WHAT DID YOU GET???

The breakfast casserole is cooking and the kid's are glad because they cannot open presents until it is done!

I love when we open the presents -- the kid's reactions are so great (most of the time -- less the "Oh, I got underwear and socks." comments.) Here are some of the reactions ...Sierra is counting the days until PARIS! So a calendar of Paris is another great reminder of what is to come in 2009. She really loves the new bag to go with her on the trip!

I guess Tanner likes underwear when they are really cool -- like Guitar Hero and Mario Party underwear! Dad likes getting anything that has a power cord attached! Such as the power compressor and the cordless drill -- cordless is the operative word!

Mom loves getting homemade and Sierra gave her a book of poems she has downloaded from the computer. They were all about mothers and daughters, and then she wrote one of her own. She put them into this book so we could write poems, notes or letters to each other and put them in the book --- mom loves it!

One of the best reactions was the gift from Cousin Lo, Christopher and Mallory --- watch the photos.....




MOMMMMMMM! Take the picture




What is it ---WHAT IS IT

Sierra is not having much patience as Tanner takes off the paper.


Sierra --- "OMG!!!!!!!"


Tanner --- "OMG!!!!!!"


Mom --"What is it?"

"OMG!!!!! A WiiFit!!!"

The two faces say it all!!!

Thanks Cousin Lo, Christopher and Mallory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Day

Forgot to post the Christmas Eve -- Christmas PJ's shot -- Dad is so surprised --- Tanner puts on the NERD look! Sierra loves hers because she get choices -- long or short!

Everyone may act like they don't care for the Christmas PJ tradition (our PJS are always Christmasy) however, they love getting to open a present on Christmas Eve!

We were all ready for bed after the PJ presents. Everyone except Santa was in bed rather quickly. I waited around for Santa for a couple of more hours. We had already told the children this Christmas would be a smaller Christmas because we, like everyone else, were being very prudent with our spending. They both had had great birthdays and had lots to already be thankful for so they were not expecting much.

Santa does a fairly nice job of placing all the presents under the tree -- oooppppssss - did you see that something is missing? You are right! There is no tree, that is unless you count the fake 4 foot tree on the piano bench as a tree. I was sick for many days before Christmas and tree purchasing did not happen this year -- a first EVER for me and for the kids!

Anyway - Santa goodies are ready for morning viewing!

I love Christmas morning because now the kids come into bed with us until we wake up and go in the family room together. I like to go ahead and get the camera ready (of course!) so I can capture the faces. I only wish they would come into bed and sleep for another couple of hours!

It looks as though Santa was a hit -- Nikon Coolpix camera for both Sierra and Tanner with other tantalizing gifts as well. It was a really simple, nice and relaxing Christmas morning. I made the Christmas morning favorite breakfast casserole and we just hung out in our Christmas PJs to enjoy the day.

We were doing exactly that until ----- the stomach bug hit hard. I went down for the count in the afternoon, Polo was feeling queasy as well as Tanner, but Sierra was the rock. Let's just say we ended the day with a bang!

Christmas Eve, Part Deux!

Even though our Christmas Eve was wonderful, we still felt like we had to visit with the Whitlocks -- ALL of them -- and carry on our tradition of having each child share a talent, a game or some other activity. It brings the Christmas spirit to our hearts. Blake share his special Christmas song on the piano. Sierra sings Silent Night -- we all join in on the second verse.

Carson show his mastery on the piano as well.

Maddie shows her talents by singing and playing the piano!

Tanner finishes it off by playing the piano as well. The amazing thing about this tradition is to see how much their talents have grown since last year. We are looking forward to Garrett and Brooke's talents as they grow older.

It always is great to see the other special talents of the VanBuskirk-Signs clan as they ALWAYS come caroling on Christmas Eve. It was so great to hear their beautiful voices sing and it was especially good to see Dylan there without a wheelchair -- singing so loudly!

Christmas time is so wonderful when spent with family and friends. Sharing in special traditions and creating memories for our children. The best part about this Christmas Eve was that Jamie got to come home to be with his family and join in on this celebration. Have you ever seen such happier faces on five children. Brooke looks at her Daddy with complete adoration!


We also continued the Christmas tradition of exchanging family gifts. Alysa knew exactly what they were giving to the Doria family --COCO MOTION --- now for those of you who don't know what COCO Motion is let me just say it has nothing to do with dancing, Or does it? Coco Motion is a hot chocolate machine, and when there is Coco Motion being made there is dancing to be done. Specifically, the COCO MOTION DANCE!!!! You will have to witness it first hand to see what it is!

