Yeah for Christmas Break! In spite of lots of parties and events, this year has actually felt a bit more manageable time wise and not nearly as overwhelming as year past. I will update a bit and add pix later from my other computer.
I have spent more hours in the kitchen this last month then I have probably in the whole year combined but what was different was that I actually enjoyed it! I baked cookies and made dips and salads and dinner for a week straight! The secret to enjoying the kitchen, I have learned, is audible books and podcasts and sermons. I have listened to an excellent recording of The Help, another one called Olive Kittredge (so so) and now am listening to The Fall of Giants which is very interesting. I always found being stuck in the kitchen a bore but with something to keep my mind busy I have actually enjoyed it.
Christmas Eve day was spent at Skip and Bonnie's with the Turlan's, and Ben and Sarah and her dad who was visiting from TX. We snacked and munched for a few hours and the headed to church for Christmas Eve service. Caleb and I did the advent reading and lighting the candles. I think it is one of my favorite holiday traditions now. This year Caleb and I headed home and went to bed early b/c in years past we went back to Skip/Bo's and stay up late then get up early and I spend the whole day tired which conflicts with C's hyper excitement. So we both got a good nights sleep and as expected he woke me up at the crack of dawn, the rule is sunlight must be present. He got a Gameboy which was his big thrill plus a few other action figure items which he loves. Around 10 am we went back to Skip/Bo's and opened presents with them and had brunch. Later in afternoon others joined us for a awesome dinner and our British friends supplied the crackers which is now becoming part of our tradition as well, although personally I could do without wearing the dorky hat. We played a few rounds of Quiddler before calling it a night.
The next day was an early morning wake up as we were heading out with Turlan's and Jaffrey's to go camping about 2 hours into the desert. We loaded up my truck and left close to on schedule with a full car and lots of energetic kids. Mark J led us out to a great spot at the mouth of a canyon. We set up what looked like a tent city with kids getting their own tents as well. I had bought and brought a awesome air mattress which promised me a great nights sleep I was sure. When we tucked in that night the wind was howling and battering our tents. Caleb got nervous and bailed on sleeping in the kids tent and came into mine and then begged to get up on my mattress as well. Needless to say my amazing night of sleep never happened what with the wind threatening to launch our tent and Caleb, who sleeps spread eagle, spreading out the width of my bed. In spite of no sleep the next day was full and fun of hiking out at ancient ruins and around a huge lake sitting out in the middle of the desert. We watched a beautiful sunset from the top of the canyon, cooked up some amazing steaks and enjoyed a few hours by the fire before sleep demanded my attention. I knew better than to let Caleb onto the bed and insisted he stay on the floor. The wind got serious again but I was able to sleep through most of it.
I think we brought half the desert home in our clothing, car and various other cracks and crevices. Spent all of Thursday trying to straighten up the house in time for the arrival of my Dad today. No thanks to my wound up 7 year old I did manage to get the house into good order and throw out LOTS of junk that he insists is important.
With the arrival of Dad came my personal Christmas. I got a new Kindle Touch, some sweaters, new jeans, socks and a box of Swedish Fish ( I love those things!) Right now I am downloading all my books onto my new Kindle so I can clean off my old one and give to Dad. Caleb is very excited to have Grandpa here and was drawing him pictures all afternoon and asking a million questions about when I was a kid. He was curious if my Dad was going to be the boss and tell me what to do. I gently explained that "when he is in my house under my roof..." :) We don't have any big plans while Dad is here but hopefully can find enough new stuff to keep him interested...maybe we will go check on the revolution!
I have spent more hours in the kitchen this last month then I have probably in the whole year combined but what was different was that I actually enjoyed it! I baked cookies and made dips and salads and dinner for a week straight! The secret to enjoying the kitchen, I have learned, is audible books and podcasts and sermons. I have listened to an excellent recording of The Help, another one called Olive Kittredge (so so) and now am listening to The Fall of Giants which is very interesting. I always found being stuck in the kitchen a bore but with something to keep my mind busy I have actually enjoyed it.
Christmas Eve day was spent at Skip and Bonnie's with the Turlan's, and Ben and Sarah and her dad who was visiting from TX. We snacked and munched for a few hours and the headed to church for Christmas Eve service. Caleb and I did the advent reading and lighting the candles. I think it is one of my favorite holiday traditions now. This year Caleb and I headed home and went to bed early b/c in years past we went back to Skip/Bo's and stay up late then get up early and I spend the whole day tired which conflicts with C's hyper excitement. So we both got a good nights sleep and as expected he woke me up at the crack of dawn, the rule is sunlight must be present. He got a Gameboy which was his big thrill plus a few other action figure items which he loves. Around 10 am we went back to Skip/Bo's and opened presents with them and had brunch. Later in afternoon others joined us for a awesome dinner and our British friends supplied the crackers which is now becoming part of our tradition as well, although personally I could do without wearing the dorky hat. We played a few rounds of Quiddler before calling it a night.
The next day was an early morning wake up as we were heading out with Turlan's and Jaffrey's to go camping about 2 hours into the desert. We loaded up my truck and left close to on schedule with a full car and lots of energetic kids. Mark J led us out to a great spot at the mouth of a canyon. We set up what looked like a tent city with kids getting their own tents as well. I had bought and brought a awesome air mattress which promised me a great nights sleep I was sure. When we tucked in that night the wind was howling and battering our tents. Caleb got nervous and bailed on sleeping in the kids tent and came into mine and then begged to get up on my mattress as well. Needless to say my amazing night of sleep never happened what with the wind threatening to launch our tent and Caleb, who sleeps spread eagle, spreading out the width of my bed. In spite of no sleep the next day was full and fun of hiking out at ancient ruins and around a huge lake sitting out in the middle of the desert. We watched a beautiful sunset from the top of the canyon, cooked up some amazing steaks and enjoyed a few hours by the fire before sleep demanded my attention. I knew better than to let Caleb onto the bed and insisted he stay on the floor. The wind got serious again but I was able to sleep through most of it.
I think we brought half the desert home in our clothing, car and various other cracks and crevices. Spent all of Thursday trying to straighten up the house in time for the arrival of my Dad today. No thanks to my wound up 7 year old I did manage to get the house into good order and throw out LOTS of junk that he insists is important.
With the arrival of Dad came my personal Christmas. I got a new Kindle Touch, some sweaters, new jeans, socks and a box of Swedish Fish ( I love those things!) Right now I am downloading all my books onto my new Kindle so I can clean off my old one and give to Dad. Caleb is very excited to have Grandpa here and was drawing him pictures all afternoon and asking a million questions about when I was a kid. He was curious if my Dad was going to be the boss and tell me what to do. I gently explained that "when he is in my house under my roof..." :) We don't have any big plans while Dad is here but hopefully can find enough new stuff to keep him interested...maybe we will go check on the revolution!
