Christmas Morning

I have to admit that I was really excited for Christmas morning. Emily had asked for a few things like a new trumpet case, and a Dragonology book, and a few other things, but I knew that what she really wanted was a cell phone. She had been hinting for one since school started, but when we would ask her what she wanted for Christmas, it was never on her list. I think because we had convinced her that she would never get one.

In October Ryan and I upgraded our phones and changed carriers. When we did this we also added Emily to our plan. We thought about just giving it to her right away, but after about a minute of thinking that, we decided it would be more fun to torment her a little more with our new phones first. So we did.

We also decided that it would be more fun if we didn't just hand her the phone Christmas morning. So Santa wrote a note and wrapped it up in a pretty box. The note said, "Do you hear what I hear?"

Emily opened the package read the note, and did not really respond to it. I asked her what the note said, and she read it to me just as a Transibirian Christmas tune started playing from somewhere. Emily just sat there and said "That sounds nice." I told her she should go see where it was coming from. She found it pretty quickly tucked in the branches of the tree.

I don't think I have seen Emily that surprised and that excited for a long time. Josh was pretty surprised too.

I am not sure that Emily really knows what happened the rest of the morning, but the rest of the kids all had a good Christmas too.

I was excited for Josh to get his gift, even though I knew he was "planning" on it. I was happy he was getting a DS to replace the pink hand me down DS he had been happily using the last couple of years, and I knew he would be excited.


I was really excited to see Joe open his present. His was the hardest for me not to get out and play with myself prior to Christmas. I am sad I was not in a better place to get a picture of his face when he opened his gift.

This Fall Joe was not sure what he wanted for Christmas and I really didn't have a good idea, so We started looking for ideas together. One day I took him to a toy store near our house (not toys-r-us) and we found the perfect thing. He got a bad guy castle a couple of Christmases ago, and he loves to play with it. But he needed a good guy castle to make the playing even better. The store we went to had a few different castles, and we had fun looking at all of the possibilities.

Joe was a little disappointed when he saw how much things cost, but he didn't realize that Santa has the internet to shop on and can find deals. I told Joe we would keep looking for things he wanted, and maybe we would find something in our price range.

Christmas morning when he found the Castle he was so excited. I think he will have fun with this for a long time.

Last but not least. Little Miss Pink. All Valerie asked for this Christmas was a pink present. Just after Thanksgiving, Grandma Bolander surprised Valerie with a little pink tree she had found while she was out shopping. Valerie loved it. In the day she had it out in the front room, and at night she took it into her room. When we set up our tree and got out the decorations, every decoration that was handed to Valerie went on the little pink tree. After that it stayed in the front room, because when she tried to move it the ornaments fell off.

Santa brought Valerie a present wrapped in pink, and a new pink stroller for her baby. He put her gifts under her pink tree, so she would know they were for her.


Valerie was the hardest for Santa this year, not because he didn't know waht to giver, but because there were so many things he thought she would like. He decided Valerie would enjoy her own castle to play with when Joe got his out. She loves it, and does like to get it out to play castles with her brothers. They don't seem to mind it either. Secretly I think they like having a princess castle in their game.

I think I had the most fun Christmas morning watching the excitement on the kids faces. I am grateful for all that we have been blessed with this year.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Bolander's house. Grandma always sets a beautiful table, and I am sad I did not get a picture of it. Valerie was very happy when she found a pink place setting waiting for her at the table.



The boys were very interested in Grandma's tree and what was underneath it. I caught them pinching a few packages after dinner.


To entertain the kids between activities Grandma had Christmas houses for them to build. The boys had a lot of fun with this.


After dinner it was time for the program. Aunt Tracy and Uncle Gavin were spending Christmas at their home in DC, but thanks to modern technology they joined us for the program.



Emily has been working really hard learning how to play the trumpet in band at school, so for our family's part in the program Emily and Ryan played their trumpets together, and the other kids sang along.

For only playing since September I think Emily played really well.
We always end the program by reading the Christmas story from the scriptures.

Shortly after the program finished the doorbell rang. Once again the Mysterious Stranger had left gifts.



Once everyone was dressed in their new pajamas we got in our cars to look at lights and head home to wait for Santa.

Merry Christmas

Dear Friends, and Family,

We hope this Christmas Season finds you all well. We express our love to all of you and want you to know we are grateful for each of you. This year has brought many new challenges and blessings to our family, and we find ourselves humble and grateful for all that we have.

This year started out very bumpy for us, but we end it with a greater understanding of the gospel. We have witnessed miracles in our lives this year and are grateful for the tender mercies that have been granted to us. We have watched the power of the priesthood bless our lives and answers to prayers come. We know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true Church, and we are grateful for a prophet who guides us. We are grateful for the temple, and all of the blessings that come from it. We have come to understand better the difference between wants and needs. We also know that the Lord knows the desires of our hearts, and he loves us, and wants us to be happy.

