money to spend on Christmas!