December went by so quickly. We enjoyed the fun and togetherness of vacation time, but it’s nice to be back to our old routine. I’m excited to be writing this letter on my new Christmas iMac. As of yet, the kids have spent more time exploring the fun new options it presents, but I’m looking forward to my turn.
We started out December by putting up our Christmas tree – the kids were very into “traditions” this year and were excited about every little holiday celebration. John Schmidt’s Christmas concert has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. The kids especially love his goofiness, but we all really enjoy his music. Peppermint candy, Christmas stories, Christmas music, lighting candles, gifts of love, moving Mary and Joseph up the path, acting out the Christmas story, ableskivers for breakfast Christmas morning: these were all fun and important parts of our celebration this year. Natalie kept asking, “When do we get to do our next tradition?”
I especially enjoyed watching the kids as they read their gifts of love to each other this year. The Christmas Eve tone in our home went from excitement and anticipation to joy and love. It was one of those perfect moments! It was a perfect way to start our celebration of the Savior’s birthday.
One other tradition that we started last year is to give the kids an ornament on Christmas Eve – something to help them remember that year in their life. We gave Auriana a little unicorn ornament – she loves unicorns, but this year she somewhat graduated from that and is more focused on horses now. We gave Isaac a nutcracker ornament since he became a soldier for Christ when he was baptized this year. Natalie has become an awesome reader this year. We gave her the “wisdom” Willow Tree ornament with a young girl reading. Enoch received a Lightning McQueen ornament with working headlights. For the last few months, he has constantly had a car (from the movie “Cars”) in his hand. I’m impressed with how well he can take care of them, since he takes them everywhere and has only lost one. Miriam received a “Belle” ornament. She absolutely adores Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”. It’s odd since I don’t think she’s ever seen the movie. Ellie’s ornament is a baby taking her first steps. It’s amazing how fast she has grown up. She thinks she’s one of the big kids now and likes to do whatever the rest of us are doing. We all think it’s cute when she nods or shakes her head in answer to our questions.
Bjorn’s Christmas concert with the community choir was a big success. It was fun to have Mom and Dad, Brenda, and Karen join us for that. Bjorn was also in charge of the program for our ward Christmas party. It turned out very well as it ended with the whole ward gathered around a manger scene singing “Come Lord Jesus”. We had learned and practiced the song in our different organizations. The primary had their own verse and it was very touching to hear them sing it at the party. Everyone felt involved (even the Young Men standing next to me were singing). A lot of people commented afterward about the feeling that was there.
We took a trip to Sundance for a few days right before Christmas. A client of Bjorn’s offered us the use of one of his rental cabins. We had fun relaxing, sledding, building fires, playing on the circular staircase, and watching the Cosby show for hours. A friend gave us the first season on DVD -- the kids love it.
Another important highlight of our month was a very fun and relaxing trip to Rexburg. There’s something very rejuvenating about going home, besides the fact that Grandma and Grandpa’s house is one of the kids’ most favorite places to be. Thank you Mom and Dad for a wonderful and memorable time. Bjorn got to spend one day while we were there snowmobiling across the barely covered farmland. That was his birthday wish, so it seemed like it snowed a little just for him. We were glad Alan, Konnie, and girls got well so we could spend some time with them. We enjoyed experiencing the new “Mom’s Kandy Kitchen” as well as “the Backyard” restaurant with them.
We celebrated New Years with Bjorn’s family and slept over at his brother’s house in Lehi. So Bjorn got to spend his actual birthday doing one of his favorite things – playing games with his siblings. After a little party with the kids here at our house Brenda was so kind to tend (even a sick Ellie), and Bjorn and I went out to dinner and a movie to celebrate.
We really missed Brenda for the two weeks she was in California, but she sure spoiled us with gifts the night before she left. She was so thoughtful in giving exactly what each of us would want and more. The kids were so delighted and grateful. We all love and admire her so much.
