**Did I not mention Katrina has her license? Well, she does! She was in no rush at all for months. The reason being because she didn't have a car to drive. But the family she nannies for offered her their spare minivan to use during the week. This lit a fire under her and she seemed to have her license within a weeks time. One Friday night in November she had a friend over, they came upstairs and said, "We are going to Wendy's." (The friends name is Brooke, not Wendy, so follow along!) I said, "But you can't..." They interrupted, "We know, we are going to follow each other." There they went two minivans in a row off to Wendy's...then afterwards to Brooke's...got it?**
So anyway, on Thanksgiving night Mallerie and Ava wanted to go to Walmart with her. They came home around 11 pm to report on the maddness. I asked if they bought anything. Ava informed us, "I bought lip gloss, Mallerie bought gummy bears, and Katrina bought eyeliner." Ha! "Were they a great deal?" I asked, "No." So there my girls stood in a long line to buy their goods just as content as the guy who was getting a screamin deal on his flat screen TV. They were out on their own, spending money they earned themselves, and that was all they wanted.
So with that we kicked off what is deemed as the Christmas Season 2012. Feel free to pick and Choose.
Excerpt from the above article: FBLA members were busy this month supporting Wasatch County's Sub for Santa program. WHS students donated over $4,000. FBLA members were responsible for collecting and counting the money daily, purchasing, wrapping, and delivering several gifts for each child. A special thanks to the Service Committee Chairs Hazel Harvey and Katrina Bocanegra for their extra efforts in making sure the project succeeded.
Much of these efforts were by Katrina going door to door for collections. She is a service oriented person. She has enjoyed being an officer and will interview to be a state officer.
MUST BE SANTA
Graham's class learned several songs and then presented them one morning to the parents during school. My favorite thing was to hear Graham practicing Must Be Santa, "Who has a big red cherry nose? Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Santa Clause!" It's a pretty lengthy song but he'd sing all the verses when asked even if it was on a Sunday around the dinner table. The song represents all the times we ran into the big red man throughout the next month. He was like a bad penny, he just kept showing up;)
BYU Cougar CUB
Grayson had service do do as well. For scouts instead of having pac meeting in December each cub was assigned a single sister in the ward to do an act of service for. The lady Grayson got had recent back surgery so we took her some soup one evening. She is completely alone and had a hard time telling Gray thank you because of the tears in her voice. On the way to the car Grayson said, "I feel good that we did that. "
Last year he visited a new widow. She is also a BYU fan and really enjoyed talking sports with Grayson. This year she gave him a BYU ornament. She said it was her late husbands but as she was decorating the tree this year she decided she really wanted Grayson to have it. I am glad he got to have these neat experiences thanks to cub scouts. Neat kid.
Trains Trains Trains!
The Heber Valley Railroad is under new management this year so I still hadn't heard anything in November about working as a Reader on the Christmas train this year. Then Mallerie got a job as an elf and let them know I have done it in the past so they gave me a call. Since I now work from home I wasn't sure, but they said I could pick and choose as many or few trains as I wanted, and it really is a lot of fun so I went a handful of times and read. The main perk of course is that I get to bring my family for free one night. Mallerie and I were both on the same train that night so we had a good time. When Santa came on he asked the boys and girls what they wanted for Christmas. He asked a big fella who looked 25 to me but I guess was only 15 what he wanted. He said he wanted Elf Cindylou hoo's phone number (that was Mallerie's aka name). I bet this big 15 year old fella didn't know Cindylou's dad was at the front of the train.
All the trains I ran on went off without a hitch ecxept for once when the power was out for a while. Mallerie however, worked a lot more than me and was on several that had real problems. On one train the power went out and then the entire jug of hot chocolate spilled so everyone was sloshing around in the dark, three people got sick on that train. It sounded more like the Nightmare before Christmas train. Anyway, she got a text from her boss asking if any elves could come the following Monday at 6 am to work. Mallerie decided to go. As I drove her over there that morning we both figured she was on clean-up duty from the horrid spilled chocolate train. However, like last year, the News Station was there and she was to be interviewed on live TV. I never saw the live news bit but the train FB page put up lots of photos. She was one of only two elves who showed up to work that morning. She was always the one going above and beyond what she was asked to do. Because of this she was one of the few who was asked to stay on permanently as an employee. I was glad she saw the natural consequences of working hard, the rest takes care of itself.
Next up was to ride the Polar Express in Lindon. The guy my dad works with at the Temple has a train in his yard. I think the maximum on a train is around 20. We had it loaded with 28 of us. They had music playing through the speakers but in my head the tune went, "I think I can, I...think...I ....ca...a....an." This was because a few people had decided to come that hadn't originally planned on it, like Mallerie. I was so glad she decided to come. She was so cheerful to be around and made the best of the tight quarters. As we were leaving home I reminded the kids we were going to be outside- so dress warm. As I looked at Mallerie while we stood waiting our turn to board, I noted that she had mismatched gloves on because she couldn't find a matching pair. I would never think to do that.
