Christmas, Christmas time is here

It has been a busy, but happy and festive holiday season for us.  Everything that was on my list has been accomplished and now I am enjoying spending the Christmas break with my family.  Today with all the snow that fell, the kids and Shea went out and built a snowman.  All the snow last week didn't classify as "snowman snow" and wouldn't stick together.  We got enough today to make up for it though.  We have a 6 foot tall snowman in the front yard, and you can't even tell where the kids rolled his sections because it snowed so much.  With today like it was, I was grateful I had my shopping--grocery and gifts--done.  

The month started with me hosting an Enrichment progressive dinner for our ward.  It was a great activity--but A TON of work.  I had Shea snap a photo of my table settings.  

Last week we had our ward party at the church.  The kids had a great time, and it was the only party where our family isn't double-booked.  It's going to get a little crazy in the next few days!  I love having both families so close though, and I'm happy we get to spend our Christmas with them.

Sunday night was my maternal grandparents' party.  My grandma and grandpa go to so much work to feed all of us and shower us with gifts.  It was great to spend time in their home and to know how much they love me and my little family.  I felt awful when we had to eat and run to Shea's immediate family party that night too--but I wouldn't have missed that party!  We had a tasty prime rib dinner at Cory and Shannon's house, the kids acted out the Nativity story while Papa read it from the scriptures, and we exchanged gifts.  The kids were so excited and so cute.  

I have to say I am so proud of my boys for really trying this year to understand gratitude.  They are working on appreciating everything they get--even if it's not what they want.  They mention it in every prayer we say as a family.  One of my 4-year-old cousins had a fit when he opened a gift that was exactly what Camden and Cooper had received.  He stomped and cried and hit.  When we got to the car the boys' first comment was about how he should have just been grateful for what he got.  I have such good kids.  I hope they stay that way.

Tomorrow brings two more parties, more food, more presents, and two visits from Santa.  I'd better get to bed!

(and Blogger is not my picture posting friend.  Can you figure out the captions by yourself?)

Gingerbread houses and new traditions

Thanks to Holli and Phil for inviting us over to decorate gingerbread houses.  I'm always impressed at how much my kids love to create.  Camden and Cooper each decorated their own house this year, and I got to help Lucy.  She was very into it for a lot longer than my boys were at her age.  

I love this time of year.  For some reason my to-do list has felt more methodical this year and has not been as daunting.  The village went up without a hitch, the tree was much easier to light, the kids did a great job hanging all the ornaments at 4' and under, my shopping is mostly done (thank you Amazon and Smith's Marketplace), my neighbor gifts are sewn, my Christmas cards are ready to be addressed, my calendar is filled with family parties that don't conflict--yet, and I've been able to really focus on the meaning of Christmas this year.

We had the opportunity to go to a live nativity on Saturday evening.  Even though Laman and Lemuel (i.e. Matt and Marc) complained during the short hay ride, everyone had an enjoyable time.  I was overcome by the spirit as I stepped into the barn where a young couple and their real baby were portraying the Holy Family.  It was so easy for me to think back 2000+ years ago to the first Christmas in Bethlehem.  Having been there twice helped too.  

After seeing the whole nativity, we enjoyed complimentary hot chocolate and I read the story about how the living nativity tradition started.  Basically, it is a fundraiser to pay back the Huntsman Cancer Institute for treating the family's matriarch through pancreatic cancer.  I was moved to tears as I read the quote on the small paper that one little boy had exclaimed, "How come every year we go see Santa, and this is the first year we have come to see the Baby Jesus?"  I had to ask myself the same question.  

The nativity experience gave Shea and me a wonderful opportunity to talk to our kids more about the Savior's birth.  That night we had a tender family discussion and prayer.  I thought for a moment that maybe I was doing a few things right when Camden prayed, "We're thankful for Christmas.  If we don't get what we want, please help us to love it anyway."  Sweet kid.

Now if I can let that same peace and love be in my heart for the next few days.  I'm a little stressed about having 16 people, in two rounds of 8, come to my home for a Relief Society progressive dinner.  Should I pull out the paint and touch up the few spots that have been driving me crazy for months?  I'm tempted.

Also, I'm stressing about getting primary ready for the beginning of another year.  Luckily, I have a fantastic presidency who each do a phenomenal job and volunteer for everything.  We have an early January activity to plan, binders to compile, a room to decorate, and teachers to orient.  

Oh yeah, and the first grade party needs to be planned.

And I have to finish being trained for cub scouts.

But it WILL get done....eventually.

Thanksgiving celebration

My dad and brothers and Shea are the worst at pulling faces for the camera.  Maybe that's why I never take any of them!  Ashley and my hottie look cute in this one though.

