Christmas Time 2007

Wow, time to catch up on the past year before this new year goes rolling right along. (So, sorry but this will be a bit lengthy!)

Fun in the Snow

The kids have been dying to play in the snow. Now I am NOT a snow person or a person who likes to be cold (I know, I should be living in Arizona). So, when dad was finally around to help we took some time to play outside with the kids.

We had fun sliding down the hill at Chase Middle School. We had only one tube (as I was trying to blow them up I discovered that they all had multiple stab wounds in them - SEAN!!!!!!) so we only had our one big tube (with small leaks) to tube on. It lasted several rounds until it finally deflated too much to use any more.

After our tubing adventures dad started a snowball fight. I was just glad I had the camera and was the official photographer (no snow was allowed to come my way). The kids loved it! And now every time Sean gets a hold of some snow he wants to throw it at dad - what a great kid!

A Trip to the North Pole

With Grandma and Bompa getting ready to leave on their mission for a year, they really wanted to have a memorable Christmas this year. So, to start the season off, they took us all on a cruise from Coeur D'Alene to the North Pole to see Santa Claus.

We watched and followed the many spectacular lighting displays on the way to the North Pole. The kids were all in awe!

Sean was completely mesmerized by the lights. He was also pretty thrilled to be on a boat!

Chad got to hang out with his cousin Justin and favorite uncle, Jeff.

Halle enjoyed being with her Grandma and Bompa and was always ready to pose for a picture.

Although the scenery was great and the boat moved pretty swiftly, it seemed to be a long time out in the cold. We all bundled up the best we could and drank lots of hot-chocolate (except for Halle who had ice-water because she doesn't like chocolate).

Finally we made it to the North Pole and Santa was actually there!!! The kids couldn't believe their eyes and were completely transfixed on the North Pole display.

Santa welcomed us, then he read aloud the names of all the good children on the boat. Luckily Chad, Halle and Sean were all mentioned (there must be some leniency for three year olds!). Santa then led us all in singing the Twelve Days of Christmas and then it was time for the boat to return (Santa is pretty busy you know).

After the boat ride we all went into the Coeur D'Alene hotel to warm up for a spell and see all the pretty decorations.

It was a really fun family activity. I might even have to add that to our annual Christmas tradition list! (But next year we sure will miss having Grandma and Bompa with us!!!)

The Week Before Christmas and All Through the Caviness House . . .

On the last day of school (Tuesday, December 18) Halle and Chad got to go in their pajamas. They were very, very, excited for Pajama Day. I love how excited they get over just little things - that is what makes having kids around so much fun.

At Sean's preschool a special visitor arrived. It was fun to see all the different reactions of the preschool kids. Some were so excited, some couldn't care less and a few were even scared to death to see Santa. Sean fell into two categories. He couldn't have cared less while they had to sit there and wait. But once Santa was sitting down and showed his special sack - then Santa had his attention and he was all excited.

Fortunately and unfortunately Sean was picked first to go on Santa's lap. Fortunately he was excited and went right up to Santa and since he was first, he was still behaving well. Unfortunately, after his turn he no longer had any interest in Santa or sitting nice in the circle. He decided to crawl away from the circle (so he doesn't think any one can see him) and went over and built himself a fort out of the cushion chairs.

One of the many things I really wanted to do this Christmas season was to make a gingerbread house with the kids. I always wanted to do this when I was a kid - but for some reason my mom never did get around to doing it with us.

Last year was the first year the kids got to decorate a house. We had FHE at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Linda's where we decorated costco houses. Chad absolutely loved it!!!!!!!

This year I was determined to do it right and make the gingerbread house from scratch!!!!! So I was just as excited as the kids when it turned out!!!!! (Although I did end up teaching my kids to say the word, "crap," every time the frosting gave way and I had to start all over again in putting the house together.)

Between frosting and candy (both putting it on the house and eating it) we all had a great time. It was worth all the work.

Christmas Eve

One of our traditions is to make cookies for Santa. For the past couple of years we have made and decorated gingerbread men. We heard that Santa and especially Mrs. Claus really love gingerbread cookies. This year I tried very hard not to micro manage and let the kids do everything themselves. The cookies were very loaded with frosting and sprinkles - and Santa must have liked them because they were all gone the next morning!!!

A Christmas tradition that has been going on in the Caviness family for over 20 years now is that of getting together with the Erickson family for dinner, a program, and dessert. We start out at John and Lisa's house with delicious prime rib that John salts and slow roasts all day long. I am actually not a big fan of prime rib but this is delicious!!!!!!

