Merry Christmas EVE...

Let visions of Sugarplum Fairies dance in your head.

Christmas just aint Christmas without a trip downtown

Saturday night we went to Trolley Square with the Heaps, our friends from Wyoming. They used to be our next door neighbors. Brad was really sad when his backyard buddy moved away. He was so excited to see him again.
We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory. After dinner, Brad spotted Santa in the mall and needed to tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Thank goodness the line was short.
We then bundled up and headed to Temple Square to see the lights. It was freezing!!! We decided to warm up by taking tracks through the free zone. Apparently other people had the same idea. The train was packed. The kids didn’t seem to mind though. They still loved the ride.
It was good to see old friends again. This summer we got to go and visit them at their ranch and ride their horses. When I told Brad on Saturday that he was going to see Landon he said. “Yes!!! I better go and grab my cowboy hat!!” It made me laugh.

This is why God made Grandmas

From a mother’s perspective this picture just looks like a TON of extra work. Brad is constantly asking to help in the kitchen. Usually for the sake of time and energy I say no. Thank goodness he has a bunch of Grandmas that let him get dirty, eat lots of sugar and be crazy once in a while.

When I was young my Grandma let me dress in whatever I felt like, eat whatever I wanted and stay up late until I fell asleep in her arms. We all need to be around our grandmas. Don’t get me wrong nothing replaces mommy… but mommies just get tired sometimes, so it is nice to have a rejuvenated soul to let kids be kids.

I adore my grandma. Last night I sat next to her in the emergency room and held her soft frail scared hand. We cried as we related stories and memories. It has been incredibly difficult for me to observe her aging process. My grandpa is quite ill as well. I help him twice a week with his bath and I cherish the time with him. He has always made me feel special and loved. It does my heart good when he sings a song that he can’t remember the words to so he just starts humming or whistling the tune. I love to hear him talk about my grandma and how much he loves her. I wish I could freeze or rewind time. I feel so blessed to be the oldest granddaughter. I had to opportunity to know my grandparents when they were so young.

What would the world become without Grandparents???

Flashback Friday 1995

A few note worthy mentionable quirks about this picture—
My mom wanted a fun pajama picture for Chirstmas that year. Mills and Co. decided a formal pose is more appropriate when donning evening wear.
My dad still has and wears these P.J.’s
My dad is missing some hair nowadays. Look at that fro.
Julie still has the best hair of the bunch!!!
Those aren’t dresses they are kilts.
I still consider the theory we found Steven under a rock.
I love my family and this picture just makes me laugh.

Finally done with finals!!!

Randy took his last two finals yesterday!!!! We have our daddy back…at least for a few weeks. He doesn’t have to go back until Jan 12th so we are going to take advantage of every moment. We spent the morning catching our breath. We feel like we run and run and run. Claire got to shower with her dad this morning. She LOVES that. She shared some hygiene tips while she was at it. I’ve spent some time catching up on some blogging… sorry about the multiple posts in one day.





We adore Randy and are so excited to have him around a little bit. We are SOOOO thankful for all of his hard work and determination to finish school. He does so much for our family.

3rd Annual Wildwood Christmas party.

Saturday night we had a big party with all our friends from our old Wildwood Condo. Stacy made an amazing dinner. The kids did a gift exchange. Brad was so excited about his new chutes and ladders game. I can't tell you how many times a day Bradley asks to play it. (Thanks Sara!!!!)

After the kids had their fun the Adults played a game unwrapping a box with mitts and goggles...I have not laughed that hard in a long time. We had the kids in the toy room but the laughing was so out of control they all were avid spectators. Tim was the big winner!!! But I think Randy and Stacy did most of the unwrapping work.



We really have some great friends. We have all moved to new places and have made new friends but it is so good to get together with them. We are so grateful for their friendship. Can't wait for our summer trip.

Party in Whoville

We had our ward Christmas party on Friday. It was amazing. I swear they pay our activities committee because the time and energy they put into our ward parties never ceases to astound me. The food was amazing. The party theme was GRINCH. We had Who Hash and Who pudding. The kids loved it. After dinner they had all the kids on stage and read the Grinch story and had a girl sing “Where are you Christmas”. The activities committee dressed in Who attire and the whole place was decked out like Whoville. It was really cute.

Claire's first steps

Claire decided to try out walking this week. I think she may be addicted.

Does anyone know where Bev-wha-hem is???

I posted these clips so we didn't have to go around the neighborhood caroling. Enjoy!!! Merry Christmas.

A home for the holidays

Bradley and I attempted our first gingerbread house while daddy was at work. We went over to our next door neighbors house for the festivity. A lady in our ward got this recipe for us. It takes days to cook, dry out and assemble. It was well worth it. Brad is so proud of it. Only thing we would do different is mop after the project and not before. It makes quite the colored sugar, frosting, candy, crumble mess.

Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a FEW of my favorite December things…

My offspring. It only took me 212 shots to get ONE with both of them looking forward, and only 5 minutes in Burlington to find matching outfits.



Our home made mountain tree… Brad insists on turning off all the lights to sit and watch it glow.



The stockings I stitched a couple of years ago…Claire’s stocking is in the development stages. It is done being stitched… I just have to recruit help from my personal seamstress. There is a place in heaven saved for people who know how to toil with a sewing machine.



My poinsettia on the kitchen table. It is so pleasant to dine with this QUIET little flower.



My wreath from the spare sprigs of pine from our tree. It makes our doorway so fragrant.



My mom’s Carmel. I made it for the neighbors. Let’s see if it ever gets out. And yes I made two pans and yes I ate that entire whole row by myself.

TEAM MICHELLE

As all of you know I am a huge Biggest Looser fan...Just counting down the days for the finale.

