On the Day and Eve of Christmas

Christmas was so quiet this year. This was our first year celebrating without the rest of our family and although I loved the intimacy between just the 4 of us I think I'd rather all the noise and chaos that our family brings. I can say that despite the lack of extra noise there was definitely not a lack of love, excitement or magic.

On Christmas Eve we spent the first half of the day cooking and preparing for Christmas day and then later in the afternoon we headed down to the club house to meet our friends for a Christmas Eve party where we played games, shared lots of laughs and some yummy Mexican food together. After the party we put on our Christmas jammies, read the story of Christ's Birth from the scriptures, sang songs and wrote letters to Jesus with our gifts to Him. Then it was off to bed to await Santa's arrival and would you know it...

HE CAME!!!

Carter's Pile

Braden's Pile

Carter got a Bat Cave and Batmobile and kept saying over and over "I like it, I like it!"

Carter also got Lego's, a puzzle, more batman accessories, Cars 2 movie and UNO Moo.  

Braden got Buzz Lightyear cuffs...

... a toy pocket knife, connect 4, a dragon happy napper, and cowboy boots.

The boots were his favorite gift; in fact he has yet to take them off!

I loved that Christmas landed on a Sunday this year as we were able to join our ward family for a special Christmas sacrament meeting program. I loved hearing and singing praises for our Savior and feel His sweet spirit so profoundly on this day of celebration. I also loved that even though we were away from our family we were able to speak to most all of them on the phone or via face-time.

This Christmas was certainly special for all of us and although I didn't take very many photos of our day, opting to do video instead, I know the memories we made will certainly last forever.

On the 23rd day of Christmas...

we had a sleep-over under the Christmas tree! We got out the air mattresses and some blankets and made our beds, had a late night snack of cereal and cinnamon sugared toast and read Christmas stories together before falling asleep.

 

On the 22nd day of Christmas...

...we got a Christmas package in the mail from Gramma Heidi and Grampa. We put most of what was in the box under the tree to open on Christmas day but I did let the boys open the stockings they sent. Inside were lots of treats, animal hand tatoos, new jammies, toothbrushes and Doctor scrubs with their names on them. Now they can dress up to look just like Daddy when he's at work!

Before going to bed we also ate peppermint milkshakes and watched some Christmas movies together!

The 18th through 21st Day of Christmas

On the 18th day of Christmas we went for a drive to see Christmas lights. We had to drive quite far to see lots of lights since there are not many large neighborhoods where we live. During our drive we got lost and even though it wasn't very late Carter fell asleep. Luckily we didn't get too lost and were able to get home safe and surprisingly without the GPS.


On the 19th day of Christmas we made homemade cards for our friends. Braden and Carter colored Christmas pictures and wrote special Christmas greetings to some of their very best friends.  FYI: Carter is getting very good at drawing snowmen. One of these days I'll have to get a scan or picture of his fine artistic abilities.


The 20th day of Christmas was Carter's last day of school. As I've shared he goes to the two's class at CELC and loves it. I've only had a him go a couple times a month but felt it important to let him go on this last day of the year before we move. They had a special Happy Birthday Jesus Party and his teachers gave him a special present too. We are going to miss Miss Kim and Miss Lisa very much. They have been so good to both Braden and Carter.

When Carter got home from school we also made these Santa Claus pictures with cotton balls.

The 21st day of Christmas was Braden's last day of school. His class also had a Happy Birthday Jesus party and his teachers gave him a special Christmas gift. His class did a present exchange amongst the kids and Braden was very excited that his friend Stanley had his name.

Later in the evening we delivered the cookie jars we made to our neighbors.

On the 17th day of Christmas...

...we joined some of our friends for a special day decorating cookies with our Bishop's wife, Carolee. This was a really special experience as we just love our bishop and his family and will miss them terribly when we move. Carolee is one of the most amazing women I know. She is so full of energy and is an amazing cook. If I could I'd put her in my pocket and bring her with us when we move. I love that she loves my boys and I feel so blessed that we got to have this special time together.

Carter was really funny, when he finished putting frosting on and adding sprinkles 

to each cookie he would take a bite out of it before moving on to a new one.

Braden thought it was really cool to mix the frosting to create new colors.

On the 16th Day of Christmas...

...we made snowflakes! We have yet to get any snow out here but the forecast calls for snow tomorrow and Sunday so we may still get a white Christmas. Although, I'm still doubtful since it's supposed to rain next week. Oh, well, even if it's not a white Christmas we can pretend to have one inside with all our pretty snowflakes!

Carter needed a little help. *Braden took this picture

Our own White Christmas!

Braden's School Christmas Program

Braden's school put on a wonderful Christmas program for the parents. Each of the classes took turns singing songs they have each learned. Braden's class joined with the Kindergarten class to sing their songs as well as share a special Christmas poem. Braden did so well. He knew his part and said it loud and clear. We didn't take very many pictures but this time we did record it. The movie is about 15 minutes long but if you watch just the beginning you will see him do his part of the poem. He's standing on the front row second one in from the left and he's the second one to speak his part.

If you are having trouble viewing the video click here.

The 13th, 14th and 15th days of Christmas

On the 13th day of Christmas we read Christmas stories. We read during the day and also right before bedtime. While reading, Carter fell asleep. I guess even the best books are hard to stay awake for.


On the 14th day of Christmas we attended Braden's Christmas Program at school earlier in the day (another post) and then went caroling with Miss Schumm, the Kindergarten teacher at Brady's school, and her dog, Asher at the care center by our house that night. Carter had fallen asleep on the floor (tired little boy) right before we were going to leave so it was just Braden and Me who went. I had a great time singing with all who came. Braden wasn't so sure about it. I got the feeling he felt like we were in a haunted house with the way he clung to me and wouldn't say anything to anyone.

On the 15th day of Christmas we colored Christmas pictures.

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

...we played with SNOW! Well, we would have played in the snow if there was any outside. Instead we played with "snow" inside using shaving cream (you could also use whip cream too!)

Grad Student NO MORE!

I can't believe it! He did it; we did it! Kam graduated! I cannot begin to express how excited and proud I am of Kameron. He has dedicated himself not only to his school work but to us, his family, all along the way. Somehow, when I was the one who was supposed to be supporting him he supported us through all the ups and downs and graduated at the top of his class to boot.

The evening event was really special. The school hosted a wonderful dinner followed by the graduation ceremony. We were seated at table 1, probably because Kam is #1, with the Bloomfields. I was really glad we got to sit with them because it was with them that we together survived the past two and a half years.

Brady and Colter

Our Graduate and Carty

The ceremony was really nice. I loved that they honored and recognized each student individually for their achievements as they received their certificates.

Receiving his Certificate

Kameron Henrie GRNA (Graduate Registered Nurse Anesthetist)

With Beverly Silvis (Director of the Anesthesia Program)

With Mike DeBroeck (Assistant Director)

Dancing with "Momma" Jo

With Jo Hursh (Administrative Assistant...the heart and soul of the program)

With Howard Armour (Howard was the program director for 30 years, retiring in 2009 during Kameron's schooling. It was Howard who chose and accepted Kam into the program.)

Darin and Kameron

Janey, Darin and Us

Best Buds (goofing off as usual)

Carter didn't last long; he fell asleep just after the ceremony.

Thank you to each of our families for supporting us through this massive undertaking and helping make this dream a reality for us. We wish you all could have been there with us to honor Kam, but know that we felt you all there in spirit.

Congratulations Kam! You make me happy everyday and I am so proud of you. It was wonderful to support and honor you during this incredible journey together. You are my rock, my best friend, and the love of my life. You did it!