After a yummy dinner (and cleaning up of course) we move on to Herm and Jeraldine's house were we have a Christmas Eve program. It always starts out with Jeraldine playing "Silent Night" on the piano while Herm reads the Christmas story from the Bible. Then everyone else is supposed to share a talent. This year both Chad and Halle played Christmas songs on the piano. I played the piano too (since I already had to practice and prepare a piece for sacrament). Sean led everyone in singing "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolf" along with handing out bells and reindeer antlers for everyone to use. And Chris touched on spiritual thoughts from the talk he gave at church the day before.

The Erickson's combined their talent this year and everyone (John, Lisa, Josh and Andrea) played the BYU fight song on their kazoos.

We always end with Mike's talent - a trivia game based on the movies, "It's a Wonderful Life," and other Christmas movies.

Then we let the kids open their special Christmas Eve bags. They always contain pajamas, a new ornament for the tree and usually a book or video. This year we did something different and gave them all T-shirts for their pajamas. They got an ornament from Alaska (from our cruise this summer) and Mr. Men books.

Finally it was time to come home and get ready for bed (10:30pm!) The kids got into their new shirts and set out the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. And finally by 11:00 pm it was time for bed. (This is the only part of the Caviness tradition that I don't like!!! I want the kids to bed much earlier!!!!)

On Christmas Eve they all get to sleep in the same room. This year Halle talked the boys into sleeping in her room. I guess the good thing about going to bed so late is that they did all drop off to sleep pretty quickly. (After a few bathroom breaks.)

Christmas - The Big Day!

On Christmas day the kids all line up on the stairs and are aloud to go into the room one at a time to see what Santa brought. This year our kids all slept in - which is truly a miracle as my kids are always early birds. Chris and I actually had to wake them up at 7:30am.

So once they were awake and we had the Christmas music playing and the camera's ready we let the kids in. It was Sean's turn to go first this year (his first time at going first), followed by Chad and then Halle.

Sean got a really fun race track with crashing cars. (Not quite the gun he had asked for from Santa at preschool - but close enough).

Chad got a roboreptile and more bionicles of course. (Notice in the background that Santa also brought new tubes. How did he know?)

Halle got Barbie Island Princess everything! The barbie, the styling head and the DVD. What more could a little girl want?

Anything is a toy for Sean, even clothes. After unwrapping a few presents he put them all to good use. Anybody else out there wear pants on their head?

My presents this year were two new suitcases with wheels!!!!! I've still be using my suitcases that I had on my mission - very old and very worn out. Sean decided to turn them into a toy too. My other gift was a set of new dishes - which was very nice but cracked me up because they were also my birthday present. My birthday was last month and Chris had bought me the dishes. But since I hadn't used them yet (been using my Christmas dishes) and he didn't have anything for the kids as a present to me - he wrapped them up again and let the kids give them to me as gifts. Oh, well, it's the thought that counts right. Anyone up for a nice dinner party?!

And here is the present I made for Chris. His very own BYU blanket. I only got the top done - so I still need to quilt and bind the edges. Maybe I will finish before next Christmas and wrap it up again!!!!

Misty's Magic

We finally got family pictures taken this year (December 1, 2007), and they turned out great (of course, thanks to Misty) so here is a peak of our family pictures.

Sean's Sixth Sense

How does he do it? How does he know what to get into? Sean just must have a sixth sense about trouble!!!!!

For Christmas this year I decided to copy Andrea's idea for Jason last year - a BYU quilt. So I have been using all my free time (ha, ha, ha) to cut out, prepare and assemble said quilt. I finally got to the actual sewing stage last night (yeah - my poor husband will only have his present half done). So I sewed until about 1am (until I couldn't see what I was doing any more). I had everything ready to go for the next phase of sewing. The tension was just right (my machine is very finicky!!!!), every thing was laid out for easy access (but still hidden from sight), and all the setting were to my needs.

So, tonight I get ready to take advantage of the BYU game (Chris goes to his brother's to watch and takes ALL the kids -- Wahoo!!!) which gives me time for more sewing.

This first thing I notice is that the thread is on the floor. How did that happen? Did I bump it or something earlier when I was doing laundry? (My sewing room is the laundry room.) So I start winding up the thread and place it back on the spool. I am just thankful the machine is still threaded!!! Because every time I have to re-thread it the tension goes and I have to recalibrate it all over again.

Then I start to un-hid my project and get ready to sew. But wait, there is a big wade of tangled thread all around the needle and stuck in the bobbin case. Okay - now I know "someone" has been messing with my stuff. I take a deep breath and start to detangle the whole bobbin contraption. I notice that some threads are dangling off the table. I go to grab them and notice that they aren't light. Something is attached to the threads. So, I look down and low and behold what do I find???? You are never going to guess this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Attached to the threads is underwear! Little boy underpants (size 2-3T) that are soaking wet from pee. They are attached to the threads by about 5 stitches. I don't know whether to laugh or scream. I am just in total shock. Not at all what I was expecting when I sat down to sew today. And of course - I don't even think to take a picture. I have precious time awastin'. So I quickly cut the threads, throw the underpants into the laundry basket, and finish getting the sewing machine ready to sew.