We hope this Christmas season, that you will remember our Savior Jesus Christ, and know that he knows and loves each and every one of you. We wish you all a very merry Christmas.

With Love,

Ryan, Hillary, and Family

Temple Lights

I love the tradition of going to see the lights at Temple Square. Grandpa Bolander also enjoys going, and we were glad he could join us.

This red tree is Grandpa's favorite.

He loves to stand under it and look at all the lights, because it looks like it goes on forever.

When Valerie saw the pink lights she lit up and said, "Oh look at the pink lights! Pink lights are my favorite!"

The kids really liked the nativities, and they loved the lights. It was pretty crowded, and I was a little worried about loosing one of the kids, but it turned out the only one we lost was Grandpa. Thanks goodness for cell phones so we were able to get back together quickly.


After Temple Square we took Trax over to the Gateway Mall, because Grandpa wanted to show the kids the tree they had there. The tree at the Gateway was very cool. The lights were constantly changing, and the kids loved running around the big tree.


Valerie loved riding the train and cried when we got off. So she was very happy when we got to ride it a second time back to the car.



Temple Square is a cold tradition, but it is always a nice way to stop and think of Christ during the holiday season.

Do You Believe?

I don't remember exactly when I learned about the "Real Santa," but I do remember that it didn't really change what I thought of Christmas that much. The Christmases where I knew, I just remember feeling loved by my parents, and just as excited Christmas morning to see what was under the tree.

I love Christmas. I love the music, the spirit and the love that comes with it. One of the activities I love the most about Christmas now, is finding the perfect gifts for the people I love, and getting to help Santa out a little.

As a parent I try to keep the fun of Christmas alive for my Children.

When I told my kids that we were going to see Santa, they were all excited. All except Emily who asked in her teenage tone, 'Do I have to go?" Of course I made her come, and once we got there she did not complain too much.

I always look forward to this day. I never feel like I can wrap anything until after we have talked to Santa. Usually the kids have figured out what they are going to ask Santa for pretty early, but I always like to get it set in stone. Usually they stick to the item they have told me about, but you never know.

Valerie was more than willing to sit on Santa's lap, but once she got there, she was not sure she liked it. She did however tell him that she wants a pink present for Christmas. I hope she likes what Santa puts inside the pink package.

Josh was very anxious to tell Santa what he wanted, but was a little shy when it came to actually telling him. He did work up the courage though and asked for a D.S.

Joe had a couple of ideas for things to ask for, but in the end I guess he decided having Santa surprise them last year worked out pretty well. So when Santa asked Joe what he wants for Christmas, Joe just said, "Surprise Me!"

Emily really did not want to sit on Santa's lap, and I really only made her come for pictures. We agreed that as long as she smiled in the pictures, she did not have to sit on his lap. He still gave her a candy cane and she happily took it.

I left feeling very pleased with the requests and happy that three of my four children still believe in the magic of Santa. (I really thought Joe had figured it out last year. and maybe he just goes along with it for my sake, but if that is the case he is really good.) Then again a few days later this discussion occurred between the boys.

Josh: Joe do you think Rudolf is real?

Joe: Why Josh?

Josh: Well I think someone just made up the story of Rudolf.

Joe: I think Rudolf is real.

Josh: How come?

Joe: Well Rudolf is in all of the Santa stories, so if Rudolf isn't real, then Santa isn't real.

Josh: Mom is Rudolf real?

The truth is, I do believe in Santa. I believe he is a symbol of hope, love, and generosity. I hope that when my kids discover the "Real Santa" they will feel loved just like I did as a kid.

Christmas Fun

Every Christmas Eve the Mysterious Stranger rings the doorbell and leaves a gift on the doorstep.

On our way to Grandma's, Joe told me that he knows who the Mysterious stranger is. I was sure he had figured out the secret. So I had to smile when he told me that last Christmas as we were driving home from Grandma's he saw the Stranger leaving presents on someones door, and it is a girl.

The stranger did not disappoint. The kids all loved their pajamas.

I was not quick enough getting Valerie's on her, so she tried to put them on herself.


Christmas Eve is always great at Grandma and Grandpa's house. After a nice dinner and program we headed home to wait for Santa.




Christmas morning the kids were excited to see what Santa had brought. Usually Santa leaves their gift next to their stocking, so they were a little confused to come out and see all of the stockings lined up together. Then they noticed the note and Webkinz on the tree.

Santa had brought them a new computer, and because he wanted it all ready for them to use Christmas morning, he left a note on the tree telling them where to look for their surprise.




They were very excited and couldn't wait to adopt their new Webkinz and start playing with them on the new computer.

But first we had to open the rest of the gifts.

Valerie loved all of her new gifts and has been very busy with them since she opened them. Ryan's mom and I had to laugh though, because the two things she carries around with her are the $3 baby doll she got in her stocking and the $2 toy cell phone Grandma gave her in her purse. It is so nice when they are easy to please.