The final train delight was on Christmas morning when Graham opened a Polar Express box. The only problem was that it seemed too light to actually have anything in it. Then right on cue the whistle blew and out it came from behind the Christmas tree! He didn't leave that train's side for days. The day after Christmas we had a lunch date at the Olive Garden to say good-bye to the Wasson's and he cried that he would have to be away from his train.
He is somewhat obsessed with the Polar Express. He got overalls like an Engineer for Christmas that I can hardly get off of him to wash. He watched the movie on a loop all through December. One day as I worked I noticed the sound get louder, and LOUDER, and LOUDER downstairs so I went to investigate. The volume was all the way up to 100. The movie was at the part where the dancers in the train serve hot chocolate with the music, "Hot, Hot, Hot, HOT CHOCOLATE!!!" The babies were going CRAZY rolling jumping, hoping, dancing, CRAZY! I told that story to the family that night at dinner. Then Graham giggled, "Then MOM started going crazy!" I said, "Hey! I'm telling the story with the parts I want to tell ;)" What can I say, I couldn't help it.
You Can't Catch Me I'm the Gingerbread Man!
Parks and Rec offered a gingerbread house decorating day that I took advantage of this year. Gaham asked often WHEN we were decorating gingerbread housese. I knew I would never get around to it so I signed up for a couple houses. One Saturday morning Matt and I took the youngest four over to decorate. Matt said, "I have seen these kits in stores, we could have just done this at home." But I knew I would never get up early on a Saturday and begin at 10 am sharp decorating houses with the kids. It would never happen. Matt assured me, "You have been a mom for 16 years now, you definitely know what works and what doesn't." I do. This worked.
Katrina went on a date the next weekend and afterwards they went as a group to her dates house and also decorated gingerbread houses. We were so proud of this Christmas masterpiece.
During the kids Daddy-fun-day when I get to stay home and do my Christmas preparations Graham's little friend brought over two gingerbread cookies for he and Callie. Graham ate some of it when he got home. Later he got totally sick. In his mind it was because of the cookie. He told me, "Throw that away, I can't look at it anymore!" Then at school Graham told me they read the story of the Gingerbread man. Then he kept standing there with a repugnant look on his face. "Oh right, they make you sick," I remembered.
OH NO I GOT THE FLUTE!
Luckily we had already gone to the gingerbread festival here in town. It is a tradition I take the kids to every year. We look at the local gingerbread houses and decorate gingerbread men to support the local Children's Justice Center. It is never crowded and there are even some decorated trees for auction. Well, this year I decided it was time they see the REAL Festival of Trees in SLC. We haven't been since the older girls were small. The kids eyes popped out of their heads at the rows and rows of what seem like thousands of trees. It's a festival alright. The gingerbread houses there had such crowds around them that you could barely see the magnificent work. It made me glad we have one locally on a much smaller scale. Afterwards we went to Scheels for the first time. There were a decent amount of crowds there but I didn't see any action going on at the registers. Like us, people were just there to check. it. out.
But getting the flute is better than dying in a firey inferno isn't it???
CHRISTMAS EVE 2013
Graham still had the flute on Christmas Eve so I stayed home while Matt met up with the Wassons and Bocanegra's in Orem. The Wasson's were here from Hawaii to spend Giovanni's first Christmas with him. Also Laurie wanted to be with family incase we did all in fact die in a firey inferno ;) My Christmas Eve was a quiet evening home with Graham. He slept a lot then we watched Charlie Brown Christmas on my bed. I hoped so badly he would feel alright by morning but he threw up again when he woke up. I was dead to the world and didn't hear him, but Katrina who was sleeping on the couch got up with him. She helped him change and even put his bedding in the wash. That was the best gift she could have given me! As it was she also had the most darling little birdhouse salt and pepper shakers to present to me me as well, and I didn't even have the flute.
The thing is, that they really CAN sing, they just were being silly on the CD. I know this because I was at the Wasatch High School Talent Show in December. Katrina and her friend Brooke wanted to surprise their friends by being in it without telling any of them. I didn't take a still shot because my hands were full filming on the camcorder. They sang "Taylor The Latte Boy" Brooke belted out the tune with Broadway quality while Katrina pretended to play the grand piano with gusto. Then she'd get up and join in on the chorus. This wasn't lip syncing I remind you, it was REAL singing. It was great!
After gift opening that night and a movie, the kids put out their stockings. I was one shy, "Where is the other stocking???" Katrina STILL had it in her room from LAST Christmas. It wasn't stuffed that full!
Oh the weather outside if frightful...
