On Christmas Day in the Morning!

Sure enough, when the kids awoke on a bright and very

cold (-6) Christmas morning, Santa had in fact found us at yet another apartment.  The kids were worried that we had moved so much in the last year that he wouldn't know where to find us, but good old Santa never fails.

Once the kids awoke and my parents arrived, all the Christmas festivities began.  It was a typical Christmas morning, with the first hour spent thoroughly checking out all of the goodies with and in our stockings.

 

 

 

This year, the goodies included some small toys, puzzles,

 



 

 

 

play food,

 

 

and movies.  The kids loved preparing us all some very yummy play food, after which we ate our real food and took a break from presents to watch one of the kids new movies.

 

After the movie, it finally dawned on the kids that they hadn't yet looked in the big red Santa bag to see what the family gift for the year was.  Upon opening the bag, the children seemed a little taken aback.

 

 

 

Inside was something that I never thought I would let Santa bring.  Something that was completely out of the scope of my children's comprehension.  But something that we thought would help us endure the coming months living in a second story apartment.  As you can see, the gift was an Xbox 360, the kinect add on, and an assortment of games.

 

At first the kids didn't know what to make of this gift, but after getting it all hooked up, it didn't take them long to get the hang of the games.  The next several hours, in fact, we dedicated to racing cars, rescuing pixar characters, and stirring potions, amongst other things.

Eventually, everyone was too worn out to play any more games, and the question of more presents arose again.  The kids still had the present from their Grandma and Grandpa McArthur to open, (a Disney autograph book to remind them of the Disney cruise they were taking us all on in a few weeks.) the present from their great-grandparents, (a set of hardcover sterling children's classics) their presents from Mom and Dad, (not telling...) and their presents to each other. (This year we did our secret Santa for Uncle Kyle and bought him some bedroom furniture for his cute little Reagon.  Since we didn't officially get to deliver it in true secret Santa style, we let the kids do a gift exchange with each other again too.) 
 

As is typical, whenever the kids get to do a gift exchange with each other, these are the presents the kids look forward to opening the most.  They also look forward to hearing the three things their person said about them before opening their present.  This year, we went from youngest to oldest. 
 

First, little Mason opened his present from his big brother Spencer.  Spencer said he loves how Mason is little.  He loves to chase the girls with Mason.  And he loves to play fight with Mason.  He picked Mason a special gift--his very own computer.  This was something Mason mentioned wanting one day as we were all driving in the car.  Spencer remembered and gladly paid extra money so that he could see the smile on Mason's face when he opened his present.

 

 

Next was little Emma.  Madison drew Emma's name and told her that she loved how Emma was funny, hilarious in fact, and how Emma is just so, so very beautiful.  Emma beamed as her sister issued her these compliments, and loved the fairy dress her sister picked for her.

 

Third was my Spencer man.  Emma drew Spencer's name and knew just what to get her big brother.  Before he got to open it; however, he first got to hear how Emma considered him not just as a brother, but as her friend.  She told him how she loves it when he lets her play with his guns with him, and how she just plain loves him.  Speaking of guns, Spencer was ecstatic to open this real looking rifle from none other than Cabellas.  His rifle that Grandma and Grandpa had gotten him for his birthday a few years back had broken, and this replacement was a welcome gift.

 

 

Last but not least was our wonderful Madison.  Mason picked Madison's name, and after a little nudging from mom, picked out a gift that Maddi had been wanting for ages.  Before she opened her pottery wheel; however, she was pleased to learn that Mason loved her!  That he thought she was so pretty whenever she wore a pretty dress. And that he loved it when Maddi took time to play Legos with him.     

The kids gifts were such a big hit that we didn't even get to the presents Nick and I had picked for the kids.  We didn't get to them the next day either, and after a few days we simply plucked them from under the tree and put them away.  Years from now they will read this and feel jipped.  Not only that, but they might also finally guess why some of their birthday presents this next year will be in Christmas wrapping paper.  Oh well though.  With new toys from the Mall of America, all of the presents from Santa, and their beloved sibling gifts, they just didn't need anything else.  I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again--I am just so grateful we have succeeded in stretching Christmas out year after year.  It is so much more satisfying and enjoyable that way.  And even though I know my kids are spoiled beyond belief and lead a completely charmed life, it makes me feel like they at least have managed to keep from becoming too greedy through it all.  Perhaps we are at least doing that right as parents!  Phew!