Cooper's photo of baby Lillian

Marc's favorite position--and shirt

Mitchell(my cousin) and Cooper

Ben and Audrey

Grandma and Lucy's favorite pasttime

My dad--when I tell him to smile and look happy to have his picture taken

Grandma DeWolf, Ben, and Adam.  I like to be on the opposite end of Grandma's picture taking frenzy

Ashley (Cam's woman) and Cameron and Lucy's baby doll

We had Thanksgiving dinner this year at my parents' house.  It was a wonderful day filled with good food, "special" family members, and a serious lack of photography skills.  No matter how hard I try (and Shea says I don't try), I can't get decent pictures, and I never get the shots of the people and moments I want to remember.  I'm always too busy chatting or something more pressing.

Happy Bithday, Dear Candy!

Today is my very wonderful and loving mother-in-law's birthday.  As far as MILs go, I have one of the best and most beautiful.  I couldn't ask for anyone to love me or my children more than Candy does.  She is always willing to feed us, watch the kids, or just spend time talking and laughing with us.  She also has an amazing cooking talent.  Lucky for me, she is willing to share her tricks and recipes for the sake of her good-looking son.  Candy, I hope you have a very happy day, and I hope you know how very much we love you!

One year older and wiser too...

It happened.  I knew it would one day.  Most of my friends reached it before I did and so I was in good company when I finally arrived.  I turned 30 this week.  And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  

I woke up on Tuesday and my boys were so sweet.  They wanted so much to be included in my birthday party.  They asked where I was having it and I told them it would just be at home.  "Mom, I love home birthdays!"  Cooper said.  So I knew I had to have a kind-of party with my kids.

While they were at school, I went to lunch with Shea and Lucy, my mom, and Ben and Olivia's family.  They had come to drop off a gift when we decided to go to Pei Wei.  It was very good.  We also went to Nothing Bundt Cakes and got a cake for my party.

At four o'clock, my grandparents, Shea's parents, Kelly, and the Conroys came over for cake and presents.  I was spoiled!  Shea gave me a new red Kitchen Aid mixer that I have been wanting since before we were married.  Now I'm ready to make my own bread and to start baking more!  The kids opened most of the presents and I loved watching them be so happy.  They were so happy and loving all day.  It was the best.  

I decided that this year I didn't care about getting older, I just care about being loved and remembered.  I really was.  I got so many phone calls, texts, emails and visits.  It was a great day!  My sweet friend, Jerianne, had contacted all my family and some friends and had them all write something nice about me.  She then printed everything out and gave it to me as a wonderful gift.  Thank you, everyone, for your kind words.  It made me feel so loved!

After cake, Shea sent the kids home with his parents and we went to Sundance for my birthday dinner.  It was delicious, and I enjoyed just being with my handsome hubby.  He really made my day great, and I love him!

Fat Flake Festival

On Saturday night we took the kids to the Fat Flake Festival.  Shea was up there with Canyon Sports promoting his new business.  He and a friend have started a new seasonal business and have hooked up with Canyon Sports to do it.  They are delivering ski and snowboard rentals, discount lift tickets, and ski accessories to people who come here to ski.  Instead of having to pack your ski stuff and pay for it to fly, you can call Shea and he will have everything delivered to your hotel.  It's a really cool idea, and I hope they do well with it.  If you know anyone who is coming here to ski, let them know that they can get their stuff brought right to them and then picked up from their hotel when they're finished and ready to go back home!

Anyway, at the festival Shea took the boys ice skating for the first time.  They had a great time while I watched Lucy run around and be crazy.  When they got tired of that we visited the Canyon Sports booth and enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows roasted over the fire they had burning.  It was a fun evening where we did something different from the usual.

Thank you, Girlies!

Even though we're not acknowledging the event that is too-quickly approaching, I just got home from a wonderful pre-birthday lunch at Paradise Bakery with some of my most wonderful friends. We enjoyed yummy food and fun conversation--for 2 1/2 hours! Thank you, Jerianne for coordinating. Thank you Tammy, Nicole (who is almost 30-gasp!), Emily, Carla, Angela, Danielle, and Jerianne! I love you girls.

Grateful

I just wanted to remember how lifted up by the Spirit I felt today.  I had a great day in primary where our Stake President and his second counselor came and taught the senior sharing time.  It was an uplifting message about reading the Book of Mormon every day and a promise that if we do so, we will be abundantly blessed.  I am totally recommitted to doing that for me and my family.  We have markedly improved recently, but we can still do better.  

As a family we had the chance to go to baby Ivy's blessing.  What a miracle a new spirit is.  It was touching to be there and to witness the power of the priesthood in action.

