Santa Baby

Ever have a hard time getting your kids to listen? I keep telling my kids that I really do know Santa. They do not believe me. Last night I get Santa's telephone number and business card so I can call him whenever I might need a little help with the kids listening.

Last night was the ward Christmas party at Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's ward. Here are photos of the kiddos:

Zack and Sydney were first in line and ecstatic to see the big guy. Sydney waited for everyone to leave and then made a second trip to see him and ask about getting a dog.

Sirri, Connor and Meg were next and we very happy to see Santa too. Lisa said she was surprised that Connor would even go to Santa as he was not a fan just last week when then went.
Finally it was Saquoia's turn. She even had a part in the Christmas program. She was one of the angels that sang at the birth of baby Jesus.

I love these kids and am especially excited to see Santa each year. What a great guy. He sure made my kids evening and I have heard nothing but questions and comments about him since. We love you Santa!!

Trapping

Zack has spent the last couple of weekends taking a trapping class offered by the community of Rexburg. He learned not only how to trap but also about skinning and proper maintenance of his traps. In the above photo he is the kid in front of the guy in brown who is holding the hammer. The photo was with an article about trapping in our local newspaper.

Sunday a neighbor asked Zack to come over and trap along the river. Zack was more than willing to accommodate him. Last night I got home and my mighty trapper had managed to trap a couple animals. There was never a prouder boy than Zack last night. He trapped a mallard duck and a muskrat. His dad helped him skin the muskrat and I think he will take it to get tanned as it is his pride and joy.

His next big trapping hope is to trap either a beaver or a raccoon. Good luck mighty hunter. We will post photos of him with his trophies as he traps.

What Do You Want For Christmas?

The other day I was driving to town with Sydney in the back seat. She was upset so I started to ask her what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas. She was still crying so I said:

Me: Do you want a cat?

Syd: No.

Me: Do you want a chicken?

Syd: We have guineas.

Me: Do you want a llama?

Syd: YEAH!!

Great I was thinking she would revert back to the good ole' ..... no I want a dog, answer.

Me: What will you do with a llama?

Syd: Keep it.

Me: Where will you keep it?

Syd: In the back yard.

Me: What will you do with it in the winter? Won't it get cold?

Syd: No, it won't get cold ... it is fluffy.

Smart girl. How do I get her back on track?

Me: I thought you wanted Santa to bring you a dog.

Syd: But Mom, you hate dogs.

Me: Yeah, but maybe if Santa brought a LITTLE dog I might not hate it.

Syd: Yeah, then I want a rat dog.

Me: Ooookay. A rat dog huh?

Syd: Yep and it can sleep in my bed with me.

What I didn't know at the time is that Sharman is getting a Jack Russell Terrier for the kids for Christmas. Great. So now that you know what Syd wants for Christmas; what do you want?

Silly Girl

Sydney makes me laugh with all of her little antics. About a month ago she got ahold of some cattails and she pulled all of the seeds off so it looked like snow. She looked so cute I just had to snap a few (a lot) of photos.

Look Mom, it kinda is like snow.

Snow is falling!!!


Rolling in the "snow."

Drats, snow in the mouth!

Ok, enough of the snow. I am dusting off.

Reading Anyone?

Yeah I know it is dark and hard to see, but this is my library with SIX full sized bookcases. I love to read. I mean I really, really, really love to read. When we built our house we decided that the one thing we would splurge on was having a library in our home. Here we are...three almost four years later and now we have our library. I am so excited. They are stained a deep mahogany color.

Sharman ground out stumps for a man who is a master at woodworking and we traded out services. He built these beautiful bookcases from the ground up. When they are all done they will have a kick board across the bottom and crown molding across the top.

I remember many times that President Hinckley has talked about how he had a room in his home filled with good books. Sharman and I love reading and hope that our love of reading will inspire our children to read as well.

After we got these in the house and set I promptly filled two complete cases. I was scanning some of my favorite books and couldn't help but smile.

So I sat down with the kids and read them a few stories and then we all went to bed. What a wonderful night.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Last night for Family Home Evening, I finally broke down and set up the Christmas tree. The kids are so excited that I actually ended up with some cute photos of them too. After we put up the tree we read stories and then the kids went to bed. It was a wonderful night.

Each year the kids get a new Christmas ornament. They are allowed to hang up their own ornaments so the evening was filled with "Oh, I remember this one." It was a lot of fun and I remembered fondly the tradition that was started so many years ago when I was young. I did manage to drop and break a christmas ball. Syd turned to me and looked at the broken ornament and said, "that can't be good." Sharman was laughing so hard I thought he would pass out. Well, I am glad it was me that broke it instead of a kiddo who would have had a broken heart over it. What a wonderful evening.

Sirri Marie I Love You Too

Last night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's and watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. When we first got there my niece, Sirri, caming running up to me and told me, "I love you so much." This was followed by lots of hugs and kisses. My sweet little Sirri is so good to me. She always has hugs and kisses for me. Well, during the devotional she was laying on her dad's legs and then whispered to me...."I love you." Talk about make my heart melt!!

Later in the evening she walked over to me and asked me if my daddy ever held me on his legs like her daddy held her on his legs. I remember my dad doing the same types of things. Then, she and her brother Connor promptly turned the blanket over their daddy's legs into a slip-or-slide.

I am really glad for my best buddy Sirri. She is always generous with her hugs and kisses and telling me how much she loves me. Well, little sister, I LOVE YOU TOO!!