A Winter Poem

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

~Robert Frost

It's Official

I'm kicking myself because I didn't bring my camera, but last night Sylvia made her recording debut! In January, a documentary about our Aunt Janie will be airing on BYU television. We are so excited to watch a show dedicated entirely to crazy Janie! Anyway, Janie wrote a children's song, and asked if all of us with little ones would come and record it especially for the documentary. There were eight or nine of our little children, aged 3 to 10 all with their headphones on at a recording studio in Provo singing their little hearts out! (I got to sing too, just to help the kids stay in tune...) It was a lot of fun!

Smoker Man?

We were in the car today, asking the kiddos what they wanted for Christmas. Sylvia mentioned to us that Ben would probably really like his very own "Smoker Man." I thought about explaining that Smoker Man is not a real toy, but a character on an anti-smoking commercial. Then I just laughed. And laughed. And laughed some more. I think she may watch a little too much television.

Santa Baby

It just doesn't get any cuter than this! Today we took Sylvia and Ben to visit Santa Claus at Evans Gatehouse No. 1 in Orem. I'm telling you, this is the best place in Utah County to see the big guy. No waiting in line, Santa hasn't touched 1000 other grubby kids, and the store is absolutely beautiful. The antique sleigh was gorgeous! But Santa is only there on Saturdays from 3-5pm. It was worth the drive. By the way, Sylvia told Santa she wanted a baby doll, and Ben told Santa he wanted a truck.

More Christmas Cuteness

I was asked by the Relief Society to sing at Canterbury Place, a rest home that is in our ward. The rs president asked me to bring the kiddos at the last minute, saying something about a "nativity." I had my doubts, considering the general behavior of my kids, I didn't know if we could pull something like this off. So when we got there, we dressed up Sylvia as the angel, and Ben was the inn keeper. Some other super cute kids in the ward were Mary and Joseph, and our dolly was sweet baby Jesus. Sylvia did an awesome job, but as usual, Ben chose not to cooperate. He looked adorable nonetheless.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Definitely wrapping paper, Ben would just empty out the bags the minute I set them out.
2.Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, with some pine tree smell or something to make things a little more "authentic."
3.When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving
4.When do you take the tree down? New Years Day
5.Do you like eggnog? No, but Nate and Sylvia sure do. There's some in the fridge right now.
6.Favorite gift received as a child? My bike, and Holiday Barbie dolls!
7.Hardest person to buy for? Nate--it isn't hard, it is impossible.
8.Easiest person to buy for? Ben. Give him a cardboard box and he's set.
9.Do you have a nativity scene? 2, but I haven't put them out since Ben started terrorizing the place.
10.Mail or email Christmas cards? I love getting Christmas cards in the mail, but don't look for one from us this year. I'm taking a year off!
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Oh there are plenty, most from well meaning grandparents!
12.Favorite Christmas Movie? I love A Christmas Story and Elf.
13.When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm such a procrastinator. I blow our last few paychecks before Christmas.
14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I have!
15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Nate's homemade caramels, my dad's prime rib, my mom's pie, and my mom's homemade almond roca.
16. Lights on the tree? White, but I'm liking the big old fashioned multicolored ones more and more.
17.Favorite Christmas song? Christmas Time is Here (The Charlie Brown Christmas song) And all the songs on the Carpenter's Christmas album.
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? I guess it depends on the financials...
19.Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course!
20.Angel on tree top or star ? An angel.
21.Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both! Presents Presents Presents!
22.Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Lack of courtesy when shopping. I am pushing a double stroller, so you'll have to move out of my way. Get over it! (Please)
23.Favorite ornament theme or color? I love red, silver and green the very best.
24.Favorite for Christmas dinner? My dad's prime rib, but I also love Nate's grandma's orange glazed yams.
25.What do you want for Christmas this year? Everyone buy me books! And I need some perfume.
26. Favorite gift ever? My pearl ring (last year), and my Doc Marten combat boots (when I was 15)
27. I tag..... Everybody!

Mr. Potato Head

Our speech therapist came the other day, and brought a Mr. Potato Head for Ben to play with. The point was to get him to say body parts, such as nose, eye, ear, etc. He points to body parts, but won't say anything, usually. I just thought that I should document his first attempt at putting together a Mr. Potato Head and share it with the world. Not bad, if I do say so myself. (Note, this is put together all by himself. And yes, I saw how much fun he had with it that I went to the store and purchased one for him for Christmas.)

Too Cute

From left to right: Amber, Sylvia, Mackenzie, Annabelle and Emily.

We got these girlies together on Monday night at Amy's house to take a picture in their show dresses for Aunt Janie's Christmas card. For those who don't know, our family (and some very patient and kind friends) put on a musical show in the Provo Tabernacle this last July during the Freedom Festival celebrating the Constitution. It was lots of fun, and we got to dress up in fabulous colonial costumes. These girls were the tiniest in the whole show, but you better believe that they got up on stage and sang their little hearts out! So adorable.

Dress up, anyone?

Sylvia cracks me up! I love that a 3 year old thinks that this is acceptable attire in which to run daily errands. Good thing that we're not going anywhere today. Ben just gives her this look, like "you are completely nuts." He refuses to suffer her foolishness.

I apologize about a lack of Thanksgiving pictures. It was a wonderful day. We sat around in our jammies all morning and watched the parade, and then made some delicious cookies and fudge (our contribution to the spread). We spent the day at Grandpa Bill and Grandma Susan's house eating ourselves sick, playing guitar hero, enjoying fine conversation and perusing the Black Friday ads. The most glorious part is that there were enough people present that I didn't really have to look after my own children! Ah, the holidays.