Christmas

We had a very nice Christmas this year.  Some of the things we did this year I really liked and would want to do again in the future.

Food and Family Experiences:

We had a very nice "Christmas dinner" Sunday before Christmas. We originally planned this because we thought we wouldn't see Pete and Jessica on Christmas day. It was really nice to have this on a day before Christmas.  It made Christmas day less stressful and it was nice to hangout without the stress of other things needing to happen.    All of the liebers came and all the Dahlquists that were in town. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, salad, green beans, sweet potatoes. The only tricky part about it was that our church goes until 4pm so it was hard to have dinner on the table at 5 and house clean, etc.

Another evening we had wings n things and then the kids decorated upside down ice cream cones as Christmas trees with green frosting and M&M's. Bob and Kari brought two Costco sized bags of m&M's for us! Lol.

On Christmas Eve we went to Coronado beach and then to moo time ice cream for lunch. lol. very healthy lunch!  For dinner we had a frozen lasagna. Not very fancy but everyone was starving from not really eating lunch and happy to have a hot meal after a long day. Dave was supposed to be off Christmas Eve but ended up doing a surgery in the morning so he met up with us in the afternoon for ice cream. He and Calvin rented a video game and borrowed Dan's PlayStation and spent a happy afternoon playing star wars video game.

Christmas day we had a yummy breakfast: yougart bar with fruit and granola, quiche from marie calendars and home made cinnamon rolls. Everyone was happy with it!  After opening presents and breakfast we went to see Star Wars with all the kids.  Clare and Lexey cried their eyes out at a certain part in the movie.  Dave started chuckling to himself and Jo, who was sitting on his lap, thought he was crying too. She kept saying, "dad, why are you crying? Stop crying. I am not even crying right now!" This made him laugh even harder. The girls sobbed for so long that at one point he thought they would just have to leave the movie.   We went to the movie with our entire family, plus pete and dan, (parker was going to come as well but wasn't feeling good).  

After the movie we met Bob and Kari + Manny, Lois and Shianne at China Fun. It was great. The kids did waaayyy better than expected, didn't complain and tried new things. Jo and Lex ate really well. Calvin sat quietly , Clare ate white rice. It was fun going there with Bob. He is like a celebrity in that store. Everyone was happy to see him, hugged him when he came in, etc. I guess he goes there a lot and it is quite a novelty to have a middle aged white man who speaks mandarin.  The food was super yummy and how great that nobody had to cook! Win win.  A Christmas dinner I would love to repeat.

Music Experiences - music is  such a great part of the holiday season and really brings the spirit of Christmas. I enjoyed all of these music events and look forward to years in the future of making music a special part of the holidays.


Bob and Kari took Lexey and I to the symphony Christmas concert downtown San Diego. It was a super concert. The orchestra and choir did a great job and chose excellent music for the program, including Do you hear what I hear? Somewhere in my memory (by John Williams, from Home Alone)

One day Holly Franz took all of her piano students to her husband's (Joe Franz) acute rehab center. Each child played one Christmas song. This was not a recital, songs were not memorized or polished like they usually are for performances, but it was really fun to see everyone play and a delight to do some service.  The people at this rehab center are very ill; it is not like a retirement community with high functioning older folks, these were people old and young , who needed 24 hour nursing care. I was proud of the girls for hugging and shaking hands with them afterwards. jo was there in her PJ's and  as the youngest and most adorable little person present, she got lots of hugs and kisses. She was a good sport. Visiting with everyone afterwards was out of Clare's comfort zone. She agreed to talk to two people.

Stake Christmas program. I took Clare and Lexey to the stake Christmas fireside. It was a good program as always. We were sitting about the 10th row of the overflow area. The girls eventually snuck up to the last row of the chapel to squeeze in with Marc, Karen and Lauren Davis, for better viewing!

I took Lexey to a family Christmas fireside one evening at the home of the Gueruera family. They have 8 kids who all play violin and piano. it is quite a sight. Lexey, who has been begging to play violin for years, was awe struck. It was fun to see all the different size violins and their mom even let Lexey try them out. Lexey would be a half size right now.  The Jorgensen family (7 kids) and gueruera family (8 kids) did many musical numbers together. It was a great program. They sang glorious, a rock n roll type Rudolph, jingle bell medley song (have a very happy holiday), o come o come Emmanuel, what child is this, walking in the air.  It was all great. I felt a little like an underachiever as a parent watching this concert.

The activity days girls sang a song in sacrament meeting. The Nativity, written by Toni Thomas. They did a great job. It is a sweet song. "one little shepherd, two baby lambs. Three noble wise men, with gifts in their hands.  A shining angel watches above, I wish I'd been there to give Jesus my love. Quick to the stable, shepherds make haste, a star in the heavens, the wise men will chase. And down from heav'n came angels to call. So I too will seek him the Savior of all."