The Doria Family opted to give the Whitlocks a basket of good CLEAN old fashion fun with a new twist -- it included bath monkey scrubbers of all kinds, a jar of popcorn, hot chocolate (I feel a coco motion dance coming on), blankets, over sized checkers game and peg board from Cracker Barrel, and the twist was Scene IT Harry Potter!

The kids were all smiles and giggles!



It was a great Christmas for everyone and we wish Jamie a speedy recovery!



The last surprise for the evening was when the doorbell rang and Gaby showed up! It was great to have her, if even for a short time, on this very special night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Eve

The Broadheads -- The Dorias -- The Whitlocks --

The Risenmays

It can truly be said that this Christmas Eve was indeed different from the past five. We have this wonderful tradition of spending Christmas Eve with our friends the Whitlocks and a few other families -- those who are in town and not visiting family. Alysa and I had started planning a few weeks before (we realized on December 4th or 5th Christmas was a mere 3 weeks away) and decided it would be at their home. It was going to be a night with the Whitlocks, the Dorias, the Broadheads, the Bruners, the Risenmays and neighbors Jack and Helene. All in all a great cast! Invites went out, invites accepted, and alas Christmas Eve would be set to go!

We all know in a mere blink of an eye things can change, and this is the story of how much they can change. Jamie Whitlock had not been feeling well for sometime and he was coughing, tired, no energy and just plain sick. None of us knew he was in the beginning stages of pneumonia. This would develop into full blow pneumonia, and he would eventually land in the hospital and none of us knew the severity of the situation. He was in much pain, could hardly breathe and it was scary.

At the same time I had been sick for over five days with a cough and fever which was not going away and I was not sleeping at all. All of these events were taking place at both households the week before and the week of Christmas. Do you see what I am getting at -- Christmas Eve although planned was perhaps not going to be like we had envisioned.

In stepped in an angel -- Roxanne Risenmay -- she offered to have Christmas eve at their home and it was truly a blessing. How brave of her -- here we were all thirty people -- and she said she would host! Thank you Roxanne! So Christmas Eve was back on, but the story does not end there.

Jamie continued to worsen and was admitted to the hospital because he could not breathe. We all guessed he had a terrible bout of flu (he kept thinking it was his appendix!) Jamie was taking breathing treatments and medications but his condition continued to worsen. Finally the doctors used steriods (I think he has muscles now), and this medication seemed to start to make him feel better and allowed him to be able to breathe on his own. Then on Christmas Eve day a blessing came -- Jamie got to come home. No, he would not get to go to Christmas Eve dinner, but he would be home.

Finally, Christmas Eve -- we all had a wonderful evening at the Risenmay's home, and the spirit of Christmas was all around. The children were all excited in anticipation of what was to come tomorrow. We had a wonderful dinner of turkey, ham, potatoes, salads, and much, much more. There would be no reason for anyone to go home hungry!

We played Christmas carols with chimes under the direction of Alysa Whitlock! Always a favorite with the kids -- big and little ones!

If you missed hitting your chime at the proper time -- EVERYONE let you know about it.

Once again it was a wonderful Christmas Eve ---

Can any of us imagine what it was like 2008 years ago on this day in Bethlehem when Jesus was born? I am grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for having blessings in my life as a daily reminder of his love, sacrifice and kindness towards others. May each of us understand the true meaning of Christmas and try and live a more Christlike life every day. I am most grateful for my family and my friends who enrich me and lift me up daily.

May peace and joy surround you this season and fill you with love.

Merry Christmas

Mary Did You Know

by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of god.

Mary, did you know?

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak.

The praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, Did you know that your baby boy will one day rules the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great, I am.

-------------------------------------------

This is my favorite Christmas song and speaks volumes about the birth of this little baby boy. Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas celebration.

Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Bet you never thought it snowed in the desert, and for the most part you would be right. However, on those wonderful, rainy, cold days in the desert when it rains so much the roads flood we anticipate what canvas God will paint when the sun finally cuts through the clouds.

This morning we awoke to an amazingly beautiful canvas where the snow on the mountains was lower than we had seen it in many, many years. I took this picture right outside our front door. The sky is a bright crisp blue and the air is cold and smells so clean. The snow was all the way down to 2500 feet - the mountain is 10,800 feet.

What a beautiful day! This was a picture Polo took out the back door and as you can see we were surrounded by snow covered mountains!

How do you solve a problem like Maria???

How do you solve a problem like Maria -- you give the part to Sierra and let her solve it!

Yes, we all will be singing all the songs from the Sound of Music -- Sierra was just informed she got the lead role in this wonderful play! Sierra put most all of her dance on hold this year to focus on trying out for the school play, and trying to receive the lead role of Maria. This morning we were told she did just that!