 

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year too!

Christmas Eve Evening

Well, for the first time in our family's history, we had company present for our annual Sheppard's Dinner.  We gave them forewarning so they could bring the appropriate attire, and even though I'm not sure Grandpa Hoskins much appreciated the fish we served for dinner, I think it was otherwise a great success.  The kids loved seeing their grandparents dressed up and role playing with them.  Grandma McArthur was especially keen on playing her part.  All in all, I think it was nice for our parents to have a little peep into our world of family and tradition.

 

 

After dinner we got down to the business of opening the three presents of Christmas Eve:

 

First, our present that represents Christ.  This year we got a beautiful set of Children's Illustrated Scriptures.  I saw them years ago in the BYU Bookstore when I was a student at the Y, and by some miracle, there was one set left in the back of the store when we were there this summer and happened to ask.  Hopefully the kids are all ready to proceed from our board book scripture reading to something a little more advanced.  And hopefully they are old enough to understand how the scriptures are in and of themselves a representation of Christ.

 

 

Second, we opened our annual Hallmark ornament.  This year we actually had a few ornaments.  We had to replace an older ornament that got broken during our move, we got a few for my new line, (just in case we ever do get a second tree) and we also got a very appropriate Disney ornament to commemorate all of our Disney adventures as of late.

 

And third, we opened the kids' Christmas jammies.  Actually, we're on an off year so it wasn't technically jammies this year.  Instead, and after much begging on my part, we got the kids not only Christmas slippers, but also red Pottery Barn Kids Christmas Robes.  They were a bit over-priced, but they are so soft and warm and they fulfill a personal dream of mine of seeing my kids all adorned in full Christmas gear.  Now we just need a fireplace to sit down beside and the picture would be complete.

 

After donning their new robes and slippers, we took the traditional pictures of all of the kids sitting under the Christmas tree, served up a little hot chocolate and cookies, set a few aside fro Santa, and tucked the little ones into bed.  Not without saying good-bye to their grandparents though, and wishing the Hoskins a happy and safe holiday as they would be traveling home in the early morning. 



Enter at the Gate....

Nick and I awoke bright and early on the morning of the 24th to be greeted by Madison's radiant, smiling face.  She was too excited for her baptism to sleep, and wondered when her grandparents would be arriving.  It wasn't long before the other kids woke up and the McArthurs and Hoskins made their way over to our apartment from their hotels.  Once they arrived, there were final preparations for the baptism to be made, kids to be dressed and groomed, and of course, the baptismal font that needed to be filled.  Still, we managed to find time to relax and enjoy a few of our Mall of America purchases.  We also listened with tear-filled eyes as Madison, who had made a goal over a year ago to read the whole Book of Mormon before her baptism, proudly read us all the last chapter of Moroni.  Way to go Maddi!

 

 

Afterwards, she opened her baptism gifts, which included new scriptures, complete with a case, and her beautiful white baptism dress.

 

We were all excited and proud and anxious for the time of the baptism to arrive.

 

Eventually it was time for Madison and her father to get dressed in their white clothes and head over to the church building.  Madison looked so beautiful as she stood next to her father. 

 

 

She was a little bit nervous, but even more so excited to finally get the chance to do what primary lessons for the last five years had talked about--enter at the gate through the waters of baptism. Her baptism, like her mother's, would also take on the added significance of being held on the Eve of the day the world celebrates the birth of our beloved Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It was quite a lot of work to orchestrate the baptism on this occasion, but Madison would not have it any other way. At first, we thought to make it only a family affair so as not to take away from others' holiday celebrations, but as we all listened to the talks Grandma McArthur and Grandma Hoskins gave, and watched the sacred ordinance take place, it seemed like the perfect way to remember Christ and the spirit of Christmas. Then, as Madison received the very best gift of all--the Gift of the Holy Ghost, it was hard not to relish in the true spirit of giving. And it only further sweetened the occasion when Madison received a very special father's blessing from her Dad which stated, amongst other things, that it was appropriate for her to be baptised on this day and share in its historical celebration, as she had shared a close premortal friendship with Mary, the mother of the Lord, as well as many other valiant spirit children of our Heavenly Father.  I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the room as the blessing concluded.