Another Sunday I was part of a quartet that sang another song Toni wrote, called "As Sudden Angels Filled the Night". It was beautiful, both the music and the words. I was singing with formally trained and stronger voices than mine but I can sing in tune and blend so hopefully I wasn't too much of a weak link.  I love the message of the savior as a baby and then as the hope of the world.

Ward Christmas Party

I was asked to help with the ward Christmas party. It was a larger than life event which turned out completely beautiful in every way. The decorations were amazing. It took several people dozens of hours or labor to make it this way, but it was spectacular.  The theme was a whimsical candy type and turned out really cute.

I was in charge of the Program/Nativity portion of the party. Toni Thomas wrote an amazing program. She is super talented and so bright. It was fun to work with her and watch her work her magic. I was there to help her execute her vision.  My title was director  which meant I filled in the musical numbers, found cast members, rehearsed with everyone separate and together, props,  set, made phone calls to ask for all sorts of favors and help so that we had great sound, lighting, set, etc..... Someone else collected all the costumes so I only had to spend a couple of hours with her going over what she had and making sure it was all a good fit with the cast that I had lined up.  The costumes were perfect.

 Since I was asked mid-November and the party  was Dec 5th I only had to work on this for a few weeks.  This last week I spent a lot of my time on this and was glad that everything turned out so well. The program was lovely and executed well. All the musical groups  and actors did great. Toni was stunning as the "storyteller" - the narrator part who spoke to the children gathered round her feet.

This is a picture of the final moments of the program where the kids sing He Sent His Son.

The best compliment I received was from an older couple int he ward who said in 62 years of Christmas parties, this was the  best they had ever seen. The credit goes 100% to toni, but it was fun for me to be a part of it. It was special.

Luckily Dave was off work saturday so he got to spend the day with the kids.  Lexey actually came with me to the church first thing in the morning and stayed there ALL day helping. She was a great helper. Most of the morning she was helping the decorating people, in the afternoon she helped the food people put out silverware, drinks, napkins, rolls. She also held doors for people carrying in things and followed everyone around telling them things looked great. Lexey and I also helped paint some red on the small red and white candies on the pretty wall decorations pictured below.  She is a sunny little person and it was a fun day. She didn't eat much during the day but didn't complain. This morning she was  a bit of a mess and when I fed her, she ate A TON!

Meanwhile, Dave had Clare, Calvin and JoJo.  The most memorable moments of the day were when Dave took Clare to piano at 1 and then forgot to pick her up at 2. She sat outside the Franz house until 3 when she went in to use the phone. Poor thing. Holly was actually coming to church to music rehearsal at 3:30 so she brought Clare to me there. Apparently her daughter Maddie had been stranded at Ballet so we were not the only ones who had some scheduling miscommunication.

JoJo: "dad, I haven't seen mom all day. Isn't that so sad?"
Dave: " JoJo, that means you've been with me all day. That is fun."
JoJo: "but Dad, I don't really like you. Dad,  I still love you all the way to the sun and back, I just don't really like you. I like being with
mom."

putting kids to bed is torture

Like Jim Gaffigan says, in his hilarious book "Dad is Fat" which I highly recommend, putting kids to bed turns into a reverse hostage situation. "I'll give you anything you want if you'll just stay in your bed!"  My kids are definitely masters of needing extra hugs, water, snacks, going potty, forgot to ask what we have tomorrow......

Anyway, tonight as I left the room, Jo says, "I'm  hungry" and I said, "no you're not. we just finished dinner." Jo, "but mom, that was gross food." Mom, "well, it's your choice not to eat it, you'll be fine until morning." Fast forward ten minutes to when she opens up her door and yells, "mom are you just going to let me die?"

(see previous post for how my children misunderstand what it means to be starving.)

Starving children

As I was making dinner a few nights ago the kids all came in and whined about how they were starving and could not wait for dinner. I explained to them that if they were actually starving they would be too sick to whine and would on the floor conserving energy and near death. They would even be considering eating the dog food downstairs and then if they got hungry enough they would even consider eating the dog (this was maybe taking it too far for their age).  I also emphasized that if they were actually starving they would be happy to eat the dinner I cooked instead of telling me it was yucky since they would just be happy to have any food.  They pondered this lecture and came back to the kitchen to pretend to be starving in a more appropriate way that burns less calories.

