Magic Moments

Christmas Eve this year was awesome - and also a recognizable milestone.  My kids are grown up.
You may think I'd realize it because most of them are taller than I, but it creeps up on you so gradually it takes a moment in time to recognize it.

We had a very nice dinner and then a scripture discussion before the pie was served.  The night took on a really spectacular view when Michael and Jeffrey began playing a piece that Michael made up.  The chords are really cool sounding.  Michael on the piano and Jeffrey on his old guitar.  Actually they kept making it up.  Nate walked in to the room, liked what he heard and joined in with his bass guitar and they convinced Rebekah to pull out her flute from six years ago and play along.  After Andrew and Rachel came home from shopping they urged Rachel to grab her clarinet and Andrew to jump on the keyboard - and oh by the way could he come up with some words to go with it?

The video I have of each additonal player is really cool, but of course not for public display until more practice and effort has gone in to it.   But as a mom - my heart is full to watch and listen to the talents of my family emerging and growing.  It was really an awesome experience.

The kids were laughing on the computer and doing some last minute Christmas wrapping when Jeffrey and I decided to go to bed.  After the family prayer there came a moment when I paused to say something and  couldn't figure out what to say, when Nathan said with a grin on his face, "You want us to turn back into little children and have an exciting Christmas night."

Ahh, that was it!  They were clearly getting ready to play some games and go on with their night as we went to bed and the roles had changed and they were in charge of their own happiness and I was going to bed to wait for the excitment of the new day.  My youngest is twelve and having fun with her siblings but quite over the "magic" of anticipation and the oldest are adults.

When did it all happen?

It's in who you know!

Choose your friends wisely.  If you walk with the right friend she will tell you where to get the stuff you want, where it is on sale and sometimes even go with you!

The REAL story of the runaway Gingerbread men

I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down the clues to this classic - young men were at their grandmother's home and came up with a really cool story for their mom when she came to pick them up. I'll bet she said, "And then what happened?" several times.

The plan this year was to make gingerbread men, with loaves of bread and homemade freezer jam for our friends.  When the bread came out of the oven, I was upstairs wrapping presents and when I came down the braided bread was half finished though I was able to save some for their dad's supper.   Now gingerbread has to set for about 2 hours before you can cut them out and bake them.  Luckily they only bake for 7 minutes so you basically have to wait around.  Well no one was around for the rolling and cutting but just as soon as those gingerbread men came out of the oven - they tried to run away.  I had to guard them with a spatula, a look, and a firm no.  I ignored criticism of flat heads, misshapen arms, juggled hands that tried to knock the gingerbread off (so it would break) till I  told the kids to scram.  If you happen to get a gingerbread man this year just know it came out of Fort Knox.

Marissa and Andy married!

The tender feelings of a mother who is thankful for the Lord's blessings in allowing her to see this daughter married.   We're all thankful for the care, time, effort and service that Carol Nielson has given to so many, many of us. Joy in hard times.

Walking with Laura can really be fun!

It all depends on WHERE you walk!!!!

Dana and Laura

Jumping the bowling balls on Bowling Ball Beach

Bowling Ball beach is really a great place to walk, explore and have fun.  We stayed at a friend of Laura's home at Sea Ranch on the Mendicino coast and had a fabulous time at beaches all day!  There was a nice hot tub, good food, great friends, the song of the surf, and grand vistas at every corner.  What a wonderful way to feel gratitude for those who made it all possible to live in a land we can run around freely in.  Nothing like sleeping in a warm comfortable bed and waking up with friends, eating, conversing and building sand castles!

Sand Castles on Walk-on Beach

Laura and Dana walking

Fabulous view from the Hogan's home

It's that time of year!

Since I'm strictly prohibited from posting pictures on facebook, I certainly didn't mention there were other places I could put them.

Friends

This is what happens when you aren't a child and you aren't a teenager - just that middle schooler wanting to trick-or-treat but not old enough to go out to the all night parties.   I actually had to talk Rachel into a party because she didn't know what she wanted to do since we're not keen on Sunday trick-or-treating  and I'm totally not keen about the older kids parties.   She got to have five of her nicest friends to come to a party and sleep-over.

They actually slept

It is cold and flu season and I found myself fighting a cold for the past two days and maybe I regretted a little bit having screaming, running around the house -kids, for the night instead of a quiet book or watching TV...........

After breakfast

But it was totally worth it and so much fun!

Worm and dirt - Yummy! Courtsey of Alyssa

You are only a kid once and I love having my last kid being a kid!

Pomegranates

Pomegranates... just the name renders up images of soccer, fall, Thanksgiving around the corner!  Regg brought us over a few with his fresh fruit run today, yummy raspberries, strawberries and some pomegranates.
In past years when we came home from soccer games on Saturdays, a man would always be on the corner selling his pomegranates until his three trees fruit was gone.  We would try to get there early because they were big and delicious.  He wasn't there last year and the store bought are not as ripe, big, or sweet.
Rebekah and Rachel were at the table tonight dicussing the merits of the best way to harvest the seeds.  Rebekah preferrs the more rapid approach while Rachel likes to pull out each seed without squirts or pop outs.  Rebekah scooped up a spoonful with a "Uh huh, but look who's eating them now?!"  Rachel said she would enjoy each one.  Being the last child, Rachel has learned how to protect her own and when her dad came in the room she put her hand up and said a firm, "No." before he could get a word out.  While we are all laughing she picks up her cup in one hand and the plate with peelings in the other to throw them out.  Not leaving even a chance of pickings for anyone!  She enjoyed ever one.