Christmas Party Recap!

OK so as promised here is our WILD month of December in pictures!!

 Starting with Baking Days and Tree Decorating . . . .

We had another Baking Day at Grandma Webster's

I was so busy that day that we didn't get any pictures!

I have been searching for a new topper for the tree for a couple of years.  

I finally found one, and I love it - it is so bright!

Party Party Party!

Starting with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dwight.

Then Shane's Work Party

They rented bouncy a bouncy house and all kinds of fun stuff 

before supper and Santa Clause visiting!

 

The kids had a ton of fun!

Next was the Nativity at 

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Hudsons!

Mary and Joseph

Shepherds

 Angels

Wise Men

They talked about it for days!
We are so happy to have this fun tradition!

Next up, fun family night decorating a gingerbread house.

Ms. E had fallen asleep about 4:30 we were glad she woke up
before things were all finished.
(Taylor was already in bed!)

 Here's me in charge of the Christmas tunes and
opening the gazillion bags of candy!

There were also a number of things we don't have pictures from that
we attended or did as a family before Christmas Eve.

Our Ward Christmas party which  was great.
We had a family home evening delivering baking all over the city.
Shane sung in the Ward Chior in church numerous times
and at the stake carol festival.
(we were all too sick to go, truthfully he was sick too but stuck it out!)

Whew I love December!
Christmas Eve through Boxing Day in next post!

Remembering to be real!

If there is anything I have encountered in the
last couple of weeks that has been almost overpowering
it is the incredible opportunities I have had to
just be real with people - and not in a bad way!

I have a new calling, playing the piano in relief society.
Which is becoming less and less stressful but
the first week was SUPER stressful
(Which I completely blamed on an unsuspecting partner in responsibility -
when in reality it was all my own doing!)

As I talked to her the first Sunday as she handed me the list for the month -
I said the words "It's OK - everyone's life is a little crazy at the best of times."
I listened to a little stern voice in my head tell me "YOU BETTER MEAN IT".
I promptly realized for years I had been saying those words
but without meaning them (and harboring sad or angry feelings)
thinking it made me a better person.
(um so not true)

When I got home (and de-stressed from the first week of my calling)
I realized that I truly did mean it, as I had listened to her story
I had completely forgiven her.

Later During a conversation with one of my favorite people
(who happens to be my visiting teacher)
while bundling hordes of children after church
I realized that she had very little
to do with the stress I was feeling!!

Our conversation ended with an Aha moment for me
where I realized that not only was i in control of the stress
which I was inflicting upon myself
and that I in reality had no reason to complain because
in the end I had got exactly what i needed -
not in the way i imagined but i had received everything I needed!!

This experience being real also let me to Ms E's birthday (pictures to come)
Where the family came and played for the afternoon
after church the next week!!

Being real should not be hard with your own family (you would think)
but sometimes it's easier to simply let things go!

This party was one of those times where I just let things go -
the smelly garbage I had asked Shane to take out
that still was sitting in a corner (and still is) -
the un-vaccumed front room floors -
the slightly spotted laminate in the kitchen and
the pile of dishes waiting to be washed by the sink.
I let it all go and I did just what I wanted for a change and I had a fabulous time.
Delegating and actually sitting down to visit with my mother and my sisters.
I actually found I was more myself when I wasn't sooo worried about
what was coming up and trying to make room for the next thing -

I just relaxed and helped Ms. E open gifts and eat pink and white cupcakes!!
(lovingly prepared by grandma Cathy with Ms.A's help).
It was nice to just be me and not the hostess - just me with my family
thinking about only today and this moment and that is all!
Not about the Christmas plans or the groceries in the morning
or the relief society email i am responsible for!!
living in the small wonderful moments that the lord has blessed me with!

This all culminated in this morning
while browsing through pintrest i read this

"remember you are not managing an inconvenience
you are raising a human being"

Even reading this now brings me to tears - thinking of the days
You know the ones -
when i am so worn out and can't handle my two year old any longer -
and the days when Ms e sits in her highchair screaming to get down
while i finish mopping the floors because I just didn't finish while she was napping.
The yelling and the tears from me.
The moments when I am flushed with guilt as Ms. A runs up to me saying
"no, please no yelling, take a deep breath instead and
tell me what is wrong, and give me a kiss - That will make it better!"
seriously how much guilt can a mother take from her 2 year old!!
(yes that is a direct quote my two year old speaks in complete
sometimes aggravating sentences).

I will never be perfect at this job (being a mom)
although I like to think that some day's I'm better at this
than most of my other jobs i have ever had!!
(that is guilt for another day)

I have a running joke with Shane that the first birthday of our kids
is really celebrating that they didn't die due to
parental or environmental circumstances
- it sometimes amazes me that i have sustained these two little lives
for so long without any major repercussions -
no accidents, broken bones or social workers called.

with ms. E just turning one and Ms. A will be turning three in a few months
neither is seen in any way an inconvenience
just an added blessing to give love to - because there is always more -
Love is not measured on a scarcity scale where when it is gone it is gone -
there is always more!!

All this to say that keeping life and my interactions real has been
a blessing in the last few weeks and has strengthened me.

It has also given me an opportunity to see myself as a
different person from who I was in the past -
and that I am slowly (oh so slowly some days)
becoming who I want to be!

Me!

But a more forgiving, more truthful, and more grateful me!!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!!
Well for starters we had about half a month of Halloween
as we received pumpkins early!!

And as Ms A loves to paint . .

therefore the first pumpkin got painted!!

Then we made a paper chain count down to Halloween

as Ms A announced that it was time for Halloween

now that her pumpkin was painted!!

We eventually carved the pumpkin and

even dad helped on his lunch break!!

The rest of the month was almost entirely consumed with costumes!!

First up

SHANES PIRATE COAT!!

As I cut the pieces out Ms. A loved picking up

the scraps and wrapping herself up in them!

By the end We had a little Red Pirate
complete with only 1 slipper!! (just noticed)


Here is the masterpiece all completed with
eye patch and everything!
What a handsome pirate i have!!

Later in the month (closer to Halloween)
we also took some time one day when Ms E was napping
to make a bright pink mast for Ms A!
She loved gluing the strips of pink paper on all by herself!!


Auntie Deonie took Ms A to the mall
Halloween afternoon for some grand trick or treating.
(What a wonderful Aunt I had such a headache!!)

Then we spent Halloween night at the residence
with Shane's dad and his friend!!

Ms A had a grand time running around in her pirate costume!
(complete with Shanes eye patch)


Ms E was Wendy in her purple nightgown and bow!!


And I was . . . . Peter pan!!
I had a hat which was left in the van,
and a feather which was left at home!!
Ha ha well I can pretend right!!


Dwight was a Smarties box and Brent was a member of KISS!!
We had such a good time!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Fathers Day Shenanegans!! AKA "The Spot"

So I admit that I have some fun things to share - not just boasting!

For Fathers Day this year I turned the house upside down on Saturday night!
I turned it into a 1930's supper club and we had SOOOOO much fun!
Take a look!!

Steak for Supper!

Ms A loved the candles - She sang Happy Birthday all night!

Dance Floor and Art Deco Window


Entrance and Dinner Menu!


Dancing with Dad!


And Mom!

Soon after we went pretend camping with the girls in Ms A's room!!

Fun Pics to come soon!!