we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Somewhere on the internet...I think actually it was Studio 5, a woman was interviewed on how to make the holidays meaningful.  Her suggestion was to have a family meeting early in the month and have the family decide what they wanted Christmas to look like and what feelings they wanted to create this Christmas.  She suggested being flexible and letting go of traditions that may not fit your family anymore.  AFTER that discussion talk about what they wanted to DO.  After asking them what activities we should do, one by one they listed our traditions...

ORNAMENTS

(we solder our pictures between two pieces of glass to make ornaments every year)

CHRISTMAS BOOKS

(we wrap 25 books and open one each day before Christmas)

CHRISTMAS CARDS

(I was wavering on this one...it is so time consuming and fairly expensive but their enthusiasm changed my attitude)

GRANDPARENT PARTY

(we invite all of the grandparents over for a special dinner during the holidays, the girls perform the music they have learned for concerts and recitals and we give them gifts.)

I was so relieved that they chose these traditions we have held for the last ten years.  Honestly, when these traditions began I felt a little bit like playing house.  Although they each came from our own life experiences and the things we enjoy, it almost felt like we were trying to be something we weren't.  As each year goes by Danny and I have fallen more in love with each tradition.  This year something magical happened- they became truly their traditions too.  When they asked if they could make the ornaments too.  (Soldering irons are really hot, cutting glass is sharp so we always made them after they went to bed.)  They also created the entire grandparent party program.  It had been a CRAZY busy week...no MONTH!  We truly had not found time to all plan and rehearse together.  Ellie, Kate and Sophie decided what they would each play and what they would play together.  Sophie recently (3-4 weeks ago) started flute.  On Sunday, the day of the party, Danny and I were making dinner and we hear Ellie and Kate talking to Sophie about which notes she knew on her new instrument.  They wrote out a part for her to play GOOD KING WENCESLAS with them.  As we heard them cooperating and helping each other...and playing beautiful music as they rehearsed in the basement, our hearts nearly burst.

Nothing is perfect around here.  There is too much teasing, fighting, and whining.   We have been too busy and their has been a lot more discussion of what we want for Christmas, and not enough of what we will give.  But moments like these make me so grateful for all of the good.  There is good surrounding us at every turn.  The magic of Christmas has brought more of it out in the forefront and I am so grateful.

snow...snow...snow...

It snowed 2 feet in the last 24 hours and I can't keep any of my people inside-

especially these two!

Kate took advantage of the 2 hour late school start by volunteering to walk MO.

75th birthday

Aunt Jossy was visiting this fall.  I saw her for a few hours at most at Mom's house.  As we were saying our goodbyes, the subject of Thanksgiving came up.  I realized that Aunt Jossy was turning 75 on the Monday before Thanksgiving!  We talked about the reunion/party she threw for Aunt Dot for her 75th.  I also learned she had no plans for her birthday or Thanksgiving.  I decided there on the spot that we would spend that week in Arizona with her.  Fortunately Danny and the girls liked the idea!  (phew!)

Aunt Jossy's home, in the outskirts of Scottsdale is a lovely backdrop for anything, but especially a party.  We added a little bit to the natural decor with balloons, streamers and tablecloths.  A few minutes before guests arrived I talked her into taking a few pictures.

Growing up, Aunt Jossy didn't usually live close, but she always remembered special occasions like birthdays and Christmas.  She often visited wherever we were living: AZ, ID, CA.  It felt good to spend the time celebrating her.  I am so grateful to have her influence in my life.

Nana's Christmas party

Nana's Christmas is always a PARTY!  We began at the movie PEANUTS and then headed to her house for dinner, presents & gingerbread house decorating.  The best part of the day was all of these people that we love so much.  