I am totaly rooting for Michelle.



Did anyone else sob tonight when they suprised Michelle with her dad??? What a good episode.

Could you imagine if Jillian was your trainer??? Actually...I can't imagine having my own personal trainer in the first place...but....if Jillian was my trainer I would cry if she even looked at me.

Oh...and I can't wait until Vicky gets the BOOT!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend Cliff Note

Thanksgiving this year was at the Fischer home. The boys went shotgun shooting in the morning and I stayed home with Claire. Brad came home grinning from ear to ear. He had his first experience shooting a real gun. Dinner was so good and of course we stuffed ourselves silly. After dinner we had a nice game of war. There are rules to the game but I couldn’t get to explaining them before Randy’s brothers seized my arrows and a full blown combat broke loose. It was funny. Brad thought it was great throwing arrows at his uncles. Even Nanny and Papa got in on the action.







Randy’s family has always gone and cut down their Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We have been lucky to be able to continue the tradition with our kids. We headed up to Woodland to find our tree. There was just enough snow to make it fun but not deep enough to be a pain. Brad was so excited to have some snow to play in, and Claire was not sure she enjoyed feeling like the stay puff marshmallow. She was a good sport.








Tonight our family was invited to a sing along at Hale Center Theater. Our good friend Tammy and her husband started a tradition to get together with friends and family and sing Christmas carols. Her husband Scott passed away last year. We could definitely feel him there singing with us in spirit. There were some very tender moments. We sang songs and each family brought goodies to share. Scott’s dad IS the real Santa and Brad could not believe he would take time out of his busy schedule to come sing songs with us. He insisted on a picture with Santa in his “NORMAL” clothes.

Reflection

I love this time of year because it gives us a chance to reflect on the things that are most precious to us. I love the feelings, the sounds and of course the smells of this Holliday.

Here are a FEW of the many things I am grateful for:

My wonderful husband and children
Our extended family and friends
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ
Our callings- and the blessings that come from serving
The Book of Mormon
Education
Jobs that put a roof over our head and food on the table
Freedom to worship
Sunday dinners
Diet Coke
Our trailer that has taken us all over Utah
Pre-School
Chamomile tea (even better when sipped in a tea parlor)
Long phone conversations with my mom
Waffles
Clean fresh sheets
Blogging
Cooking dinner
The biggest looser
Dishwashers (I don’t have one right now and boy I miss it)
Hot tubs
Carbohydrates
Nap time
Scented candles
Babysitters
Talking to Randy at night when he can barely keep his eyes open
Kami’s Oreo cookies
Core exercise ball
Sleeping in
Going out to dinner (even if it is just a quick stop at Wendy’s)
Campfires
Contact lenses
Bolt lock on the door
My kids first thing in the morning
Temple sessions
Movie rentals
Pajama pants
A good pediatrician
The mountains
St. Ives apricot face scrub
Deseret Industries
Temple marriage
Motherhood
The day after laundry day when it is done and put away
Change of seasons



I could go on and on but I have potatoes, stuffing and pie to make…..

Happy Thanksgiving.

Who's looking up to who?

(Height top-- Weight bottom)

Claire had her 12 month well baby check this morning. Dr Shakula looked at me and said “WOW, She is tall!!” I hastily replied “Yah, I know… I have to buy her new pants every 2 seconds.” He chortled and repeated “No I mean she is VERY TALL!!!! I have not seen a baby this tall for a while.”

$$$Cha-Ching$$$ At this rate my baby is going play for the WNBA by the time she hits kindergarten.

Pomp and Circumstance -- Flashback Friday

I am at my mom’s house dropping off the kids before I have to run to work. My sister Julie is watching my kiddos today. I was looking on my mom’s computer and came across this picture. This was my Nursing School Graduation ceremony in June of 2003. What a relief that day was. I am so grateful that I finished school so I could put Randy through school. Being a nurse has been such a blessing for our family. The hours are really flexible and I am able to support our family while Randy finishes up his degree. I am thankful to live in a land with so much privilege, freedom, and knowledge.

Counting down the days until we leave this city....

Whoever did this....



and this....





...had better run long, fast and hard. If I ever catch or see you, a good flogging will be in order.

My son is freaking out that a bad guy came to our house and stole our radio out of our car and broke the window. Ever since Halloween he has been scared at night...this is just the icing on the cake.

Happy Happy Birthday Claire Bear Dear...

The Celebration…



The gifts…



The cake…


Claire was born November 20th 2007. We were so eager to meet her. Randy and I scheduled a cesarean section for that morning and before we knew it she was here. Her cry brought tears to our eyes. After months of preterm labor and bed rest it was a welcome and reassuring sound.
Claire was blessed by her father on Sunday January 6th 2008. She was cradled by a circle of worthy family members and given her beautiful name, and a tender blessing. She has every single one of those men wrapped around her finger. It has been so fun having a little girl in the mix.
The day she was born she let the world know she had an opinion. The only thing that stopped her fussing was her dad washing her hair. The warm water was so soothing to her. To this day her solace is the water. She loves any kind of water: swimming pool, bath time, lakes, rivers...you name it. If there is water around she wants to be in it.
Claire acclimated to camping so fast. She took on our outdoor adventures with stride. I never had anxieties about bringing her along with us. She has been camping, horseback riding, 4-wheeling and even snowmobiling. She is such a trooper.
She loves her big brother. When Brad walks into the room her face lights up and she is smiling and clapping. Brad is her protector. He is always on guard watching her every move.
Claire has been a joy in our life. Her smile is contagious. She is our sweet sweet little princess. It has been the greatest year. Thank you so much for choosing our family to grace your beautiful spirit. We love you so much!!!
Happy Birthday darling Claire!!!