Upon further inspection I discover that about every single knob on my machine and been turned or pushed. I have to start all over again with setting my machine right!!!!!!

Now, is this coincidence or some big grand scheme? I haven't used my sewing machine since Easter time. At Easter time I decided to make myself a dress for church. Again, I don't sew very much any more (I wonder why?) but each time I do something happens. Last time it was laundry powder all over and in my machine and this time it was yucky underpants.

My hypothesis is: Sean had an accident (which he is still very prone to) so he took off his wet clothes and took them to the laundry room (which he is very good at because he doesn't want me to know he had an accident). While in the laundry room his sixth sense kicked in that mommy must need to use the sewing machine. So he decided to go over and fiddle. Now, he needs something to sew. Oh, what do I have available, I see, my handy-dandy underwear. Now, if I just stick it in here and press a few buttons there lets see what I can do.

Actually I just wish I could have seen his face. It probably scared him when it actually did something and made a noise. I'm just glad his little fingers didn't get in the way.

Now, back to sewing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glenrose Ward Christmas Party

Only 10 days until Christmas - and I am still trying to instill in my brain that it is December, not November. The days just seem to go by faster and faster, especially with so much to do.

I did work really hard on getting most of my shopping done early this year (a first for me). And I love that I am not stressing too badly about being ready for Christmas. I also tried to simplify things a little - which is hard for me. My family always went all out for Christmas. But I have realized that simplifying gifts and being more organized and on top of things has really allowed me to enjoy more time with my children this year and also think more about the reason behind Christmas and what I can give of myself to my family and others.

To start the Christmas season off - we had a great Ward Christmas Party. We got to mingle, the kids got to do fun crafts and see Santa, the adults played games and then we ended with a nativity play put on by the primary. Jeraldine and Halle were asked to be the speakers (which thrilled them both to bits!!!!) It was a well rounded evening of fun, friendship, and Christmas spirit.

Grandma and Halle talk about each piece of the nativity.

Chad is excited to see Santa.

Sean talks Santa into letting him off the naughty list. (He is still holding on to his golden ticket from the Polar Express ride to the North Pole - he loved the train!!!!!!)

Halle is actually speechless.

Chris -mastree. One of the games was to decorate the bishopric up as Christmas trees.

The three dancing Christmas trees.

Yesterday was our Relief Society Christmas Dinner. It was so nice not to be in charge of anything this year!!!!!!!! The dinner tasted great and the program was nice. I liked the thought that, "Wise men still seek him," and how we should be wise in seeking Christ in our lives all the time.



After the relief society program I met up with my book group gals and had some much needed girl time.

First, Free Ice-Skating

A few weeks ago we all went ice-skating as a family for FHE. It was the first time we had ever taken any of our kids. And after thinking about it, it was also the first time Chris and I have ever ice-skated together.

What was our motivation for going? A) Thought it would be a fun seasonal event B) The kids have been begging to go C) We thought we would prepare for the Olympics, or D) It was free.

If you picked D) It was free. Then that is the right answer. That seems to be the main motivation in our family!!!!! Anyway, it was free because of Chris' work and the on going benefits fair that day.

We did have a great time! Chad was pretty brave, and even thought he kept falling down, he would just pick himself up and start all over again. Halle was a little more scared but loved hanging on the the side board and doing twisty tricks. She thought she was pretty cool. Sean loved going too - but he was a lot of work as Chris or I would have to pretty much hold him up the whole loop of the rink. But all in all it was fun.

Will we be going again anytime soon? Sure, as soon as it is free again. Maybe we will have to wait all the way to next year again.

Sean, Halle, and Chad - first time to ice-skate.

Graceful girls.

The fast skating boys.

Sean gets some help around the rink.

Sean - being the official door opener to get back onto the ice.

Halle smiling proud that she is standing up without holding on to the rail.

Chad turned out to be quite the skater.

Thanksgiving - Pilgrim Style

Chad's first grade class had turkey poetry and dressed up like Indians. And much to Halle's delight, her class did something for thanksgiving too. Her class got to dress up as pilgrims and Indians. Their teacher read a short story about the first Thanksgiving while the kids sang songs and told what they were thankful for. It turned out really cute and all the kindergartners were actually on task!!!!

Singing about the Mayflower.

Halle makes a very cute pilgrim.

A Sean, a pilgrim, and an Indian sit together at Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's house.