Cross Country Skiing

A couple winters ago, my mom had brought up a set of skis and boots for Gabi which were way too big for her then.... though she tried a couple of times to use them. They are still a little big (so she'll be able to use them for another year anyway), but they seem to stay on both her and Beth. So, since Bob had been to the annual ski sale and purchased boots and skis for both him and I, bindings for himself, and poles for both of us and the girls' set (they share the one set from my mother), they took turns learning how cross country really went!

They both really enjoyed themselves and got the hang of both "gliding" and "getting up". They are eager to have their own sets (as in, not have to share) but are so happy to have a set to use between them. And it's nice for Daddy to have the one on one with each girl when he takes them out (I don't have bindings yet).

It's so nice to have winter adventures (I need to take sledding pictures.. I just haven't done it yet... the kids have so much fun and the hill is so crazy slick that they go really fast).

New PJ's

My kids grow at strange intervals... okay... not so much the intervals that are strange as the time of year... so, take Gabi - in the fall we gather our winter things and make sure that they fit and have room for some growth, but are comfortable. We do this ever year. And every year, by the middle to the end of December, Gabi has outgrown her PJ's... that's always the first thing... and then she manages to out grow everything else within the next month or so... yes, we're starting to look around!

Anyway, we went looking for larger PJ's... you know, the nice warm ones... some call them blanket sleepers, some call them footie pajamas, some call them bunny bags (only they have feet).... anyway, no dice.... until one day.... and then, well, let's just say what we saw were not something appealing... at least not for us.... soooooooooooo......

Gabi's been learning to sew anyway... and she wants to learn it all at the same time... that's normal for her... sure enough, we decide we have a pattern (which she has not yet outgrown), she chose some fleece, and away we went.

Though she had help from me, she did most of it either with me or by herself. All I did by myself was the neckband and the elastic (which she helped with the first time around and we discovered it was too wide still - ooops) - there was enough fabric to make matching slippers, but we have not done those yet (she has slippers so it was the last thing to worry about).

Anyway... I think she did a great job! She loves them... wore them for the first time last night and got up this morning telling us just how snug and warm she was all last night.

Gabi's Birdhouse

Okay - Lynne - here it is... the much awaited picture of the birdhouse! This was a project that Gabi did with her father during the week of Christmas. It only took them about an hour - but it turned out so nice. We've not yet seen any birds at it yet... though the other morning we saw a little mole feeling around on the snow gathering the seeds the wind had blown down!

As you can see, the wind around here really gets carried away... when the top is open like that, it's because we've had winds that rock the house! We've been surprised at how well the little birdhouse has held up to the wind.... and that the hinges have held!

Our Newest Sunbeam

We have a new Sunbeam in our midst! We had all been so excited and looking forward to the big day - and then, when the teacher called to get some information (she was Beth's teacher last year) I couldn't understand why she was calling.... I had forgotten that Jeremy was now a Sunbeam!

In true Nielsen Sunbeam fashion, Jeremy had received his own scriptures at Christmas. This tradition had started because the girls could read themselves at that age and had asked for them. Jeremy has always wanted his own ever since! And so, although he's not reading as well as they were (he is reading), we continued the tradition. He's so excited to have them - and was sooooo cute carrying them into class (even if he was a bit nervous that first day)!

Christmas 2008

We had a nice Christmas, as usual. The kids did really well waiting for Christmas even - since we stayed really busy this year. We - unlike many- open our presents at mid-night Christmas Eve. It's a tradition that Bob brought back from Chile many years ago, and we've stuck with it. The kids really enjoy being able to stay up late and feeling like they don't have to wait so long!

Peter made it until 11:30pm and then just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer! Though we tried to wake him, he just kept sleeping... (the blanket with him was not the new blanket he received) - so he opened his gifts in the morning after stockings. (This also meant that Jeremy had to wait on many of his gifts - since they were joint gifts for him and Peter).

It seemed we had a lot of favorites this year... it was nice. But the things which stand out most (and maybe we're biased) are the rolling pins for the kids, their new double fleece twin size blankets (matching Thomas ones for the boys and matching butterfly ones for the girls) - and for the girls, the parts to the dolls I started making for them which they get to help finish (they are very excited about this). As for things received, well, for the family Grandma and Grandpa took the cake again this year with a nice telescope (which they kids tried out once and are anxiously awaiting warmer weather to do more). But as for every day gifts - that would be Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeff (hey, really, who can compete with noise makers!?!) - very nice recorders (with instruction books) and train whistles (used daily)!