We have a little tradition where we drive around and give out awards to the houses whose lights we like the best, and whose decorated porch we like the best. Well, the month got away from us this year so it was after Christmas by the time we got around to it for FHE one night. We delivered our "Best Lights Award," but the porch we had originally planned on awarding was now dark. I gave the kids an option, "We can award it anyway or we can eat the last box of Debbie Cakes for our FHE treat." All but Mallerie voted on eating the treats. As we pulled back up to our house I said, "Well, we really do have the cutest porch anyway."
...but inside it's so delightful...
I had fun decorating with some of my late Granny's Christmas decorations this year. At first some of it didn't seem to go with what I already have so I did groupings: A pink group, a blue, group, a red group. I likey.
I have a hard time getting around to taking decorations down after Christmas I know part of it is because I put up so much dang stuff, but also it just seems sad to put such pretty things back into a box. The basement seems like a dreary wasteland once the tree is down. Mallerie said, "Let's just leave it up all year!" I totally could. I looooved sitting down there looking at that tree. Even after going up and down row after row of trees at the Festival, I didn't see one that compared to mine and I aint afraid to say it.
Within 24 Hours the basement family room went from looking like the above photo, to this:
I Phone, You Phone, We Phone!
In December I went into Radio Shack to buy batteries. The employee informed me that my phone was up for an upgrade. He showed me different options including adding more phones to our plan. I said I'd talk to the big dog about it. In reality it got the wheels in my head turning a lot. Maybe it was time to add phones. It was a pain last time Katrina was at an FBLA tournament to have to keep calling her friends to find out when she'd be home. Then a few days later I forgot Mallerie all together. She called on the school phone for a ride home. I told her I was taking Gray to scouts and would get her after that. But in that short span of time my over-loaded December brain was already onto the next item on my list. I dropped off Grayson and then went to Family Dollar for party favors for Graham's class party. I got home and started cleaning out the bunny cages. As I did so I went through each of the kids in my head to make sure I knew where they were. Katrina, check, Mallerie...MALLERIE! She had been waiting out in the cold because they locked the school. I felt so badly that the next day she found a little apology favor on her bed and a note from me. So when I mentioned to Matt that maybe it was time they had their own phones he was right on board.
On Christmas morning the timing was strategically planned for me to open my phone first, then Katrina, and then Mallerie. They were all in totally different shaped boxes so even Katrina was shocked to find a phone for her. Mallerie was downright stunned. She had to wait to even take it out of the box she was shaking so bad.
I took the girls during Christmas break to Elko to visit the Gouldings. During our Saturday shopping trip we ate lunch at The Great Wall. I had to recount to the others what I saw from Mallerie on Christmas morning: It was after the presents had been opened and the family was starting to disperse. Mallerie was still sitting in her new arm chair holding her phone. She had a smile on her face that she could not wipe off. She was deep in thought and seemed to be replaying the magical morning over in her head. She was replaying it literally with silent gasps of surprise as she looked at her phone followed by her mouthing a conversation as if telling a friend the joyous news. It was so cute I couldn't break her spell. However, as I told this story at lunch she started howling with laughter because she hadn't realized she had done that. I don't know which we got laughing harder at, the story, or her reaction to the story. Love the malmal.
The phones have been especially handy to be able to text the girls. Here is a sample of a text I sent Katrina and Mallerie:
Me: There is a key club text saying they need preschool readers on Tues at 9:15 or 1:30
Mallerie: I don't think I signed up for their club so you can ignore them
Katrina: Yeah just ignore key club
Me: That sounds a bit harsh. Key Club members are people too you know :)
Katrina: Not really ;)
Mallerie: I don't even know what key club is.
Me: Well Katrina was in it ast night as she was fiddling with the door. Haha
Katrina: Haha Yeah thanks for locking me out Mallerie
Mallerie: Well you should carry a key with you at all times
Katrina: I do! It just didn't work
Me: We will have a little test run with the key this weekend. Have our OWN key club.
Mallerie: Hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Oh what a shame. Sorry Katrina I forgot that you still needed it unlocked.
I can also text Matt more easily since we aren't all sharing a phone:
Me: I got up to shovel this morning and Mike was just finishing up! (he's our home teacher)
Matt: What. That was nice.
Me: I know! I am so touched
Matt: Good Guy. Great neighbor
Me: He should work for Allstate...Or is it Statefarm?
Matt: Whatever, he is hired.
Me: :)
The phones were the WOW gifts for the older girls. Ava didn't expect to get an electric scooter but she did, Gray may have expected one, but instead got a new mirror for his bedroom closet, since he cracked his last Aug in a moment of rage. Graham's gifts all centered around Indie and TRAINS. Little Callie's wish came true to have her own cash register among other surprises. I envisioned this giving her hours of enjoyment. The only hiccup is that she wants ME to be the cashier every time she shops. But the doll house is a success so I just hurry and remind her, "How about playing with that CUTE dollhouse!" She will, as long as we keep it in the living room.
