Year in Review...

As this year comes to a close, I think about the highlights of 2008. I guess I'll do a Top 10 list (not necessarily in any particular order):

1. I went to Europe in June! Germany was amazing and I'd love to go back and visit again someday, as well as visit all the surrounding countries.2. We got our basement finished in February. It's so nice to have the much needed space to spread out in and I love the fact that the kids each have their own rooms to mess up.

3. We've had some very good visits with my dear Grandma and my Grandpa. You never know what life will bring and it's important to spend every minute you can with those you love.

4. We went camping--but only once, in August.

5. Kristen was baptized into our church in April. What a big decision and a big day for her!6. Kendall and Jon got to go back East in May. They visited with Jon's cousin, saw some historic sites, hiked and bird-watched to their hearts content.7. Which leads me to #7. Kendall got a deer tick stuck in his back. Scary times, but all was well.

8. Kristen, Jarren, and I went to visit my sister and her family in California in April.

9. Jarren started Kindergarten and actually likes it!10. Jenna's hair went curly! Well, it always had a little curl around the bottom, but in June, the top went curly too.We have been greatly blessed with each other, a home, food to eat, and (most of the time) good health. May 2009 bring much of the same.Happy New Year to you all!

Hmmm.....

Something strange is going on. Jon and Jenna joined the sick gang and were up all night as well. But...it seems that some of my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and siblings joined in about the same time. We can't figure out if it was something everyone ate or if someone was sick and passed it around. I think if it was something we ate, we'd all would have been sick a lot sooner. It's just strange that within a couple of hours, almost everyone got it. And not everyone who is sick ate the same things. Weird....

Later...

We've decided it was most likely food poisoning, since only 9/35 people who were at Grandma's Christmas Eve party are healthy and the rest are sick. We still can't figure out what it was that made everyone sick though. I think we'll be laughing at this in awhile and will always remember "the Christmas when almost the whole extended family got sick." Red punch anyone?

It's Getting Old....

No, I'm not getting old--this stomach flu virus is getting old!! I was just dozing off around 11:30 pm when Jon called me to get some cleaner. Kristen threw up. While we were taking care of her, Jarren did. Just to be safe, we put plastic sheeting and blankets all around everyone's beds because when they're tired, they get disoriented and don't always make it to the bathroom. When are we totally going to kick this thing for good? It's every couple of weeks, but we're a few weeks early this time around. I hope it's just too much candy and excitement, but it sure doesn't seem like it. I'm just sick and tired of my least favorite virus making the rounds AGAIN. Ew!

I was just telling Jon (on Christmas Eve night) that this Christmas just seems to be going so perfectly. The weather cooperated for us to make it to the family parties; the kids weren't sick; we weren't dealing with a major water leak like we were 2 years ago; we got a white Christmas; etc. I guess I jinxed us.

On one other note....I was supposed to go to visit my sister today--I had to be at the airport in about 5 1/2 hours. My trip was canceled when they decided to move back home. I am glad they're back. And now I'm especially glad the trip's canceled. It's still supposed to be stormy and I'm sure flights will be delayed. And now this stomach flu business.....I'm praying no one else gets it for 10 more years. :)

Christmas Day

What a crazy Christmas day we've had! A big storm was moving in last night, but we took the chance and went to my grandma's Christmas eve party anyway. We always do a $5 gift exchange--everyone brings a gift and we play a white elephant game. Jarren got a snow saucer and that was it--for him, it was the hit of the party! We made it home before the storm hit, and boy did it hit! We woke up to a whirlwind of snow. Jon had to go out and shovel before the kids could open presents because Toby (the dog) needed to go out and there wasn't really anywhere for him to go. Kendall and Kristen got up at 5 am, but we made them go back to bed for awhile, since they didn't go to bed until after midnight--hey, we were tired too. Jon told them they could get up at 7:30. Kendall's clock is a little fast, so they came up at 7:15 they had to wait. Then they had to wait even longer because of the shoveling. Our neighbor snowblowed us out twice more after that. It was kind of warm when it started snowing and it started melting pretty quickly and then it started to rain. Now it's back to snow. I must admit though, I love a stormy Christmas! The kids all had a good day and have been getting along great! Some of the highlights (gift-wise): an AT-TE, Star Wars Unleashed PSP game, and an eye clops for Kendall; 2 Webkinz, a guitar, and lots of makeup/jewelry for Kristen; Indiana Jones Lego sets, Lego Indiana Jones Wii game, and Prince Caspian DVD for Jarren; little Backyardigans figures, Papa Bear, stuffed dogs, and Littlest Pet Shops for Jenna; and a Wii for our family.
I made a turkey dinner and had a time of it. I forgot to take the giblets out and it took FOREVER to cook. Then as I was trying to lift the hot turkey to a serving platter, I broke my favorite serving spoon. The rolls raised too high, waiting for the turkey to cook and kind of fell flat. I guess it still tasted the same, but it wasn't smooth cooking. Anyway...we've had an enjoyable season, spending lots of time with family, reflecting on Jesus' birth, and giving to others. Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays

We had a very fun day yesterday! We had a family Christmas party with Jon's side of the family so we headed up North for the day. We were able to spend time with my family (and meet my new nephew), visit with my grandma, and stop by my grandpa's house. The kids got to see all but one of their cousins too, which doesn't happen very often. Jon's family had a potluck dinner; cousin gift exchange; a movie for the kids; a white elephant gift exchange game for the adults; singing; yummy treats; and lots of visiting and playing.

The weather was fine until we got to the canyon. It was snowing and blowing and everything else. We couldn't even see the road a few times, but thankfully, everyone around us was driving cautiously and we made it just fine. Apparently, it didn't snow here, but it snowed there all day long! The drive home was just fine, but we had such a good time, we didn't get home until almost 1 am!!

I can't believe that Christmas is in just 4 more days! It was sooo good to spend time with our families and enjoy the holiday season.

Trees

I just realized that I never posted pictures of our Christmas tree. Well, we actually have two trees this year. I bought an artificial tree on clearance at Target last year and we set that up in the basement. It's our designer tree, since last year Kendall was having a fit about our mismatched ornaments and such. It's all red and gold.

We also bought a real tree for upstairs. Unfortunately, it doesn't really smell. Either that or I'm used to it. We don't have a truck, so Jon had to take all the seats out of the van to fit the tree in there. That meant that none of us got to go with him to pick it out. It's our mix-and-match tree, full of ornaments that we've gathered here and there and loaded with things the kids have made over the years.
This year was strange. We didn't pick the tree out together. We didn't decorate either tree all together either. I managed to get pictures of each of the kids, but they were never all together. Maybe next year....

Christmas Candy

Every year since I can remember (and probably for many years before that), Christmas candy has been made in my family. My grandma always made it; my mom always made it; and now I make it. Some of the family favorites are: peanut clusters, turtles, chocolate-dipped pretzels, fudge, and English toffee. I also like to make pumpkin rolls and sugar cookies, but those aren't done at the same time as the candy.

I've been meaning to get around to doing it for a couple of weeks now, but it just hasn't happened. A few days ago, Jon was craving something chocolate, so I had Kendall and Kristen help me and we set to work. Kendall told me that some of his favorite things are listening to Christmas music while making candy and watching the snow fall. We also had a fire going. Now how's that for Christmas spirit? I can't control the snow, but I can control the other things and for him to say that.....well, it makes me feel that maybe my kids will have some good memories of their childhoods after all.