After these special ordinances took place, the Bishop and Primary Presidency welcomed Madison as the newest member of the church, and then we all visited over refreshments for well over an hour.

Finally it was time to clean up, snap a few family pictures, and head back to our apartment to begin preparing for the next phase of our holiday--our annual Sheppard's dinner and other Christmas Eve traditions.

 

 

While this Christmas Eve was a bit more stressful than past Christmas Eve's, where we have sat quietly at home sipping hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music, it was also much more centered on the Being whose life we were all attempting to celebrate with our evergreen trees and sparkling lights, our presents and hand carved nativities.  As Madison made her first official promises to her Heavenly Father, we all reflected upon the time in our lives where we also made those promises.  As she was commanded to receive the Holy Ghost, we all received again the power and blessing of the Spirit of the Lord.  And as she left the church building, glowing with inner and outer innocence and light, and quietly singing the songs from her baptism day, we all went forth more prepared to sing our own carols, our own declarations of "wanting our lives to be as clean as the earth right after rain," of "joy to the world, the Lord is come, let Earth receive her King," and "Oh come let us adore Him, oh come let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."

It was a Christmas Eve to remember, and we are so proud of you Madison, for making the choice to become an official member of God's only true and living Church upon the Earth--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 

Birthday Beauty

What everyone says is true--eight is great!  Something really does happen during the year between seven and eight and all of a sudden--poof--they are all grown up.  It brings to mind a song from the musical Mama Mia--slipping through your fingers all the time.....

 

What I'm going to do when this little gem of a daughter is all grown and gone, I just don't know, but as the song resolves, I'll just have to try to capture everyone moment between now and then.

Madison's Birthday Weekend

With company in town for Madison's Baptism, we did the only thing you can do for fun in the North Dakota winter--left town!  And what better weekend retreat is there than the beloved Twin Cities.  We began our visit with a trip to the famous Mall of America.  Here, the kids did some Christmas shopping with their grandparents at their two favorite stores--The American Girl Store and The Lego Store. (You can sort out who shopped where.)

 

Then we drove twenty minutes north to our usual weekend lodging--The Holiday Inn Express with indoor swimming park--and spent the evening and next morning swimming and watching movies and simply enjoying time with grandparents.

 

 

 

 

After swimming, Nick and I also snuck in a little shopping at MY favorite stores--Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams Sonoma, and Ethan Allen.  Actually it was more just looking and getting ideas for the new house, but it was fun to get to do it without children tagging along for once.

Then, when the men had suffered all of the shopping they could handle, we loaded up and began the five hour drive back to Bismarck.  Since it was Madison's birthday, we gave her the choice of where we ate dinner.  Being after her mother's own heart, she choose Chili's--who can resist bottomless chips and steaming hot queso on a cold winter night!  We ate, she opened birthday presents, and then we dropped Grandma and Grandpa Hoskins and Grandma and Grandpa McArthur off at their hotels and called it a night.

The next day, we all went to church, finished the last minute preparations for Madison's baptism, and the kids got to cheat and open Grandma and Grandpa Hoskins' Christmas presents a few days early. (They will be flying out early Christmas morning.) 

 

 

It was wonderful, and the kids have so loved having company at this special time of year.  We all have really.  In truth, in our twelve years of married life, we have never spent Christmas or Christmas Eve anywhere but at our own house.  While some people may find this surprising, it is perhaps even more surprising that we have also never had company visit us over the Christmas holiday.  Sometimes family has come before or after, but no one has ever spent Christmas  or Christmas Eve with us.  Needless to say, we're excited for our parents to be with us for Madison's Christmas Eve Baptism and the days that will follow.