So if you call and we answer by singing "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music", you will know why. We are so proud of Sierra and we know the work is just beginning. The play will be the first weekend of April, and I am sure we will be giving you updates as we go along.

CONGRATULATIONS SIERRA!

Seahawks End Regular Season on High Note

SEAHAWKS - 47

Jets - 7

Friday night lights continued to shine this week as the Seahawks ended their regular season play with a victory over the Jets. This week Tanner was a shining star as he scored two touchdowns and an extra point! GO TANNER!! He also almost had his first interception as he tipped a ball away from a receiver. Tanner was beaming tonight because for the first time I think he actually KNEW he had played a great game. Tanner we are so proud of you!!!

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL!

TOUCHDOWN!!!!

The photos may be blurry but the image is still there!!

Tanner tips the ball and almost gets an interception! Carson looks bummed because he missed the tipped ball!

Great Season Seahawks!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Every Thanksgiving I think Polo begins to FEAR what is going to take place the next day. He will be teetering on a ladder high above the ground hanging Christmas lights, changing batteries in the village, hot glueing village mishaps, and doing all the "honey do's" for me to make the house just right for the holidays. This is perhaps his least favorite thing to do ever! Not that he does not like Christmas or the lights, he just does not like climbing up on ladders!

This year I conned the neighborhood kids (meaning I offered them money) into helping me take down all of the Christmas from the attic and putting all of the fall decorations back up! Yeah me! I am sooooo smart! We had fall up in the attic and Christmas down from the attic in record time -- 35 minutes! I had the fabulous help of six kids -- so it cost me $20, but it was worth every single penny.

The hardest, but the best, part of setting up Christmas is the Christmas Village. Our village has be around for awhile and it had a great beginning story. If you have a minute read on. When Tanner was four years old we took a trip to Disneyland. We finally broke the kids piggy banks they had been saving in since they were one. Much to our surprise, $165.00 later --- ugghhhhh -- the kids had about $80 each to spend. Had we known a pink pig could hold that much we would not have told them it was all theirs!

Off to Disneyland we go (yes, the Christmas village story is coming!) and the kids are both wearing HUGE smiles because they are loaded with money. I guess the upside is we will not have to fork out one dime other than a ticket price (which could also break the pink pig bank). As soon as we enter "The Happiest Place on Earth" Tanner shoots off into a store (one of about a 150 throughout the park) and he spots a Disneyland Monorail -- complete with raised track, a recorded Disneyland message, and battery operated. He proceeds to say, "I want to spend my money on this!" We looked at the price, $69.00 -- which means all of his money by the time he pays taxes. We proceed to do the parent thing -- divert his attention to other lower priced items -- but Tanner will have nothing to do with that, he wants the monorail. We told him if he had enough money to still buy it when we were leaving Disneyland he could purchase it then.

We knew we would be at Disneyland for two full days, and we were confident Tanner would not be able to NOT spend his money, and we put the monorail out of our minds. That was until every time he wanted to buy something he would say, "If I buy this, will I still have enough money for the Monorail?" We were getting worried as he did not spend one dime on day one at "The Happiest Place on Earth".

You can imagine how this story ends. On our way out of Disneyland at 11:15 PM, kids half asleep on Polo and my shoulders, Tanner lifts his head and says, "Mom I need to buy my monorail." So we have to stop by the store because we knew he had the money to buy the toy. He purchased the monorail and carried it all the way to the car with the biggest smile!

That all happened in October, and we now fast forward to December. At the time we had just moved into our new home and there was not a stick of furniture in the front living room. Tanner proceeded to set up his monorail in the middle of the living room. In December when it was time to put up the Christmas tree he was upset because I wanted him to take down the monorail. He cried. He looked at me with his HUGE chocolate eyes, pooled with tears and said, "Can't we put the monorail around the Christmas tree?" I gave it some thought, but I quickly realized the monorail would not fit around the base of the Christmas tree.

After many tears and many ideas being bounced around we decided we would put the monorail in the corner and put some small trees inside of it with some fake snow on the ground. This small action would become the beginning of our family tradition of building our Christmas Village in the corner of our living room. (Although now it has also seeped into the dining room as well.)Little did we know our village would flourish and become the highlight of our decorating for the season. Everyone gets involved in setting it up because there are pieces to repair, batteries to load, dusting to do and snow to be snowed.

I think it is a great tradition for our family even though Polo does not agree. It always adds a sense of warmth to the entrance of our home during the holidays, and I cannot help but think of the story and how it all began! Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ and beginning traditions with your family which will hopefully live through a few generations.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!