Books, of course, have been loved at night when the kids "can't do anything else" - and have brought laughter and smiles. And I love my new bundt pan (can you believe I've been married so long and didn't have one!)! Bob has taken over the GPS unit - claiming it for himself (it was a joint gift). The boys got many more train piece to their wooden railway and with all the splits and connections, they are able to have some really fun and involved track layouts - not to mention the extra trains which makes sure than everyone has at least one train to play with now!

Many other gifts and stocking stuffers were received with enthusiasm. We really had a nice Christmas. But more than what we received, we were able to have the children actively involved in preparing and sharing gifts with others who would not have as much this year. It was a special time, and they really enjoyed it. They wanted to keep going back to the Operation Santa tree in the store, and enjoyed coming up with other names and ideas. It was especially fun to watch them truly catch the meaning of Christmas - and to share their joy, love and enthusiasm with others!

Where Have We Been?

I'll admit that our family has been "lounging" a bit. We had the unexpected joy of finding Bob home for vacation without the demands from someone else's schedule or a job he needed to finish. It was great! - Of course, along with that comes sheer laziness... you know, Christmas kind-of sinks in and if you don't have to go anywhere, well, you kind-of forget about the rest of the world.

We knew we had to pull ourselves out of that... so... we invited friends over for dinner... then immediately set to work uncovering the entire downstairs... that includes counters (my worse problem). It was good though. And though it's not perfect, it certain has stayed much better. I just need to find the energy to tackle a few more things around here.

We also thought we'd go to a friend's house for New Year's Eve - we were all very excited. But, then we discovered our alternator died - that also meant no family outing to the movies. That's okay, we got tons done here and the kids were great about it... though I must admit, even though I had no place to go, I was starting to get a little stir-crazy without the van in the driveway!

Androcles and The Lion

Well, an exciting month of December... and can you believe I forgot to post some of the excitement (much to the dismay of Gabi), so I'm going to play catch up again for a little while. And then, since it seems that we're past the year end craze, we'll see if maybe we can keep up with things once again! :)

So... the much missed.... Gabi was able to participate in the school play this winter. It was "Androcles and the Lion" - another wonderful experience brought to the school by the Children's Stage Adventures. They study for one week - some parts only get a couple of days of rehearsal in. And then they put on a wonderful little show complete with songs, routines, and (of course) memorized lines. Many of Gabi's friends had larger speaking parts, and she said a few lines herself... as one of the little mice. She was, of course, very cute!

Normally the group works with the kids for one week, ended with a dress rehearsal/performance in the afternoon and a full performance in the evening. This year, however, school had been canceled, so the play was pushed from Friday to Saturday with only the noon performance. Though Gabi was disappointed to not be able to do both, she was overjoyed to see Daddy in the audience (which would not have been able to happen if the play had been on Friday).

Christmas Caroling Adventures

Two nights ago we went Christmas Caroling. It's one thing that Gabi had asked to do early in the season. When I started planning for it, I was trying to figure out what to give these families... cookies... and then... well, we thought they might be interested in a Holiday movie. So we made mention to our missionaries what we were planning. They had planned to do some caroling, so the plans were made to go together.

This meant the week of Christmas, when many families are out of town. Never-the-less, we had a few friends we wanted to go to - and the missionaries had people they were teaching that we thought would enjoy the visit. So, off we went... singing all the way... in two vehicles!

Since we'd had some icy weather not all that long ago, and then had a storm that finished up the day before... well, it was interesting. I managed to get to two houses just fine... on all the curves and back road type stuff.... however, as I followed Bob out to the end of one road, I touched my breaks and the van started it's little dance - big swing to one side, gentle correcting, huge swing to the other side.... all I remember after that was the realization that nothing I could do was going to keep us on the road. Bob was in front of us.... and so was a telephone pole! It was either let it go now (and avoid the pole), or try to keep correcting - still go off the road and hit the pole and maybe Bob.

Well... in the snow bank we landed... not too hard... the kids a little stunned. Everyone just fine... the van..... stuck.... really stuck...

Such great men we have.... the missionaries stayed and dug out the van, I tried to convince the children that it was NOT going to blow-up, and Bob headed back the house to get his truck to pull us out....