Ryan really wants to thank my parents for the rocking horse. If you push the ear it plays a song that gets stuck in your head. So all day we kept finding ourselves singing "such a pretty pony clippity clop, clippity clop." Valerie loves it.

The boys were happy to find Lego's and Zuzu's under the tree.
Emily got a few new petshop toys, clothes and a computer game she has been talking about for months.


The kids are now busy enjoying all of their new gifts.

It was a great Christmas!

Christmas Highlights

We started off our Christmas celebration at Ryan's parent's. After a yummy dinner and our Christmas program,
The Mysterious Stranger stopped by and left pajamas on the porch for the kids.

For some reason the feet in Joe's pajamas were too short. Grandma came to the rescue and cut them off for him. He was sad about it at first, but by Christmas morning he was over it.

After the kids were in their pajamas we went for a ride in the car to look at Christmas lights and then headed for home. (We got home just before 11:00pm) Emily, Joe and Josh were all tired and went right to sleep, but Valerie was so wound up from all of the festivities that she was wide awake. So she stayed up to help Santa. Santa left at 1:30 and Christmas was ready, but Valerie was still not sleepy.

(This picture was taken at 1:36 am)

Ryan Valerie and I finally went to be at 2:00am.

At 5:30 am the kids came into our room to tell us they were ready to open presents. We stumbled into the living room ant started the fun.

Emily received an Ipod and I have not seen her without it since it was opened.

She told me that this was her best Christmas ever, because she loved every gift she got. Joe looked at her like she was crazy and asked "Even the clothes?" She told him yes, because they are all the style she likes. I think Joe still thinks she is crazy. He did not like getting clothes.
Joe had asked Santa for a Castle and for the DS game Starfy, My parents had given him the game for his birthday so he told me on Christmas Eve that he hoped Santa was going to bring the castle. Lucky for him he did. Joe was so excited.

Because Joe had asked for a castle ,Josh did too. So Santa brought him a different kind of castle. I knew Josh didn't really want the castle, but he always wants to be like his brother. I was right because Josh spent the rest of the time unwrapping his presents and wondering where his Geo Trax Airplane was.

He had never asked Santa for it, but we saw it in the store one day and he drooled over it. I had already bought it for his birthday that is a couple of weeks away, and I was tempted to get it out for him, but I felt like he

already had enough.

He ended up loving his Castle and that night he, Emily and Joe all had a sleepover in it.

Valerie loved Christmas. She loved the party's and all of decorations, but she didn't really get the present part, and I didn't expect her to. She was not too interested in what was in the wrapping paper, but she sure liked to eat it.

My favorite gifts this year were the board games we received. I have had lots of fun playing with my kids and reintroducing them to things that don't require a controller and does not make lots of noise so you can talk to each other While you play.

It was a very Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!!

Thank You Secret Santa

I remember a Christmas when I was 7 or 8 when one of our neighbors did the 12 days of Christmas for our family. Every evening the doorbell would ring and we would find a small package on the doorstep. I can't remember all of the gifts, but each gift included an ornament for our Christmas tree. I remember the anticipation every night waiting to see what came. I also remember trying to look out the window to try to catch who was bringing the gift. The 11th night my older brother was peeking out the window when they came and he was spotted. So on the 12th night the Allred family delivered the package in person. The following Christmases as we hung the 12 days of Christmas ornaments on our tree I would always think of the Allreds and how fun that Christmas was.

This Christmas will also be a Christmas I will always remember, because of the thoughtfulness and generosity someone has shown to us. Unfortunately I do not know who they are, but from the very generous gift they left on our doorstep last night, I know that they know us well and might even read this blog.


Thank you Secret Santa I wish I could tell you in person how thankful I am and how your gift has made our Christmas even more special with the knowledge that we have friends like you.

We hope you have a Very Merry Christmas.

Love

Hillary, Ryan, Emily, Joseph, Josh and Valerie

My little Elf

Last Thursday Josh was an elf in his preschool Christmas program.

Josh was a little embarrassed to be dressed as an elf, but when he saw the other kids were dressed as elves too he was okay with it. He also warmed up to the idea a little more when he saw that his Aunt Tracy was there to see him.


It is always fun to watch 3 and 4 year old kids perform, and this program was not lacking in the entertainment department.


The entire preschool performed in the program so the teacher called the two groups by their ages. At one point she told the threes to stand up. Not many of them did so she called out "Where are my threes." Then suddenly you heard the little voices saying

"I'm three."

" I'm three."

" I'm three too!"


Then in the middle of the program one of Josh's friends announced as loud as he could that he needed to go to the bathroom. Don't worry he made it.

Josh was pretty shy during the breaks between songs, but when it was time to sing and do the actions he would really get into it.

At the end of the program Santa came.

It was lots of fun.

I love my little elf.