Isaac started basketball this week. Natalie and I needed to leave his first game early for the baptism of her friend, but I got to see him make a basket in the few minutes that I was there. His surprised and excited reaction when the ball swished was really great.
We love you all and wish you the best!
We started out December by putting up our Christmas tree – the kids were very into “traditions” this year and were excited about every little holiday celebration. John Schmidt’s Christmas concert has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. The kids especially love his goofiness, but we all really enjoy his music. Peppermint candy, Christmas stories, Christmas music, lighting candles, gifts of love, moving Mary and Joseph up the path, acting out the Christmas story, ableskivers for breakfast Christmas morning: these were all fun and important parts of our celebration this year. Natalie kept asking, “When do we get to do our next tradition?”
I especially enjoyed watching the kids as they read their gifts of love to each other this year. The Christmas Eve tone in our home went from excitement and anticipation to joy and love. It was one of those perfect moments! It was a perfect way to start our celebration of the Savior’s birthday.
One other tradition that we started last year is to give the kids an ornament on Christmas Eve – something to help them remember that year in their life. We gave Auriana a little unicorn ornament – she loves unicorns, but this year she somewhat graduated from that and is more focused on horses now. We gave Isaac a nutcracker ornament since he became a soldier for Christ when he was baptized this year. Natalie has become an awesome reader this year. We gave her the “wisdom” Willow Tree ornament with a young girl reading. Enoch received a Lightning McQueen ornament with working headlights. For the last few months, he has constantly had a car (from the movie “Cars”) in his hand. I’m impressed with how well he can take care of them, since he takes them everywhere and has only lost one. Miriam received a “Belle” ornament. She absolutely adores Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”. It’s odd since I don’t think she’s ever seen the movie. Ellie’s ornament is a baby taking her first steps. It’s amazing how fast she has grown up. She thinks she’s one of the big kids now and likes to do whatever the rest of us are doing. We all think it’s cute when she nods or shakes her head in answer to our questions.
Bjorn’s Christmas concert with the community choir was a big success. It was fun to have Mom and Dad, Brenda, and Karen join us for that. Bjorn was also in charge of the program for our ward Christmas party. It turned out very well as it ended with the whole ward gathered around a manger scene singing “Come Lord Jesus”. We had learned and practiced the song in our different organizations. The primary had their own verse and it was very touching to hear them sing it at the party. Everyone felt involved (even the Young Men standing next to me were singing). A lot of people commented afterward about the feeling that was there.
We took a trip to Sundance for a few days right before Christmas. A client of Bjorn’s offered us the use of one of his rental cabins. We had fun relaxing, sledding, building fires, playing on the circular staircase, and watching the Cosby show for hours. A friend gave us the first season on DVD -- the kids love it.
Another important highlight of our month was a very fun and relaxing trip to Rexburg. There’s something very rejuvenating about going home, besides the fact that Grandma and Grandpa’s house is one of the kids’ most favorite places to be. Thank you Mom and Dad for a wonderful and memorable time. Bjorn got to spend one day while we were there snowmobiling across the barely covered farmland. That was his birthday wish, so it seemed like it snowed a little just for him. We were glad Alan, Konnie, and girls got well so we could spend some time with them. We enjoyed experiencing the new “Mom’s Kandy Kitchen” as well as “the Backyard” restaurant with them.
We celebrated New Years with Bjorn’s family and slept over at his brother’s house in Lehi. So Bjorn got to spend his actual birthday doing one of his favorite things – playing games with his siblings. After a little party with the kids here at our house Brenda was so kind to tend (even a sick Ellie), and Bjorn and I went out to dinner and a movie to celebrate.
We really missed Brenda for the two weeks she was in California, but she sure spoiled us with gifts the night before she left. She was so thoughtful in giving exactly what each of us would want and more. The kids were so delighted and grateful. We all love and admire her so much.
Isaac started basketball this week. Natalie and I needed to leave his first game early for the baptism of her friend, but I got to see him make a basket in the few minutes that I was there. His surprised and excited reaction when the ball swished was really great.
We love you all and wish you the best!