45 minutes lost.... Spirits still high and cheerful.... we head out again. Two more houses.... then Bob tries to move over to the side of the road to wait for me so we can go to what has now become our last house - (due to time).... that's when he found a culvert.... who knew that was there.... and down he went. Fortunately we were right by our friends whom we'd just sang too so they came out and pulled him out.

Still undaunted... we head out again... up the road..... it's getting late... hoping our next set of friends haven't turned in for the night (they have a new baby).... the baby was down, but just barely... so we were able to round out the night with another great, joyful caroling and short visit!

The Spirit of Christmas will overcome all dreariness.... we were of good cheer... the Lord watched over us... and the children want to do it again... although, as Jeremy has said in his prayers... "no going off the road, when we do caroling, no accidents"!

Let It Snow!

That's Gabi's favorite saying for months prior to the first real snow! We did have a little dusting a day or so before Halloween.... aren't those "snow angels" just beautiful!?!

When we did get our first real snow, we already had a wonderfully thick layer of ice on the driveway - not going anywhere! So I bundled everyone to send them out to play - or help with the shoveling. Gabi made a volcano, and I eventually sent Jeremy out to "help" her by shoveling the backyard. They were originally trying to build a sledding hill since we'd never mowed ours this past summer (and the weeds were still sticking above the snow).

Well, while I slipped all over the place trying to clear the driveway, Peter thought he'd be helpful and try to push the snow scoop with me.... that is until he realized he could just hang on behind and take a little ride! He had so much fun... it was worth the extra energy!

We since had another storm drop 2 feet on us - the kids help clear the driveway, then later they went sledding down the hill (now snowy enough to cover the weeds), while Daddy used his skis to follow along!

Gingerbread House

This year we decided to try our hand at a gingerbread house. I already knew things were crazy, so I'll admit that I cheated (I know, me who makes everything... I didn't this time!) I bought the kit - house already together, candy all set (minus a very snips). The kids had fun putting it together - even Peter got in on it... though he liked to eat the candies more than decorate!

I think, for a first, they did a pretty good job!

Making Friends

We have some great friends... different than our other friends... we typically don't call them (unless we're returning a call), we don't hang out, we don't exchange gifts, in fact, we don't do much of anything that "normal good friends" would do.

Since the missionaries come up to our area once a week, and we house them, we have the unique experience to be able to show our children first hand a little of what it's like to be a missionary (and to give service and open up your home with no more than a moment's notice - although that last part is very, very rare - thank goodness for me). It's been wonderful to see our children's faces light up, their enthusiasm, and also to see that it has not dampened their desire to go on a mission - rather it has reinforced it. We are indeed grateful for these special moments which strength our children and help them grow their testimonies of Christ and His gospel.

Well, Peter (being not quite 2) tends to think that the missionaries are only okay once they're almost done eating dinner and about ready to head out to another appointment. He was playing shy - scowling some, hiding his head, hanging on to me. One of our elders was determined that somehow he and Peter would be friends by the time he was done in this area. So, at meals, he'd play silly games to try and engage Peter.

Finally Peter started laughing during some silly peek-a-boo / hide-and-go seek type stuff at the table. As soon as Peter was done eating, he ran over, grabbed the elder by the hand and dragged him into the living room where he insisted the elder should help him build a train track. Ever since, Peter loves to see the missionaries - both of them. (He's always smiled at the other elder)

So, friends they are - and the experiences will be best held in his heart, though he may never remember them in pictures!

Th Boy And His Hats

I had to chuckle not long ago because a friend has a little boy who loves his daddy's hat! Well, I had been taking some pictures to show people our little boy who loves every hat! If Peter sees a hat, he says he wants to wear it. I really only have three pictures to show you right now, but I'm sure you can imagine the many other hats he finds around the house to wear - some are probably better that we don't have pictures for! :)

Dance Visiting Days

Every fall the dance studio assigns visiting days where family and friends can come and see how the children are doing. This year it was the week before Thanksgiving. Bob was kind enough to keep the other children so I could go on Thursday night with just Gabi. Then Saturday my friend watched the boys (I do believe) so that Gabi and I could go and watch Bethie!

They really do have a lot of fun. Gabi has come a really long way and is still great at setting an example in listening and paying attention. (Although she's not perfect in this... she does respond to other's questions, whether dance related or not).

