Christmas morning.

Well, as usual Christmas has come and gone....but this year was a little different. We usually have one or the other of Mike's parents here, but this year with all of the changes here at the house everyone thought it would be too much. Maybe next year. The kids had a great time with the Sampson's here. It was complete chaos, which is what I love. Lot's of kids opening gifts. I think everyone got what they wanted. The Sampsons and the Ellsworths both got the wii, Hailey got a lot of princess stuff, which is what she loves. The one thing she asked for was a barbie cash register and she got it. But I think she played with it for about 10 minutes and was bored with it. I guess you can't win them all.

Sorry about the pictures, I don't know what happened this year. By the time the morning was over, I realized that I'd taken very few photos. I guess I was just so concerned with getting enough video footage. Candy!
The boys opening stocking gifts

Hailey and her crazy hair

Thoughts

Ever since I can remember I've looked forward to Christmas. When I was younger it was the visit from Santa that excited me....as I've gotten older, I've come to recognize the spirit of the season that comes along with the holiday. As Thanksgiving gets closer, I become more excited, cause I know that as soon as we are done eating the turkey, the official Christmas season begins. This year wasn't quite the season I'd hoped for. Complications with kidney stones, once again, threw a wrench into my plans. Not being able to get out of bed and do all of the fun things that I'd been looking forward to started to darken my outlook. Three weeks in bed gave me a lot of time to sit and stew about struggles that I'd been having physically, and I started to become angry.

Yesterday, on the way home from church Mike asked me if going through what I do, every time a kidney issue arises, brought me closer to the Savior? The question caught me off guard and I really didn't have an answer for him. I'd never thought of it that way. The more I thought about it, the more my heart softened causing me to repent for the anger that I'd felt.

I truly feel blessed, for all that Heavenly Father has given me. I know that the Savior, Jesus Christ has suffered, just as I have through every trial I've had. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving, hardworking husband, 2 fun, healthy children, wonderful parents who filled my childhood home with the spirit and taught me through example what the gospel is about, amazing siblings and in laws who treat me like I'm their own, and friends who I know I can always count on. How can life get any better than that?

I want to thank everyone for the help, well wishes, thoughts and prayers in my behalf. And I want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

Santa Claus is comin to town.....

Braxton and a friend from our old ward, Rachel, working on their craft.

Braxton, just reminding us what a good big brother he his. Holding both Hailey and Gabby on his lap.

Hailey telling Santa what she wants....

Eating breakfast.

Another event I missed was the ward Christmas party. Mike took the kids and was kind enough to take some pictures for me. They had a pancake breakfast made by the bishopric, they did a holiday craft and then Santa came. Hailey sat on his lap and told him that she wanted a Barbie Cash register.....Braxton on the other hand refused to sit on his lap. He says he's too old to do that, but he still believes that Santa will bring him presents anyway.

Dance/Gymnastics

Hailey doing her "kick tap"

Had to make sure I was watching her.

Doing a leap...pretty good

Watching the teacher and waiting to be noticed.

Balance beam

Bars

Vault

Bars

Hailey is still doing gymnastics this year, but we've also added ballet and tap. The last class, just before Christmas break, the parents are allowed to come into class and take pictures. It's a lot of fun to see what she's learned. Although I have to admit, she does stand around alot in ballet and watch everyone else, until the teacher takes her hand and helps her. I think she enjoys the attention from the teacher. She's already working the system.

Another program........

Hailey's preschool class did a Christmas program. It seemed like I'd just been to her Thanksgiving performance..... I still wasn't feeling very well, but Hailey really wanted me to go and see her sing and dance with her class. Plus, I needed to get out of the house. So I went. It was soooo long and Hailey's class only had a short part at the very end. She did a great job! It was fun to see her sing and do all of the actions to the songs. They sang three songs, Up on the Housetop, jingle bells and Frosty the Snowman. Afterwards her class had a little Christmas party. She had a great time. As soon as we got home it was back to bed for me.Hailey decorating her stocking at the Christmas party.Hailey singing up on the housetop.

"Wax Museum"

Boy this month turned out NOTHING like I had planned. Three weeks in bed has really put me behind this season. So, I am trying to catch up on everything, including shopping for Santa!

Just before Thanksgiving break Braxton's class did a wax museum. Each student had to pick a historical person who changed America in some way, learn about that person and then prepare a three minute bio on that person to present out loud. Then they either had to dress-up or create a puppet that looked like who they had picked. All the parents were invited to come and hear about all of people who had contributed to history. Braxton chose Christopher Columbus and decided to do a puppet instead of dress up. He did a great job!