The day after Christmas we loaded the car and headed to my parents for a week. Friday night we had Christmas gift exchange with my parents on Saturday we played around the house. On Sunday we went to Church. Monday we went to the zoo and a picnic at the park. It was so cold at the park that we ate our lunch and went on our way.
For the first time in our married life we spent Christmas Day at home with just our family, and I cooked the Christmas Dinner. Well, actually we were not alone all day, the Darley's (A senior couple in our ward) came and joined us for dinner. The rest of the day however, we did our own thing with just us.
A few days before Christmas our friends the Hoffman's came into town for a visit. We got together one evening and the kids played LOUDLY while the adults visited and then they decorated gingerbread cookies.
We have not fallen off the edge of the earth. We had an enjoyable Christmas at home then headed to my parents for a week of fun and family. There is a lot of pictures and posts to do, but this last week that we have been home has been very busy. We had the unfortunate experience of having our kitten get locked in the house for the week we were gone to my parents. :-(! We loaded our car the day after Christmas, John fed the cats one last time and then we took the food to our neighbors for them to feed the cats while we were gone. We did not feel comfortable giving our neighbor a house key, and since the cats are outside cats (they do sneak in every chance they get so John says he feels live Fred Flinstone always throwing out the cat)anyway they are fed outside. We started to leave and John forgot something so he ran back in the house. I though I saw the kitten run in out of the corner of my eye, but John didn't think so. I decided to check anyway and walked through the house and could not find the kitten so thought it was just my imagination. We left on our trip and had a wonderful time. When we got home and I opened the door it dashed out in between my legs and the smell all came with it! YUCK! We have spent these last five days (to my husbands dismay) deep cleaning every room. We left the house clean when we left on our trip, but these last couple of days have been spent steam cleaning carpets, steam cleaning mattresses (John's and my bed got the wost of it), washing curtains, and wiping down walls and baseboards. We are heading back to my parents house again this weekend as my brother came from up North this week and we want to see him and he and his wife want to see the kids so when we get back from this next trip and I get kids back in school and the norm of life kicks back in I will start catching up! And yes, this time we will make sure the cat and kitten are outside before we leave town!
I know a lot of you did not receive Christmas Letters from us this year, and then some of you did. We cut back this year as the finaces just were not there. We only sent out 20 this year. John picked out 10 and I picked 10. In years past we have sent close to 50 and just could not do it this year. I was looking at blog pages tonight and one of my friends put her Christmas Letter on their blog. I thought it was nice so decided to do the same. The pictures we sent with our card are a few entries down.
Christmas 2008
Dear Family, Friends, & Loved Ones,
As 2008 comes to a close we send our Christmas Tidings to each of you who live near and far, and are dear to our heart. Just as with each of you, 2008 brought joys & sorrows in it’s path. On the 4th of July we were celebrating with Sarah’s Family her maternal grandparents 80th birthday with each of their children, most of their grandchildren, & all of their great grandchildren in attendance. It was a great weekend of events that was definitely a joy of the year. It was a sorrow when we learned that on the morning of the 4th of July our beloved, Father, Father-in-Law, and Grandfather passed away and returned to our Father in Heaven. We finished the weekend at the Family Reunion and then flew to Utah to say our Earthly Good-Bye’s to John‘s Father. Even though it is hard to believe he is gone we know that it is only for this short time that we will be separated and through our Heavenly Fathers Plan we have faith that Families are Together Forever, and we will shall see him again.
John is still teaching at Granite Hills High School and has United States History, Government, & Economics on his teaching schedule. He has now taught every history class from 7th-12th grade, and has enjoyed this year with the juniors and seniors. He is currently in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency so that keeps him busy at least one night a week, and he also sneaks out a couple nights a month to go play “Magic”.
Sarah keeps herself busy with 4 little ones, teaching piano 4 days a week, and also started selling “Scentsy” this last year. It is fun, and nice to get out once or twice a month for a party. She is currently in the Young Women’s Presidency as the Personal Progress Counselor and Loves It.
Vincent (7) is in the second grade and now attends Summit Academy. It was a great move to move him to this new school. It is on the other side of town and in a different district but worth the drive. He is more academically set there. Even though he still tests high, there are some that test right up there with him. This school also pushes the arts, so he gets Art, Music, & Spanish in his day. He really has enjoyed Art & Science. His first Science Unit was on Dinosaurs and if any of you know my son, it hit a major plus in his life. The only downfall was his class had a permanent substitute at the time and he corrected her in front of the class more then once and it upset her. He was correct, but we had to have a long talk about correcting teachers especially in front of the class.
Addison (5) is in Kindergarten at Summit Academy. He is still the ladies man and his teacher said at Parent Teacher Conferences that when putting together her seating chart for the month she has to take in consideration who his “girlfriend” at the time is. He even brought home a note one day for us to sign because he had his name written on the board that day in school. The note attached said, “Addison was talking during circle time and was asked twice to stop and when he didn’t he received his name on the board. When I talked to him about his behavior he informed me that he was telling each of the girls they were beautiful because that is something nice to do.” He is doing excellent academically which in some respects surprises us as the boy definitely has a social agenda and we did not think he would find time for school work. At parent teacher conferences his teacher also informed us that he is ready for 1st Grade now and he received almost all E’s (exceeding standards) on his report card.
Nicholas (3) is a whirl wind of energy. John calls him a “Crazy Man”, I agree but still call him my “Little Ray of Sunshine”. Nicholas is constantly moving. I guess that is why at 3 ½ he only weighs 28 lbs! He loves to do/or at least try to do anything and everything that Addison does. He loves to drive his hot wheel cars and build with legos. He is a funny little boy that loves to dance and usually has us in stitches when he does “The Booty Dance”. He loves to cuddle and has a fascination with hair. My mom has said several times that if I ever cut my hair the boy would be lost. He is not in preschool this year but we hope by the fall he will be ready to go to preschool.
Eliza (1) is a girl in every way. Growing up I liked “girl” things but would not consider me a “girly-girl” in any way. Eliza loves baby dolls and has over ten already! She plays with all of them and usually has one or two of them in tow with her whenever she goes somewhere. She also loves to have her hair done, shoes, and having her nails painted. She knows where we keep the nail polish and she will get it and bring it to John for him to put it on. He has got quite good at applying nail polish. She loves to get her hair done every day and is usually not happy until it is curled and has a bow or clip on her pony. One day while visiting my parents they took the kids to get new shoes. When they walked through the door of the shoe store Eliza beamed from ear to ear and announced, “SHOES!” She got a new pair, and they were light up shoes which was a first for her. We had to laugh watching her walk and try to watch her feet flash at the same time.
Once again we send our deepest Christmas Wishes to all of you. Have a safe and happy holiday season and may 2009 bring you great joys and happiness.
Love,
John, Sarah,
Vincent, Addison, Nicholas,
& Eliza Wild
We have a tradition in our house that dates back in my family history a long time. Some time the week before Christmas, one of Santa's Elves (His name is Tippy Toes) tip toes into your house and leaves you a present if you are on Santa's Good List.
We had to blog this because it was too funny and she had John and I laughing. Eliza loves to get her hair done, and I love that she loves to get her hair done. She sat while I did this creation and then when I was done and told her, "All done", She replied, "No, more!" Now, how do you add more to this hair do? She recieved the bow and then a smile broke out across her face and she said, "bootfull" meaning beautiful. John went and got the camera and then we both shook our head and laughed.