Grandma Donna in the HOUSE!
For the first time ever we got to have G-ma Donna sleep over on Christmas Eve. It was soo much fun to have her! She requested no gifts but I couldn't help it when I came across my favorite Mother Theresa poem beautifully framed. Afterall, she's OUR Mother Theresa.
I even took a picture of her things cause I just love having her here!
I'm a Little Bit Country, I'm a Little Bit Rock n' Roll
My gift from Matt was an overnight excursion downtown to see Donny and Marie's Christmas Show on December 27th. I didn't get to go downtown with the extended family since that was my Christmas prep day but I could see the lights at Temple Square just fine from our hotel room. The Marriott we were staying at was also budded up against City Creek so we had a pretty view of that as well. It was also conveniently located across the street from Abravenal Hall where the show was. The view of Temple Square from Abravenal was the prettiest of all! When we were checking into the hotel room Matt asked if they had any suits available. The gal at the front desk said, "Yes but they are all conference rooms, there aren't beds in them." Matt said, what seemed a little too loudly, "Well, we need a bed!" I could have sworn everyone turned to look at us at that moment. Instead she upgraded us to the Concierge floor.
We did some walking and shopping at City Creek before dinner. I had worn my boot shoes with heels and they were slippery. I found a pair of comfy boots at Macy's while Matt went and looked at leather jackets. They were crazily marked down and even more so at the register. He looks great leaving for work each day in that jacket. He said once he gets to his office though he changes into a fleece jacket to work. You know, like Mr. Rogers did.
We didn't want to walk too far for dinner so we ate at the hotel's restaurant "Elevations." I thought it was where you catch the elevators but it was a blue carpeted restaurant with an older crowd dining inside. I said, "I bet all these people are going to Donny and Marie." I think I was right. Let's just say, that ugly sweater Mallerie had been trying to find all month to wear on Ugly Sweater Day was in full abundance at Abravenal Hall. Though my girls would argue that my shirt also fell into that category (hey! it was on clearance!)
The show was great. The hiccup of the night was that Donny had nearly lost his voice due to sickness. He did the best he could but Marie had her son Steve there singing backup during the power ballads. It sounded great but I missed the Donny we saw in Vegas. All in all though, a great show. I later learned from People magazine that Marie's daughter, her costume designer, had married in Park City on Christmas day. And I thought I was a busy momma at Christmas time.
It was my own fault for not staying caught up on Dancing with the Stars. I had the finale recorded but hadn't watched it yet. Sure enough Donny said, "Wasn't it great when Melissa won Dancing-All Stars?" I said to Matt, "Dang-it I havent' watched it yet." My own fault.
The night was so lovely as we left Abravenal Hall it nearly took my breath away. Snowflakes had started falling softly. The mist in the air caused the lights to glow and twinkle. I almost wished we had further to walk to the hotel.
We caught a matinee of Les Mis the next day by taking Trax to Gateway. Since it was a matinee the theatre was very sparse. A couple came to our row and sat down RIGHT next to Matt when here the entire row was empty. Matt couldn't take it and got up and moved to my other side. I wondered at first if that was rude of Matt but if this guy that snuggled up to Matt is that dense then someone needs to learn him.
After seeing that movie and then seeing Lincoln soon after and then The Impossible. I think we need a cheery movie next.
The True Meaning of Christmas
The girls in their Christmas dresses on a VERY cold Sunday
A tradition we have as a family is to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional at the Stake Center every year. Graham loved Pres. Monson's story of the Christmas Train (but not much else). Then our HomeTeacher read the story, and then Graham opened the book on Christmas Day.
The next night Matt was out of town so I took some of the kids to the Interfaith Crèche exhibit in Midway, also a nice tradition.
Then the next Sunday we stayed at the church after tithing settlement to hear the local production of Handle's Messiah. It was long, the chapel was hot, we were all scrunched on a small bench, a lot of the songs sounded the same, but the kids did so great. What a treat it was to hear a live orchestra in our chapel. The Hallelujah chorus at the end was glorious. I could picture what it sounded like when the heavenly choirs sang. It was a sing-a-long but even some of the choir members were having a hard time keeping their emotions in check. It was that beautiful.
One last Christmas tid bit. Graham sure keeps me on my toes. In addition to gingerbread house pestering, he also asked repeatedly when we were going make and decorate Christmas sugar cookies.
Finally I found a solution:
Step 1: Buy pre-made cookies and icing from the bakery
Step 2: place them on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven
Step 3: Tell the babies, "The cookies are done!"
Step 4: Pull them out of the oven and let them "cool"
Step 5: Let the babies decorate with icing and sprinkles.
Then I realized they didn't fall for any of it. Actually they didn't care a bit WHERE the cookies came from. That's the way the cookie crumbles.
