December is such a fun month, we didn't
want to miss out on reporting about all our CHRISTmas activities and
everything we packed into our month. We really tried to take a
different approach to CHRISTmas than we have in the past few years.
We wanted to shift our focus a little more every year from the hype
and craziness that the world creates and back to the birth of Christ.
We started with gift giving. Whenever we talked to the kids,
instead of asking them what they wanted for CHRISTmas, we asked them
what they were giving the people that they had on their list. Also,
instead of making lists for Santa and talking all about what Santa
would bring CHRISTmas morning, we would talk about CHRISTmas morning
without mentioning Santa. There were some really great things that
came out of these changes. Olivia was so excited to get the game,
Mousetrap, for Martin, she talked about it more than anything that
she wanted. Whenever someone asked Abby what she wanted, she would
just say, “shoes, that's all that I need, I think.” Also, Matt
gave a really awesome talk in Primary about the real meaning of
CHRISTmas. It wasn't all perfect, and somethings didn't change a
whole lot. When Thayne was asked what he liked about CHRISTmas, or
what it was all about, he got really excited and said, “Santa! And
Presents!” Also, Matt left a list out on the counter of “Things
that Abby and Livvy probably want for CHRISTmas”--this list
included Legos and a football. Still, it felt a little more focused
this year and closer to what we wanted.
At the very start of December Martin watched the kids for the weekend so that I could host a Craft and Gift Fair with a friend of mine. We had decided that since I sell girl's hairthings and flowers and homemade cards and she sells Scentsy and baby items, that we would like to get together with some other people who sell handmade or gift items and put on a craft fair. It turned out really well for our first year and we had quite a bit of interest in our town. We each made a little more money for CHRISTmas and I thought it was really fun. We will probably try to have another one next year and make it even bigger and better.
That same weekend, Martin had an Aunt and Uncle come with some of their married kids and their families to get CHRISTmas trees up Yago Canyon. He made lunch for everyone, watched our 4 kids for the day, kept the house all clean, and still managed to build some cabinet doors for my scrapbooking cabinet. Sometimes I really think he is Superman disguised as a science teacher.
How many parties can you cram into one
month? That is another reason I love December. Our ward party was a
really great dinner with a cake-walk for presents and a little
program by the primary. It was just the right amount of everything.
For our family parties, we were in charge of the Pope Family
CHRISTmas party. We played some fun games, made gingerbread houses,
had homemade pizza, then settled into the living room for our
program. Most of the kids are taking piano lessons and they played
their recital pieces and CHRISTmas songs. Then, we opened presents.
Martin's parents and a few cousins spent the night. It turned into
quite an adventure when the power went out just before the kids were
going to settle in and go to bed. They all decided they couldn't
sleep upstairs with ALL the lights out(?). So, we got all the beds
re-made down in the front room and got a flashlight for each of them.
Then, Martin found a little battery lantern that made a perfect
night light. The power only ended up being off for a few hours, so
it just a fun ending to a fun day for all of us. Whenever we have a
big family gathering at our house, I like to just look around and
take it all in. I love it!! I always think how happy and wonderful
it is to be all packed together, and BE all together and I think it's
the best way to celebrate CHRISTmas.
Our Dahl Family CHRISTmas dinner was “technically” in January on New Years Day, but since I didn't end up writing about our get together for Thanksgiving either, I will combine all three holidays and write about our fun family dinners with Steffany and KC's family. Thanksgiving we went over to Burley, drove down to Martin's sister's house with his parents and had a really good family dinner with all of them. We also really enjoyed the light show that her husband was putting together. It had some awesome music and choreographed lights and the kids thought it was awesome. Two days later we had a Thanksgiving dinner with Steffany and KC and their kids back in Burley. Then, for CHRISTmas we always try to have a family dinner the Sunday after CHRISTmas with whatever parts of the Dahl Family we can round up. Brett and Keli stayed home with their brand new baby. So, we drove over to Burley and had what we call “Cafe Rio”. It's basically burritos, but they are so, so good!! Then, we do a little cousin gift-exchange and try to stretch out the time we have together. It's never long enough, but I am so glad for any time we get to be together with family.
FAMILY, it's really what it is all about!! What fun we will have to add a new little girl to our family in just a few weeks!! 2012 is already flying by, we wish you all well this new year!!