Tonight, Shea, Jerry, Candy and I went to a Mt. Timpanogos temple workers fireside where the presiding speaker was Elder L. Tom Perry.  The blessings of the temple are magnificent.  I am so grateful to have that Spirit in my home on a weekly basis.  Again, I have recommitted myself to going to the temple and basking in the Spirit there more often.  I need it.  My family needs it.

My Coop

The boys and I were spending an evening together last night.  They love to count down the "sleeps" until exciting days or events.  We were counting sleeps until Christmas, Valentines (why?), Friday, and I mentioned my birthday.

Then they started asking me what gifts I wanted.  What do you say when you don't have your "list" ready and memorized?  They wouldn't believe me if I said I didn't really want anything.  So, to help, Cooper chimed in, "Mom, do you want something stylish for your birthday?"  

I thought he was pretty funny, and pretty observant.

happy birthday, Janie

To one of the most inspiring wives and mothers I know...I hope you had a relaxing day!  Seriously, this sister-in-law of mine has 6 of the most wonderful kiddos--and darn good looking kids too--and a husband who is so devoted and loving.  It's all because she is so wonderful!  I love you, Jane.

May the Force be with you

Welcome, baby Mya Christine!

Shea's baby sister, Candace, and her husband, Judd, welcomed (very wearily, I might add) their first baby girl on Saturday.  Candace endured 29 hours of labor and ended up having an emergency c-section after not progressing past a 4 in that amount of time.  She put up a fight though!  

Baby Mya weighed in at a slender 10 lbs. 5 oz.!!!!!!!  She is such a beautiful baby, and she is already so loved.  I especially love all her chins.  Shea took a darling picture of Lucy the baby monster holding her newest cousin.  I'll get that so you can all see how precious Mya is.   Later.

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

To an amazing, motivating, fun, energetic, active, compassionate and loving sister-in-law...Happy Birthday!  We love you and your sweet family so much.  We hope you have a great day too.  (How can you not have fun if your birthday is on Halloween?)

the week in pictures

Coop and Baby Lilli (who looks just like her daddy!)

Without these ladies, I would be insane and a failure!

Primary Program Practice and Pizza Party

These kids did the most amazing job today.  I was so proud of all of them!  I was especially impressed by the ones I know have issues with speaking in public and shyness.  I was very emotional all day.  My brother Marc said I am the most emotional primary pres. he's ever seen.  Like I care what my 17-year-old brother thinks.  I did have a hard time speaking without crying during the program though.  I can see why he thinks that.

Gardner Village witches with two sweet girls

We had a good time and had to get one last girls' trip in before Baby Lilli came.  Girls are so fun! 

Announcing....

Baby Lillian Faye Burr (Lilly)

6 lbs. 11 oz.  (exactly the same as her big sister, Audrey Rose)

19 in. (again, exactly the same as Audrey)

Her mommy was hooked up to pitocin at 8 a.m.,  water broken at 8:30 a.m.,  pushed three times and Baby Lily was born at 10:15 a.m.!!!

I told Olivia that she should think about having 800 kids if they all come out so easily!  She is blessed with easy pregnancies, births, and beautiful babies.  We are so excited to have another sweet baby girl to love and spoil.  

I love you, Ben, Olivia, Audrey and Lillian!

p.s. loading pictures on this thing sometimes drives me insane!  Also, I need to get a better shot of just Lillian.

Fall Break

Most of our Fall Break was spent with Camden and Cooper wearing Shea's shorts and shirts and Lucy wearing the boys' clothes.  Okay, Lucy only wore this for a few hours after church until I made her change to look more girly, but it was cute to see her running around with the boys for a while!  I was a good mother and even let Cam and Coop go to Arctic Circle with Grandma to get an ice cream in these clothes.  She was so proud.  She was also so bored since Matt, Marc and my dad were all working in NoCal spreading straw on the reseeded wildfire areas. 

Today we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for some late lunch and play time.  There were maybe two other families there and it was heavenly!  The kids ran from game to game trying to win tickets and Lulu followed them around and rode a few of the lame rides.  She loved this dragon, but hated the monster truck.  "Truck is too scawy, mom."  She was also a little apprehensive about the singing and dancing animatronic mouse and his posse.  I have to admit, they're lame and a little scary.
On Sunday we watched Grandpa and Matt and Marc land in the neighbor's empty lot.  They were just being dropped off by the helipool--is that what you call a helicopter car pool?  My dad's pilot, Randy, continued on to the Provo airport with Huey--the helicopter--and they will begin another straw job in Moab this week.  I have fond memories of the times my grandpa or my dad would come home and the pilot would land in the church parking lot, so it was nostalgic for me.  My kids had big smiles on their faces too.

Now it's back to school and normal life.  I got to mop the floor this morning, and the bathroom cleaning will continue tonight and probably in the morning.  We're looking forward to our primary program and practice this weekend along with a Halloween party, a stake primary meeting, blood donation, and a new baby niece!  