Starving children

hair donation

For Dave's graduation gift (june 2014) I grew my hair long so I would "look beautiful" at his graduation. Funny that I actually ended up doing an updo for the actual graduation event, but still, I had long hair for him for a long time! I enjoy long hair and it is indeed beautiful, but it is also a little more maintenance. My hair gets tangly when long which drives me nuts. Also, I never do my hair. In many ways I'm lucky to have low maintenance hair... but in the winter it is cold enough that I want to use a blow dryer... anyway, these thoughts, combined with the fact that I have three other heads of beautiful long hair to worry about, I was ready for a change. Luckily I had enough hair to donate to Pantene beautiful lengths (8 inches), making it worth it for me to make a change and chop the hair!  It is so much easier to take care of. I can blow dry it in 5 minutes and it is light and fun. I'm sure I'll go longer again, but for now this is good.

The kids all said they didn't like it.
Calvin, "no offense mom, but I like your hair better longer."
Clare, "mom, it looks terrible" Then she drew a picture of me with long hair smiling and a picture with short hair sad and said, "this was you happy with long hair, and this is you with short hair, regretting that you cut it and look bad." (thank you child of your father)
Lexey: " mom, I'm not really used to you with short hair. I will try to get used to it. I love you with long or short hair"
Jo:"Why did you cut your hair so short? I like you with long hair."

Dave: Dave had NO warning whatsoever that I was even thinking of cutting my hair. When I came in to see him, I whispered to him that the kids were really mean about it and he should be a good example so he told me I look nice and  gave me a hug.  The kids were hoping he would have a dramatic reaction and had followed me in to see him and even videoed his reaction.  Later he asked why I cut it but has yet to tell me I look bad.  However,  I few nights ago I said, "man, I am getting chubby. This is bad." He said, "why are you getting chubby?" WRONG ANSWER! the correct answer is "no you look great." haha. but I would have known that is a lie so I am ok with a sincere question about why I am 10lbs above my ideal weight.  Food. That's why.

cell phone random photos

We have been watching star wars. We started with #4.

Jo loves ice cream. She asks for ice cream all day. On this particular day she asked for ice cream for breakfast and I gave it to her.

 Twinner selfies

Lex and I made sugar cookies one day. Star wars, texas, and heart shapes.

On this night, I got two babysitters...one for calvin and one for the girls...called in every favor I could think of, and paid $50 for babysitting, so I could go to a work dinner with dave. But he was in surgery and stood me up. It is hard to be mad since it's not his fault but I was still mad/sad.

 We have spent a lot of time at the glasses store. I think Calvin has broken three pairs in the 5 months we've been home. Jo loves to try on all the glasses.

 Clare went camping with her girl scout troop. When I dropped her off, Lexey cried for ten minutes because she was going to miss clare so much. She has such a tender heart.

Clare's family birthday celebration. Ode to wonderful Clare

Clare's "real" birthday was on a saturday this year. Friday night she wrote out hour by hour what she would like to do.  Have breakfast, go shopping with her birthday money, etc.etc. It was a nice day.  In the afternoon we went to the park and then out to dinner at Boston Market. Dave got paged before dinner so we ate quick and then he had to go back to work.  After dinner we went home to do Clare's birthday cake. She got a great cake decorating tool for her b-day so she was excited to give it a try. She did a great job on her first cake.

One of Clare's friends gave her a stuffed animal for her bday which she already had. So Saturday morning we went to Claire's to exchange it with a gift receipt.  Instead of a different stuffed animal Clare chose to get a mother daughter necklace. It has a heart and a key and we each wear one. It was very sweet. I was touched.

 Another sweet part of Clare's birthday is that a few days before her party, somehow I ended up with just Lexey at the store.  There was no school for Clare and Lexey but Jo had school as usual. Clare was at a girl scout event so I had just Lexey.  We talked about going to the zoo or something but she didn't really want to do that. So we went to Target and Lexey helped me get party supplies and favors, and picked out a gift for Clare. She also picked out a card. She carefully read all of the cards that were appropriate for sisters and then picked her favorite, though she loved them all...every sweet and sappy word. Lexey is a good friend and full of love for everyone.


It is hard to believe we have a 10 year old daughter. The years have gone by quick. Clare is really growing up into a lovely little person. At her parent teacher conference last week her teachers told me she is doing great in school. Very confident, outgoing, loves to participate in class and doing well in all subjects. She was selected to be in the honor society, a small group of good kids who are known to be trustworthy, honest and obey the rules in the class. She was very proud of that. Clare works hard in school and is a good student. I have noticed she does a good job of remembering to plan for her day and pack homework, books or extra things she needs for school or after school if she has an activity.  Clare is a good big sister and can help out with home life.  She still loves to read and has amazing recall of details in spite of her lightning speed. Most nights after I get the little girls to bed I sit in Clare's room and read while she reads. Sometimes we read aloud together but if we start a book she will usually finish it on her own rather than wait and read a chapter a night with me. So, most of the time I read my books and she reads hers. It usually takes me weeks to finish a book and she'll finish a couple a week.  Last week she read "where the red fern grows." Dave and I were both sitting by her when Little Ann and Old Dan died. She cried and cried...but kept reading.  She loves her books!