(Danny had to leave early for a baptism.)

left to right:  Maxton, Ethan, Rivers, Noah, Nana, Kate, Asher, Finn, Oliver, Lauren, Sophie, Suela, Ellie, Quincy, Keegan, Sage & Vivie

left to right: Sharon, Amanda, Nana, Suela, Vivie, Michel, Sophie, Carin, Kate, Rivers, Quincy, Lauren, Sage & Ellie

Away In A Manger

As soon as they unloaded from the bus Friday afternoon we rushed to closets to find outfits for Christmas card photos.  Just after Thanksgiving, Go Ute Nana told us about this nativity from her grandmother.  As I thought about what to do for Christmas cards this manger came to mind.  Nana packed it up and Paul brought it to Salt Lake so that we could use it.  The girls were cold but liked the idea and made our time in Mueller Park Canyon an enjoyable adventure.

so today at recess....

"so today at recess"

Some of my very favorite conversations begin with those four words.

Kate's happy place is kicking off her shoes, finding a book and relaxing in her room.

Because Kate seems a bit older everyday, I love that she still has a doll house in her room. 

not even to save their lives...

They couldn't keep a straight face to save their very lives.

Scarlett Stoker + Sophie Davis

family photos: take one

We found ourselves ALL HOME most of the day today.  That never happens on a Sunday!

 My first thought...Christmas card photos! 

We set up a back drop and strobe light and grabbed the remote...

we thought it was the perfect equation...

but NO...

this is about as good as it got-

 It looks like we'll have to come up with something else...
it didn't help that we realized just after this that Ellie had a fever. :(

These will be perfect for our picture Christmas ornaments!

We took Ellie's temperature right after this- she had a fever.

Grandma Compton

On our way down to AZ we decided to pass through Las Vegas to visit Grandma Compton.  She is 94 years old.  She lives in her home with her favorite kitty and eats mainly Pepsi and chocolate.  We were sure to bring her Sees Candy cremes.

She talked a lot about how much her neighborhood has changed.  She struggles with a lot of pain and isn't up to leaving much anymore.  The deacons in her ward began giving her the sacrament in her home a few months ago.  Danny gave her a beautiful blessing while we were there.  It was so good to see her.

if only every day could begin in the bath tub

Dear Sophie,

You didn't want to get up this morning.  It was 7:50 and you just sat at the kitchen counter pouting that the day had already begun.  Nothing sounded good to eat.  The idea of getting dressed for the day felt overwhelming.  You would NOT get moving.  I suggested a bath even though you had to be at the bus stop in 40 minutes.  You walked down the hall slowly.  I walked that direction 15 minutes later.  The shower curtain was drawn and you were in a world all your own.  I reluctantly interrupted, so that you would have a fighting chance to make it to school on time.  Your attitude was all new.  Although I was showered and dressed for the day I was tempted to jump in right after you...

If only every  day could begin in the bathtub.

I do it my"sels"

True happiness is having your clothes ironed for you, or even better-clothes that iron themselves. But if you don't have either of those things going for you- there is something exhilarating about expanding your independence. That is true especially for Sophie whose first phrase was "I do it my'SELS'!"

not looking for applause

"If your intentions are to impress people or to get the big applause at the end then you are taking, not giving." -Teitur 

(found here)

To remember to share myself with the intent to give, letting go of what I will receive...that is true magic.  I have been a guitar student off and on (much more off that on unfortunately) for almost 20 years.  When I watched this TedTalk yesterday, my mind went, although this is true for almost any aspect of learning and interest, straight to guitar performances.  I only performed for my family, teachers and recitals.  I immediately felt a difference when other people were in the room (especially teachers and recitals).  My fingers fumbled, my voice weakened and quivered.  That was a large reason that I gave up learning with a teacher.  How limiting to allow a misguided motive change the direction of an opportunity to grow. 

Yesterday in Ellie's guitar lesson I saw the same struggle in her, although to a lesser degree.  I decided that I would make a better effort to play with her as she practices.  We had our first session yesterday. I held her back in a few ways, but in more important ways, we kept each other with a focus of sharing and giving.  Our minds didn't go near any intention to impress.  There was joy in learning for me, and truly if I can focus on a motive to give in all aspects of my life- the work in practice will be so much sweeter.

she still asks me to do her hair

She still asks me to do her hair in the morning and frequently seeks my advice on what she should wear.  She grabs my hand when we walk and tells me a play by play everyday of her time at school.  She leaves a bit of chaos in any room she enters.  Something tells me when she is grown that I will miss that chaos as much as that daily play by play.