Good luck with the delivery, Olivia!  We're so excited to meet Baby ______.  And Candace and Baby Girl _____ won't be far behind.  I'm excited to have all these sweet baby girls to snuggle.

Photo tag

for Shannon...

Choose the fourth picture from the fourth picture folder on your computer...

Mine was the pumpkin carving fest we have with Webbs every year.  This was taken in October 2004!

I tag...Jenna, Julie H., Andrea T., Andrea B., Jerianne, and Emily BoxCox, and Lindsay!

I'm a slacker...but only when it comes to blogging.

I promise I do other stuff.  I was busy helping in the boys' class last week, cheering on Matt and Marc in their win against AF, going to see Thriller with my mom, going to a baby shower for Olivia, being sick with a cold and getting flowers from my sweet husband, going to dinner at Paradise Bakery with the Taylors to celebrate our time with Andrea, going to dinner with Shea at Cam's UVU restaurant (Chinese--yum!), watching the Cougars win again, making a visit to Costco, planning sharing time and conducting on Sunday, hosting the Taylor family FHE on Sunday night, and being so proud of my boys as they played their last Fall soccer games this week.  One was on a beautiful Fall Tuesday evening, and the other was in the snow on Saturday.  They each scored twice during the freezing game!  They had an awesome season and are looking forward to Spring season.

I'm a little relieved that all that's on the schedule for this week is a baby shower for my darling cousin tomorrow and UEA break!  I need to plan something fun.

Field Trip

I love the fact that I get to be with my boys during the day and in the classroom so much.  I realize other mothers would love that opportunity but don't get it as often.  I feel bad for that.

With that said, I had a great time on the first grade field trip today.  All 7 classes went to Mountain View High School (my old stompin' grounds) to watch the Utah Symphony perform some weather-related music.  I was impressed by the talent of the Symphony members and by the respect shown by my little group.  45 minutes of music without words is a lot for most grown ups!  They really were good, and we enjoyed sack lunches after at the park.  Watching all those kids climbing all over the playground reminded me of watching an ant hill.  

I love my boys--and I love that they still light up when I get to be in school with them.  Snuggling in between them on the stinky bus ride made it all worth it!

Facebook...the ultimate distraction

Apparently I am the only one in the universe who wasn't on Facebook before yesterday.  I started a profile and have spent way too much time finding old friends and connecting over cyber space with some of the friends I see daily.  

In other busy news...

--the Primary program is written and parts are handed out

--cub scouts is a little more organized and I know way more about the administration part of it after last week

--I'm planning and in charge of the majority of my 10 year Jerusalem reunion that is tomorrow night.  I'm excited to go, but I'll be happy to have that off my list of things to do.

--My hair appt. for tomorrow was canceled.  Boo.  But it's because my cousin is having a baby tonight, and her sister does my hair.

--People must sense my stress level since I was supposed to go to the boys' class and help with math testing today, but the teacher called and changed it to Friday.  How did she know I didn't have a car or a husband to watch Lucy for today?  Thank heavens for my amazing and selfless friend, Jerianne, for offering the use of her car and her babysitting services.  I'm relieved I'm not in debt to her now for all that.

--Sweet Camden slipped and fell in a mud puddle that covered the whole right side of his body.  He called me from school and couldn't talk for two whole minutes as he cried.  So much for not having to use Jerianne's car.  Thanks again, my dear.  I had to take the poor boy some clean clothes.  It felt so good to put my arms around him and tell him that I loved him, and dirt never hurt anyone.

Lucy is obsessed

with babies.  She was in heaven while snuggling sweet Baby Ivy this week.  She's ready for more girl cousins who will be making their debuts in October.  Candace, Olivia, if you need a babysitter...call Lulu.

Our family's new additions

Shea was so sick of his Treo--that never worked correctly from day 1.  We went to get him a new phone, but his contract with Verizon had been extended when I used his upgrade to get a new phone a few months ago.  He had to pay the early-cancellation fee for himself, so he thought it would be easier to just add me to the AT&T family from the get-go.  Thanks, Honey! 

Jane, any operational tips would be helpful. 

on my mind...

1.  Baby Ivy is the sweetest little thing.  She is one of the most beautiful babies ever.  Congratulations, Cory and Shannon!

2.  I really need my carpets cleaned.  After a few "incidents" I need to just call and schedule.  Who do you like?  Are they really expensive?  I just don't feel like paying $300 to get it done.

3.  Presidency meeting tonight.  Primary stress.  I have GOT to get that program written.

4.  I'm feeling like I need some new jeans and tops.  Anyone have any favorite fits or store suggestions?

5.  Nei*%bor drama is driving me crazy.  That's all I'm saying.