Clare tries to take care of her possessions, but it's hard in a busy house with lots of siblings.  Clare often decides she will keep her bedroom door closed and not share with anyone but inevitably she changes her mind and invites everyone in to color with her new crayons or play her new game.

Clare loves Meyer. She has so much patience with him. He recently shredded her bedspread. I was livid. She was not phased at all and keeps trying night after night to get him to come in a be a good dog. (no such luck yet). She is also really wanting him to be in our christmas card....worried a precious family member might be left out.

Clare also really enjoys crafts and other creative outlets. She recently learned to knit from bobbie brunson. She likes looking at pinterest for recipes and other cute ideas.

After Thanksgiving this year, clare brought all of the Christmas boxes out of the garage and organized the decoration of the house and christmas tree (while I sat on the couch and blogged and shopped). She is awesome.

Clare is not a huge fan of practicing the piano but she is getting better. I noticed at the store the other day she asked the super #8 ball "Am I going to be good at piano when I grow up?"  I know that as much as she struggles to enjoy practice, music is a talent she enjoys and hopes to have her entire life.

birthday party for clare

This year for her birthday, Clare wanted to take a small group of friends bowling. The kids had minimum days all week before thanksgiving for parent teacher conferences so on Friday afternoon I picked up the girls from school and went to the bowling alley.

We had Lauren Davis, Hallie Law, Elise Stiriz, Charlotte Dodds, Annika Henry and Alexey and JoJo. .We had a great time!

 clare and charlotte

 Jo used this ramp for bowling. After a couple of frames the big girls noticed that Jo was winning!  So many of them also decided to give the ramp a try!

 It was fun to watch the faces in either elation or disappointment as they walked back to their seat. Clare posed for this one.

 These girls love the silly pose!

After bowling we went to the park. We sang, opened presents and the girls played. They had an hour and a half there. At first they were telling me they were bored but they got used to having free time and had a great afternoon. It was fun celebrating Clare.

Clare chose to have carmelitas instead of birthday cake. They were a big hit. Those 6 girls could have eaten the entire pan!

 Adorable

THE RANCH

Side note: This has been a draft on the blog for several months .. probably waiting for more pictures to be added. I'm going to post it now and add more pictures later.

I took copious notes on our vacation so that I would be able to write down everything we did while we were away. However, I'm not sure where that went so I'm going from memory. Also, lots of pictures are on my phone and Dave's.

We drove from Reno up to Vale. It was about 7 hours of NOTHING!!!  There was one tiny town and we got the kids lunchables for a snack in the grocery store.

When we arrived in Vale, Rishelle told us they were at her sisters house so we met them there. It was a nice house up on a hill surrounded by farm country. (everything was surrounded by farm country!) All the family was gathering to sing happy birthday to grandma. We joined in. It was fun seeing all the family hang out together! Great people.  It was such a pretty view outside. 

We had tacos for dinner and then Dave and I went out on the 4 wheelers and drove around the property. Everything is beautiful, in a desert-y, open space kind of way.  We then went down to the arena where Rishelles cousins were riding horses. The kids took turn riding as well, rishelle's cousins were sweet to take the little ones for rides. I was surprised that Jo wanted to ride. She was not scared. She now wants to be a "horse person" when she grows up.  The sun started to set and there was a gorgeous pink and orange sky. It's hard to describe how pretty and peaceful it is.  We looked at our clocks and it was 10pm!! The sun sets late that far north!  We went home to Rishelle's parents and got all the kids to bed.

Now that the beard is gone I kind of like seeing pictures of Dave with the beard. He looks more like he belongs in this country town than a clean shaven city slicker.
 Dave and Jo are at the Johnson feed lot.  It was hot and stinky!

When nature calls ....

The next morning we ate breakfast and then packed up and went to the ranch. It was a 2.5 hour drive from Rishelle's house along a bumpy dirt road to get there. It was quite a drive.

The kids' favorite part of the ranch was riding the ATV's.  We took a very long trip out to see a big canyon and to go arrowhead hunting and several little trips around the ranch to entertain the kids and let them take turns driving.

This is the view of the ranch as you enter the valley. Absolutely amazing.  So picturesque.

This is our entire squad. The Scott family, our family and one other family that the Scott's knew from Bosie. A great group.