Bethie had moved up from the beginner class (3 and 4 year olds) to the next level with the rest of the group from last year. She'd done really well, but over the month of November she started having a few issues again. Once it was because she suddenly couldn't remember which was her right foot and which was her left (and I had run to the store - and she just can't talk to anyone else). Another time it was because someone had taken her place (though there are no assigned places). Other times it's because her feeling were hurt, she's tired, or hungry or something. We're working on it (as it's usually only once during the time if at all... some days are great)

Regardless, she still loves to dance. Gabi has taught her most of what she knows as well.... and Beth picks it up so easily. It's really amazing. Now if she'd just relax a little while she's at class... after all, she doesn't need to be perfect (but that's my little perfectionist).

Cookies And Ornaments

Once again we had our cookie ornament party. It was fun - as usual - but much calmer - which was great! Part of that was because we decided to have everyone bring their own cookie sheet and take them home to bake - the other part was because it was a school day so we ended up with many few people there.... still enough to have a nice little party though!

Here are some of the beautiful creations... they were so creative this year... it was nice. I love to see how the kid's cookies turn out year after year and so see the development in their styles.

We also added another part to it this year.... in addition to decorating the cookies for ornaments (or just to eat, depending on the kid), we made pipe cleaner ornaments using pipe cleaners and an assortment of beads taking turns with the hot glue gun. They had a lot of fun and kids took home several ornaments to hand on their trees!

Reindeer

When Aunt Marie's package arrived, there were cute little candy cane reindeer. I had thought about doing it with my kids earlier, but then I wasn't so sure since we'd done the ropes. But the wanted to, and it gave us something to do with the kids who come over over after school a couple times a week. They had fun coming up with different ways to adjust their antlers... hearts for some, and one was even a "bunny".

The new thing was learning how to use the hot glue gun. That was both exciting and intimidating... but the girls figured it out and enjoyed it. Jeremy just let someone else put the glue on the items and then he stuck them to the candy cane!

Though the girls thought they would be making some to give back to their cousins (strawberry and berry flavored canes - we didn't realize when we bought them - that we need to get rid of because of Peter's allergies), when I packed the box it was too full.... so I have a little collection of cute reindeer sitting up high enough that Peter can't get them (or see them)! Still, they had fun!

Candy Ropes

Something we got out of the Friend magazine this year... candy ropes... it sounded like fun... so we tried it... it was a little tricky to figure out the exact way to staple the pieces together... but we got it figured out (one way breaks the candies... the other worked just fine). After making a couple to give away, we made one for our tree as well... heck, who needs garland anyway? It was really pretty and added a nice touch to the tree... until it was pulled on a little and broken leaving us with several small "ropes" which have been disappearing!

We made ours Sunday afternoon just before decorating.. but we had stayed up late making the others the night before... the kids shifted from that to making a lifesaver rope.... that turned out to be too heavy and is still sitting in a bowl..... yikes!

Christmas Tree

After much debate.... we got out Christmas Tree the first weekend in December. As usual, we cut okay, so Bob cut it. We tromped out back into our neighbor it ourselves...'s woods (with permission, of course) and cut down a tree we thought would work for us this year! Since we'd just had a "dusting" of snow, which then mixed with some "frozen stuff" we had a mostly white, solid ground to walk on. It was enough to pull kids in the sled... one of Bob's favorite parts of the experience.

On the way back, Peter lost his mitten... so Gabi and I walked back through, looking carefully because the mitten was a very pale grey (the very cute mittens Aunt Cheri had sent when Bethie was born... love those mittens). We found it at the far end of our Christmas Tree hunting trail... go figure!

We also discovered that Peter loves to be outside... okay, we knew that.... but unlike most kids, he happily (laughing most of the time) got into his snow suit, boots, hat, mittens, and then waited by the door! What kids likes to put on a snowsuit - at his age - even when they do like to be outside?!?! I sure have one strange little boy... but he's so happy about it all... I guess I have to admit I like that part of his "strangeness"!

Our tradition is to get the tree on Saturday and then decorate it on Sunday... Gabi has learned to be patient, but she's still vocal about how she has to wait and it's soooooooo hard to do that! She kept trying to figure out ways that we could decorate the tree without Daddy... or at least sooner... maybe even stay up and do it when Daddy got home from work (somewhere around midnight).... nope... we waited for Sunday.

This year we didn't put the balls on. It didn't feel like anything was missing though... the tree was simple - the homemade ornaments from years past (mostly from when Bob and I were kids), and a few homemade items this year... with a few more added later in the season. It just seems right... simple... and yet still beautiful!

The kids pretty much decorated it themselves this year... that's new... but it was so nice to just watch them... and on occasion to just hand them another ornament!